Refugees stranded in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 August 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Approximately 200 Tamil refugees in Trincomalee awaiting transport by sea to Jaffna, will have to wait longer as a ship chartered by Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) for this purpose, will not arrive in Trincomalee, said sources in Trincomalee.

The South Korean ship 'Democracy', chartered by CGES, lying in anchor at Pusan, in South Korea, preparing to set sail for Sri Lanka, has been debarred from doing so due to legal snags.

This has put the displaced at Trincomalee in a quandary, as they have used most of their money on accommodation at lodges in the town.

They are continuing to live in Trincomalee now through the Eelam People's Democratic Party's (EPDP) good offices.

The EPDP has allowed them the use Hindu Cultural Centre hall, and provides them three meals a day.

What is most depressing is that there seems little enthusiasm on the part of Sri Lanka Government (SLG) to substitute 'Democracy' with another vessel, said sources.

The situation gives cause for concern with the Northeast monsoon due to breakout by September, during which time vessels do not undertake the Trincomalee-Jaffna run.