SLA operation in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 30 May 2001, 14:11 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers Wednesday morning launched a "limited" operation, advancing from their camp at Vavunathivu, about 5 km. southwest of Batticaloa town, into the villages of Navatkadhu, Karaveddi and Monkeykaddy in the district's western hinter land, said sources. No confrontations with the Liberation Tigers were reported, they added.

The SLA units were aided by members of the Raazeek group, a Tamil paramilitary group which is now part of the 9th National Guard Battalion of the SLA.

A fisherman was killed and another was shot in the neck by members of the Sri Lanka army's 9th National Guard Battalion troops during the limited operation.

The wounded person, Manikkam Sanmugarasah, 25, of Mahilawettuwaan was brought to the Batticaloa hospital for treatment.

The wounded person's relatives said that cadres of the Raazeek group shot dead Thangarasa Santharoopan, 20, who was fishing along with his cousin Manikkam in the shallow waters of the lagoon near Karaveddy, nine kilometres north west of Batticaloa Wednesday.

Meanwhile SLA troops stationed at 23-3 Brigade head quarters fired artillery towards these villages that are not under the control of government troops. LTTE fighters do not have permanent positions in these villages, according to local sources.

Schools, government offices and business establishments in the vicinity of Vavunathivu SLA camp did not function Wednesday due to the military activity, the sources added.

Sources in Batticaloa town said black smoke was seen in the western hinter lands. However, it could not be verified if there were damages to properties or casualties.