Although there are 400 lorries in the Vanni, the Army allows only 120 lorries to carry food. The Northern Province Heavy Vehicles Union officers say that lorry owners have not been paid Rs 2.2 million for carrying food to Tiger-held Vanni. On 25 March, government officers in Vavuniya had arranged to send fuel to hospitals in the Vanni. The military at the Ramya House checkpoint denied permission for fuel lorries to proceed, but two lorryloads of malathion insecticide were allowed. Vanni MP S Adaikalanathan told Parliament in early March that although the Defence Ministry has allowed transport of fertilisers to the Vanni, the military often denies permission.
Farmers say that the lack of fuel and fertiliser is badly affecting agriculture.
A new rule introduced in early March says that government officers and students who pass the Eeratperiyakulam Army checkpoint into Vavuniya must possess a special permit. From 13 March, details of bus passengers such as names, addresses and the reasons for travel are being registered at this checkpoint. Such procedure already exists for passengers by train to southern areas. The Army say the new measure was introduced following bomb attacks in Colombo.