Supplies to the Vanni was cut-off on 2 November following the Tigers’ military operation Oyatha Alaigal III (Unceasing Waves). Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph says over 16,000 refugees in Madhu and Thatchanamaruthamadu are facing severe difficulties without adequate food and medicines. The Army and the LTTE reached agreement on 7 December to allow lorries through Periyathambanai, 17 miles west of Vavuniya town. The lorries will travel from Pramanalankulam on Vavuniya-Mannar road into LTTE areas through Periyathambanai, Periyapandivirichchan and Madhu, accompanied by the ICRC. Lorries with medicines and postal bags crossed the frontline into Tiger territory on 9 December and 30 food lorries went into the Vanni four days later.
The Defence Ministry permits 60 lorryloads of food every week. But Vanni government officers say 515 lorryloads a month are needed to overcome the current shortage problems in the Vanni. Although money has been provided by Colombo’s Essential Services Commissioner for local purchase, rice and other food stuff are in short supply.