2ND LEAD (Correction)

Grenade attack on Batticaloa district UNP organiser's residence

[TamilNet, Friday, 11 July 2008, 17:42 GMT]
Unidentified attackers Friday night lobbed a grenade at the residence of opposition United National Party's Batticaioa district organiser and the opposition member of the Eastern Provincial Council, Arasaratnam Sasitharan, wounding two policemen. Mr. Sasitharan, after the attack blamed the TMVP operative, Kalingan, who is also a member of the Batticaloa urban council, for monitoring his activities and for threatening his supporters. This is the second grenade attack on the residences of UNP members in Batticaloa district within the last two months.

Two policemen, Bandara, 37, and Tissa, 38, were seriously injured.

Sasiatharan has further alleged that TMVP personnel, riding in motorbikes, have been monitoring his residence at least five times earlier in the day.

The attack on Sasitharan's residence, located on Nalliah Road in a high security area, 500 meters from Batticaloa Prison, took place at 9:10 p.m., a few minutes after he and his brother, who were standing outside entered the kitchen to have their meal, he said.

After his supporter Kumarasamy Linganathan was threatened by the armed personnel of the TMVP, Sasitharan had complained to Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, the chief minister of the Eastern province and the paramilitary leader of the TMVP. Pillayan had adviced him to proceed with legal action if there were threats from armed persons, Sasitharan told media after his house was attacked Friday night.

The house of another UNP member, Jegan, located on Vaazhaichcheanai - Kalkudaa road was attacked in May.