Young Valaichenai woman shot dead

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
M Maheswari (20), a young woman from Kinniyadi, 33 km north of Batticaloa, was killed by small arms fire which is believed to have originated from a nearby Sri Lankan Army (SLA) camp at around 9:00 a.m. this morning, said sources in Valaichenai.

Maheswari had been in the compound of her house when she was hit by the round. She later succumbed to her injuries at Valaichenai Hospital.

There is still no confirmation as to where the shot had been fired from. Maheswari was killed by a single shot and not from a burst of fire, said sources.

Maheswari's death was followed by further difficulties as there had been no doctors available to conduct the post-mortem on the body.

The Judicial Medical Officer at Valaichenai Hospital was on leave and the doctor from Eravur Hospital could not travel to Valaichenai because the single ambulance was engaged on more pressing duties, said sources.