TNA MP in Vanni fears mass slaughter amidst starvation

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 April 2009, 10:33 GMT]
The Tamil Natonal Alliance (TNA) MP for Vanni, Sathasivam Kanagaratnam, who talked to TamilNet correspondent in Vanni on Monday blamed the Sri Lankan military for planning to cause a mass slaughter of civilians as Colombo announced a 24-hour ultimatum of surrender to the LTTE. Colombo has warned of concerted attacks into the so-called 'safety zone' starting from Tuesday noon. "The remaining area in the south of safe zone is full of civilians as many more have fled in recent days," Mr. Kanagratnam said fearing an unprecedented civilian carnage.

Stating that many civilians have been deprived of proper food for weeks and that WFP supplies have not been brought in adequately to meet the requirements, the MP said Vanni civilians were witnessing starvation as SLA was advancing into the safety zone.

Several children have been severely affected by malnutrition. There are cases of deaths caused by starvation. Amidst all these inhuman conditions, the worst form of attacks are being carried out with cluster munitions on civilians, he charged.