Sri Lanka's army closed off entry points to areas controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels on Thursday for the first day since a 2002 cease-fire after Red Cross officials said they feared for their safety amid sporadic violence. The surprise move left up to 25,000 people stranded at a border separating government-controlled areas from land held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Pro-rebel protesters burned tyres along the Indian Ocean island's main north-south highway.
Tensions are running high between the majority Sinhalese and minority Tamils in the north and east after the rebel group paid annual homage to fallen comrades at the weekend. Police have imposed curfews in the restive east.
Protesters angry at being prevented from hoisting rebel flags by the army during last week's celebrations brought two northern towns to a standstill on Thursday and police reinforced patrols in government-run areas. "Because of the unsettled situation that prevailed in the morning, and since no one can guarantee our safety, we decided to stay away," said Sukumar Rockwood, spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Under the terms of the two-year-old cease-fire, which halted the Tigers' two-decade war for autonomy in which at least 64,000 people have been killed, Red Cross officials must be present for border crossings to be open.