Army Chief: Vakarai attack aimed at Tigers

Army Commander Sarath Fonseka told envoys of Donor Co-chairs on Thursday that the Army had targeted Tiger guerrilla positions at Kathiraweli, north of Vakarai, after they fired 122 mm artillery at troops.

His explanation came during a briefing at the Foreign Ministry for diplomats from the United States, the European Union, Japan and Norway on circumstances leading to civilian casualties. These diplomats represent Donor Co-chairs. Men, women and children at a school in Kathiraweli were killed and others injured in artillery and multi barrel rocket fire.

Responding to a question from a diplomat as to how the school housing IDPs was hit, Lt. Gen. Fonseka said they were unaware of that facility.

The fire was directed at the LTTE location further northwards from where 122 mm artillery had hit troop positions, he said.

In the absence of Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe chaired the conference. Associated with him were Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, Chief of Defence Staff Donald Perera and Lt. Gen. Fonseka.