New Vanni access procedures

[TamilNet, Monday, 05 July 1999, 13:03 GMT]
Travellers from areas not controlled by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), coming into Vavuniya will be thoroughly screened at Peyaadikoolankulam 3 km. north of Vavuniya town along the A 9 trunk road and people wishing to cross back are to be checked at Thandikulam about 2 km. north of Vavuniya town, according to the new plans adopted to open up a new route to the Vanni, sources said.

People who travel to the north and the south will have to travel about 45 km. from Thandikulam to Mankulam and Mankulam to Peyaadikoolankulam, in buses escorted by the Sri Lankan security forces, said sources.

Thandikulam was the gateway to the Vanni for many years prior to Operation Jayasikurui launched by the Sri Lankan security forces to open a land route to Jaffna peninsula.

"By opening a new route to the Vanni through Mankulam, Thandikulam will once again become famous" an official in Vavuniya said.

However officials said until today no confirmation had been received from the LTTE with regards to opening the new route.

But the officials said that they are making arrangements to put up buildings for the checkpoints and the cross loading of essential goods to the Vanni, anyway.