SLA artillery damages civilian property in Koayilkugnchukku'lam

[TamilNet, Friday, 18 May 2007, 23:13 GMT]
Artillery attacks by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) since Thursday from their Forward Defence Lines (FDL) in Ira’nai Illuppaikku’lam, Nocchchikku’lam and Kalmadu areas towards civilian targets in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) - controlled Vavuniya district have inflicted heavy damages to property and livestock in Koayilkugnchukku'lam area, sources in the area said.

More than twenty shells from SLA occupied areas exploded within the premises and the play ground of Government Tamil mixed school, Koayilkugnchukk’ulam located 4.5 km from SLA forward defense lines. Since the students and teachers used the bunkers effectively as trained, no one was hurt.

A total of 334 students and 9 teachers attend the school, according to school officials.

Students from three schools located in LTTE-controlled areas:

• Maatharpanikkar Makizhangku’lam Junior school (163 students)
• Navvi Government Tamil mixed school (85 students)
• Paalamoaddai Government Tamil mixed school(148 students).

have recently been displaced due to SLA offensive and were continuing their education in Koayilkugnchukku'lam and in other schools in the area.

Since more than 3700 civilians from 893 families had already relocated from these areas there were no civilian causalities. However, civilian properties were damaged and several live stock abandoned by the fleeing civilians were killed,

SLA reconnaissance aircrafts were observed in the area throughout Thursday and Friday, according to residents.