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Delft Island under LTTE siege
By Shelani Perera

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Tiger guerrillas have laid siege to the Delft Island where some 5000 people live, demanding the withdrawal of their rival, Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP).

"A prolonged cut-off may lead to starvation. We have lodged a strong protest with the Ministry of Defence," EPDP leader Douglas Devananda told The Sunday Times.

The siege comes after a series of LTTE attacks on EPDP offices in Vadamarachchi South, Delft, and Chavakachcheri.

Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission deputy leader Hagrup Hauckland said yesterday they were monitoring the situation though they were unable to say who was behind it. He said the SLMM was trying to persuade the "relevant parties" to allow the resumption of the ferry service - the only mode of supply and transport to Delft from the Jaffna Peninsula.

Mr. Devananda dismissed reports which claimed that a large number of island people were on a hunger strike demanding the withdrawal of the EPDP. "There are only about 15 people inside a hut, claiming they are carrying out a hunger strike. They do not reflect the views of the entire population of the island," Mr. Devananda said.

He warned that if the siege was not lifted the EPDP would start its own boat service to take food to the starving people in the island. The EPDP said it had also written to diplomatic missions, urging them to take action to save the Delft people.

As tension built up in the north between the two northern rivals, President Chandrika Kumaratunga at a meeting on Friday with Mr. Devananda, Interior Minister John Amaratunga, Defence Minister Tilak Marapana, Army Commander Lionel Balagalle and SLMM chief Trond Furuhovde raised the issue of continued violence in the North and East.

Upholding the EPDP's right to engage in political activities in the north and east, the President urged the SLMM to form a committee in consultation with both rival parties and draw up guidelines for both parties to follow.

Mr. Devananda told The Sunday Times that though he agreed to form the committee, the party would continue with its political activities. "We pointed out the harassment the party had to undergo at the hands of the LTTE. The SLMM agreed to take up the issue with the LTTE. The President also said that she would ask Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to take up the issue at the Oslo meeting.

But we will have to wait and see how the LTTE will react to this," Mr. Devananda said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe who met Tamil political party leaders on Friday said there should not be any hindrance for the EPDP to carry out its political activities.

The Prime Minister requested that a committee consisting of all parties be appointed to work out a solution. However the TNA insisted that the EPDP withdraw from the Delft Island until the committee was set up. This was rejected by the EPDP.

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