EU observers concerned over attack at Muttur
[04 October 2000]

The European Union Electoral Observation Mission (EUEOM) expressed their concern over Monday evening’s LTTE suicide bomb attack at Muttur at a PA election rally, which left 23 civilians including Mohammed Baithullah contesting on the PA ticket, dead and 39 wounded, sources revealed.

This being the first suicide attack on a political rally outside Colombo killed a police officer as well.

“ We are very concerned,” EUEOM spokesman, Peter Cross said noting that the incident was the worst so far in the run up to the October 10 general election.

“The EU mission wishes to express its regret at the atrocity perpetrated at Muttur,” Cross told local media.

Baithulla, an ex-police intelligence officer who had been responsible for a series of successful anti-LTTE operations in the Trincomalee district was the second PA candidate killed by the LTTE since September 4, the day nominations ended. Ex-Batticaloa Mayor Cheliyan Perinpanayagam contesting the Batticaloa District on the PA ticket was shot dead on September 10.

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