Vanni military coordinator Col Wijeratne has ordered that refugees in the Madhu Church area must come to centres at Uyilankulam or Madhu road junction, 30 miles south, to obtain food relief. There are over 15,000 refugees in Madhu. Only 400 of the 7,000 people displaced around Mannar-Vavuniya road following military operation Edibala in February have returned. Mr Croos says the plan is impractical and travelling would cost the refugees more than the food relief they would receive.
Press reports say the Army has also ordered international refugee agency UNHCR to close the refugee camp at Pesalai on Mannar Island. There are 778 refugees in the camp. UNHCR is said to be negotiating with the government to keep the camp open for another six months.
Sea Tigers attacked Naval patrol boats near Pesalai on 10 April killing five sailors and three policemen. The Navy says Sea Tiger attempt to attack the Talaimannar naval base on 21 April using Indian trawlers as a shield was repulsed. The Navy intercepted a boat carrying 29 refugees to India in the Palk Strait on 2 May.