Key Irrigation Channel Reopened in Sri Lanka

A police patrol on a motorcycle urges a group of farmers on a tractor to clear the area as they pass over a canal near Kallar, in the eastern Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka, Aug. 9, 2006

A police patrol on a motorcycle urges a group of farmers on a tractor to clear the area as they pass over a canal near Kallar, in the eastern Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka, Aug. 9, 2006

An irrigation channel has been reopened in eastern Sri Lanka, after its closure prompted two weeks of fighting between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels. Both sides are taking credit for opening the channel.

Water is again flowing for 60,000 villagers living on government-held land in eastern Sri Lanka.

On a Web site Wednesday, the Tamil Tiger rebels said they re-opened an irrigation channel from a reservoir in rebel territory in response to an appeal by a Norwegian envoy. The rebels had shut off the water nearly three weeks ago