SLA soldiers in LTTE security zone arrested

[TamilNet, Thursday, 26 September 2002, 11:47 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Wednesday morning took seven soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army into custody when they entered a security zone between two LTTE camps at Kumburupiddy, 22 km north of Trincomalee town, Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission sources said. “All steps are being taken to release the soldiers in view of the prevailing goodwill between both sides,” an LTTE official in Kilinochchi said.

The Deputy Head of the SLMM flew to Trincomalee from Batticaloa Wednesday evening and held talks with the LTTE local leaders in Trincomalee.

SLA sources said the soldiers had gone to the area in a tractor to collect sand.

The SLMM officials are holding talks with the LTTE leaders in Killinochchi, regarding the soldiers' release.

The Sri Lanka army and Police have arrested 22 LTTE fighters in the Trincomalee district since the cease-fire agreement was signed between the Colombo and the Tigers. Twenty were released amidst objections by the LTTE. The Sri Lanka Police arrested two LTTE members in Kantalai two weeks ago and are yet to release them.