SLA soldier recovered dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 February 2010, 03:07 GMT]
The body of a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier with more than five bullet wounds was handed over to Jaffna Teaching Hospital Monday from Vettilaikea’ni in Vadmaraadchi East. SLA authorities claim that he had shot himself to death. Meanwhile, the newly appointed SLA commander for Jaffna, Major Gen. Kathurusinghe, met several civil society representatives 17 February in an effort to get their cooperation in integrating activities in Jaffna, sources in Jaffna said.

The soldier found dead was identified as Badukula, 25.

Major Gen. Kathurusinghe paid a visit to Jaffna Bishop House where he met Jaffna Bishp, Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam.

Later on the day he met former Jaffna University Vice-chancellor, P. Balasundarampillai at his office in the 51st Division office in Gnanam, Subash hotel complex in Jaffna town.

The commander had also invited deans and lecturers of Jaffna University to his office with whom he discussed his plans.

Major Gen. Kathurusinghe replaced Major Gen. Mark who was transferred as he is a close friend of Sarath Fonseka who contested against President Mahinda Rajapakse in the last presidential election.

Commander Mark is alleged to have had direct involvement in many of the cases where young people had gone missing after arrest in Jaffna peninsula.