102 families seek safer areas outside Jaffna, Campus to reopen

[TamilNet, Sunday, 01 January 2006, 18:44 GMT]
Following escalating violence and disruption to normal life by the activities of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the Jaffna district, one hundred and two families have travelled through the Muhamalai checkpoints from Jaffna to safer areas in Vanni and other districts taking their belongings, Political office of the Liberation Tigers in Pallai said Sunday. More than 50 families are from the coastal areas of Vadamaradchy including Valvettiturai according to entries made in the Muhamalai customs offices of the Liberation Tigers.

Meanwhile, Jaffna District Tamil National Workers Union, in a memorandum released Sunday, said that the workers' boycott of Banks and other Government Offices will be suspended from Monday. "We are suspending the work stoppage to ease the burden on Jaffna residents, and we will not hesitate to resume the boycott if the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continues to act disregarding the safety of our workers," the memorandum said.

Normal schedule of lectures at the Jaffna Campus will begin starting Monday, the University Administration said.

Prof S Mohanadas, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Jaffna Campus, said he had talked to the Jaffna Military Commander who had assured the VC that the military will consider favorably the demands from the Campus administration that the SLA will (a) remove sentries at the Thirunelvely junction and others close to the campus, (b) take efforts to avoid confrontation with undergraduates, and (c) desist from harrassing and carrying out searches in undergraduate accommodations.

Schools in Jaffna district are also scheduled to reopen after closing for the end of term vacation, sources in Jaffna said.