| One Sri Lankan Army Soldier
tragically lost his life today, after having ventured into
the Zone of Seperation in Jaffna Peninsula for unknown personal
reasons and opened fire on four LTTE cadres. The incident
took place today between 12.00 and 13.00, 150 metres East
of the Muhamalai Checkpoint on the A9 road.
According to information that
SLMM Headquarters and SLMM Monitors on the ground have had
confirmed today with both The LTTE and The Sri Lankan Army,
it seems that the following happened: The soldier went missing
from his comrades at Muhamalai Checkpoint just after 12.00.
After that he ventured into the Zone of Separation, separating
the Government controlled area in Jaffna Peninsula from
the LTTE controlled area. The reasons for this crossing
remain totally unknown to both Parties. Between 12.00 and
13.00 the soldier came across four LTTE Cadres and opened
fire with his personal weapon, slightly wounding two of
the cadres. The Cadres returned fire in self defence with
the tragic result of the Sri Lankan Army Soldier losing
his life. It is important to underline that the above mentioned
incident is what happened according to the information SLMM
has at this point in time and that further inquiries will
be made into this event.
Commanders of The LTTE
and Commanders of The Sri Lankan Army showed tremendous
responsibility and constraint in a very difficult situation,
according to Major General Trond Furuhovde, Head of SLMM.
“The LTTE cadres were brought into a very difficult
situation where they returned fire in self defense, with
this tragic result. I deeply regret the untimely loss of
a young life in this tragic event. It underscores the need
of the parties to work hard to keep the Peace Process on
track. This tragedy is certainly a very serious reminder
to all of us. I would like to convey to the soldier’s
family SLMM’s deepest sympathy.”
Released By
SLMM HQ
Colombo
SLMM HQ, 399 Galle road. Colombo-3. Tel: +94 (0) 1 573 630.
Fax: - 573 721
Mr. Teitur Torkelsson. GSM: +94 (0) 77 712 080
Press & Information Officer (PIO) of SLMM
Teitur.Torkelsson@mfa.no
Ref: SLMM HQ/25th July 2002/MED/6008
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