Two UN expatriates forcibly detained by the LTTE terrorists in Wanni have been released and allowed to return to the government controlled areas yesterday (Jan 29), military sources said. The terrorists forcibly detained the two expatriates and 13 other local UN workers in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaittivu since Friday (Jan 16). The 13 local workers are still under LTTE captivity, the sources said.

The UN workers had travelled into the LTTE hiding areas with a food convoy for the people under LTTE clutched. Following the delivery of the essential items, the terrorists had not allowed the return trip of the UN workers and kept them in the human shield maintained by the terrorists. The UN office requested the immediate release of its workers by a communiqué‚ issued on Thursday (Jan 22) after repeated attempts to secure their release failed. 

Military sources further said that Mr. Hanroon, one of the detained UN expatriates has met with the Wanni Security Forces Commander, Major General Jagath Jayasooriya after his release from terrorist detention. He has explained his ordeal and expressed his concerns about the continued detention of the local UN staff in the LTTE hiding areas.

Courtesy: defence.lk