JAFFNA, April 28: Travellers using the newly-opened routes, previously war blocked, from Colombo to Jaffna and Omanthai, and other uncleared areas are beginning to feel the heat of LTTE travel regulations. The new regulations are travel tax for hired vehicles and taxes charged for goods transported to the area, which includes items taken for domestic consumption.

The travel regulations of the LTTE which those using public transport find arduous is the prohibition of the LTTE to let government-run Ceylon Transport Board buses function through the LTTE control areas direct from Jaffna to Vavuniya.

The regulation followed at present is for Jaffna passengers to use the CTB bus service from Jaffna town to Muhamalai in Jaffna (the location where both the LTTE and the military check civilians), and from there onwards continue in the LTTE operated bus service to Omanthai.

From Omanthai travellers are expected to again switch to the CTB bus service. Passengers are expected to travel on foot for some distance to get to the ‘LTTE bus location’ from the ‘CTB’.

Passengers from Jaffna said they preferred a direct journey from Jaffna to Vavuniya. Passengers also point out that those travelling by hired vehicles have to pay a ‘travel tax’ of Rs 500 to the LTTE, while those travelling in their own vehicles are spared making any payment.

Meanwhile, reports say that 25 per cent tax is charged on a wide range of items by the LTTE from passengers travelling from Colombo to Jaffna. The 25 per cent tax includes electrical items, spare parts, bicycles, cycles and cars, while 8 per cent tax is charged on printing paper.

Items which are brought to be sold in Jaffna as well as those being brought for domestic use are both subjected to similar taxes.

Meanwhile, it was also learnt that the Jaffna selling price of a one litre bottle of soft drink have reached the price of Rs 115 from Rs 85. This is due to an additional LTTE tax on it.

Meanwhile, Gamunu Wijerathne, Chairperson of the Private Bus Owners Association in Colombo, who returned from a meeting with two LTTE leaders in Killinochchi, said that he did not fear any exorbitant taxing by the LTTE as a ‘solemn understanding’ between his association and the

Tigers would be reached on May 3.

According to Wijerathne, initially a total of 10 buses would function from Colombo. The cost of the bus trip is likely to be between Rs 500 to Rs 600. A meeting between the private bus owners association and the LTTE-run private bus association of Vanni is also likely to be held in the near future, Wijerathne said.

Wijerathne, citing the establishing of a strong and economical transport link from Colombo to Jaffna as a important step in strengthening the peace process, said he was confident that a permanent peace formula would be worked out soon.