"Vanni woes continue" -CTTU

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 February 2002, 14:23 GMT]
The Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union (CTTU) said Thursday that "the Vanni intelligentsia feel that the United National Front government has failed to take concrete steps in taking forward the peace initiative." Mr.T.Mahasivam, General Secretary of the CTTU told TamilNet that "the Vanni people still live in misery and are eagerly awaiting to enjoy the benefits of the humanitarian assistance programme which was announced by the United National Front government last month."

"Since the unilateral declaration of the cease-fire by the Liberation Tigers and the reciprocal cessation of hostilities announced by the United National Front (UNF) government came into force in December last year, no tangible progress has been found in the lives of people residing in the LTTE held Vanni region. The people have not yet been benefited by the humanitarian measures announced by the UNF government," said Mr.T.Mahasivam on his return from LTTE held Vanni Thursday after a three weeks' stay.

Mr.Mahasivam added, "the general opinion of the Vanni intelligentsia is that compared to the active participation taken by the LTTE towards achieving peaceful solution to the Tamil national question in the last two months, the Sri Lankan government is very much behind and has failed to act expeditiously."

"Only kerosene, bicycles and bicycle accessories are available plenty at reasonable prices. However acute shortage for milk foods medicines and other essential food items still prevails in Vanni region," said Mr.Mahasivam.

"Vacancies for over two thousand teachers in Vanni schools are yet to be filled. However with the assistance of over one thousand volunteer teachers, education is being provided to Vanni students with great difficulties. Education authorities in Vanni demand that all volunteer teachers serving in the region should be made permanent or be given an allowance on part time basis," said Mr.Mahasivam.