Mannar shuts down, traders ignore SLA threats

[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 December 2006, 11:36 GMT]
General shut down was observed in Mannar Thursday in remembrance of the internally displaced people in Vaharai in Batticaloa district killed due to the indiscriminate artillery fire and air strike by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), sources in Mannar said. The appeal for show of solidarity was made by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

The normal life in the town came to a standstill. Shops, banks, government and private establishments including offices of non-governmental organizations were closed. Transport services also came to a standstill, sources said.

Traders disregarded the warning of the Sri Lanka Army that they would not allow shops to be opened for another ten days if they observed a general shutdon Thursday.

Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan, Wanni district parliamentarian on behalf of the TNA thanked the people of Mannar for making the general shut down a success in Mannar and Vavuniya, despite threats and intimidation by SLA soldiers, sources said.