Relief measures in full swing in Mannar

by Shanika Sriyananda

While the LTTE terrorists are fleeing the south of Mannar with the launch of the military operations, more civilians who were trapped in Mullikulam have moved to newly captured Silavathura.

A top military official of the Sri Lanka Army told the 'Sunday Observer' yesterday that over 500 civilians have fled to government controlled areas from Mullikulam, 20 kilometres South of Silavathura.

The Security Fores launched military operations to liberate civilians from the Tigers as thousands of civilians in Silavartura and Arippu had been exploited by the LTTE terrorists. He said the military operation is mainly a humanitarian mission and the civilians, who mainly engaged in fishing were happy to be free from the Tiger clutches.

Arrangements have already been made to provide facilities for the fleeing civilians from LTTE controlled areas. Several welfare centres have been set up in Silavathura and Arippu.

The official said that nearly 2,800 people have been internally displaced and of them over 1,100 have already joined their relatives. The rest are housed in four IDP camps in Nanaddan, Murunkkan and Mannar.

According to military sources, the clearing of landmines in these areas is now been carried out by the military.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Navy will set up two Navy camps today in Silavathura and Mullikulam to provide more security for the fisher- folks to help them start their livelihood. Navy Spokesman Commander D.K.P Dassanayaka said that the main livelihood of these people in Silavathura and Mullikulam is fishing and there were an estimated 3,000 fishermen in these areas.

According to Commander Dassanayake, not only fishermen in Silavathura and Mullikulam but also Kalpitiya, Baththalangunduwa and Palliyawatte area were engaged in fishing within the 20 nautical miles radius from Mannar to Baththalangunduwa.

He said that the passes belonging to the fishermen had been found in the sea tiger base, which was captured by the Security Forces in the military operations in Silavathura had proved that the LTTE had exploited the rights of these fisher folk.

" The LTTE had forcibly taken their boats, fuel and mingled with the fishermen to attack the Security Forces", he said.

According to Government Agent, Mannar, Nicholas Pillai, there are over 3099 civilians from 824 families in these areas. However, 175 families were still trapped in Mullikulam area.

Eight to ten small relief centres have been set up in the area and the government has paid out Rs. 2000 to each familiy to meet their immediate requirements.

He said that there is no shortage of food and medicine for the IDPs as the government, INGOs and local NGOs have commenced relief operations. Instead of dry rations, cooked food have been given due to a dearth of cooking utensils. facilities.

A Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) spokesman said that four SLMM monitors have gone into these areas and had observed the presence of INGOs and NGOs who were rendering assistance to the IDPs.