UN urges SL, LTTE to ensure civilian safety in East

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Colombo, Dec 12: The United Nations today expressed "grave concern" over the "indiscriminate" shelling for the past five days by the Army and Tamil Tiger rebels in the restive Eastern Batticaloa and Trincomalee district.

Claiming that "an unconfirmed number of civilians are dead with dozens lying wounded at Vaharai hospital" during exchange of intense shelling by the troops and LTTE, the world body in a statement said "innocent civilians and school children suffered by direct attacks on school and private homes".

"We urgently expect the parties to adhere to their esponsibilities under international humanitarian law to ensure protection of civilians and their freedom of movement, and unimpeded and secure access for international humanitarian actors to the north and east of the country," Mr Amin Awad, Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said.

He pointed out that all fundamental rights "are currently being breached" in areas like Vaharai and villages in Trincomalee District.

Scores of civilians, government troops and LTTE cadres were killed and many more were injured, as the army and the Tamil Tigers are engaged in pitched battles for land supremacy in the strategic area of Vaharai in Eastern Sri Lanka.

The military claimed that over 40 Tamil Tigers were killed and another 40 were injured and added it had also lost 24 soldiers in the battle so far.

"The wounded need to be evacuated and assistance and protection to the civilian population must be guaranteed" the Acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator said.

He said some 2,500 civilians left their homes and took refuge in Kantale in Trincomalee district while some 35,000 people remain trapped along a sliver of land where government forces and the LTTE are engaged in a military campaign.


UNI

Related Stories

TELSCC to collect food, medicine for Tamils in SL

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X