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The government has agreed to give consideration to allow a delegation from the Association for Families of Servicemen Missing in Action to visit the Wanni to meet the detained servicemen under LTTE custody, Mrs. Druki Martenstyn, chairperson of the association said yesterday. Over 500 relatives of the missing personnel gathered at the Navarangahala Auditorium, Royal College yesterday. They urged the government and the opposition to take notice of the missing personnel and their families especially in view of the October 10 General Election. "We don't want to demonstrate against any party or shout slogans and carry placards," Mrs. Martenstyn said. However, she expressed confidence that the government will negotiate with the LTTE through the ICRC, at least to send a small delegation to meet with the LTTE representatives in the Wanni. She said that soon after the LTTE released some captives, President Kumaratunga held a discussion with a group of relatives of the missing personnel. The LTTE in February this year announced that they would allow representatives including journalists from the south to visit the detained men, she reminded. The announcement was made soon after 15 security forces personnel launched a fast-unto-death campaign on February 10 this year. Even though the LTTE has released small groups of captives from time to time when such gestures were made to their advantage, the ICRC has been allowed to visit less than 30 personnel in captivity. According to armed forces, there are hundreds of secretly held captives.
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