Since 6 May seven lorryloads of food awaited at Madhu junction, but no one turned up to claim the dry rations. Reports say fear and the long travelling distance, in some cases 40 miles, is putting off the refugees. A policeman was killed and 16 others injured in a bomb explosion at nearby Parayanalankulam on 8 May.
According to Mr Croos, changes have been made in the procedure for issue of passes to travel outside. Currently, everyone must complete seven forms and obtain approval from the Village headman, the GA, the police and the Army. From mid-May people may travel to Vavuniya after registering at the Mannar Civil Coordinator’s office. Those travelling to Colombo must obtain recommendations from the Village headman, the AGA and the Civil Coordinator.
Further east in Vavuniya town, over 1,400 people from the Vanni were stranded following Operation Jayasikurui. There are another 12,000 people in refugee camps. In mid-May Tamil group PLOTE demanded the closure of all refugee camps and schools in Vavuniya fearing that they may come under LTTE artillery attack.