08 April, 2008 - Published 17:29 GMT

Soldiers killed in STF fire

Two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed as an SLA team was fired upon by a Special Task Force (STF) in Ampara district, police said.

Officer In Charge (OIC) of Potuvil Police, Sena Suraweera, told BBC Sandeshaya that a civilian was also killed in the incident in Komari jungle.

The SLA personnel were identified as Lance Copral Walisundara and soldier Hasan Athas. One more soldier sustained injuries at the shooting, the SLA website said.

The SLA and STF teams have been conducting search operations in the jungle and STF has misidentified SLA team, OIC Suraweera said.

The bodies of SLA personnel were handed over to the authorities after the post mortem at Akkaraipattu hospital.

SLA and STF senior officials were ordered to appear before Akkaraipattu magistrate on Wednesday.