Lankan air-force bombs, denies 15 civilians killed

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Colombo, Jan 2 (UNI) Sri Lankan Air Force today claimed its Kfir jets bombed ''an identified Sea Tiger base'' north of Mannar and rejected LTTE claims that at least 15 civilians had been killed due to the air raid this morning in Mannar.

''The Israeli-built Kfir ground attack jets carried out air strikes on an identified Sea Tiger base in Illuppaikkadavai, north of Mannar around 0930 hrs local time this morning. Intercepted Tiger communication revealed the Tigers have requested for doctors and vehicles to evacuate the casualties,'' Air Force spokesman Group Captain Ajantha Silva told reporters here today.

Mr Silva said, ''the particular Sea Tiger base in Illuppaikkadavai was a well identified target and was under ''constant monitoring by the Air Force'' adding, a mortar launching position of the LTTE in the west of Panichchankerni in the rebel-held eastern Batticaloa district was also bombed an hour later.

But the LTTE Peace Secretariat in a statement promptly claimed that four Sri Lankan Air Force Kfir jets have ''bombed the fishing village of Padahuthurai near Iluppaikkdavai in Mannar district'', leaving atleast 15 civilians killed.

''So far atleast 15 civilians are reported killed including four children and at least another 30 seriously injured. Out of the 30 houses in the village of Padahuthurai, 25 houses are completely burnt down,'' the LTTE in a statement claimed.

However, Sri Lankan Defence Ministry in a statement rejected the LTTE claims and denied bombing civilian settlements in Mannar.

''The LTTE is currently spreading false information that the SLAF has bombed a civilian settlement in an attempt to discredit the Security Forces. The Air Force categorically denies bombing a civilian settlement north of Mannar,'' the Defence Ministry said.

The LTTE has ''strengthened and increased its presence in the Thoppigala jungles in the Eastern Batticaloa district and firing mortar and artillery shells towards the nearby Army camps from there'', military spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.

He said more than 38,000 civilians in the rebel-held Vakarai areas have crossed to the government-held areas of Batticaloa and were housed in 61 welfare centres.

''There are only about 8000 to 10,000 people still living under the LTTE areas waiting to come to the government-held areas. We have asked the ICRC and other NGOs to urge the LTTE to allow them to come to this side,'' Brig Samarasinghe said. Addressing mediapersons, Minister of Policy Implementation Keheliya Rambukwella said President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government ''is committed to achieve a lasting peace and equally committed to eliminate terrorism in the island nation''.