¡¡¡¡COLOMBO, January 20 (Xinhuanet) -- A total of 2,500 relatives of servicemen declared as missing in action left for the Vanni area controlled by separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lankanon Sunday to seek the release of servicemen believed to be held captive by the rebels, government officials said.

¡¡¡¡The trip was organized by the Association of Relatives of Servicemen Missing in Action in the war-torn country.

¡¡¡¡President of the association E.P. Nanayakkara said that the relatives will meet Thamilchelvam, political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) to determine the whereabouts of about 2,000 military personnel whom they believe tobe in LTTE custody.

¡¡¡¡Last year Nanayakkara, along with his wife and several others,also met with Thamilchelvam. He said they were given a warm welcome and treated very well by the LTTE rebels.

¡¡¡¡The trip came amid high hope for the start of peace talks between the government and LTTE rebels as both sides are observing a month-long ceasefire due to end on Thursday and the easing of economic embargo imposed on rebel-held areas in the north by the government. Enditem

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