DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA/WAR (L-O)
NUMBER=2-262479
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Police in eastern Sri Lanka say 18-people have
been killed and several more wounded by a bomb.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting is raging in the country's
northern Jaffna region. From Colombo, Vandana Chopra
filed this report subject to military censorship.
TEXT: Police officials say several people were
wounded and killed by an explosion in Batticoloa, a
predominantly Tamil town - 220-kilometers east of the
capital, Colombo. The explosion occurred as mainly
Buddhist Sri Lanka celebrated the Vesak festival to
mark the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
Meanwhile, a government statement says troops,
artillery, and aircraft repulsed several Tamil rebel
attacks near Jaffna City.
The director of information says rebels continue to
fire artillery and mortars into populated areas. But a
majority of the residents of Jaffna town have
displayed a reluctance to leave their homes.
The government took control of Jaffna, the former
rebel headquarters, in 1996. Aid officials are
expressing growing concern for the 500-thousand
civilians in the northern Jaffna region.
There was no immediate comment from the Tamil
guerillas about the latest round of fighting.
There is little independent information from the
northern Jaffna region because the government has
imposed censorship on foreign media and does not allow
journalists in the war-torn areas.
Fierce fighting between the government and the Tamil
rebels broke out a week ago, after the government
rejected a rebel offer for a temporary ceasefire to
evacuate troops from Jaffna.
Meanwhile, President Chandrika Kumaratunga called for
all ethnic communities to maintain peace and harmony,
as Sri Lanka marked Buddha's birthday with a public
holiday.
President Kumaratunga has said the government is
prepared to negotiate peace with the rebels, but would
not withdraw troops from the north and east.
The rebels have been fighting for autonomy for the
minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka's north and east
since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
17-May-2000 13:23 PM EDT (17-May-2000 1723 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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