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| Wanni Mission Ship, an unwarranted ship arrives in Mullaithivu coast from UK with medicine |
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(Lanka-e-News, March 31, 2009, 7.55 PM) 'Lanka-e-news' learns that a ship called Wanni Mission is set to sail today from UK bound Sri Lanka with a shipment of medicine and other essential items for the civilians stranded in the conflict zone in the Northern Province.
The ship is to carry 500 metric tons of essential items and the destination is named as Mullaithivu.
A number of organizations like Tamil Health Association, Tamil Aid, White Pigeon, Tamil Technical Association and Tamil Assistance Foundation collected aids through Hindu and Catholic religious places for this mission. The launch of the ship was to be held today (31) between 1.00 and 4.00 in Central London, our sources there said.
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Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona said to 'Lanka-e-News' that Sri Lanka is not made aware of such ship.
The Foreign Secretary said in response to a query made by us about violation of maritime laws, that the Navy of the respective country should bring the relevant ship to a harbor in the country in such instance. He said that the ship would be searched and the goods would be taxed. If there are any illegal items such as fire arms and explosives, legal action would be initiated in line with the international law, he said. |
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When asked to comment about the claim that these items are for the civilians stranded in the conflict zone, the Foreign Secretary answered in a question asking if Sri Lanka can send aid to UK similarly.
When asked from the Navy about Wanni Mission ship, Navy media spokesman Commander M. B. Karunarathna said that such official notice had not received. He said that the Navy would act in accordance with the procedure if a ship enters Sri Lanka’s maritime limit illegally.
Meanwhile, Lanka-e-News learns that Sri Lanka government has enquired about this ship from British High Commission in Sri Lanka. The diplomats in return have informed that such a ship cannot be stopped if it does not contain hazardous equipment.
Although it is publicized that the ship is sailing with the ICRC flag, the Sri Lanka coordinator of ICRC, Sarasi Wijerathna said that her organization was not aware of the arrival of such ship. She said that ICRC had no connection with this ship. She said that no official information had reached although she had read media reports regarding this matter. |
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