This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8084503.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka holds 'Tamil aid ship' | Sri Lanka holds 'Tamil aid ship' |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| The Sri Lankan navy has seized a ship sent by Tamil groups carrying supplies bound for the north of the country. | The Sri Lankan navy has seized a ship sent by Tamil groups carrying supplies bound for the north of the country. |
| The vessel set off from the UK in April while the final battle between the Sri Lankan army and Tamil Tiger rebels was still raging. | The vessel set off from the UK in April while the final battle between the Sri Lankan army and Tamil Tiger rebels was still raging. |
| Organisers say it was carrying food and medicine for refugees from Tamil charities across Europe. | Organisers say it was carrying food and medicine for refugees from Tamil charities across Europe. |
| But the Sri Lankan government said the ship was seeking to provide logistical equipment to Tamil Tiger rebels. | But the Sri Lankan government said the ship was seeking to provide logistical equipment to Tamil Tiger rebels. |
| In May the Sri Lankan government defeated Tamil Tiger rebels fighting for a separate homeland, bringing to an end 26 years of a bitter civil war. | In May the Sri Lankan government defeated Tamil Tiger rebels fighting for a separate homeland, bringing to an end 26 years of a bitter civil war. |
| About 300,000 people were displaced from their homes during the final phase of fighting. | |
| A statement from Sri Lanka's defence ministry said that the Syrian-registered vessel, Captain Ali, was seized on Thursday off the coast of Sri Lanka. | A statement from Sri Lanka's defence ministry said that the Syrian-registered vessel, Captain Ali, was seized on Thursday off the coast of Sri Lanka. |
| It said the ship was travelling "under the pretext of a mercy mission" and was carrying 884 tonnes of cargo which was yet to be cleared. | It said the ship was travelling "under the pretext of a mercy mission" and was carrying 884 tonnes of cargo which was yet to be cleared. |
| The expedition was organised by a Wembley-based group, Mercy Mission to Vanni, whose website says the ship is carrying food, medicines and other essentials. | The expedition was organised by a Wembley-based group, Mercy Mission to Vanni, whose website says the ship is carrying food, medicines and other essentials. |
| The crew says their mission is to help displaced people | |
| Half the shipment left the British port of Ipswich on 20 April, joining the other half later near Marseilles in France. | Half the shipment left the British port of Ipswich on 20 April, joining the other half later near Marseilles in France. |
| A member of the crew on board of the Captain Ali told the BBC's Tamil service that all the crew were safe and awaiting instructions to unload the cargo. | |
| "We are waiting in the anchorage outside Colombo city. The Sri Lankan naval personnel are very professional and courteous," Kristjan Guomundsson said. | |
| "They looked into the documents but as far as I know it is just a normal questioning. They have not taken anyone away from the ship. | |
| He said the ship had 13 crew members. | |
| "I hope this journey will open up a dialogue between the Sri Lankan government and the diaspora. If that succeeds it will help the displaced people," he said. | |
| A spokesman from Act Now, a UK-based campaign group which is supporting the consignment refuted government claims that the ship was somehow linked to the rebels. | |
| "We fear for the integrity of the cargo and the safety of the crew," a statement released by the organisation said. | |
| The group said the ship was seized while in international waters and that it had support from 31 British MPs as well as numerous celebrities. |