Food convoy to Vanni resumes tomorrow

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 June 1999, 16:54 GMT]
About a thousand civilians from the LTTE held areas of the Vanni were allowed to come into the army held areas of Mannar and Vavuniya today through a new road opened at the 10th mile post along the Mannar - Pooneryn Road in the Paappamoddai area, said government officials in Mannar.

The entrance to the LTTE held areas was previously at Uyilankulam, about 14 km. south of Mannar town along the Mannar-Vavuniya trunk road, but has now shifted to the Paappamoddai area, the government officials said.

The transport of food between the LTTE held areas and the army-controlled areas came to a standstill on June 11 when the Sri Lankan army launched 'Operation Rana Gosa-4'.

Government officials said that the transport of food would resume tomorrow with a convoy of 20 lorries escorted by the ICRC.

Arrangements had already been made between the SLA and the ICRC, they said.

Ten lorries will carry foodstuffs to the Mullaithivu district while the other 10 will carry essentials to the LTTE held areas in the Mannar district, sources said.