Second Jaffna evacuation planned - UK mission

[TamilNet, Friday, 01 September 2006, 11:06 GMT]
The British High Commission in Colombo said this week that a second evacuation from the Jaffna peninsula is being organized for foreign nationals and advised those wishing to leave to stay in close contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Government Agent (GA) in Jaffna "The evacuation is on a voluntary basis and while all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure the safety of any operation, evacuees should be aware of the risks involved with the evacuation process," the UK mission said.

On Saturday 26 August the ICRC organised the movement by sea of foreign nationals from Jaffna district to Colombo.

"The ICRC in close consultation with the Government of Sri Lanka, together with missions in Colombo, are looking at plans to coordinate a second voluntary evacuation of foreign nationals," a statement by the UK mission said.

"Those wishing to be included on the list for possible voluntary evacuation should register their details with the British High Commission. You should also establish, and maintain, close contact with the ICRC offices and the Government Agent in Jaffna."

"Please monitor the media and our website for updates."

The British High Commission says it has responsibility for "British nationals, their spouses or partners and dependent children."

The missions "will not be providing any assistance with passage beyond the first safe haven point in Sri Lanka. On arrival at that point, the ICRC's responsibility for the evacuees will cease and all travel and accommodation costs will be the evacuee's responsibility."

The ICRC has launched a special webpage to help those seeking to contact their relatives in Jaffna. This page can be accessed at the following address www.familylinks.icrc.org.