|
|
 |
 |
|||
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has directed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to escort the passenger vessel “City of Trincomalee” between Jaffna and Kankesanturai, subject to the ratification of a Memorandum of Understanding between the ICRC and the government, an ICRC representative said today. According to ICRC Information Officer Harsha Gunewardena, President Kumaratunga took the decision to allow the escort at a meeting last week with the Sri Lankan head of the ICRC delegation, Isabelle Barras. Responding to what he said was a factually inaccurate Daily News report critical of alleged “backtracking” by the organization, Mr Gunawardena reiterated both the ICRC’s acknowledgement of the need for civilian transport and its willingness to extend its cooperation under the appropriate conditions. Mr Gunewardena said that, contrary to the Daily News report, the ICRC had not obstructed the government’s attempt to obtain an escort. Mr Gunewardena said that subsequent to the ICRC Geneva’s official approval in February of an escort for a single vessel and the President’s decision last month, a finalized Memorandum of Understanding had been submitted for approval to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. However, Mr Gunewardena said that the ICRC requires written security guarantees from both the government and the LTTE in order to be able to provide an escort. Transport services to and from the North have been severely disrupted due to the threat posed by the LTTE. Tiger terrorists in 1998 downed a Lion Air aircraft carrying civilians, and are suspected of involvement in the tragic crash of an air force Antonov last week, which killed all 40 on board including 4 Ukranian crew members. Meanwhile, President Kumaratunga has directed that ships be imported to transport civilians and Armed Forces to the North and East.
|
|
Contact Information: Send
mail to