DATE=9/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKAN KILLING / L-O
NUMBER=2-254039
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In an attack on three villages in eastern Sri
Lanka, Tamil Tiger rebels are reported to have killed
at least 51 Sinhala civilians. Vandana Chopra has the
details from Colombo.
TEXT: Police officials say rebels used swords and
machetes to hack to death villagers in the early hours
of Saturday morning, in the eastern Ampara District.
The villagers wounded in the attack were taken to
nearby hospitals. The victims included women, children
and males. Hospital sources say the death toll is
likely to increase.
Police officials say the rebels also attacked two
other villages in the region, killing civilians and
two children in one family.
Security officials say soldiers and policemen were
being sent to the area and a search operation was
being launched.
Saturday's attack comes soon after Tiger separatists
accused the Sri Lankan Air Force of killing 22 Tamil
refugees, in strikes in Northeastern Sri Lanka.
Although the military spokesperson denies civilians
were targeted, the Red Cross confirms the attack and
deaths.
In condemning the attack, Amnesty International says
the air force failed to take adequate measures to
avoid civilian casualties.
The rebel guerillas have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority Tamil community in Sri
Lanka's North and East since 1983. (signed).
NEB / wd
18-Sep-1999 01:55 AM LOC (18-Sep-1999 0555 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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