SLA artillery kills civilian in Vadamaraadchi east

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 June 2007, 07:32 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery fire on civilian settlements killed, a family man trying to flee from the falling shell, at Arasadichanthi in Vathiriyaan in Vadamaraadchi east coast, Saturday around 3:00 p.m., sources in Vadamaraadchi said. SLA has intensified the artillery and Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire since Tuesday and shells have fallen in several civilian settlements in Vadamaraadchi east, Pazhai, Iyakkachchi, Poonakari and Ki'laali.

The Saturday victim was identified as Aseervatham Mariyathas, 41, a father of three children, from Maruthangkea'ni in Vadamaraadchi east. He had been living temporarily in Puthumaaththa'lan in Puthukkudiyiruppu displaced from his village.

SLA has been launching artillery barrage from 4:00 a.m. till 6:45 a.m., daily and shells reach over areas in Iyakkachchi to Elephant Pass where people continue to live despite risks.

A large number of residents from villages near northern Front Defence Lines positions in Mukamaalai, Pazhai, Iyakkachchi, Puthukkaadu, and Maasaar, Vathiriyaan, Thaazhaiyadi, Chempiyanpattu, Maruthangkea'ni and Uduththu'rai in Vadamaraadchi east, were displaced and moved further south along the Vadamaraadchi east coast last year after SLA offensives through Mukamaalai area.

SLA shelling are causing further hardships to the displaced.