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Sri Lanka gives Tamil Tigers 48 hours to allow civilians leave

by Sanjay Jha | January 30, 2009 at 03:49 am

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Beleaguered Tamil Rebels have been given 48 hours window to allow 250,000 Tamil civilians to leave the small patch of northeastern jungle where the army has pinned the rebels down.

Sri Lanka's president has promised safe passage for 250,000 civilians trapped by fighting in the north-east.

Mahinda Rajapaksa urged the Tamil Tiger rebels to ensure the free movement of civilians from the region.

The rebels have not commented but in the past have insisted the people want to stay to be protected by them.

The UN says it is seriously concerned about the fate of trapped civilians. Rights groups and health officials say hundreds have been killed.

Sri Lanka's defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakse, says the numbers are exaggerated and aid agencies are panicking.

Indian Political Parties supporting Tamil Rebels have sharply criticised the LTTE for not responding to the 48-hour ceasefire declared by the Sri Lankan government in the Vanni region to evacuate large number of civilian Tamils caught in the fighting between the island army and the Tigers.

The LTTE had not given any word on the safe passage of Tamils in the conflict zone, Tamil Nadu finance minister and DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan said in the state Assembly.

Replying to a mention by Congress Whip S.Peter Alphones in this regard, he said even after last night's announcement of the ceasefire by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, LTTE leader V Prabhakaran and his cadres did not come forward to reciprocate it.

"If Sri Lankan government could say that it will save the Tamils after India's intervention, why the LTTE has not shown any response to that?" he asked.

UN agencies had also welcomed the temporary ceasefire by the Sri Lanka government, said Anbhazhagan, who fielded questions from the members on the issue for the second day in the absence of chief minister M Karunanidhi, who is indisposed. He wondered why the LTTE had not yet allowed the people a safe passage from the war zone.

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_Aram Grigoryan_

at 07:29 on January 30th, 2009

HELLO, Sanja Jha! Thank you for the messege, it was quite interesting information. I feel sorry for the situation in Sri Lanka, but, however, i absolutly sure, that Mahinda Rajapaksa will solute all the problems, because he is wise and The Greatest Statesman. And that's why i have no doubt, that he'll save both: the country and its сivilians.
Sri Lanka is a fairy country with rich historical path. It is like a paradise on the earth! I wish its civiliants not to loose faith, because the government is worth to be proud of!
With great respect,
Aram Grigoryan

_Aram Grigoryan_ has contributed a photo to this story.

Hiranya Malwatta

at 00:09 on February 3rd, 2009

I have seen your flickr stream Sir, amazing work done by you.

Thank you for this insight.

WilliamBaptist

at 14:09 on January 30th, 2009

LTTE never held the Civilians The Sri Lankan Army will kill them if the flee, so they are with LTTE. I am wrong ask the Government to allow the UN to go and ask the civilians.