ICRC to facilitate travel to Wanni five days a week

Colombo, Aug 24 (UNI) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today announced that it would facilitate five days a week, the movement of people and vehicles to and from the LTTE-held Wanni region through the Omanthai entry/exit point in the Northern Vavuniya district.

''On the request of the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, the ICRC agreed to extend its presence at Omanthai crossing point in Vavuniya district to five days a week from Monday,'' the ICRC said in a statement here today.

The decision by Toon Vandenhove, the ICRC head of delegation, came a couple of days after the meeting he had with the LTTE with regard to seeking consent from the parties to the conflict for the movement through the Omanthai entry/exit point.

The ICRC which has been present at this entry/exit point since 2002 aiming to build confidence between the parties to the conflict and facilitate the flow of civilians and goods between Government and LTTE-controlled areas, reduced its presence to three days a week in June following sporadic clashes between the military and the LTTE.

It said that the recent clashes had ''jeopardised the safety of civilians crossing the lines and that of ICRC personnel''.

Meanwhile, the LTTE in a statement said it has requested the ICRC to facilitate the opening of this only land route to their controlled areas for all seven days of the week.

''Civilians of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts use the A-9 highway through Omanthai check point. Food and other items are also brought through this check point. Civilians face many difficulties as opening the check point is limited to only three days,'' the LTTE statement said.

UNI