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SL envoy asks LTTE to release UN staffers
Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya on Tuesday asked the LTTE to immediately release the UN staff members and three children who were forcibly detained by them last week in the conflict zone.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya on Tuesday asked the LTTE to immediately release the UN staff members and three children who were forcibly detained by them last week in the conflict zone.
“The LTTE does not respect any international law, or even the rights of human dignity,” Wickramasuriya said in a statement issued here.
“If the terrorists will kidnap United Nations workers and their family members, the world can better understand how they treat innocent Sri Lankan civilians who are trying desperately to flee the conflict zone and seek safety,” he said.
Wickramasuriya noted the children are protected under Sri Lankan and international law from recruitment by armed groups.
He said this action by the Tamil Tigers is yet another example of the ruthless nature of the terrorists and the lengths the LTTE will go to achieve their lawless aims.
The incident over the weekend occurred in the government declared “No Fire Zone” in the northern part of the country. Another UN staff member was detained two weeks ago and has not been released despite repeated requests from the international community, he said.
