COLOMBO (PTI): Rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) responded to the gesture of Sri Lanka’s new government’s partial lifting of an embargo by announcing unconditional release of 10 of the 19 policemen held captive by them since 1990. The LTTE’s decision to release the policemen was conveyed Lo the government by the Red Cross. The policemen are to be released this week. The Peoples” alliance government of Prime Minister Chandrika Kumaratunga which assumed office on August 19 in its first cabinet meeting last week decided to partially lift the embargo on supplies to the LTVE held. Jaffna Peninsula.
Announcing the government’s decisions on lifting the ban on supply of 28 items including biscuits, chocolates, printing paper, sanitary napkins etc. to the 650,000 civilians of Jaffna, Prime Minister Kumamitunga had said that she expected the LTTE to respond to the government’s gesture in equal measure and with equal goodwill.
‘The militants had released some soldiers and policemen last year after the Wijetunga government’s decision to temporally lift the ban ‘on supply of some commodities.
The ban was, however, imposed and both the government and the LTTE blamed each othee for going back on promises.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 9, 1994
