01-09-2005, 08:06 AM
<b>LTTE deny Prabhakaran, Amman among tsunami casualties</b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Saturday, 08 January , 2005, 22:14
Colombo: Shortly after Sri Lanka's state-run radio reported that LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief Pottu Amman are among the dead or missing in the December 26 tsunami disaster, the rebels denied it and termed the report as "mischievous" and "fabricated". Killer wave hits Asia
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation quoting Navy Chief Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri had reported that Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman were among the tsunami casualties.
The LTTE in a statement posted on its website strongly denounced the report.
"The LTTE and the Tamil people wish to strongly protest against this mischievous act of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, stooping down to such low level of broadcasting news that is fabricated by interested parties," the statement said.
"At a time of a national catastrophe of this magnitude, it is very regrettable that a responsible media of the government takes upon itself the job of spreading rumours and speculation that tend to create confusion in the minds of the people."
The privately-owned newspaper added to the speculation by reporting that a non-governmental organization had smuggled an expensive coffin "for a top LTTE leader", but did not give any names.
Over 30,000 people died in the tsunami devastation which affected almost three quarters of the Sri Lankaâs coast including the north and east where the LTTE had key military bases <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Saturday, 08 January , 2005, 22:14
Colombo: Shortly after Sri Lanka's state-run radio reported that LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief Pottu Amman are among the dead or missing in the December 26 tsunami disaster, the rebels denied it and termed the report as "mischievous" and "fabricated". Killer wave hits Asia
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation quoting Navy Chief Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri had reported that Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman were among the tsunami casualties.
The LTTE in a statement posted on its website strongly denounced the report.
"The LTTE and the Tamil people wish to strongly protest against this mischievous act of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, stooping down to such low level of broadcasting news that is fabricated by interested parties," the statement said.
"At a time of a national catastrophe of this magnitude, it is very regrettable that a responsible media of the government takes upon itself the job of spreading rumours and speculation that tend to create confusion in the minds of the people."
The privately-owned newspaper added to the speculation by reporting that a non-governmental organization had smuggled an expensive coffin "for a top LTTE leader", but did not give any names.
Over 30,000 people died in the tsunami devastation which affected almost three quarters of the Sri Lankaâs coast including the north and east where the LTTE had key military bases <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->