11 civilians killed by suspected Tamil rebels

Eleven civilians were killed and a paramilitary guard was injured in three related attacks by suspected Tamil rebels in a remote village in south-eastern Sri Lanka that had been infiltrated by guerillas, military sources said Friday. The incidents took place late Thursday in Thanamalwila, 290 kilometres south-east of Colombo. The death toll increased Friday with the recovery of more bodies. The attacks took place about 40 kilometres from where a claymore mine tore through a passenger bus Wednesday, killing 27 passengers and injuring 63. The perpetrators then opened fire on farmers nearby, killing six more people. The government blamed Tamil separatist rebels. Troops have mounted a search operation for guerillas who have infiltrated the area. As an additional security measure, villagers are to be recruited to the paramilitary unit known as the Civil Defence Force and deployed in the vulnerable areas. All of them are to be armed. The Sri Lankan government officially terminated a six-year cease-fire with the rebels on Wednesday. Fighting has escalated during the past two years and more than 5,600 have been killed during the period.

Source:earthtimes.org