2ND LEAD (Adds details)

SLN, SLAF conduct training exercise in Kayts

[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 June 2006, 12:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducted a combined live fire exercise along the Karainagar-Kankesanthurai (KKS) seas along coast for nearly 20 minutes Saturday morning, defence sources in Jaffna said. SLN ships fired artillery shells from the sea while the Kfir fast attack aircrafts provided air cover during the training, residents witnessing training said.

Families from coastal areas stayed indoors, local residents said.

Fishermen from Valvettiturai (VVT) to the east of KKS and from Mathakal, Senthankulam to the west of the KKS stayed away from going out to sea Saturday, fisheries union spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers conducted cordon and search operation in several areas in Valigamam including Kokuvil, Kondavil and Inuvil areas from 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

SLA soldiers arrived in a number of heavy vehicles, blocked key roads and conducted house-to-house search. KKS Road, Sabapathy Road, Aadiyapatham Road and Brown Road area was mainly affected by the search. More than three hundred residents were taken to the Thavady camp and were released after their photographs were taken by the SLA, residents said.

Thalaiyali, Pirambadi Kalatty area residents were subjected to harassment and severe interrogation, residents said.

Similar search operations were also conducted widely in Jaffna district including Vadamaradchy, Thenamaradchy and the islets, sources in Jaffna said.