COLOMBO, Nov. 30,Reuter; At least 27 people were killed in battles on Sunday between Tamil separatist guerrillas and Indian and Sri Lankan security forces, official sources said ‘on Monday.
Sri Lankan military sources said the battles flared as members of a 20,000strong Indian force swept the north and east in search of rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam group.
Twelve Tigers and 11 Indian soldiers were killed in a fierce clash at Sandilippai on Jaffna peninsula, a former rebel stronghold, the sources said.
‘They said another Indian soldier was Killed and 19 Tigers were captured in a further two clashes on the Peninsula.
Three Sri Lankan policemen of the anti-guerrilla special task force were shot dead when Tigers ambushed a foot patrol and attacked a police station in the eastern district Muttur.
Meanwhile, President Junius « Jayewardene appointed newcomers to three ministries following the resignation this month of a minister who opposed a proposal. To give limited autonomy to the Tamil minority, state radio said.
Jayewardene also appointed three new deputy ministers and a district minister in What political sources described as a minor re shufile.
The Cabinet changes followed. The resignation three weeks ago of Agriculture and Food Minister Gamani Jayasuriya, who opposed merging the Tamil dominated north with the ethnically mixed ‘east under one provincial council.
Parliament passed legislation on November 12, paving the way for the Council which is part of a controversial agreement signed by Jayewardene and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in July to end the Tamil rebellion.
The Indian troops have been deployed in the north and east to enforce the pact, which is opposed by the Tigers and hardliners of the majority Sinhalese community in the South.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 4, 1987
