EU Chief Observer visits Batticaloa scene of killing

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 March 2004, 11:48 GMT]
European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Mr.John Cushnahan accompanied by European Union (EU) Sri Lankan delegation head Mr.Wouter Wilton arrived in Batticaloa Tuesday morning and visited the house where the Tamil National Alliance candidate Mr.Rajan Sathyamoorthy and his relative Mr.Kanthan Kanagasabai were killed. They also visited the hospital and inquired from the Police regarding the incident, sources said.

Mr. Cushnahan later held discussion with the leaders of political parties contesting the general election in the Batticaloa district.

Meanwhile, the third person, Mr. Kanagasabai Babu, who was injured in the shooting incident has been warded in the Intensive Care Unit of the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, said its Director Dr.S.Thevarajan.

Two persons, who came in a bicycle according to some eyewitnesses, police said, shot Mr.Rajan Sathyamoorthy dead in his residence when he was about to leave for election campaign.

HQ Inspector of Batticaloa Police Mr. S.H.Bandara immediately visited the scene and commenced inquiry.

Additional police and army soldiers have been deployed in Batticaloa town following the incident.

Two candidates have been shot dead in Batticaloa electoral district since the filing of nominations on February 24. On February 29 Mr.Sinnathamby Suntharampillai, a candidate in the United National Party was shot dead while warded in the Batticaloa a Teaching Hospital, sources said.