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Tigers Kill Three In Major Truce Violation

Udara Soysa (LM), Thu 30th June 14:05GMT. The LTTE committed a major ceasefire violation killing three Army intelligence operatives on the spot in a hail of T-56 gunfire this morning at the Urani junction in Batticaloa, putting pressure on the credibility of the Truce Monitoring Mission to investigate the crime and report accurately.

Today's triple killings were in the very heart of the Army controlled area at the Urani junction. The killers had surprisingly dropped their T56 assault rifle and fled the scene on the motorcycle used in the killing.

All three operatives were from the Batticaloa Brigade Headquarters.

The victims, Sergeant S.Kularatne, Lance Corpral Saman Kumara and Trooper Chaminda Kumara were in a three-wheeler when they were shot at close range.

Military sources said that all three soldiers died on the spot.

Army investigations have revealed that the LTTE gunmen fired indiscriminately at the victims while riding abreast of the three-wheeler. Troops were sent to the scene to conduct a search and clear operation in the area.

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has been briefed on the killing.

Australia welcomes P-TOMS

AUSTRALIAN Minster of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, MP in a press release states: "I welcome the signing of an agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to establish a Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS).

"The P-TOMS has the potential to facilitate the equitable and transparent distribution of tsunami assistance in the North and East and to build confidence between the Government and the LTTE.

Moreover, I recognise the importance of the Muslim community in the functioning of the P-TOMS. I encourage the rapid implementation of the structure.

"The Australian Government supports Sri Lanka's peace process, and calls on both sides to recommence formal peace talks, which were suspended in April 2003.

"Australia is concerned at persistent violence in Sri Lanka, including ongoing assassinations.

I urge all parties to take necessary steps to enforce the provisions of the ceasefire agreement. I call on the LTTE to stop the recruitment of child soldiers and release all child soldiers in its ranks.

"The Australian Government provides practical support to peace building, humanitarian efforts and development in Sri Lanka through the aid program, which amounted to $ 39.8 million this year. This included over $10 million for vital tsunami assistance.

Australia is committed to continue to assist tsunami reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka."