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| Sunday, 30 June 2002 |
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Armed forces deployed to monitor situation in East by P. Krishnasamy Tension continues to prevail in the Eastern province following the recent incidents in Muttur, Valaichchenai, Akkaraipattu and Oddamavadi. Round-the-clock curfews were in force in Valaichchenai, Oddamavadi, Akkaraipatu and the border villages of Ampara. Government has deployed armed forces to monitor the situation. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held three high-level security conferences in the last three days with the participation of Defence Secretary Austin Fernando, the three service chiefs, the IGP, Ministers John Amaratunga, Karu Jayasuriya and Rauff Hakeem to review the situation. Meanwhile, Minister and SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said at a Press conference yesterday that he had sought an appointment with the LTTE leadership to discuss the present situation. Minister Rauff Hakeem told the Sunday Observer that certain sinister elements, both within the Tamil and Muslim communities bent upon creating dissention within the SLMC, destabilizing the government and jeopardizing the on-going peace process were responsible for the current volatile situation. In Valaichchenai, shops were gutted and houses were attacked Friday and Saturday nights and a good percentage of the civilian population is reported to have fled to Pettalai and Kalkudah areas. The town remained deserted with no transport services and no movement of people. About 500 security men were patrolling the streets, according to reports from there. Last Thursday religious dignitaries, ministers, parliamentarians from the East, government officials and representatives of the people converged at the Muttur Divisional Secretariat on provision of relief measures and compensation to the affected people. The Bishop of Trincomalee/Batticaloa Rev. Fr. Kingsley Swamipillai, Ministers Karu Jayasuriya, John Amaratunga, Rauff Hakeem and Tamil and Muslim parliamentarians of the constituency were present at the meeting. In accordance with a decision taken at the meeting, the premier will shortly appoint a special commission to provide relief and compensation to the affected families, to bring to book those responsible for the clashes, to maintain law and order and to submit a report on the incidents. The Bishop and the Ministers thereafter visited the refugee camps and offered words of solace to the inmates. |
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