The Defence Ministry has so far not given clearance to UNP MP Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena to visit Madhu to assess the progress of construction work of Madhu Church tank.

Dr. Jayawardena has reserved Rs. 400,000 from his DCB funds for this purpose. He has also requested Mr. D. Sithadthan, MP and Co-Chairman, Wanni electoral district development committee to take appropriate steps to secure permission for a visit to assess construction work.

Meanwhile, Mr. Sithadthan, in a letter to the Defence Secretary says;

"The Wanni Electoral District Development Committee approved a proposal by Dr. Jayawardena MP to reconstruct the Madhu Kovil Tank. On behalf of thousands of innocent Tamil refugees, who are living under very pathetic conditions especially in uncleared areas of North East, I highly appreciate this gesture by Dr. Jayawardena.

In fact Dr. Jayawardena has organised several free Medical Camps in North East and he is a frequent visitor to refugee camps in these areas. I am made to understand that the Tamil refugees in uncleared areas are undergoing severe hardships due to lack of water.

Dr. Jayawardena should be given an opportunity to go and see the progress of development works sponsored by him as a Member of Parliament. I, as a Member of Parliament from the Wanni District and Co-Chairman of Wanni Electoral Development Committee sincerely request you to grant permission to Dr. Jayawardena to go to Madhu. The reconstruction of Madhu Kovil tank will benefit more than 30,000 refugees living in Madhu area.

On behalf of the people of Wanni I request you to provide whatever the assistance and facilities to Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena to render humanitarian assistance to the people of North East, who are suffering very badly due to the on-going war."