Vavuniya hartal condemns SLA sinking of merchant vessel

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 March 2003, 12:44 GMT]
Shops were closed, transportation came to a stand still and black flags were seen flying across the town as Vavuniya district observed hartal (general shut down) Thursday to mourn the eleven cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam who died when a merchant vessel belonging to LTTE was sunk by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and to express protest against the SLN's action, sources in Vavuniya said.

The streets, bus stand and the town were deserted. Although the schools and government offices were opened, sources said the attendence was low.

Police were seen posted in front of important buildings across the town and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were seen patrolling the main streets. Although the security forces made announcements that shop owners should open their businesses as security is being provided, the request was not heeded by the owners.

The hartal was observed without any incidents.

The hartal was called by the Consortium of Public Institutions of Vavuniya district, officials of the consortium said.

Deserted Vavuniya bus terminal.