The Army categorically and unreservedly refuted LTTE allegations that it is responsible for the death
of Rev Fr M.X. Karunaratnam when he was on Mallavi-Vavunikulam road in un-cleared areas, about 50 kms to the north of Wanni in Mullaithivu district.

Reliable information in the aftermath of this assassination further re-affirmed the fact that the clergy was with a leading Tiger (LTTE) member, called "Yogan" who was formerly with the LTTE Sea Tiger wing when the incident occurred, said a statement issued by the Army.

The Army while unequivocally condemning the brutal murder, which bears all the hallmarks of LTTE brutality, and further points to probable internecine feuds, flatly refuses LTTE's shrewd and baseless
allegations, leveled at the Army which has nothing to do with the killing of an innocent clergy, the statement further said.