Photographs Tamilwin

Wanted posters featuring the photographs of two youths including that of a man who the Sri Lankan Army claims is an LTTE fighter called Gopi, have been spotted today across Kilinochchi, reports Tamilwin.

According to the Uthayan, the Army has announced a 5 lakh rupees prize for information about the two alleged suspects.

The posters, which come amidst a spate of arrests of activists and house to house search operations by Sri Lankan soldiers over the weekend, have added to a heightened climate of fear among residents.

The Army's claimed man-hunt, which has involved the deployment of hundreds of armed troops, began on Friday when it alleged an individual named Gopi had opened fire on troops.

Since then citing this incident, the security forces have detained the disappearances campaigner, Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Vipoosika, as well as the Sri Lankan human rights activist Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen in Kilinochchi.

Military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasekera yesterday said,

"They were taken into custody for questioning under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, because of their alleged connections with hardcore LTTE cadre Kajipan Ponnai Selvanayagan, who is also known as Gopi, according to military sources. Gopi had fired shots at an IP injuring him on March 13. Both Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen Mahesan had been with Gopi and his close contacts,”

“The TID had arrested Balendran Jayakumari for harbouring a wanted criminal- Gopi, who had come to Sri Lanka with a mission to rekindle terrorism,”

On Friday state media, DailyNews.lk, issued this 'wanted' report: 'Have you seen him?'