A suspected Karuna loyalist in Theevuchenai

"I have to stress again that there is no camp belonging to any group in government territory," Sri Lanka military spokesman Brigadier Daya Ratnayake told BBC Sadeshaya.

He said that bunkers can be found in many places in north east where there has been a civil war for nearly 20 years.

Brig. Ratnayake was responding to a report in The Sunday Leader with photographs of a bunker and an underage fighter carrying a gun.

Theevuchchenai camp

The newspaper alleged that its investigation has found evidence that a group of Karuna supporters have been operating from a camp at Theevuchchenai, in Polonnaruwa district.

Admitting that Theevuchchenei is in the government controlled area, military spokesperson denied the existence of a camp belong to the renegade LTTE commander in that area.

He also admitted that the SLA has information that Mangalan master is a leading member of the Karuna group.

Sunday Leader reported that the said camp is run by Mangalan master, who was accused by the Tigers of masterminding the murder of former regional LTTE leader Kausalyan.

"LTTE plot"

Ratnayake admits Theevuchchenai is in government controlled area

The SLA was successful in revealing a plot by the Wanni LTTE to kill Mangalan master, Brig. Ratnayake added.

SLA website reported of arresting a man carrying Claymore bombs allegedly "assigned to carry out an assassination on Mangalan master".

On Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators blocked the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa road at the Sevanapitiya junction protesting the killings of 2 youth on Monday in Karapola.

Brigadier Daya Ratnayake told BBC Sandeshaya on Wednesday that the killing of two youth S.Kunasegaram and S.Selvanagam from Karapola is the work of the LTTE.

However, the Grandmother of one of the slain youth told police on Tuesday that those in combat fatigue who came to take away her grandson accused him of supporting the LTTE.

Investigation

Photojournalist Buddhika Weerasinghe who went to cover the Sevanapitiya protest told BBC Sandeshaya on Sunday that villagers from Karapola demanding the removal of the Karuna faction camp, prompted the Theevuchchenai investigation.

He said that armed youth on the roadside bunker at Theevuchchenai who conducted a thorough security check on their vehicle, told them to return on a later day to meet Mangala Master.

When BBC Sandeshaya brought the Karapola villagers accusations to the notice of the military spokesman on Wednesday, while saying that it is impossible to stop unarmed activities by the LTTE and the Karuna faction in government held territory, admitted the existence of supporters of both parties in the area.

The LTTE accuses the government of harbouring renegade eastern commander Karuna since he fled after breaking away in March 2004.

But the SLA denies the accusation.