3rd Lead (Adds photos)

Tires burn in Mannar, A9 blocked in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 04 February 2004, 11:44 GMT]
Tires were burnt and black flags were flown in several parts of Mannar town Wednesday. Police said that some protestors had pulled down Sri Lanka’s lion flags that were hoisted by the army on the entrance to Mannar town Tuesday night to mark Independence Day. Meanwhile Vavuniya was deserted and buses from this northern border town to other parts of the island were cancelled. Protesters blocked the A9 highway to Jaffna north of Vavuniya town.

Vavuniya North Consortium of Peoples' Organizations called upon all Tamils in Vavuniya to observe 4 February, the Independence Day of Sri Lanka, as a day of mourning.

Although the Liberation Tigers did not close their entry point on the A9 highway, traffic to and from the Vanni and Jaffna was very low on Wednesday, sources in the north said.

Section of protestors

Protestors are seen at the scene.

Protesters along the A9 Road at the entrance to the LTTE territory is seen with a banner.





Protesters holding the banner of the Traders Union of Vavuniya north region.