LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                18. August 1997
PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

DISPLACED IN MANNAR URGENTLY NEED FOOD AND WATER
	The displaced Tamil population in Mannar district is without food
	rations, shelter or drinking water. They have no employment
	opportunities nor can they fend for themselves. Mannar district lacks
	adequate facilities to cater to these thousands of refugees, since it
	is mainly an underdeveloped area and depends mainly on fishing for its
	economy. Even fishing families are badly affected since fishing rights
	in the region have been curbed. The prevailing feeling among the
	displaced people here is one of resignation to what they see as a fate
	worse than death. The Sri Lankan government is responsible through
	bombing and shelling for rendering these people homeless and ruining
	their chances of a normal life.
	
JAFFNA MODEL MARKET«S DEMISE UNDER SINHALA MILITARY RULE
	Jaffna«s model market - once the pride of the Tamil people there - has
	fallen into disgrace since the occupation of Jaffna by the Sinhalese
	military. The Sinhala forces have designated the upstairs area of the
	market as a huge toilet facility, ruining what was once a
	well-maintained and attractive site. Under the former UNP government -
	when the late Lalith Athulathmudali was minister for national security
	- one wing of the market building was deliberately flattened by a Sri
	Lankan airforce bomber. The rest of the building survived and
	functioned well during the LTTE«s administration of Jaffna. But under
	Sinhala army occupation the building has become a virtual wreck.
	
STUDENTS« JOURNAL HITS TAMIL EELAM NEWS-STANDS
	The latest issue of the political/scientific journal for students -
	"Nembu" (in English "Lever") - is now on sale. The journal devotes
	itself to advancing political and scientific study among the student
	population. It also carries insightful articles on history, medicine
	and psychology.   
	
Political Committee,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
	
(English translation of the LTTE statement released by LTTE
International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU,
United Kingdom.  Tel:0181- 503 4294)