Five allegedly shot dead near southern airbase

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 October 2007, 16:14 GMT]
Five firewood collectors who went to the jungles near Wirawila airbase in the Southern Province Hambantota district, have been allegedly shot dead by armed men Wednesday evening around 7:00 p.m., according to initial reports received by electronic media sources in Colombo. The dead bodies were said to be located by the Sri Lankan military and police who launched a cordon and search operation following complaints by the villagers. A private media corporation that broke the story is facing proscription by the authorities following a cabinet decision, initial reports further said.

The bullet-ridden dead bodies have been recovered at Ranmiditenna 9th Colony according to initial reports, yet to be verified by the authorities in Colombo.

A Sri Lankan cabinet discussion is underway on proscribing a Sinhala language broadcast, Hiru, for having broke the story, according to informed sources in Colombo.

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