SLA extends checkpoint hours to assist Convention attendees

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 September 2005, 00:32 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) authorities in Thallady main camp in Mannar district Monday agreed to extend Uyilankulam checkpoint opening time by more than 2 hours on September 30 for the people from LTTE controlled area to enter Mannar town through Uyilankulam to attend Tamil Resurgence Convention. The SLA agreed to the request when Vanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians Mr.Sivanathan Kishore, Mr. Noharathalingam and Mr.Sivasakthi Anandan Monday morning met with Colonel Kariyakarawanse and sought assistance, sources said. The SLA also agreed not to deploy soldiers in the vicinity of the convention.

The Uyilankulam army checkpoint located on the border of LTTE and Sri Lanka government controlled areas in the Mannar district normally opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m under the monitoring of the ICRC representatives.

It was agreed that the Uyilankulam checkpoint will be reopened from 8 p.m. till 10.30 p.m. on September 30. Representatives of ICRC also agreed to post the monitors at the checkpoint during the extended hours, TNA sources said.

TNA parliamentarians informed the SLA authorities that at the Tamil Resurgence Convention hoisting of Thamileelam national flag will take place. Colonel Kariyakarawanse replied that he will inform the matter to his superior, TNA sources said.