Forces open Omanthai entry-exit point

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: Security Forces yesterday opened the Omanthai entry-exit point on the Jaffna Kandy A-9 highway at 2.30 p.m to facilitate the transportation of essential items to uncleared areas in Killinochchci and Mullaitivu districts, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said yesterday.

MCNS Senior Coordinator Major Upali Rajapaksa said the decision to open the entry exit point in Omanthai was also aimed at facilitating hundreds of civilians stranded in Vavuniya due to closure of the road on Saturday after fierce fighting erupted in the Jaffna peninsula.

However, Major Rajapaksa said the entry-exit point will only be opened for a limited period until the Essential Services Commissioner is satisfied that the civilian population in the uncleared areas received sufficient stocks of food items.

"If the LTTE decides to close the entry-exit point from their side we would also react to it by closing our side," Major Rajapaksa added.

However, the Muhamalai entry-exit point on the Jaffna-Kandy A-9 highway remained closed as heavy fighting was reported yesterday too in the Muhamalai Forward Defence Line as troops were consolidating their position amidst heavy resistance from the LTTE side.

"There is no possibility of opening the Muhamalai entry-exit point as fighting is still going on there," Major Rajapaksa said.

Reports from Wanni said despite the humanitarian gesture by the Security Forces, thousands of devotees who attended the annual feast at Madhu Church are still trapped in uncleared areas in Mannar as the LTTE had not opened the entry-exit point there, for the people to return their villages.

The Security Forces despite the closure of all entry exit points in the North and East since last Saturday allowed pilgrims attending the annual feast to proceed to the Madhu Church.

The LTTE on Monday closed their side of the entry-exit point in Uyilankulam entry-exit point stranding thousands of pilgrims attending the annual feast.