LTTE official shot dead in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 04 February 2005, 15:56 GMT]
An official of the Liberation Tigers was shot dead by gunmen suspected to be members of a paramilitary working with the Sri Lanka army intelligence Friday morning in Kiran, 28 kilometres north of Batticaloa. The slain official was identified as Mr. Sinnathurai Thevathas, 28, who is charge of LTTE’s Forest Conservation Division for Batticaloa.

He was shot dead with a T-56 assault rifle while riding a motorbike with a colleague near Kiran Vishnu Temple, Police in Valaichenai said. His companion escaped unhurt. Mr. Thevathas is from Puli Paaintha Kal, a hamlet in the interior, about 2 kilometres west of Kiran.

The assailants got away, Police said.

Further investigations are being conducted by Valaichenai Sri Lanka Police Officer in Charge Mr. K. G Dharmawardena.