The military say that the LTTE is attempting to destabilise the district and may be planning to disrupt the main Trincomalee-Colombo supply route. Security in Trincomalee was tightened in April, following the Tiger attacks. The Navy shot dead civilians, A Thirukumaran and S Rajendran at Ilankanthai in Muthur on 27 April.
Some 1,000 people demonstrated before the government secretariat on 2 May, demanding ship services to Jaffna. A petition was submitted to North-East Governor Asoka Jayawardena. Regional Secretary Velum Mayilum says over 4,000 people have registered to travel to Jaffna. Around 3,000 found accommodation in the town, but others were living in the open. The people say they have spent all their money on lodging and food.
The passenger ship Lanka Rani, purchased by the Shipping Corporation for passenger service between Trincomalee and Jaffna, has been given to the Navy on Defence Ministry orders. Reports say a second ship Lanka Devi will arrive in Colombo harbour on 1 May.