Former LTTE cadres killed during a shootout

It was revealed that they were former LTTE cadres who had undergone rehabilitation at a camp in Vavuniya and were wanted for over twenty robberies in the Kaththankudi area in Batticaloa

Three men had taken away a luxury car from the Punani area in Valachchenei on Tuesday evening after assaulting and tying the driver of the car.

Two of the men identified as S. Thangathurai (36) and Jude Prasanthan (33) from Trincomalee were killed during the shootout with police. It was revealed that they were former LTTE cadres who had undergone rehabilitation at a camp in Vavuniya and were wanted for over twenty robberies in the Kaththankudi area in Batticaloa.

Investigations are under way to arrest the third suspect who escaped from custody at Dalukana in Dimbulagala after this robbery.

The police 119 had been informed about the incident and the car was stopped at the Army Road Block in Batticaloa junction with the help of mobile road blocks which had been placed along the Welikanda-Polonnaruwa main road.

A T56 assault rifle was detected inside the car bearing registration number KU2824. The driver of the car who was arrested, told police that two others involved in the robbery were hiding inside the Dalukana forest area.

During a special joint operation carried out by the Welikanda police and the Aralaganwila police shortly afterwards, there had been a shootout with the two men who were later found dead near the Dalukana River.

Police found a T56 assault rifle and three hand grenades in the possession of the two suspects.

A police constable who was also injured during the shooting is currently receiving treatment at the Polonnaruwa Hospital. The bodies of the two former LTTE cadres are also at the same hospital.