Sri Lanka Cuts Off Fuel to Stronghold of Tamil Separatists

The government has temporarily cut off the supply of fuel and other petroleum products to Jaffna, a Tamil separatist stronghold in the north, because of guerrilla plans to issue licenses for vehicles and collect registration fees, the state radio said Friday.

“The terrorists are also responsible for stealing fuel and other petroleum products,” the radio said.

The report did not say when the decision was implemented. It came in the wake of announcements by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that the group would set up a civil administration in Jaffna in a direct challenge to the government.

The Liberation Tigers, largest and most powerful of five main groups fighting for a homeland for minority Tamils, said the office would levy business turnover taxes, issue licenses for vehicles, run transport services, set up traffic police and issue stamps.