Two civilians killed in suicide blast
Ranil WIJAYAPALA
BATTICALOA: Two civilians, reportedly members of the Tamil Makkal
Viduthalai Pulikal were killed yesterday as an LTTE suicide cadre blew
himself opposite the Kali Kovil in Kalavanchikudi in Batticaloa
yesterday morning, Police and Military said.
The incident took place shortly after UN Assistant Secretary General
Angela Kane who is on a brief visit to Sri Lanka left Batticaloa.
Police Spokesman Senior DIG N.K. Ilangakone told the Daily News that
Police confirmed the two civilians believed to be supporters of the TMVP,
have been killed due to a suicide blast.
The suicide cadre had apparently jumped onto the motorbicycle in
which the two civilians were travelling near the Kali Kovil on
Satyavilan road, Kalavanchikudi some 17 kilometres from Batticaloa town.
“A woman passing by was also admitted to the hospital after
sustaining injuries in the incident,” Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya
Nanayakkara said.
Initially it was reported that the explosion was triggered off due to
claymore mine fixed to a bicycle.
However, both Police and Military Spokesmen said they have not
observed any connection with the forthcoming local elections in
Batticaloa and this incident.
“The LTTE might be doing these things to give a bad impression about
Batticaloa to the outside world,” Brigadier Nanayakkara added.
OIC of the Election Monitoring Unit in Batticaloa IP Sanath Ranjith
told the Daily News that no complaint was received to the effect that
the suicide blast has any connection with the forthcoming polls.
“The situation remains calm in Batticaloa, despite this incident,” he
said.
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