Stranded passengers threaten suicide

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 February 1999, 17:35 GMT]
Hundreds of stranded Jaffna bound passengers in Trincomalee have informed the North- East Governor that they would be forced to commit suicide if no prompt action is taken to send them to Jaffna by next vesse.

Several Jaffna bound passengers today went in a procession to the offices of the ICRC (International Committee of Red Cross) and the Governor in Trincomalee and submitted a memorandum under the caption "Transport facilities to Jaffna by ship".

The memorandum states:

"We, who have been staying temporarily in Trincomalee for the sole purpose of travelling to Jaffna by ship, have been undergoing many hardships, for the past several months, spending unnecessarily for our food, accommodation and other needs. Many of us do not have any money at all, as what we have brought, has already been exhausted and we have been forced to sell the jewellery for our day to day needs.

"Some of us have come from abroad to visit our parents or the other family members and return. Some of us have come to attend funeral of our close relatives and some others have come for the purpose of solemnisation of marriage. Teachers, university students and government servants are also there among us. Some of us have already come to the streets, as there is no shelter.

"If this situation is allowed to continue further, we will not have any other alternative other than going to the state of even committing suicide. Under the above circumstances, please take prompt steps on humanitarian ground to send us by next immediate vessel, the memorandum concludes.