SLMM Head, villagers discussion abruptly ends following aerial strike

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 July 2006, 06:53 GMT]
A crucial discussion over the Mavilaru water crisis held Friday afternoon between Maj. Gen. Ulf Henricsson, Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and villagers of LTTE held Eachchilampathu Vaharai division at Kallady LTTE political office ended abruptly following aerial strike on civilian targets in the area by Sri Lanka Air Force. Buildings of the Verugal Muhathuwaram Government Tamil School were damaged and two Tamil civilians were injured when Kifir jets dropped bombs on the area located about 750 meters away from the Kallady LTTE political office where the SLMM head had discussion with representatives of the villagers.



The villagers, dispersing hurriedly seeking security from air strike, further told the SLMM head and his monitors that there was no purpose in continuing the discussion when civilian areas were being bombed.

Tension prevailed in the area following the aerial attack.

The Eachchilampathu villagers have told the SLMM head that they would end their campaign and reopen the closed Mavilaru sluice gate only after their demands are met by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL).

The discussion commenced around Friday afternoon around 2:30 p.m.

SLAF bombers flew over the area and dropped bombs on the Verugal Muhathuwaram School around 3:15 p.m. while the discussion between SLMM Head and Eachchilampathu villagers was in progress.

S. Elilan, the LTTE Trincomalee district political head participated in the discussion.

Villagers were demanding that dry ration and other assistance should be provided to over 25 thousand internally displaced persons of five thousand families.

The villagers further said they were facing three-pronged attack by the Sri Lankan forces since April 25 and there were many IDPs now sheltered in welfare centres and public buildings. They were being denied the drinking water and basic supplies from GoSL areas.

The villagers also demand that the GoSL should ensure safe passage to Tamil people living in LTTE held Muttur east and Eachchilampathu division to and from GoSL controlled areas through SLA and police checkpoints.