2ND LEAD

Two ex-LTTE cadres die in SL army detention centres

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 23 March 2011, 01:46 GMT]
Two former cadres of the LTTE have died in two separate incidents while under detention in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) supervised 'rehabilitation' centres. The first death was reported from Vavuniyaa-Ne'lukku'lam rehabilitation centre Monday and the second from Welikanda-Thirukoa'namadu detention camp in the Polonnaruwa district Tuesday morning. The deaths have created tension among parents of ex-LTTE detainees, civil sources said.

Vavuniyaa Police said Aseervatham Newton, 27, had committed suicide by jumping into the 38 feet deep well in the detention camp that is located in Technical College.

Witness Ilankeswaran said at the inquest that the deceased had surrendered to the SLA at Oamanthai and was later sent for 'rehabilitation' in the centre.

The other ex-LTTE cadre, Kanthasamy Nadesalingam, 26, from Ki'linochchi died in Thirukoa'namadu rehabilitation centre in Welikanda area in Polonnaruwa district under mysterious circumstances.

SLA sources said Nadesalingam died in his sleep in his room along with other ex-LTTE detainees. Nadesalingam's body was transferred to Polonnaruwa hospital for postmortem and inquest.