United Nations Office of the Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator for Sri Lanka
22January 2009
The United Nations in Sri Lanka has issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their refusal to allow UN national staff and dependents to return from the Vanni with the present UN convoy. 
The staffs are part of a UN convoy which traveled to the Vanni on Friday 16 January delivering urgent food and emergency supplies to displaced populations.
Due to fighting between the LTTE and Government forces, this convoy has only been able to move safely today
The UN calls on the LTTE to meet their responsibilities and immediately permit all UN staff and dependents to freely move from this area. The LTTE’s denial of safe passage is a clear abrogation of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The present convoy is the eleventh to take supplies to those people trapped in the midst of fighting in the Vanni. Since early October UN convoys have brought approximately 7,000 tons of vital food and relief supplies to displaced populations.
Source: United Nations Office of the Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator for Sri Lanka
James Elder
(Acting) UN Spokesman
Tel: +94 777416742