Congress favours 'cessation of hostility' in Sri Lanka

The Congress party Tuesday urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure "cessation of hostility" in the island nation and allow Tamil civilians to move out of the conflict zone.

The Congress party Tuesday urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure "cessation of hostility" in the island nation and allow Tamil civilians to move out of the conflict zone.

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"The Congress is deeply concerned about the fate of innocent Sri Lankan Tamils. We appeal the Sri Lankan government to ensure cessation of hostility and allow the innocent Tamils to move safely from the conflict zone to no-fire zone," Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told reporters here.

The Congress spokesperson was responding to a telegram from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to the central government earlier in the day asking the government to issue an ultimatum to Sri Lanka for "an immediate and permanent ceasefire" in its military offensive against the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lankan government had asked the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to surrender by noon, but the rebels refused to do so.