SLA removes Mannar road blocks

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 20 September 2005, 16:06 GMT]
Three checkpoints and road blocks established by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the heart of Mannar town were removed Tuesday by soldiers of SLA following protests by the Mannar Citizens' Committee (MCC) to Brigadier S.M.D.Rajapakse. MCC delegation led by Rev.Fr Emliyanuspillai met with Brigadier Monday afternoon and expressed their concern for making Mannar a garrisoned city, civil sources said.

The roadblocks and checkpoints removed were located along Main Street, Hospital Road in Thalvupadu and St.Sebastian Street in Mannar town.

MCC delegation comprised its Secretary Mr.N.Jeyabalasingham, Treasurer Mr.Mariyadasan Peiris, two attorneys Mr.M.M.Saburudeen and Mr.Johnthasan and Mr.S.Ramakrishnan, an engineer, sources said.

MCC delegation told Brigadier Rajapakse that the establishment of increased number of roadblocks and checkpoints and sentries in the town at random has disrupted the normal life of civilian population. The delegation brought to the notice of the army authority that in some instances soldiers were forcibly entering private residences during nights for search operation creating terror and fear among occupants, sources said.