The army has blamed the separatists who deny responsibility.
Jaffna (AsiaNews) - Two workers of Hudec (Caritas Jaffna) were killed in a claymore mine attack targeting an army vehicle in northern Sri Lanka yesterday. Five soldiers were also killed in the bomb blast near Mirusuvil hospital along the A-9 highway.
The army has blamed the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the attack, but the rebels have denied involvement and condemned the blast.
Shanmugaratnam Pathmanathan, aged 55, and Chelvendra Pradeepkumar, 29, were returning from the Hudec sub-office in Kilinochchi (Vanni), when their vehicle was hit by the mine in a village called Mirusuvil.
Hudec said a claymore landmine had been fixed to a bicycle propped up by the side of an abandoned small shop. When the army pickup approached, the mine was detonated, just as the Hudec vehicle came from the opposite direction.
"The blast hit the rear part of our vehicle, and the two people who were in the back seat were blown off," said Fr Jeyakumar, the Hudec director. Two other members of staff, 48-year-old M.Thatparanathan and M.Ajanthan, 28, suffered severe injuries and are admitted to the General Hospital in Jaffna.
"We would like to express our sympathy and our sincere condolences to the family of Predip [Pradeepkumar]. For us Caritas Hudec staff, his smile will remain in our mind as what used to light up every one of our mornings," said Fr Jeyakumar. "He had the talent to bring positive energy to the rest of the team and was passionate about his work with the community."
The Hudec director also expressed sympathy with the family of Paath (Pathmanathan), saying: "He will remain in our minds and hearts as one fully dedicated and enthusiastic to work with children. We will miss his good humour and his effervescent personality."
Hudec networks at parish level across the Jaffna peninsula and the Wanni region in northern Sri Lanka, implementing aid projects and justice and peace initiatives for people displaced by Sri Lanka's ethnic war and for Tsunami survivors.
Recent days have seen a return to attacks violating the ceasefire between Sri Lanka's warring parties. Yesterday's blast was followed by another claymore mine attack today, targeting a bus carrying soldiers from Trincomalee. At least 12 sailors have been killed and another eight wounded. Officials said at least two foreigners were also hurt in the blast, also blamed on the LTTE.