Nov 27, Colombo: Suspected LTTE gunmen have shot dead a Hindu priest in Eastern Sri Lanka in the early hours of today, the police said.

According to the police Subramanium Kamalaraj, 32, the chief priest of the 'Sri Sivamuttu Kali Amman Kovil', at Mamangama in Batticaloa was shot and killed around 1:30 a.m.

The priest's body was found riddled with T-56 gunshots, Batticaloa Police sources said. Police suspect LTTE cadres infiltrated the area are responsible for the killing.

Police and security forces are now conducting search operations in the area.