Fresh flare-up: civilians flee

Nearly thousand civilians fled their villages yesterday as Tigers shelled Somapura, Sirimalpura, Mahindapura and Serunuwara villages in a fresh flare-up of violence. The LTTE fired artillery and mortars at villages, throughout yesterday, sending an exodus of civilians seeking refuge in Kantale. The displaced are now housed in two schools in the town.

Coordinating Officer of the Media Centre for National Security, Major Upali Rajapaksa said five wounded civilians were admitted to the Kantale Hospital.

He said security forces retaliated with artillery fire and the ground troops had advanced into uncleared areas to destroy enemy gun positions. Two soldiers were killed and thirty wounded in the operation. Injured soldiers were admitted to the Kantale Hospital. Meanwhile, Pro-LTTE Tamilnet website said 13 civilians including a four-year-old child were injured when shells fired by the Army fell in Palchenai, 8 km North of Verugal. Spokesman Major Rajapaksa said the security forces did not have details of civilian casualties.

"We have repeatedly told the LTTE, through the SLMM, to relocate civilians to a safe distance from their gun positions," he said.

Meanwhile, a Special government delegation visited Kallar yesterday on instructions from President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The President had offered to repair the houses damaged by the LTTE shelling last week and also to pay compensation to the victims. A special medical team has also been sent there.