2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004   2003

Sri Lankan military turns back convoy of food meant for Vaharai people

Babies without milk food, no fuel to even light a small lamp at night and the convoy of food turned back. International instruments appear impotent. A State’s right over its “people” it seems is limitless.

It is now well known that the 60,000 people in the Vaharai area have been without basic food since 30 October. The reason is that the Sri Lankan military is blocking all food from passing through the Sri Lankan military checkpoint at Mankerni since 30 October.

Reports of people begging for food have been coming out over the last few days. People have pleaded with SLMM which has been allowed by the Sri Lankan military to visit the area only for brief periods.

There are no shops in the Vaharai area. All shops are closed because there are no stocks to sell. There is absolutely no lighting at night because even oil or fuel for lamps is not available. Babies without milk food is the most pathetic sight in Vaharai.

The 60,000 thousand people in Vaharai includes Vaharai residents who were badly affected by the 2004 tsunami and people who displaced over the last six months from Sampur and Muthur east due to Sri Lankan military onslaughts.

The Kathiraveli refuge camp in which 47 people were killed by mindless Sri Lankan military artillery shelling is also located within this Vaharai region.

See also:

• Why doesn’t someone come and give us poison and kill us all – Vaharai people

12 November 2006

Print this

Email this