Oamanthai check point to be re-opened Monday

[TamilNet, Monday, 21 May 2007, 02:28 GMT]
The representatives of International Commission of Red Cross (ICRC) meeting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Vavuniya political head, Gnanam, at his office Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. till 3:30 p.m.assured that Sri Lanka Army (SLA) check point at Oamanthai closed since Thursday would be reopened Monday, sources close to LTTE said. Representatives from ICRC offices of Ki'linochchi and Vavuniya (Vavuniyaa) were present at the meeting.

Consequence to the favourable response by SLA, representatives of LTTE assured the ICRC officials that they will extend their maximum co-operation.

Tiger officials also accused the SLA of delaying the medical treatment to ill patients by closing the check point.

LTTE representatives also brought to the attention of the ICRC officials that the excessive delay of trucks at the check point are causing economic hardship to the traders.

Meanwhile, Dr.Sathananthan, the Superintendent of Kilinochchi hospital when asked if things are improving, replied in the affirmative saying an ambulance carrying patients had accompanied the ICRC officials returning to Vavuniya.

When questioned about the crisis caused in Mullaitheevu resulting from the closure of Oamanthai check point Dr.Shanmugarajah, Medical Superintendent of Mullaitheevu district, said due to the sudden closure of Oamanthai check point, 28 patients including expectant mothers, elderly patients and children requiring further treatment are stranded at Mullaitheevu Hospital.

He added that a number of ambulances carrying patients needing further treatment had to return back to Mullaitheevu since SLA troopers denied permission for the vehicles to proceed.