20 Killings by LTTE in October

by Manjula Fernando and Uditha Kumarasinghe

Stressing the urgency and need for strengthening the CFA the Government yesterday charged that the LTTE was responsible for 20 brutal killings during October.

Government Spokesman and Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said the Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) has vehemently condemned the killing of the 20 persons during last month which included military and police intelligence officers.

According to the SCOPP, two military personnel, four policemen, one home guard, one Grama Niladari and 12 civilians were gunned down last month. Most of these killings were carried out by the LTTE's pistol gang.

"On the basis of the information gathered by the investigating officers, the LTTE is directly linked to the assassination of Lt. Col. Thuvan Meedin," the spokesman further said adding that the assassin is known to have been closely associated with Sampoor LTTE leaders.

"Information points that the primary suspect had direct contacts with the LTTE, " he said, adding that investigating officers were checking a lead that he has received training from the LTTE.

He abstained from disclosing further information citing continuing investigations into this killing.