LTTE kills Catholic priest in uncleared area of Mannar

A Catholic Priest, Rev. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith has been killed by LTTE terrorists in an uncleared area of Mannar late last evening.

Subsequent to the killing the LTTE launched a false propaganda campaign alleging that the killing was perpetrated by the Army, states the Media Centre for National Security in a press release.

The Government wishes to clarify that there are no troops operating in the uncleared areas of Mannar. The said the incident has taken place in an LTTE active area north of Mannar where the Security Forces have no access.

Update

The LTTE has accused the Army's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol of killing a Catholic Priest attached to the Jesuit Refugee Service on the Mannar-Pooneryn road. The Sri Lanka Army has denied involvement in the incident, which occurred around 45kms ahead of the Army's FDL in Mannar. DefenceWire sources reveal that the priest Nicholaspillai Pakiyaranjith had had a long-standing relationship with the rebels and had received aid from numerous countries, including Norway, for relief work in LTTE areas. During the now concluded Thoppigala battle, the Sri Lanka Army saw first-hand how such relief items can end up in the hands of the LTTE.