Missing soldier found after two months

Rafik Jalaldeen

BATTICALOA: A soldier reported missing in action was found yesterday morning lying in a pool of water by a group of security personnel whilst on a search operation in Meeyankulam, in Batticaloa.

Sergeant K.M.S. Ratnayake although badly injured and in a dazed condition was alive. He was promptly rushed to the Polonnaruwa Base hospital.

He had been reported missing since October 6 following a confrontation between the Security Forces and the LTTE in the Mankerni- Kadjuwatta area.

The Security Forces also recovered a haul of weapons during the search operation.

According to a spokesman for the Media Centre for National Security, LTTE cadres fleeing from Vakarai towards Thoppigala attacked the Security Forces on foot patrol on Wednesday night in Meeyankulam. The confrontation lasted until the wee hours of yesterday.

"The LTTE cadres were crossing from Vakarai to Thoppigala amidst retaliation of the Security Forces. Thoppigala is where the normally LTTE takes refuge in the uncleared area", the spokesman said.

He said that the LTTE cadres fired on the Security Forces foot patrol at Meeyankulam. In this attack five LTTE cadres were killed and the troops recovered five T-56 assault riffles during the search operation.