by Kalinga Weerakkody
In a spate of vehicle hijackings suspected to be carried out by the LTTE in northern and eastern parts of the island the latest had been reported on June 16 where an Isuzu lorry worth Rs. 1,200,000was hijacked for a ransom of Rs 200,000 for its release.

The lorry, owned by a Muslim businessman carrying a load of timber worth Rs. 70,000, was on the Pottuvil-Akkaraipattu road when it was hijacked by two LTTE cadres at Vinayagapuram. At the time of the incident there had been five people in the lorry.

The two LTTE members who had come on a motor bike had intercepted the lorry and threatened the crew to hand over the vehicle. The suspects had been communicating with two radio sets.

Around 7 p.m. the LTTE had sent them a message through a civilian to come to their ‘Roopaskulam’ camp situated in the area next day to discuss matters. When the victim had visited the camp the LTTE had informed him that to release the lorry he had to pay Rs. 200,000.

The victim had also seen the lorry which was parked in the LTTE camp. The businessman, identified as Adam Lebbe Kadeer of Ampara Road, Arasayadi, Akkaraipattu 6, had lodged a complaint on June 16 at Akkaraipattu police.

The two LTTE hijackers were identified as ‘Wiji’ and ‘Ravi’ operating from the ‘Roopaskulam’ camp.

It is alleged that under the guise of political activities the LTTE had established the said camp in a bungalow used by the Irrigation Department.