URGENT PRESS RELEASE - 15 June 1998
	
MASS DEMONSTRATION HELD IN VANNI TODAY
	Today thousands of Tamil men, women and children participated in a
	demonstration held in Vanni in protest of Sri Lankan armed forces
	killing of innocent Tamil civilians.  The protest began at 10.30 a.m.
	in Vallipuram and reached Suthanthirapuram grounds at 1.30 p.m.  The
	recent sinhala army massacre on Suthanthirapuram, Udyarkaddu and
	Vallipuram in which over 25 persons including women and children were
	killed and over 50 seriously injured was strongly condemned by the
	protesters.
	
	It was pointed out during the demonstration that attack on civilians
	and civilian habitations by the Sinhala armed forces is a norm in Sri
	Lanka.  In 1995, the Sri Lankan Airforce bombed the Navaly church in
	which over 200 displaced civilians were killed.  In the same year the
	Nagarkoil School was also bombed in which over 30 innocent Tamil
	children were killed.  What makes this possible is the financial and
	military assistance provided generously by Aid Consortium composed of
	donor countries.
	
	A public meeting also took place where the bombs and shells fell. 
	Many speakers condemned World Agencies for keeping silence and turning
	a blind eye on the sufferings of the Tamil people and not voicing in
	protest of Sinhala army atrocities.
	
	At the end of the public meeting memorandums addressed to the UN
	Secretary General were presented by the NGO's Union of Mullaithivu,
	Mullaithivu Confederation of Citizens Organisations and Rev. Fr. Cross
	- the Parish Priest of Suthanthirapuram.
	
	At the end of the meeting life size effigies of Sri Lankan President
	Chandrika and Deputy Defence Minister Ratwatte were burned by the
	protesters.

SUTHANTHIRAPURAM MASSACRE CONDEMNED
	The confederation of Trade Unions of Mullaithivu has released a
	statement condemning the Suthanthirapuram massacre.  "The refusal of
	government to punish Sinhala army personnel who carry out massacres on
	Tamil Civillians is the root cause of such human rights violations. 
	The massacre of over 25 persons in Suthanthirapuram, Udayarkaddu North
	and Vallipuram has the blessings of the government" the statement
	reiterated.

FIVE BODIES WASHED ASHORE IN POONERYN
	Five bodies of Tamil males were washed ashore this week in Pallikuda,
	Pooneryn.  The bodies were decayed beyond recognition, and the cause
	of death is being investigated by the Tamil Eelam police.  As there is
	no facility for preservation of the bodies, they have been buried.
	
SINHALA ARMY ACCUSED OF KILLING FOUR TAMIL CIVILIANS IN MANNAR
	The killing of four innocent Tamil civilians in army controlled parts
	of Mannar, within a few yards of an army camp has roused local
	resentment against the Sinhala armed forces.  The Bishop of Mannar,
	Rayappu Joseph has asked the government to trace the culprits and
	bring them to justice.  He has pointed out that certain military
	articles found near the bodies prove that army is involved in the
	killings.

(English translation of the news released by LTTE International Secretariat,
211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU, United Kingdom.  Tel:0181- 503 4294)