SLA retaliatory fire injures three

[TamilNet, Saturday, 19 February 2000, 23:50 GMT]
Three civilians were injured in retaliatory fire by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers after unidentified men had opened fire at an army patrol in Siththandy, about 25 km. north of Batticaloa, around 5.30 p.m. on Saturday, sources said.

The wounded civilians were identified as S. Rajaratnam, 42, and two of his daughters, Rajika, 9, and Ranitha, 7, said sources. The soldiers took them to Eravur hospital in one of their vehicle. They were later taken to the Batticaloa hospital.

The SLA patrol was returning to their camp at Morakkoddanchenai, close to Siththandy, after a routine patrol when it was fired at, the sources said.

The SLA reinforcement rushed to the area and conducted a search operation.

No one was arrested during the search, residents said.