COLOMBO Reuter: Security forces stormed rebel hideouts in the jungles of eastern Sri Lank and killed 16 rebels the government said.
The government media center also said the authorities imposed a 17hour curfew in the city of Batticaloa which has a population of 44000 people for the third successive night after guerrillas set off a series of bombs.
It said a large quantity of grenades other explosives rolls of wire and dry batteries were recovered from the rebel hideouts during the raids in Batticaloa district.
The rice growing district 240 km (150 miles) from Colombo has been the site of attacks since earlier this month on security forces by guerrillas fighting for a separate Tamil state.
The authorities first clamped a curfew in Batticaloa on Saturday after guerrillas asked people to stay indoors and set off bombs to force shop keeps to close their businesses.
Residents said more explosions were heard in the city but no damage or injuries were reported.
The rebels put up posters in Batticaloa saying their actions were in protest against the alleged killing of civilians by security forces after a car bomb wounded seven police commandos last week. The military has denied the charge.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 26, 1986
