SLA sabotages Vavuniya Heroes Day celebrations

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 November 2006, 02:51 GMT]
Heroes day celebrations in Sri Lanka Army (SLA)-controlled areas in Vavuniya District were sabotaged on Monday due to ban imposed by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops preventing the entry of general public to Eeechankulam Heroes cemetery. Request by Mr.Gnanam, the Political Head of Vavuniya District to Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to make arrangements to conduct the celebrations in the area did not produce any result, civilian sources said

All shops and business establishments in Vavuniya Town were shut down Mondya. Normal life came to a complete stand still as Government Departments, Offices Schools, Banks ceased to function past noon. All transport services ground to a halt causing serious difficulties for the public.

The security forces were seen in fewer numbers.

Meanwhile, a group of press photographers attempting to proceed towards Eeechankulam heroes cemetery were prevented by SLA troops on duty in the area.

Many memorial stones have been destroyed and the area insided the cemetary was over grown with shrubs, local residents said.