Military blocking Valikamam resettlement - MP

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 July 2002, 05:51 GMT]
By refusing to allow displaced civilians to resettle in Valikamam north in the Jaffna district, the Sri Lankan military is violating the ceasefire agreement the government signed with the Liberation Tigers, said Jaffna district parliamentarian Mr. G. G. Gajendrakumar, addressing a press conference Monday at the office of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC).

He met the local journalists after two-day visit to the region by the Defence Secretary, Mr. Austin Fernando, on Saturday and Sunday.

The MP further said that protest rallies will be organised through out the Jaffna peninsula, if the displaced are not allowed resettle in their villages before July 30.

Mr. Gajendrakumar participated in conferences held Saturday and Sunday, attended by the Defence Secretary, regarding the resettlement of displaced in the Jaffna district.

The Defence Secretary told representatives of the displaced that a final decision on this issue will be taken at a conference scheduled for July 30 between the Prime Minister and a delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), of which the ACTC is a member.