Civilians Killed in LTTE Provocation

By: Defencewire

(October 18, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Three civilians, including two children were killed and three more civilians injured in crossfire between LTTE Sea Tigers and the Sri Lanka Navy in the Seas off Pesalai in Mannar early this morning. One more civilian is missing. A Navy Inshore Patrol Craft was en route to intercepting a Sea Tiger boat movement from Veduthalthivu Sea Tiger base, which has been highly active in recent times, when, despite the bans imposed on Human Smuggling, a boat full of civilians crossed its path. At this exact time, the Sea Tigers, perhaps sensing an opportunity to escape, opened fire on the IPC. The Navy craft too returned fire while attempting to pull back from the civilian boat. Unfortunately, at that same moment, a volley of crossfire hit the civilian boat. The Navy immediately reached the boat and rescued the three injured Tamil civilians and the bodies of the three deceased. Sea Tigers taking advantage of this brief lull managed to escape towards Veduthalthivu coast.

The seas around Pesalai were restricted for fishing due to constant infiltration by Sea Tigers from Veduthalthivu. The restrictions were eased from time to time only to be taken advantage of by the guerrillas. Last year, a group of over 20 Sea Tiger boats, disguised as fishing vessels launched a massive attack on Telemannar Jetty and adjoining Naval Installations killing over a dozen sailors, including members of the elite Special Boat Squadron. The LTTE has been involved in an organized Human Smuggling Operation from Mannar to India. Large numbers of Tamils were asked to leave this way by the LTTE prior to the escalation of violence by both sides last year. Even Tamils from Trincomalee were ferried to India in this way, which involves a dangerous and precarious journey in high-speed fishing boats, often dodging Navy arrest. A number of boats have capsized in these journeys for which organized gangs paying 'taxes' to the LTTE, charge upto Rs. 5000 per head. Passengers are often left on sandy islets in Indian coastal waters to be picked up by Indian smugglers. The smuggling of humans continue despite repeated attempts by the Navy to put an end to the racket.

Meanwhile Army Commandos have rescued three Tamil civilians and two Japanese engineers from the Japanese Aid Agency JICA this morning. The group went missing along with their Sinhalese guide in Morawewa, Trincomalee, en route to inspecting Nelum Oya Tank. A team of Sinhalese contractors were abducted and later assassinated by the LTTE in the same area prior to the capture of the East by the Security Forces.