Lanka appeals to US to pressure LTTE to release civilians
Sri Lanka appealed to the world community, the US in particular, to put pressure on the LTTE to release civilians being held captive in the war zone, a day after the UN said rebels continued to "actively prevent" Tamils from leaving the embattled north.
Sri Lanka on Tuesday appealed to the world community, the US in particular, to put pressure on the LTTE to release civilians being held captive in the war zone, a day after the UN said rebels continued to "actively prevent" Tamils from leaving the embattled north.
The appeal was issued by Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya on Monday.
"As the LTTE terrorists continue to put innocent civilians, who seek safety from the conflict zone, in harm's way, we urge the international community and especially the United States to put pressure on the leadership of the LTTE to immediately release the remaining civilians held captive in the conflict zone," the Sri Lankan Ambassador said.
The United Nations yesterday issued a statement saying, "the LTTE continues to actively prevent people leaving and reports indicate that a growing number of people trying to leave have been shot and sometimes killed".
Wickramasuriya on Tuesday said the orchestrated suicide bomb attack, earlier this week, at a government center where civilians had come to receive humanitarian assistance and medical treatment was a reckless attempt by the LTTE to intimidate other civilians from seeking safety and security.