Shelling increases in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 December 1999, 12:54 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have stepped up their artillery and mortar attacks on the coastal areas of Jaffna town from 7.30 p.m. last evening said sources in the northern town today. The Sri Lanka Army has been firing back, the sources added.

They said explosions were heard through out the night till 6 a.m. in the morning today.

Sri Lanka Army positions in the Vadamaradchi East division of the peninsula have also come under LTTE attack, the sources said.

Meanwhile 1302 civilians who moved from Maruthankerny and Vatharayan areas are staying at the Thalayadi St.Peter's Church local government officials said.

The villagers have asked for permission to move to Maamunai and Chempiyanpattu areas further north. However, the SLA has not allowed them to leave the area, church workers said.

According to officials, 826 persons, belonging to 229 families from Maruthankerny, and 476 persons belonging to 229 families from Vatharayan are staying at the church.

Church sources said tension prevails among the villagers as the Sri Lanka Army has been firing at LTTE positions from its armoured vehicles and heavy guns in the area.

A shell hit the Chavakachcheri hospital in the Thenmaradchi, 15 km. east of Jaffna town around 12.30 a.m. today said sources. However there were no casualties hospital sources said.

Elsewhere in Jaffna town, the Sri Lanka Army has intensified road checks sources there said. SLA soldiers, operating in small groups on bicycles, are conducting the searches the sources added.

Special police force has also been deployed to guard the Jaffna Secretariat (Kachcheri), main post office and other offices, in view of the next week's presidential elections. officials said.