India appeals to Sri Lanka to ensure safe exit of civilians

As Sri Lankan troops mounted a major offensive against the LTTE, India on Tuesday asked Colombo to ensure safe exit of thousands of civilians trapped in the war zone.

As Sri Lankan troops mounted a major offensive against the LTTE, India on Tuesday asked Colombo to ensure safe exit of thousands of civilians trapped in the war zone.

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“I have appealed to the Sri Lankan authorities to facilitate the return of civilians to a secure zone,” External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters in a brief interaction at the airport in Patna.

Ignoring the 24-hour deadline by the Sri Lankan government to LTTE chief V Prabhakaran to surrender, the Tamil Tigers are continuing to fight the government troops putting in jeopardy the security of the civilians.