Sri Lankan vessel with civilians sails from KKS

[TamilNet, Saturday, 09 September 2006, 08:57 GMT]
The Sri Lanka military charted ship "Lanka Muditha" that carried military supplies to Jaffna sailed from Kankesanthurai (KKS) harbour Saturday morning with civilians who were transported Friday in busses from Jaffna town to KKS. More than six Dvora Fast Attack Crafts were providing escort to the ship towards Trincomalee. Meanwhile, the cargo ship "Marcus Ruhunu," said to be carrying 3800 MT essential supplies to civilians in Jaffna, reached KKS harbour Friday night. Ruhunu will not be unloading supplies in Point Pedro as scheduled, but at KKS military harbour. A team of all Sinhalese port workers from south would unload the supplies at KKS.

More than 600 civilians were transported in busses from Jaffna to KKS harbour Friday.

Unverifyable reports Saturday said at least 1200 persons, including military personnel, were on board the "Lanka Muditha" ship that sailed towards the international waters.

Meanwhile, port officials at Point Pedro said they had not received any details or list of goods to be unloaded from the Ruhunu ship, which was said to be carrying 3800 MT essential supplies to civilians in Jaffna, without ICRC facilitation.

Point-Pedro was not safe to unload the goods, military sources have said after Ruhunu ship arrived at KKS with supplies.