<b> Sri Lanka Defence Ministry Waives Clearance Rule</b>

T.Sabaratnam

Colombo July 17: Defence Ministry today waived the requirement that persons holding foreign passports should obtain clearance to travel by air to Jaffna. The decision was taken at a meeting, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders had with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Defence Minister Tilak Marapone, defence officials and service chiefs.

TULF president V. Anandasangari said that, the prime minister directed the Foreign Ministry to drop the clearance condition, when they pointed out the discrepancy that they need not obtain clearance if they travel by road. TULF is one of the four Tamil parties that constitute the TNA.

Today’s meeting, reviewed the progress made by the government in implementing the terms of the ceasefire agreement, specially the requirement that the armed forces should vacate places of worship, public buildings and schools to help the people of the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka return to normal life.

TNA delegation that noted with satisfaction the progress made by armed services in vacating public places, submitted to the Prime Minister the list of the buildings which the forces still occupy.

Wickremesinghe assured the Tamil leaders that, the government would implement the ceasefire agreement in full and reiterated its commitment to talk to the LTTE. He indicated the delay in completing the implement is due to the difficulties in finding alternative accommodation.

“We were satisfied that the Prime Minister is making a genuine effort. We understand his difficulties and are with him in his massive effort,” said, Anandasangari who led the delegation.

The meeting considered the question of resettling the residents displaced from the high security zone around the Palaly airport and military camps. It was agreed, as the initial step, to work out a scheme that permits to cultivate their farmland around the Palaly airport area. Environs of the airport is a rich agricultural area.

The meeting decided to expedite the release of Tamil detainees, who had threatened to launch fast unto death protest on Friday. The problem of Tamil detainees is an irritant in the gradually fostering Tamil- Sinhala relations.

TNA also tried to sort out matters with the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), especially the question of protection of the eastern Muslims. TNA leaders called on SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem over the week-end and agreed that, the aspirations of the Muslims should also be taken into account in any settlement of the ethnic problem.

Meanwhile, LTTE has invited the TNA leaders and law makers for a meeting its political chief S. P. Thamilselvan on July 29. SLMC leaders are also likely to meet LTTE supreme Velupillai Prabhakaran.