SLAF bombs Mullaiththeevu before GCE(A/L) exams

[TamilNet, Thursday, 23 August 2007, 03:35 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fast attack aircrafts bombed twice on populated areas in Mu'l'livaaykkaal in Mullaiththeevu district Wednesday morning causing panic among students waiting to sit the G.C.E (Advanced Level), P. Ariyaratnam, Mullaiththeevu Zonal Director of Education said. The attack damaged two houses but no casualties or injuries were reported.

Two bombers appeared in the area around 7:25 a.m., dropped one bomb each. The aircrafts flew away after circling the area for ten minutes causing the local residents to scatter in panic seeking safety inside bunkers.

Two aircrafts came back around 7:50 a.m., dropped 16 bombs, and disappeared around 8:15 a.m.

"The students sit the exam this year with tension and nervousness due to the continuing aerial attack by the SLAF in this area. The aerial attacks aimed at schools has become a severe impediment for students to attend school. I have already given permission to the principals to close the schools at any time if their school comes under attack," Mr Ariyaratnam said.

"We have already lost 53 school girls in the Chencholai attack. Recently, a 14-year-old student in Mullaiththeevu lost both his legs in an aerial attack. In addition, four of our schools were bombed. Apart from that, some days before the beginning of the G.C.E. A/L Examination, Mullaiththeevu High School came under the shell attack of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN). Some shells fell near the school.

"As such, we are very much concerned about of the safety of our children. Therefore, we have taken this decision. I have heard that the students in the Mullaiththeevu examination Center were very nervous, and disturbed, the education official added.