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DATE=9/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA ATTACK (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254444
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations, says the Sri Lankan 
government has confirmed 22 Tamil refugees were 
accidentally killed when government planes bombed the 
country's north earlier this month.  Vandana Chopra 
has the details from Colombo.
TEXT: Sri Lankan government officials say the 
government is investigating the circumstances of the 
Air Force accident which killed Tamil refugees.
The United Nations resident Coordinators office in 
Colombo, says government officials have confirmed that 
the casualties, incurred in Mullaitivu district during 
the air attack, were the result of an accident.  The 
government is now investigating the incident.
Military officials had earlier denied civilian 
killings saying air force jets had attacked two camps 
belonging to Tamil Tiger separatists on September 15th.
After the air force attack, Tiger rebels massacred 
more than 50 Sinhalese civilians in an early morning 
raid on three villages in eastern
Ampara district in what the military called 
retaliation.
Earlier this week, Foreign Minister, Lakshman 
Kadirgamar blasted the United Nations for commenting 
on civilian killings in his country.
He asked the UN organizations to restrict their 
concerns to the social and economic development of the 
country.
The UN statement issued last week urged all parties to 
the conflict to refrain from any attacks and 
retaliatory attacks directed towards civilians.
But Foreign Minister Kadirgamar said the UN 
organization should restrict their concerns to 
"malaria and mosquitos" and not try to expand their 
mandate.
The rebel guerrillas have been fighting for a 
independent homeland for minority Tamils in Sri 
Lanka's north and east since 1983. 
More than 50-thousand people have died in the island's 
long conlict which has strained the government and 
economy.(Signed)
NEB/VC/PLM
29-Sep-1999 06:29 AM EDT (29-Sep-1999 1029 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.