Government approves sea route for LTTE in East
[August 13, 2002  - 12.00 GMT]

The Government has agreed with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) on the technical and operational procedures to be followed for the sea transportation of LTTE cadres going on leave, a Peace Secretariat press release announced Monday.

“This sea transport would be conducted in daylight (between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.) and not more than twice a week,” the release said.

It states that the LTTE would inform the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) the details of any sea movement 48 hours in advance. 

“The SLMM will inspect and verify all LTTE vessels used to transport cadres going on leave,” the release added. 

The Following is the full text of the release:  

Government and LTTE reach agreement on LTTE SEA movements 

The Government communicated its agreement today to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) on the technical and operational procedures to be followed for the sea transport of LTTE cadres going on leave. The arrangements and procedures apply to LTTE cadres being transported from an LTTE dominated area to another LTTE dominated area (as referred to in Articles 1.5 and 1.6 of the Ceasefire Agreement). This sea transport will be conducted in daylight (between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.) and not more than twice a week. 

Among the provisions of this arrangement are that the LTTE will inform the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) through the SLMM forty-eight hours in advance of any such sea movement of the following:

• Purpose of Movement
   

• Point of Origin with Estimated Time of Departure (ETD), and Destination/s with Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA); including the ETD and ETA of the return journey
   

• Route
   

• Type of vessel/s
   

• Number of LTTE cadres being transported (passengers)
   

• Method of communication with SLN and SLMM during movement
   

• Number of permanent crew numbers

The SLMM will inspect and verify all LTTE vessels used to transport cadres going on leave. Further, the SLMM guarantees the LTTE adherence to the arrangement by inspecting and monitoring the entire activity. At least one SLMM monitor will be on board every LTTE vessel to ensure compliance with the agreed procedure. Such vessels will be required to fly SLMM flags. Among the other arrangements made is a measure that ensures that no more than a stipulated number of cadres remain at the destination. 

The LTTE vessel/s on such movements will not be permitted to enter any area classified as restricted by the Government of Sri Lanka. 

Although the CFA provides for the movement of unarmed LTTE cadres by land, the land routes (both A35 and A15) from Mullaittivu in the Northern Province to Vakarai area in the Eastern Province have not been in operation partly or fully. With the opening of the sea route under the supervision of the SLMM and with the concurrence of the SLN, LTTE cadres will now be able to proceed on leave to their homes in the Eastern province. 

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Last Updated Date: August 13, 2002  - 12.00 GMT.