"SLA establishes new checkpoints in Vavuniya, Mannar"- Selvam

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 May 2004, 11:22 GMT]
Vanni electoral district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan Monday sent an urgent letter to Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge that the establishment of new check points of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the administrative districts of Mannar and Vavuniya is causing serious apprehension in the minds of the people that the security forces are preparing for renewed military action, TNA sources said.

"It has been brought to my notice that the Sri Lanka Army is actively engaged in setting up check points in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts. Some of the newly established army checkpoints are located at Vairavapuliyankulam along Vavuniya-Mannar road, at Moonumurippu along Vavuniya-Kandy Road and in Vavuniya town along Trincomalee-Vavuniya. Even at the peak of civil war, the government security forces did not establish checkpoints at these places," said Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan in his letter.

He added, "My electoral district has been the most affected region in the ethnic strife. Hundreds of internally and externally displaced families have been returning to resettle in their lands and houses due to the current peaceful situation and more of them are expected to return in the near future. The establishment of new army check points would bring the resettlement and rehabilitation process to naught and would force the already resettled to flee from their dwellings through fear."

"I appeal to you to take immediate steps to dismantle all newly constructed check points in my district, to reassure the resettled and future resettlers that they cac continue to enjoy the current peace environment and to bring back normalcy to their lives," said Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan.