US Congresswoman calls for ceasefire negotiations

[TamilNet, Saturday, 14 February 2009, 19:28 GMT]
Democratic Congresswoman Nital M Lowey, of 18th District of New York, and Chairwoman of the powerful State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee expressed concern on the continued violence and the resulting "humanitarian disaster, including massive civilian casualties and the displacement of approximately 250,000 innocent civilians," called on Sri Lanka and the LTTE to negotiate a ceasefire immediately, in statement issued this week.

Full text of the statement follows:

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement on the continued violence in Sri Lanka between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"Ongoing violence between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE has resulted in a humanitarian disaster, including massive civilian casualties and the internal displacement of approximately 250,000 innocent civilians. Today's suicide bombing at a refugee checkpoint is only the most recent in series of deadly and shocking attacks.

"I call on the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to negotiate a ceasefire immediately and to protect innocent civilians, especially those who have been displaced and trapped by the fighting. Both parties must take immediate action to address the worsening humanitarian situation and ensure food, water, and medical assistance reaches those in need."