JAFENA, Sri Lanka, Dec.6 Reuters: A group of yellow robed Buddhist monks chanted holy verses in a Tamil guerrilla camp in Jaffna today invoking blessings on two government soldiers held captive there.
Tearful relatives of the soldiers joined in the prayers and made an emotional appeal for the captives to be freed,
But the guerrillas insisted the military must release two of their colleagues in exchange for the soldiers, who were captured in a battle two months ago.
The government has said it would not agree to a swap.
The munks and the relatives were among about 75 Sinhalese who drove to Jafina in three buses last night to plead for the release of the soldiers and to set up a link between the rebels and majority Sinhalese in the South.
‘Armed guerrillas escorted the convoy into Jafina city where the streets were lined by thousands of ‘Tamils who cheered the leader of the group, film star and politician Vijhya Kumhkhnhiungh.
The group was taken last night to a camp of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the most powerful of the rebel organizations seeking an independent Tamil homeland and the two soldiers, Hit Chhndrhsiri and Reerihi Bhndhrh had an emotional reunion with relatives.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 12, 1986
