SLA takes Colombo journalists on Jaffna tour
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 21 June 2006, 18:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Colombo based journalists, including those reporting for international agencies, were taken on a tour of
security positions in Jaffna, in a convoy of 20 armoured tanks,
Buffels, and Saladin pickup trucks, by the Sri Lankan Military on Tuesday and Wednesday, sources in Jaffna said. The
journalists wearing bullet proof vests and army-type helmets, were seen in armoured vehicles as they passed
thorough the traffic ridden Palaly road, en route to Jaffna town from Palaly army headquarters, sources added.
Local Jaffna journalists who tried to take pictures of their southern counterparts, were threatened and chased away by SLA troopers. The visiting journalists stayed in SLA camps and did not make efforts to speak to Jaffna residents, civil society sources in Jaffna said. The visiting journalists met SLA commander Chandrasiri at the Palaly Headquarters Tuesday. The Commander told the
journalists that Jaffna's security was strong and any attack will be effectively repelled, sources added. On Wednesday, the journalists had lunch at the SLA 512 Brigade headquarters in Jaffna town, and visited Kurunagar security centres.
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