SLA camps shelled

[TamilNet, Sunday, 31 October 1999, 11:21 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers ambushed a SLA unit at Vammivedduvaan and shelled Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camps in Vaakarai and Kathiraveli in the eastern Batticaloa District last night said sources.

SLA reinforcements, which were sent from Vaakarai camp to Vammivedduvaan, 3 km. North of Vaakarai, were also attacked by the Tigers around 11 p.m., forcing them to return to the camp the sources added.

Residents in the area said shelling which began around 10 p.m. continued till 5 in the morning today.

Sources said that more troops have been sent to Vammiveduvaan this morning. Further details of the clashes were not available.

Vakkarai is 65 km. north of Batticaloa and Kathiraveli is further 15 km. north of Vaakarai.

Elsewhere in the eastern district, a bomb placed inside an abandoned house at Punaikudah, Eravur, went off around 12.40 p.m. this afternoon seriously wounding three Tamil youths, residents said.

The wounded youths were admitted to the Batticaloa district hospital.

Sources say that the bomb would have been placed in the abandoned building, possibly targeting SLA soldiers patrolling the area.