By Namini Wijedasa

The pass system imposed for ten years by army and police in Vavuniya is expected to be greatly relaxed on January 15 as part of a series of extensive government measures to create an atmosphere conducive to proposed peace talks with the LTTE.

The relaxation, also aimed at fostering confidence among people of the north and east, falls just short of a complete abolition of the system but most of the 14 categories of passes are to be removed, authoritative security sources in Vavuniya said yesterday.

"We can’t remove all security measures but the ones that will be either axed or eased will provide great relief to the people," a senior police officer said.

Among other confidence-building steps to be taken by the government from January 15 is the abolition of the fuel coupon system in Vavuniya and an increase in the number of goods lorries crossing into uncleared areas from 23 to 30. At present, a stamp is issued for purchase of fuel.

The government is also expected to allow civilian movement to and from uncleared areas on five days of the week as opposed to the present two while lorry convoys will be able cross on four days over the present two.

Recommendations on how the pass system could be eased were formulated at a meeting this month between the Wanni security forces commander, his division commanders, senior police officers and the government agent of Vavuniya. These have been sent to the Defence Ministry and approval is to be granted shortly, the sources said.

The passes — which govern entry into, stay in and exit from Vavuniya — were introduced because security chiefs had felt that LTTE cadres from the north were most likely to infiltrate cleared areas through the northern town which is situated on the edge of LTTE-controlled areas.

Among the changes expected is that the seven-day pass issued to outsiders entering Vavuniya would be extended to 14 days without a surety requirement. There will be no residential passes but travel permits for people going south will remain in place. However, they will be issued within two days by police whereas it takes about a week now. Also, temporary residents in Vavuniya will have to register with police.

In the meantime, people crossing over from uncleared areas to Vavuniya will be permitted to stay for ten days while earlier they were given only four-day passes.

The pass system was first introduced in Vavuniya in 1992 when a 3-months open pass was issued to all residents in Vavuniya. In 1993, all residents on the 1989 voters list were issued a permanent pass.

Authoritative government sources in Vavuniya claimed that the axing of many of the passes originally required would also reduce opportunity for bribery and corruption.