Thursday, October 28, 2004

Four Karuna loyalists shot in Wellawatte By Kurulu Kariyakarawana

Four Karuna loyalists who survived a recent hand bomb attack allegedly by an LTTE Wanni cadre at Nagaswatta, Welikanda were shot allegedly by an LTTE armed gang on Monday night in Wellawatta, killing one of them on the spot and critically injuring the others.

The four Karuna men who were in a safe house at Roxy Watta, near Roxy Cinema in Wellawatta were surprised by the LTTE gang around 9.15 pm.

The four cadres who had been rushed to the National hospital in a critical condition following the hand bomb attack at Welikanda on October 11, had been discharged hours before they were sprayed with bullets. They were brought to the safe house in Wellawatta prior to their departure to the East.

The victims were rushed to Kalubowila hospital by Wellawatta police and one of them was later transferred to the National hospital in a critical condition.

The four cadres had been identified as Sivarasa, Sinnaeasa, Rasadil and the deceased, Murthi.

DIG Colombo division H.M.S. Herath said the assailants had reportedly fled on a motorcycle after the attack.

A special police motorcycle squad was immediately deployed to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Wellawatta police are conducting investigations.