Two Muslims shot dead in Sammanthurai

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 August 2003, 05:44 GMT]
Forty-year-old father of four children Mr.A.Ibralebbai and a twenty one old father of two children Mr.K.L.Ismail were shot dead Sunday night by unidentified gunmen at Nelluchchenaivettai in Sammanthurai police division in Amparai district, police sources said. Their bodies were recovered Monday morning at the site, according to police sources.

Sammanthurai police immediately launched an investigation into the killing which has escalated tension among the population in Sammanthurai and its suburbs, police said

Ampara district Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) parliamentarians Mr.M.I.Anwer Ismail and Mr.H.M.Harris immediately brought this incident to the notice of the Prime Minister Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe and Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim now in Kandy, SLMC sources said.

Colombo political sources said Mr. Ismail and Mr. Harris met the Prime Minister in Colombo and briefed him about the situation in Sammanthurai.

SLMC leader and Minister Mr.Rauff Hakim with the two parliamentarians Messrs Ismail and Harris are reported to be rushing to Sammanthurai in a special helicopter accompanied by top security officials, SLMC sources said.

Minister Mr. Hakim is expected to hold a press briefing after visiting Sammanthurai, sources in east said.