One killed in firefight

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
One unidentified armed man, believed to be a member of the LTTE, was killed in Mannar in the northwest of the island, this afternoon around 1.30 p.m in a firefight that lasted for 45 miniutes, said Sri Lankan police sources.

On receiving information of the presence of an armed youth at Moor street in Mannar, a large number of policemen cordoned off and searched the area, they said.

The youth was killed as he tried to escape whilst firing at the police, said the police sources.

The youth was killed while crossing the shallow sea near Pallimunai in Mannar island.

Mannar Magistrate, Mr. M. Ilancheliyan, instructed the police to hand over the youth's body to Mannar Hospital orderd an inquest into the death.