LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                20. January 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

NAVY RESTRICTS TAMIL FISHERMEN
     The Sri Lankan navy allows only Sinhalese fishermen
     to fish in Eastern waters around Sri Lankan occupied
     Tamil territory. It bars Tamils fishermen completely
     from fishing in high seas while providing escorts to
     Sinhalese fishermen.Tamils and also Muslims who make
     up a significant proportion of the Eastern province
     have been confined by the navy to shallow waters where
     catching is considerably less. One fisherman describing
     the situation as "hand to mouth" due to the ban.
     Shallow water fishing involves a further hazard too 
     -the navy is known to regularly fire upon and kill the
     Tamil fishermen who fish close to the shoreline.
     Meanwhile,the ban on deep-sea fishing to non-Sinhalese
     underlines the racism pervading Sri Lanka's policy
     towards other communities and makes radiculous its
     claim that all ethnic groups can expect equal treatment.

COL. KITTU REMEMBERED IN TRINCO
     Col. Kittu's 4th anniversary celebrations have drawn
     close in Trincomallee. Over 300 Tamil school children
     participated in the proceedings at Sampur while other
     large public gatherings took place in Verugal and Muthur.
     At each location the red and yellow Tamil Eelam national
     flag was proudly hoisted,traditional oil lamps lit and
     Eelam national song sung. Many dignitaries from each gave
     warm speeches to commemorate Kittu and his colleague's
     great sacrifices for the nation. Kittu's death anniversary
     celebrations have once again demonstrated  Eelam People's
     strong sense of national identity.

CIVILIAN RETURNING HOME ARRESTED
    Tamils who earlier abandoned their homes due to military
    assaults have, on returning, been arrested by Sri Lankan
    soldiers. The civilians had come to inspect the condition
    of their houses in Killinochchi parts which Sri Lankan
    troops recently invaded causing many families to flee. When
    some of these people arrived back, soldiers first shot at them
    relentlessly. A number escaped but around 7 are now prisoners.

        
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/ Fax: 0181-470 8593)