SLA offensive on civilian zone continues

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 April 2009, 19:22 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) offensive units are continuously engaged in an offensive push, targeting Iraddai-vaaykkaal junction from Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) Mullaiththeevu road, amidst heavy resistance by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), according to latest reports from Vanni. Stiff fighting was heard near Iraddai-vaaykkaal junction, close to the entrance of the so-called safety zone. Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked the area at least 6 times in the morning and helicopter gunships were seen firing rockets in the evening as Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) shells that hit Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal rocked the safety zone. As dead civilians were buried where they were attacked, only 83 wounded civilians managed to reach the hospital at Puthumaaththa'lan upto 5:00 p.m., according to medical sources.

Medical sources earlier reported that 12 wounded patients had died on their way and not brought to hospital. The hospital managed to send ambulances to Mu'l'livaaykkaal when the shelling ceased. Out of 83 admitted at the hospital, 6 died after admission, according to the medical authorities around 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, a 2-year-old baby girl, Sivagnanamoorthy Prasitha, affected by diarrhoea died at the hospital Wednesday. Many children have been affected by malnutrition and diarrhoea. The situation was deteriorating as humanitarian supplies were not being brought according to the requirements, medical sources said.

Children's ward at the hospital was full of wounded and sick.

The doctors were not able to save the life of a two and a half month old baby, Sakila, admitted at the hospital after severe malnutrition. The baby died on Tuesday.

Also, 4 post-operative patients died at the ward.

The ICRC ship to transport the wounded is expected on Thursday.





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