Operation Rana Gosa displaces 15000

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 March 1999, 10:53 GMT]
Nearly 15,000 people have been displaced during 'Operation Rana Gosa', launched by the Sri Lankan Army last week said sources in the Vanni. The displaced have sought refuge in school buildings and under trees along the roads in the Mulankaavil and Thunukkai areas, the sources added.

They said that the displaced people who had taken shelter under tress suffered particularly as there were heavy rains in the area yesterday.

According to the sources, 4243 permanent residents and 10466 persons who had sought refuge in Moonrumurippu, Nattaankandal, Pandiyankulam , Selvapuram, Karumpulliyaan, Sivapuram and Paalinagar have been displaced due to the operation.

Newly displaced refugees continue to enter the Thunukkai area, the sources added.

Meanwhile the SLA summoned all villagers of Vilaathikkulam and Palaya Kallu Potta Idam, that were captured by Operation Rana Gosa, to the Vilathikkulam school to be screened.

All persons between age 14 and 28 were separated and herded to another location for screening .

Military intelligence and members of PLOTE are conducting the screening.

Meanwhile the Liberation Tigers said that two of their members died in an accidental explosion at Nedunkerni on March 10.

Their names were given as: Puviyarasi (Jeyabal Jeyapriya of Jaffna) and Charlespillai (Nesarajah Yasinthini of Selvapuram).

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