Tigers arrive in Vavuniya, address meeting

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 April 2002, 11:34 GMT]

LTTE's Political Administrative Secretary Mr.Thangan (left) talking to a Sri Lanka Army officer at Omanthai, Monday.. (Photo: TamilNet)

The first batch of Liberation Tigers crossed the lines at Vilakkuvaiththakulam, 18 kilometres north of the northern border town of Vavuniya, Monday under the terms of the cease-fire agreement between Colombo and the LTTE signed in February. The eight members of the LTTE's political wing were welcomed at the Sri Lanka army's Forward Defence Line by members of the public, traders and students from Vavuniya town.

(Photo: TamilNet)

The group arrived in a jeep at the entry point near Omanthai around 12.45 p.m. Later in the afternoon, the Tigers addressed a public meeting on the Vavuniya Urban Council grounds.

Mr.Thangan and Mr. Pulithevan, senior officials of the LTTE's political wing accompanied the group up to the SLA's FDL.

Tamil National Alliance MPs for the Vanni, Mr. Raja Kuhaneswaran (TELO) and Mr. Sivasakthi Anandan (EPRLF) and local TNA politicians, including, Mr. Kulathevarajah were also at Vilakkuvaiththakulam to welcome the Tigers. Mr. Raja Kuhaneswaran addressed the public meeting Friday in Vavuniya to welcome the Tigers to the northern border town.

Mr. Melavan led the team of Tigers from the LTTE's political wing.

Mr. Elilan, a member of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers who came to Vavuniya Monday under the terms of the cease-fire agreement, being carried to the border town's Urban Council grounds by enthusiastic crowds. (Photo:TamilNet)