
Mavilaru sluice gate opened on humanitarian grounds
Despite yesterday’s shelling by the Sri Lankan armed forces that prevented the water sluice gate from opening, Mavilaru villagers and LTTE officials opened the Mavilaru water sluice gate on Tuesday, 8 August around 5.00 pm.
The water sluice gate was closed by Mavilaru villagers on 20 July in protest of the Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL) refusal to address urgent needs of Tamil civilians living in LTTE areas. Following the closing of the gate, the villagers sent a letter to the GoSL stating three requests as conditions for reopening the gate. They requested the GoSL to ensure security of civilians who must travel between GoSL and LTTE areas; to remove the ban on items imposed by the army; and to incorporate drinking water supply to their areas.
08 August 2006
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