SLA, LTTE exchange bodies in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the SLA exchanged their dead through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at Mirusuvil in Jaffna yesterday for the first time since the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) took control of Jaffna in early 1996.

The casualties were from a confrontation between the LTTE and the SLA at Mirusuvil in Thenmaradchi in Jaffna. The body of the Tiger killed in the confrontation was handed over to the Jaffna Hospital yesterday by the police.

When it was known that the body of a soldier who was missing in action at Mirusuvil was in the hands of the Tigers, the ICRC delegation in Jaffna made arrangements for the exchange.

The ICRC said that they requested both parties to refrain from hostilities while the exchange took place in the Mirusuvil area.

The condition was observed by the army and the LTTE they said.

The ICRC refused to disclose the location where the LTTE handed over the SLA soldiers body and received that of their dead colleague.

Meanwhile, Pandatharippu in Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) assaulted members of the public returning from a function in Ilavalai Meikandan Viththiyalayam yesterday evening in retaliation to the death of two soldiers in claymore mine blast set off by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Pandatharippu on Sunday, said sources.

Related Articles:
17.02.98   Tigers describe Jaffna attacks
21.01.98   LTTE condemns use of its name