Suspected Tigers shoot doctor, civilian

Rafik Jalaldeen

A doctor and a civilian were shot dead by suspected LTTE cadres on Sunday night in Vavunathivu, Batticaloa.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said suspected LTTE cadres stormed the Vavunathivu hospital premises and opened fire indiscriminately killing Dr.S.W.Palitha Pathmakumara (35) on Sunday around 10 pm. "Dr. Pathmakumara, a resident of Gampola was serving as a doctor at the Vavunathivu hospital", he added.

The gunmen then shot and killed a civilian of a neighboring house of the hospital. "The victim was identified as Therimbarasa Yogendiran (38)", SSP Gunasekera said.

Vavunathivu police conducting the investigations.

Meanwhile, two TELO members were gunned down and two others injured by unknown gunmen on Sunday night in Vavuniya.

According to SSP Gunasekera unknown gunmen arrived in a trishaw and fired indiscriminately at the TELO office located in Kalikovil street, Vavuniya and fled from the area.

"Two TELO members had been killed and two others injured in the shooting incident", he added.