Vavuniya politicians lose access privileges

[TamilNet, Sunday, 04 October 1998, 11:45 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Police in Vavuniya have said that Tamil politicians who wish to leave the town will have to obtain prior permission from them, like any other civilian. The new practice came into effect from September 30, the Police said.

Generally such travel permissions are issued to those who have obtained police-permission to live in Vavuniya for a period of than three months and to permanent residents of Vavuniya.

However, politicians were - up to now - allowed to leave the town by simply showing their national identity cards.

Sources in Vavuniya said that the new rule is aimed primarily at members of the ex-Tamil militant groups, PLOTE, EPRLF and TELO, who operate in Vavuniya.