SLA says ready to open route to Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 August 1999, 17:13 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has informed the Liberation Tigers that it is prepared to open a safe passage between Jaffna and the Vanni through the Paranthan-Elephant Pass base complex.

Sources at the Sri Lankan Security Forces Headquarters for the Vanni said last night that if the Tigers agree to the proposal, civilians would be able to travel overland from Vavuniya to Jaffna, greatly easing the current transport problems in the north.

They said that the LTTE can check travellers at Mankulam and at the entry point at Paranthan.

The sources close to the Vanni security forces commander Maj.Gen. Lionel Balagalle said that if such a route is opened even essential goods can be transported overland to Jaffna.

They claimed that would not be any practical difficulties on the part of the army in opening a safe route at Paranthan-Kilinochchi if the Tigers agree to the proposal which has been sent to them through international voluntary organisations.