LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                21. February 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

NATIONAL MOURNING DECLARED IN TAMIL EELAM
        The LTTE expresses its deep grief and sorrow for the victims of
        Wednesday's tragedy in which a boat-load of Tamil refugees
        drowned off the Mannar coast. Our sympathies go out to the
        families of those who died. The loss of any Tamil lives is a
        great loss to the Tamil nation. We request all in the Tamil
        nation to observe Saturday 22 February as a day of national
        mourning. We request the people of Tamil Eelam to close shops,
        offices and other establishments as a mark of respect.
        
        At least 130 people died in the tragedy when the boat capsized.
        Most were women and children trying to make it to India before
        Sri Lankan troops - engaged in their latest military offensive -
        could arrive.
        
        Sri Lanka's "Edibala" operation started a few weeks ago with
        troops advancing westward from Vavuniya sending thousands of
        Tamil civilians fleeing in their wake. 10,000 people have so far
        been made homeless by the offensive. No provisions have been made
        by Sri Lanka to house or feed them. Sri Lankan troops at Vavuniya
        have meanwhile blocked humanitarian relief to them ignoring
        repeated pleas from NGOs.
        
        In this military offensive, like all others, Sri Lankan troops
        have been bulldozing their way through Tamil territory without
        regard for civilian casualties. For Tamils the hazardous boat
        crossing to India is a last resort to escape the army advance.
        Many more people are likely to attempt the dangerous crossing as
        the army proceeds with its offensive.
        
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 / Fax: 0181-470 8593)