Observers have welcomed the opening of the new route, but express grave doubts about sufficient food and medicines reaching the Vanni refugees without disruption. Reports say 50 northern Catholic priests have signed a letter to the Tamil MPs calling for their resignation if they are unable to ensure humanitarian aid to the Vanni population.
By mid-August, over 3,500 Vanni people stranded in Vavuniya had returned home and 90 food lorries entered Tiger territory. Vavuniya Government Agent K Ganesh says 20 lorries enter the Vanni daily, each carrying 15 tonnes of food. According to NGOs, there is a backlog of 900 lorryloads of rations to the Vanni.
Passengers to the Vanni are now checked by the Army at Kokkuveli, three miles north of Vavuniya and then taken in buses to Mankulam. People arriving from the Vanni through Mankulam are checked at Peyadikoolankulam, near Kokkuveli, and issued permits to enter Vavuniya town.
Military operations continue in other areas of the Vanni. In early August, the Army shelled Thunukkai and Pandiyankulam, west of Mankulam, displacing a large number of people. The Tigers fired on a water bowser at Iranai Iluppaikulam, north-west of Vavuniya town, on 8 August, wounding a soldier.
Mullaitivu Education Director says that the education of over 24,000 students in 45 schools in the district has been badly affected by government restrictions. Many students are unable to attend school and students attending find it difficult to study without adequate food.