The World - News from Jan. 20, 1986
More than 20 people died in a gun battle between separatist guerrillas and security forces in Sri Lanka’s major eastern coastal city of Batticaloa. Heavy fighting broke out when a special task force including helicopters was called in after a dawn ambush in which guerrillas killed two policemen and wounded two others. A Defense Ministry spokesman said 13 guerrillas were killed by gunfire and that seven others committed suicide by swallowing cyanide pills. Other sources put the guerrilla toll as high as 30.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
