SLA attacks kill 53 civilians inside 'safety zone' Sunday

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 March 2009, 14:34 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continued artillery, mortar and long-distance gunfire throughout Sunday killing at least 53 civilians and causing injuries to around 119. At least 17 civilians were killed in Maaththa'lan, 18 in Pokka'nai, 15 in Valaignarmadam and 3 in Pachchaip-pulmoaddai, reports TamilNet correspondent from Vanni. Meanwhile, around 1,192 civilians including 275 children, belonging to 298 families have lost their shelters within last 5 days as their tarpaulin huts were completely destroyed in SLA attacks.

The civilians who lost their huts are staying along the sea side and along the sides of the road and have become fully dependent on 'ilaik-kagnchi' (gruel with leaves) supplied twice by the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) for their food.

In addition to the 298 tarpaulin huts that have been fully destroyed, 550 huts need immediate repair in Maaththa'lan, Pokka'nai and Valaignarmadam areas.

The families rendered without shelters find themselves more exposed to attacks by the SLA.

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