<b>LTTE-detained monitors sustain bruises on arms, face...</b>

Namini Wijedasa - The Island

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has recorded evidence of bruises on the two naval monitors who were detained by the LTTE on a fishing trawler they had boarded to inspect.

Deputy Head of Mission Hagrup Haukland said yesterday that the injuries had been sustained when LTTE cadres on board the trawler had physically hindered the monitors from jumping into a navy boat moving alongside the fishing vessel.

There were also reports that the duo — a man and a woman — had been pushed onto the deck and detained there for at least 30 minutes.

"We have photographed evidence of bruises on the arms of the lady monitor and the face of the male," Haukland told The Island yesterday, specifying that they were minor welts.

"They had been on board one vessel and were preparing to jump onto another when they were prevented from doing so, physically, by the LTTE," said Haukland when asked to explain the bruises. The injuries had been caused when the LTTE forced the monitors to stay back.

Meanwhile, the two monitors concerned will return to Jaffna today to resume their activities at sea. It has been decided that the pair will recommence naval monitoring despite their unpleasant experience.

"That is their profession and we have decided that they will continue naval monitoring, at least for the moment," Haukland said.

He also said SLMM was still evaluating the nature of their naval monitoring but that there was no immediate plan to suspend it. Monitors are continuing to accompany navy personnel on patrol.

The SLMM initially announced that they would have to rethink the concept of naval monitoring but the government made emphatic appeals that they continue it as vital part of their work.

Maj. Gen. Trond Furuhovde, head of the SLMM mission, who met the LTTE leadership on Tuesday, had discussed Saturday’s incident in detail. Haukland called the meeting "very positive."

It is the first time SLMM monitors had been detained by the LTTE. Under the cease-fire agreement, both parties are responsible for guaranteeing their protection.