Tuesday, May 29, 2007

ICRC to have crucial talks with Tamil Tigers to reopen the checkpoints in Sri Lanka

May 28, Colombo: International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) is to have a crucial discussion with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) today to take a decision on the opening of checkpoints leading the way to the Tamil rebel held Wanni in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Omanthai and Puliyankulam checkpoints remained closed since 23rd stranding thousands of civilians crossing the key entry-exit point between the rebel territory and government controlled area.

Meanwhile, sources from Wanni said that a scarcity of food is beginning to prevail in the region. A number of patients seeking further treatment from the Vavuniya hospital lagged in Kilinochchi hospital behind the borders while hospital sources said that 63 discharged patients are in Vavuniya hospital as they could not go back to uncleared areas.

The ICRC had discussions with the Tamil Tigers and the government past few days to reopen the checkpoints. They seek assurance of safety for their officials to reopen the checkpoints. Continued LTTE mortar and artillery fire caused the withdrawal of ICRC personnel manning the checkpoints.

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