Sea travel

SOME 150 LTTE members received an emotional welcome from relatives when they arrived in boats at Vaharai in the Eastern Province from Mullaitivu in the Northern Province. The Tigers want the right to travel by sea to facilitate home visits. But President Chandrika and the Navy have accused the LTTE of arms smuggling in the eastern sea.

After several months of negotiations, agreement was reached in mid-August. The Tigers will travel by sea only between 6am and 6pm with a 48-hour notice to the SLMM. The boats will fly the SLMM flag and an SLMM officer will accompany the LTTE cadre. The Tigers can take communication equipment but may not carry weapons.

President Chandrika has also expressed concern over the closure of military camps in the east. In a letter to Defence minister Tilak Marapane, she has demanded details of the camps closed, alleging that national security and the safety of NGOs working in the east have been compromised.

In mid-August, the SLMM said that 740 complaints of ceasefire violations against the LTTE and 576 against the government have been received since February. The main complaints against the LTTE are child recruitment, abduction and harassment. The security forces are accused of preventing free movement, imposing restrictions on fishing and harassment of civilians.


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