ICRC sign agreement to escort civilians in "CITY OF TRINCO" to Jaffna
[27 July 2000]

The Government has signed an agreement with the ICRC to send civilians to Jaffna from Trinclomalee in the newly acquired "CITY OF TRINCO" with ICRC escort, Deputy head of Delegation (ICRC) Carmen Burger said today.

According to defence sources the vessel had been traveling under naval protection since June 9, transporting approximately 3150 persons to Jaffna.

The ICRC was able to obtain a written agreement from the LTTE after negotiations regarding protection to the passenger vessel.

The transportation had not been fully operational because the LTTE was delaying in giving a guarantee for the safety of the passengers. 

Two other transport ships, 'Lanka Rani' and 'Lanka Devi', acquired specially to transport civilians were handed over to the Navy a few months ago when fighting erupted in the peninsula.

However, the ship was acquired by President Kumaratunga in consultation with a private shipping company in response to the hardships the civilians were facing to travel between Colombo and Jaffna via Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai.

Contact Information: Send mail to webmaster@priu.gov.lk with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: September 25, 2003.

Tigers sink vessel preventing civilians from getting essential items
27/06/2000

Passenger ship with ICRC flag lying at anchor due to Tiger's refusal to sign agreement
29/04/2000