DATE=11/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKAN CHURCH / L-O
NUMBER=2-256420
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:
INTRO: The death toll in Saturday's artillery attack
on a 17th century Dutch church in northern Sri Lanka
has risen to 44. And -- as Vandana Chopra reports
from Colombo -- the government says it still controls
the town.
TEXT: Church authorities say they are preparing to
cremate or bury the civilian refugees killed in the
shelling.
The dead in Saturday's attack included children
sleeping in the chapel adjacent to the main shrine.
A statement issued by church authorities says - in
addition to destruction of the Sacred Heart Chapel --
a section of the main shrine also suffered extensive
damage.
Military officials say Tamil Tiger rebels fired
mortars and artillery indiscriminately at the church
in Madhu in the Northern Wanni region, Saturday.
Defense ministry officials say -- although they have
withdrawn from the church compound, in line with the
request made by the bishops -- the Madhu area is still
under their control.
However, the rebels have denied they were responsible
for the massacre.
In a statement issued from its London office, the
rebel organization accuses the military of using the
refugees as human shields. Church officials have not
blamed anyone for the attack but have asked both sides
to withdraw from the area around the shrine and
refrain from using it for any strategic and political
advantage.
Last week, the guerrillas said they had taken control
of the area around the Madhu church, but Sunday's
ministry statement said the rebels had been pushed out
of the area.
Since last month fighting has intensified in the
Northern Wanni region, with the guerrillas capturing
key military bases.
In a matter of days, the government lost most towns it
had gained in a two-year assault on rebel bases.
Observers say the government's setback is Sri Lanka's
biggest military debacle in the 16-year war.
The Tamil Tigers are fighting for a separate homeland
for the minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka's north
and east. (signed)
NEB / VC / WD
22-Nov-1999 02:55 AM EDT (22-Nov-1999 0755 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
