LTTE hands over 126 bodies of soldiers
[26 Apr 2000]

Over 126 bodies of soldiers killed in last week's Elephant Pass battle were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), by the LTTE yesterday.

The bodies were taken over at Kilinochchi and transported to Vavuniya around noon yesterday, ICRC spokesman, Harsha Gunawardena said.

At present, there is no information about any more bodies of troops lying in LTTE controlled areas, he said, adding that the LTTE had approached them on Monday evening at Puthukudiyiruppu in the Mullaitivu district.

According to Defence Ministry sources, the Security Forces headquarters in Wanni had made the necessary arrangements to receive the bodies. The identified bodies would be sent to the next of kin while the unidentified bodies will be cremated with full military honours, in Vavuniya.

The number of officers and men missing in action at Elephant Pass was placed at 100 by Army Commander Lieutenant General, Srilal Weerasooriya, on Monday evening, while eight officers and eighty men were killed during Saturday's fighting.

With the hand-over of these bodies, the number of officers and men killed during last week's battle has now passed the 200 mark, sources said.

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