Search continues for Yala attackers

Ranil Wijayapala

Troops conducted a search operation in the Yala National Park for the second consecutive day to nab the LTTE cadres who had infiltrated the Park possibly from the Ampara border, Military sources said yesterday.

One soldier deployed for the Thalgasmankada Army detachment after the LTTE attack was injured yesterday too due to an anti-personnel mine explosion within the Army detachment.

Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara denied reports that a landmine explosion caused injuries to two Wild Life officers and a soldier.

“The soldier was injured due to an anti-personnel mine explosion and two Wild Life officers who were with the soldier sustained minor injuries in the incident,” the spokesman added.

He said the search operation was in progress. Brigadier Nanayakkara ruled out the possibility of a large number of Tiger cadres infiltrating the park saying that a handful of cadres who had arrived in the park would have already fled the area after attacking the Army detachment.