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Three bodies of Chinese boat crew recovered in northern Sri Lanka
Associated Press,
Mon March 24, 2003 03:27 EST .
- - COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - (AP) Rescuers Monday recovered the bullet-ridden bodies of three crew members of a Chinese fishing vessel sunk by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lankan waters, a navy spokesman said. Fifteen Chinese and two Sri Lankans were killed when Tamil Tiger rebels attacked the boat Friday off the eastern coast, authorities in Colombo claim. Nine others on the boat survived and were rescued by another Chinese boat nearby. The rebels have denied responsibility. But European monitors of a cease-fire between the government and rebels say survivors have reported that rebels in civilian clothes had surrounded their boat and opened fire. On Sunday, four bodies were recovered, also riddled with bullet wounds, after they washed ashore. Navy spokesman Jayantha Perera said fishermen found the three bodies Monday floating in the sea before notifying rescuers. ``They are in a decomposed state but with visible gunshot injuries,'' he said. Perera said rescuers were still searching for the other bodies. The government has ordered a full investigation into the attack after China expressed concern, and the monitors have said an inquiry into the incident was expected Wednesday. The government and rebels have been observing a Norway-brokered cease-fire since February 2001, paving the way for peace talks aimed at ending the island's 19-year civil war. They concluded a sixth round of peace talks in Japan last Friday, and agreed to convene a meeting within three weeks to discuss ways of preventing clashes at sea.
Published: Mon Mar 24 10:46:11 EST 2003
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