SLA travel ‘pass’ system to continue in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 August 2009, 16:34 GMT]
The system of obtaining ‘pass’ to travel out of Jaffna peninsula from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) civil administrative office will not be lifted, Northern Province Governor, Major. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, said in a discussion held with key SLA officers in Jaffna Secretariat Wednesday, sources in Jaffna said. There was high expectation of the pass system being lifted among peninsula residents following the promises made by government ministers during Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) election campaign.

The governor said that the seven schools in the 600m stretch no man zone in Valikaamam North SLA High Security Zone (HSZ) will be permitted to function again.

Chandrasiri also announced that action will be taken to commence resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in places out of the HSZ in Ma’natkaadu, Kudaththanai areas in Vadamaraadchi East and Mirusuvil, Ketpali areas in Thenmaraadchi besides Kadduvan, Vasavi’laan and Punnalaikkadduvan in Valikaamam North.

Meanwhile, he added that steps will be taken to permit worshiping activities in the Saiva temples and Christian churches located in the HSZs by devotees after they are checked by the SLA, in a meeting held in Jaffna Public Library Wednesday.