Dec 31, Mullaitivu: The deadline given by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for workers of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to vacate the Mullaitivu area of Sri Lanka's Northern Province expires today.

The Voice of Tigers, the illegal radio operated by the LTTE, claimed that the organization came to this decision after considering the safety of NGO workers amidst the developing conflict in the region.

However, others sources reveal another reason for the decision. According to them, the LTTE’s Intelligence Wing has raised suspicions over possible leakage of inside information to the Sri Lankan security forces through NGO workers. The LTTE has not ordered NGO workers to leave Kilinochchi, even though they also face the same volatile situation in that district.