LTTE, SLMM meet in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 16:22 GMT]
Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Monday brought to the notice of the members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in the east port town, several ceasefire violations by the State armed forces in the district, LTTE sources said.

A SLMM delegation met with the LTTE delegation led by Mr.Elilan Monday morning at the district political secretariat of the LTTE located in Sampoor in the Muttur east.

The LTTE delegation told the SLMM during the one hour long discussion that the LTTE has evidence to prove that Sri Lanka Army soldiers are attacking LTTE cadres with the assistance of paramilitary Tamil groups in the LTTE held Vaharai division in Batticaloa district. LTTE delegation pointed out that paramilitary groups supported by SLA soldiers are entering LTTE areas only to retreat later into SLA camps when confronted by LTTE cadres. The delegation told the SLMM that this is against the ceasefire agreement as the CFA stipulates that all paramilitary groups should be moved out of the northeast province.

LTTE delegation further told the SLMM that the SLA has now curtailed the movement of civilians and vehicular traffic till 7 p.m. daily through its Kaddaiparichchan checkpoint, which divides the government and LTTE controlled areas in the Muttur division. The checkpoint was opened for twenty-four hours daily since the CFA came into operation till recently. The unilateral decision of the SLA is causing severe hardships for seriously ill patients in the LTTE held Muttur east villages to seek urgent medical attention in hospitals in government controlled areas, LTTE delegation pointed out to the SLMM, sources said.

The SLA has imposed restriction on civilians taking fuel such as kerosene and diesel for their domestic and agricultural purposes to the LTTE held Muttur east through Kaddaiparichchan SLA camp checkpoint. Furthermore all passengers and civilians traveling by buses and other vehicles are subjected to severe body checks through Kaddaiparichchan army camp.

Tamil civilians are losing confidence on the CFA because of these violations by the government security forces, LTTE delegation told the SLMM.