LTTE urges IC to save civilians in the name of humanity, SLA attacks kill 1700 in 48 hours

[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 May 2009, 12:06 GMT]
The LTTE on Thursday called upon the International Community to protect the civilians from the ongoing carnage by taking whatever measure required. "The LTTE is ready to engage with the International Community in its actions to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis." The statement came as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continued its indiscriminate barrage causing untold human tragedy. Initial estimate by the LTTE Peace Secretariat Thursday afternoon was 1,700 civilians killed and over 3,000 wounded within the last 48 hours. The catastrophic situation has been made worse by the acute shortage of food and medicine, the statement said. "Local doctors who are trying to work in these hospitals have decided to hand the hospitals over to the ICRC in the hope that under ICRC management the hospitals may be spared from bombardment."

Full text of the press statement by the LTTE Peace Secretariat follows:

Catastrophic situation: Over 1700 killed and 3000 injured within 48-hours – ICRC Ships prevented

The local aid workers in Vanni Region estimated 1700 civilians have been killed and over 3000 injured in the last 48 hours due to the persistent use of heavy artillery and mortars by the Sri Lankan armed forces. The catastrophic situation has been made worse by the acute shortage of food and medicine.

The ICRC ship carrying emergency supply of food provided by the World Food Organization (WFO) has been prevented from delivering its consignments due to refusal of the Sri Lankan Government to provide security guarantees, even though LTTE has given all clearance and guarantees . And another ship working on medical evacuations also prevented from reaching shores with the same reason.

In the face of relentless bombardment, 1400 patents and their families are facing untold hardships and there were no one take care of these patients. All doctors and medical staff have abandoned the hospital and gone into bunkers. Local doctors who are trying to work in these hospitals have decided to hand the hospitals over to the ICRC in the hope that under ICRC management the hospitals may be spared from bombardment.

Despite international concerns and condemnation by international leaders, the Sri Lankan armed forces are continuing with its campaign of targeting the civilian population and destroying civilian infrastructure.

We call upon the international community to protect the civilians from this ongoing carnage by taking whatever measure required. The LTTE is ready to engage with the International Community in its actions to bring an end to the humanitarian crisis.

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