Jaffna high security zones to continue - SLA

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 December 2002, 13:46 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Wednesday said the High Security Zones (HSZ) in Jaffna peninsula would not be removed. Major General Sarath Fonseka, Jaffna area commander, told a delegation of the Movement for Goodwill, Peace and Justice (MGPJ) at a discussion held at the Jaffna Bishop’s House Wednesday that the army has taken steps to re-open the Clock Tower Road, Power House Road in Jaffna town for the public and also will vacate Gnanams Hotel.

“However the SLA camp in the Subash Hotel will not be shifted and the Victoria Road will not be re-opened for public. The high security zones in the peninsula will continue without any change,” said Major General Sarath Fonseka.

Mr.D.R.Armuainayagam led the delegation of the MGPJ. Jaffna Bishop Rt Rev Thomas Soundaranayagam, Rev.Fr.Bernanrd, Rev Fr Nesakumar, Rev.Fr Selvarasa, President of the Jaffna Humanitarian Agencies Consortium Mr.K.Paramanathan and representatives of the Jaffna Chamber of Commerce and Jaffna District Traders Association also participated in the discussion.

Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, northern commander of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), Senior Superintendent of Police. Edward Withanage, Jaffna Superintendent of Police Ananda Seneviratne and army officials of the 51st Brigade participated in the discussion with Major General Sarath Fonseka.

The SLN northern commander Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara rejected a request made by MGPJ delegation that the Gurunagar beach road should be re-opened to facilitate easy access to the fishermen of the area to go to sea. Rear Admiral Weerasekara said they would not effect any changes in the restrictions and conditions now in force regarding fishing.

Major General Sarath Fonseka said although the SLA has removed landmines and booby traps from Thanankilappu village in Thenamaradchchi area displaced people have not showed any interest in resettling in that area.