SLN soldier in LTTE custody

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 May 2003, 15:38 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldier who entered the LTTE controlled Kadawanaikulam area in Trincomalee district with arms is now in the custody of Thamileelam Police, LTTE Trincomalee district political head Mr.S.Thilak told media persons in the east port town Friday. Kadawanaikulam is 16 km off west of east port town along the Trincomalee-Kandy highway, sources said

The incident happened in Thampalakamam division on May 12, according to Mr.Thilak.

The SLN soldier has violated the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the GOSL and LTTE, he said. Thamileelam Police is conducting inquiries into this incident, he added.

Meanwhile a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier is reported to have disappeared Friday from the Chavakachcheri army camp in Thenmaradchchi area in Jaffna district, military sources said. The missing soldier has been identified as one E.M.K.Ratnayake, army sources said.

In the meantime, the escaped SLN soldier from the Karainagar navy detachment Friday morning and later handed back to his superiors has been identified as Mr.S.T.Ruwankumara, navy sources said.