SLA obstructs public entry into Valikaamam HSZ

[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 October 2008, 14:36 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna refused to allow students, teachers and workers, to enter the High Security Zone (HSZ) at the Thellippazhai entry point Friday, preventing them from attending schools and work places located within the said HSZ, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, SLA conducted searches in several areas in the HSZ, following the Monday night attack on SLA soldiers at Maasiyappiddi in Jaffna, on suspicion of Liberation Tiger combatant's penetration into the HSZ, sources added.

Students and teachers of Union College, Mahajana College, Thanthai Chelva School, and Pon Paramaananthaa School were not permitted entry into the HSZ where their schools are located.

Employees of Kaangkeasanthu'rai harbour, Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation (SLPC) Store too were not allowed to enter.

Devotees attending Friday worship in the historical famous Maaviddapuram Kanthasuvami Koayil and Kollankaladdi Pi'l'laiyaar Koayil also had to return home after being denied permission to enter the HSZ where these Saiva temples are located.

The sudden closure of the entry point at Thellippazhai without prior announcement has disrupted the educational activities of the students as well as the daily functions of the SLPC and Kaangkeasanthu'rai harbour, civil society sources said.

SLA authorities have not made any announcement on whether the entry point at Thellippa'lai HSZ will remain closed for public on Monday.