HEAD of the ICRC in Vavuniya Ms Valerie Petitpierre and a team of UN officials this morning (4) separately met Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander Security Forces Headquarters-Wanni (SFHQ-W) at his Vavuniya office to discuss matters of concern to their routine operations in Wanni.
The ICRC official during her discussions focused attention on speedy evacuation of entrapped civilians who continue to receive injuries as a result of terrorist firing inside as the extent of remaining Karayanmullivaikal and Vellamullivaikkal areas in the “No Fire Zone” (NFZ) is fast shrinking.
She also drew attention on civilian hostages, being still held captive by Tigers in the NFZ and wanted to know how they could be rescued with any eventual intervention of the ICRC. She also pointed out the presence of some injured civilians in an LTTE organized makeshift medical center inside the NFZ, and possibilities available for the ICRC to take them out. Major General Jayasuriya in his responses explained logistics and options available since many risks are involved at this final stage of the humanitarian operation. He also assured maximum support for smooth pick-up of any more evacuees to the ICRC charted vessel from the NFZ, if any.
Two representatives from UNICEF and UN Operations meanwhile had a separate meeting with the Wanni Commander, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya later on with a view to learning more about future modalities, in progress to absorb more and more LTTE child soldiers and also enhanced welfare work, being provided to children living in Relief Villages. Major General Jayasuriya briefed the officials on the mechanism that is in place for rehabilitation of surrendering LTTE minors. He also requested coordination of their work for more effective results with respective authorities running those centers.
Mr. David Wanume Igulu, Chief, Vanni UNICEF field office and Mr. Shahid Mustafa Kamal, Deputy Security Advisor during their meeting with Major General Jagath Jayasuriya also took up the question of security arrangements of underage LTTE combatants who have now given up and are living in IDP centres in Vavuniya in the company of their adults.
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