2ND LEAD

LTTE slams Mosque attack, urges calm

[TamilNet, Friday, 18 November 2005, 10:20 GMT]
A communiqué issued by the LTTE Political Division, Amparai District, Friday, has condemned the attack on innocent Muslim civilians congregated for prayers at the Grand Mosque, Akkaraippattu, during early hours, Friday. The communiqué said that "the LTTE expressed its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of the atrocious grenade attack." The LTTE message has pointed out that the grenade attack was aimed at disrupting peace and understanding between Tamils and Muslims and creating "division and animosity" among them. Appealing for calm and patience, the LTTE has vowed to help expose soon, the "surrogate paramilitary elements of the crime".

There were more than one hundred at prayers when unidentified attackers hurled grenades into the congregation at 5.15 a.m., before escaping from the vicinity.

Four were dead and more than twenty seriously injured in the attack.

There is tension prevailing in the area and additional Sri Lankan police protection has been provided.

Tamils in the border areas, fearing reprisals have taken refuge at the Ramakrishna School, Akkaraippattu, according to sources in Akkaraipattu.