3 civilians were reported killed, including a 9 year old, who were among 66 people who sought protection with troops fleeing from LTTE hostage at Pudumathalan on Sunday (March 15).

The civilians, including 27 families, have fled from the Pudumatahlan coast onboard 4 fibreglass boats yesterday morning amidst indiscriminate LTTE small arms fire and arrived at Munai under escort provided by Sri Lanka Naval craft on patrol. The 66 civilians included 23 men, 17 women, 15 boys and 11 girls, security sources said adding that these people were rescued by the Navy while drifting in the shallow waters between Chundikkulam and Vettileikerni at around 7.30 a.m.

Nagathambi Thavanayagam (father), Renuka Thavanayagam (mother) and their 9 year old child, Thanushan Thavanayagam, had succumbed to injuries sustained due to LTTE small arms fire directed while fleeing form the no fire zone. The post-mortem was conducted by Point Pedro Magistrate Mr. K Ariyanagam on Sunday afternoon at Munai.

Meanwhile, naval sources said that special arrangements were made to assist the innocent civilians fleeing from LTTE.  Naval medical and rescue teams are also deployed to provide continuous humanitarian assistance to civilians escaping from LTTE, the sources further said.