Heavy SLA presence in Mannar on Resurgence Day

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 09:38 GMT]
Citizens of Mannar woke Wednesday morning to witness a heavy SL army presence in the town and in the vicinity of the Tamil Resurgence Convention venue where deliberations were scheduled to commence at 4.30 p.m. Large number of heavy vehicles including armoured cars were seen patrolling the area.

Despite the tension building up, the organisers went on with the final hour preparation for the day’s event.

The TNA Pariliamentarians Sivanathan Kishore, Sivasakthi Anandhan and Norathalingham expressed exasperation at excessive army presence as an "intimidating tactic to shy the crowd away." They expressed despair at SL army officers going back on their word to keep away from the Convention venue.

The Parliamentarians had met top SL army officials two days ago at Thallady army Headquarters where it was amicably agreed to have the SL army personnel lying low without interrupting the proceedings of the Tamil Resurgence Convention.