SLA strengthening security around key Jaffna bridges

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 February 2006, 03:33 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has increased its efforts in strengthening defences in several key positions around the main bridges connecting different regions, Vadamaradchy, Thenmaradchy, Valigamam and Jaffna Islets, with new bunkers, new sentry points and additional concertina wire fences, sources in Jaffna said. Security sources speculated that SLA is planning to declare many of the newly strengthened areas as small High Security Zones (HSZs).

Vallai bridge connecting Vadamaradchi and Valigamam, Mulli bridge area which connects Vadamaradchy and Thenmaradchy, and Pannai bridge which connects Valigamam with Jaffna Islets are reported to be the main areas of focus for the SLA, sources said.

Meanwhile, fisheries societies said that the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has not yet removed restrictions in fishing imposed on areas to Mathakal to west of KKS harbor and to Valvettiturai, east of KKS harbor. SLN had earlier assured the Jaffna Government Agent Mr Ganesh that restrictions were to be lifted soon.

Fisheries union officials further said that families from coastal areas from Mathakal to Valvettiturai are still struggling to make a living inside the Liberation Tigers controlled areas, whereas in many other parts of Jaffna district fisher families who relocated during December are slowly resettling back in their own homes.

Meanwhile, Community organizations across Jaffna district have called on the residents to conduct prayers for the talks in Geneva between the Liberation Tigers and the Government of Sri Lanka to be successful, civil society sources said.