Relief provisions to Jaffna reduced

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 June 2000, 11:15 GMT]
The Jaffna Government Agent (GA) was informed on Tuesday that relief provisions for civilians will be reduced to account for those who have fled the peninsula as a result of the war. Sources said about 5000 people who fled the war are currently housed in makeshift accommodation in the Pooneryn area.

The GAs of Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu had requested that as about 800 families were now in areas under their administration, funds for their essentials should be paid to those areas for redistribution. However, government authorities in Colombo are yet to respond to this request, said sources.

The Voice of Tigers radio said Wednesday night that 60 elderly people who were stranded in the combat zone of Thenmaradchi sector of Jaffna were transported to the Vanni.

Meanwhile the Vavuniya Students Union of Jaffna University has sent letters to the Government Agent and parliamentarians of Vavuniya seeking their help to provide them safe transport to leave the peninsula. The Union, which represents about 75 students from the Vavuniya District, in its letter has stated that the students have lost contacts with their families.