Major part of civilians seek refuge with LTTE, while US, India deliberate

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 April 2009, 17:55 GMT]
Contrary to Colombo’s propaganda, major part of the civilians who escaped capture by Sri Lanka Army are moving towards the LTTE side from Valaignar Madam to Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal, in large numbers, Tiger officials told TamilNet Wednesday. LTTE’s Political Division official C. Ilamparithi said almost 200,000 civilians are still in the LTTE area. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister has convened an emergency meeting of ministers and officials to discuss Sri Lankan situation, BBC reported Wednesday. Same day, the US government has urged Colombo to allow international observers to the battlefront and UN access to all points of civilian movement, said a State Department spokesman in a press conference. Unless there are significant changes and swift action from the side of the US, positive developments can hardly take place, Tamil circles commented.

Heavy fighting was reported in Pokka'nai Wednesday and civilians are moving from Pokka'nai and Valaignarmadam towards LTTE territory in Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal. Around 700 seriously injured patients are staying in the compound of the makeshift hospital at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal, medical sources said.

Around 400 seriously injured have been transferred in the ICRC ship Wednesday, amidst much difficulty, deliberately caused by the shelling of the Sri Lanka Army, reports further said.

As Colombo’s war taking all international attention, the food situation of the civilians of Vanni is not cared for, said the medical sources. Colombo government Tuesday blocked the shipment of WFP emergency food supplies.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka president’s brother Basil Rajapaksa is leaving for New Delhi Wednesday reportedly to take the edge off of the LTTE ‘propaganda’ and to clarify India of the ‘true’ situation in Vanni, according to news reports.

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