Eleven soldiers killed in LTTE attack

by Ranil Wijayapala

Eleven soldiers were killed and three injured as an Army truck plying from Point Pedro to Palaly came under yet another LTTE claymore mine attack yesterday at Puloli West in Point Pedro, Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe told the Daily News.

This was another major ceasefire violation perpetrated by the LTTE during the last few days, showing its sheer disregard for peace.

The Government vehemently condemned the brutal attack.

One of the three trucks transporting soldiers from different camps in Point Pedro to Palaly came under this claymore mine attack at the built-up area of Puloli West at 12.50 p.m., Brigadier Samarasinghe added.

The injured soldiers were admitted to hospital, he added.

"Fourteen soldiers were in the truck that bore the brunt of the claymore mine attack," Brigadier Samarasinghe added.

Meanwhile, a constable from the Kalmunai Police on a foot patrol in Pandirippu area was shot dead by suspected LTTE gunmen who came on a motorcycle around 1 p.m. The deceased was identified as Neera Niyas.

The fourth claymore mine attack on the Security Forces by the Tigers was reported just two days after ambassadors of the Co-chairs expressed concern on the escalating LTTE violence in the North and East on Saturday after meeting LTTE political leaders in Kilinochchi.

The Ambassadors to Sri Lanka of the Co-chair countries met LTTE Political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan after the Government impressed upon them following the killing of 13 sailors in Pesalai, Talaimannar that they should convey the message to the LTTE that they should stick to the ceasefire not by words but by actions too.

This is the third claymore mine attack by the LTTE on Army personnel in Jaffna peninsula within this month and the fourth major attack on the Security Forces in the North and East. Earlier the LTTE blasted two Army tractors carrying soldiers at Kondavil on the Jaffna - Palaly road on December 4 and another at Irupalai junction in Nallur on December 6 killing 14 Army personnel.

Last Friday suspected LTTE cadres blew up a Navy convoy at Nadukuda, in Pesalai, Talaimannar killing 13 sailors and injuring two others. The Co-chair countries following their meeting in Brussels on December 19 urged the LTTE to desist from violence and urged them to enter the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, suspected LTTE members stole a four-wheel drive vehicle belonging to the Halo Trust in Jaffna yesterday.

Govt urges Co-chairs to take action

A Government statement issued last night noted that the attack comes just two days after a delegation of the Co-Chair countries met the LTTE in Kilinochchi and delivered a strong message which the respective Capitals wanted communicated to the LTTE.

"The LTTE has shown complete contempt to the diplomatic efforts made by the Co-Chair countries. It is clear that the LTTE as in the past has shown scant regard for diplomatic efforts and messages," it said, calling upon the Co-Chair countries to follow through with the intended consequences at the earliest.

"We believe that such actions could take the strain off the ceasefire, by preventing the escalation of violence."

The government expressed its condolences to the families of the Army personnel killed in the explosion.