11 civilians have died so far and another 28 injured in an explosion that took place inside Ampara Town's leading eatery at 5.40pm this evening. Reports indicate the eatery was busy with customers. Injured have been taken to Ampara General Hospital.
The eatery, situated on D.S. Senanayake Street near the Bus stand is owned and visited primarily by Sinhala civilians working/visiting Ampara Town with a few servicemen/women visiting it for meals and cigarettes.The blast took place hours before what is considered a surprisingly fair election thus far.
Ampara belongs to Digamadulla electorate. The forthcoming provincial council elections are the 1st in the de-merged Eastern Province and the 1st such election in the island's history after provincial council system was introduced in 1987 and first elections were held back in 1988 for the merged Northeastern Province.
Meanwhile 8 soldiers were killed (5 MIA) and another 12 injured in the battle for Adampan and particularly Alankulam (Karakkai) this morning. Adampan Town and Alankulam were under siege for over 2 months until capture. The areas came under government control after 10 years. Army now claims it killed 31 tigers in the fight, which was led by Brigadier Shavendra Silva with Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka's personal direction.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Blast in Ampara hours before election
Army captures Adampan
Military has captured Adampan 300km north of Colombo in Mannar district this morning without any major resistance form the LTTE,senior army officials confirmed.
"Soldiers cleared the town area after they were able to take over the total control over the area surrounded by Adampan Tank last evening" a senior officer in Mannar told.
Army says at least 15 LTTE cadres and 2 soldiers killed in the brief encounter with both sides when the army stepped in to the town.
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