2ND LEAD

Shelling reported at Batticaloa north entry point

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 May 2006, 04:18 GMT]
Shelling and gunfire was reported across Kinnaiyadi lagoon in LTTE, SLA FDL posts located in Kinnaiyadi, nortwest of Batticaloa, civilian sources said. The gunfire was continuing for more than 30 minutes from morning 8:30. Civilians near the SLA sentry posts were moving towards Karuvakerny and Valaichenai areas. Kinnaiyadi is located 26 km northwest of Batticaloa.

The shell fire was coming from LTTE controlled areas in Thikiliveddai, Pendukal senai and Murukkanthivu, towards the FDL posts of the Sri Lanka Army, Police sources said.

However, LTTE sources denied the reports of shell fire from their side and charged that the Sri Lanka Army was firing shells across the lagoon.