Civilian shot dead in Trincomalee

Colombo: A civilian was shot dead by an unidentified gunman on Monday evening in Trincomalee. The Media Centre for National Security said they suspected the LTTE was behind the shooting.

Mohammed Musur, the deceased was a business man from Trincomalee. Meanwhile the Government said they would explore possibilities of opening Puttalam-Mannar-Pooneryn road as an alternative to the A-9 main Jaffna Colombo high way.

Director General for Media Centre Lakshman Hulugalle said at present the only alternative passage for the goods and passengers was from sea and air.

"Even the Puttalam-Manner-Ponneryn route has to pass through certain uncleared areas. If the LTTE consents to keep the road open from their end we have no problem allowing passengers and goods to pass through," he said.

He said on a previous occasion the LTTE without prior notice closed the road from their side causing severe hardships to the civilians.

"We are ferrying civilians from the North and Colombo- Jaffna commercial flights are now in operation," Hulugalle said.

(RS)