SLA destroys Tiger memorial

[TamilNet, Thursday, 24 September 1998, 20:48 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldiers destroyed a war dead memorial of the Liberation Tigers yesterday at the junction near the villages of Kudaarappu and Maamunai on the south-eastern coast of Jaffna said sources. The army cordoned off and searched the two villages from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Five civilians were severely assaulted by soldiers during this search operation they said.

Later civilians were asked to bring implements to demolish the LTTE memorial.

The Tigers had put up the monument to commemorate their war dead from this coastal region said residents.

The Vadamaradchi east region was not under the control of the SLA until recently.

This large stretch of coast south of Pt.Pedro remained under the influence of the Liberation Tigers for almost two years after the Sri Lankan security forces recaptured most parts of the Jaffna peninsula and consolidated their position there.