Published on - 2/8/2005
Five LTTE cadres, including the LTTE political leader for AMPARA and BATTICALOA, KAUSHALYAN and a former Member of Parliament for THIRUKKOVIL were among those who died following a surprise attack on Monday (07) night while they were travelling in the general area of NAMALGAMA, PULLAIRADI between 104th and 105th Milepost on the road to BATTICALOA.
LTTE members, KAUSHALYAN, PUGALAN, MADIMARAN, THAMULAN and the driver of the van of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian, Mr. CHANDRA NEHRU had succumbed to gunshot injuries on the spot inside the van (57-1020) after they were attacked, apparently by several unidentified gunmen.
On hearing the sound of small arms gunfire, troops from nearby NAMALGAMA and RUWANPITIYA Army detachments immediately rushed to the area and conducted a search. They have seen a Toyota Dolphin van off the road with gunshot damages, and found nine persons, including the five dead and four persons with serious bleeding injuries, trapped inside the vehicle. Troops also subsequently recovered one revolver and two assault rifles from the van.
Troops made immediate arrangements to evacuate the injured, identified as former TNA Parliamentarian Mr. CHANDRA NEHRU (60), Police Constables CHANDRASEKARAN (35) (RPC 7332), THIYAGARAJA (36) (RPC 6745) (Two Police Constables who were providing security to the former Parliamentarian) and LTTE member, V. VINODARAN (35) of KOKKADICHOLAI (LTTE No. 077305) to the nearest WELIKANDA hospital. They were later transferred to the Base hospital at POLONNARUWA as their condition grew critical. Afterwards the Police organized emergency transport for the wounded to the COLOMBO National hospital on medical advice.
The WELIKANDA Police assisted by troops dispatched the remains of slain LTTE men to the hospital at POLONNARUWA for the post-mortem examination and necessary onward actions. The WELIKANDA Police have also taken steps to keep the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) informed of the incident.
Ex-TNA Parliamentarian Mr. CHANDRA NEHRU (60) died of his injuries Tuesday (08) morning at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), COLOMBO National hospital.
The LTTE group led by the slain KAUSHALYAN had entered cleared areas on Monday (07) afternoon at 1500 hrs, in Double cab (NPHT 6887), across the OMANTHAI Entry/Exit point indicating that they were proceeding towards VAVUNIYA. The LTTE group has however not specified their final destination, nor has the group requested security escort from the troops.
It has subsequently come to light that this group led by KAUSHALYAN has met Mr. CHANDRA NEHRU, by arrangement or otherwise, in POLONNARUWA area. They had released the double cab in which they had arrived through OMANTHAI Checkpoint, to return to WANNI. Thereafter they had joined Mr. CHANDRA NEHRU and party and left for BATTICALOA in his van.
It has been the practice to provide security for the movement of political and military leaders of the LTTE, when indicated in advance and security requested, for movement in Security Forces controlled areas. LTTE members and supporters have been warned repeatedly by Security Forces on possible rival attacks, highlighting the importance of taking necessary precautions. They had ignored such warnings in this instance too.
Further investigations are continuing.
