Brigadier meets Vadamaradchi fishermen

[TamilNet, Saturday, 24 July 1999, 12:06 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) commander for the Vadamaradchi division, Brig. Sarath Karunaratne, met with representatives of the Fishermen's Federation yesterday to discuss the various problems faced by fishermen in the region, said sources.

The Brigadier told the representatives of the federation that the fishermen would not be asked to engage in sentry duty along with the troops and that he would give appropriate orders to the commanding officers of the camps in the region.

The fishermen also asked the Brigadier to take the necessary steps and provide them with relief aid until such time as they can fish without limit.

The Brigadier said that he would contact the relevant officials and make arrangements for the distribution of relief aid.

Meanwhile SLA sources in Jaffna said that the troops who were engaged in a limited operation in sections of Vadamaradchi East and Thenmaradchi returned to their camps on Wednesday evening after having completed their mission.

They said that troops conducted search operations in the villages of Amban, Varani, Maamunai and Potpathy.

SLA sources earlier said that the operation would continue for a week.