DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS 50 TIGERS DIED AND A SIMILAR NUMBER INJURED WHEN THEIR THENAHAM CENTER WAS DESTROYED
(By Walter Jayawardhana)
Los Angeles:- The Ministry of Defense web site claimed more than 50 cadres of the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam were killed and a similar number injured when the Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir jets bombed a Tamil Tiger military Training Center that has also been used as a conference hall at Thenaham, North West of Batticaloa.
The Defense website said civilians were forced to take military training at the center and many LTTE leaders were present at the center to discuss about the planned event immediately after when the jets bombed the center.
“Tamil civilians who refused to participate in this forcible self defence training secession fled the area and pledged for immediate assistance from the security forces.
Civilian sources confirmed that LTTE leader Banu and 100 more terrorists presence in the Thenaham area of Batticaloa South, which was used as a self defence training camp .” the Defense website said.
The Tamil Net admitted the their Thenham Center was destroyed and published a file photo of the center before the bombing. The website said: “Eight Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) members, 2 offiicals and 6 cadres, were killed and four wounded when Sri Lanka Air Force bombed Liberation Tigers' Thenaham Conference Centre in Karadiyanaru, 24 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa. SLAF bombers attacked the LTTE run Thenaham between 11:30 and 12:00 Saturday. Batticaloa Head of Tamileelam War Hero's Affairs, Thamilchelvan mama and Batticaloa Coordinator of Village Development Scheme Ariharan were among the dead, according to LTTE Batticaloa Political Head Daya Mohan. Kfir jets dropped 12 bombs in three rounds, destroying the Conference Centre.
“Kavi, Mathusuthan, Chensudar, Uravan, Sujeevan and Lokithan were LTTE cadres killed in the attack, according to Mr. Daya Mohan.
“The LTTE officials were having a preparatory meeting ahead of a public event scheduled to be held Saturday.”
