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Relief work hit in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed deep concern “over escalating violence in northern Sri Lanka and the humanitarian impact of the clashes on civilians” even as the UN and various NGOs announced they were withdrawing from LTTE-held areas following a directive from the government.

In a statement, Mr. Ban reminded the concerned parties of their responsibility to take active steps to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of civilians, allowing humanitarian organisations to do their work in safety, as well as to reach those affected by the fighting.

A statement issued by his office said as per the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), fighting between government forces and the LTTE has uprooted 12,000 families in July alone.

The withdrawal of UN staff from Wanni came after the government on Monday directed all international and domestic aid agencies to relocate to safer areas. In a letter to aid agencies, the Defence Secretary said: “No expatriate/employee or any other person employed by an NGO and working in Wanni will be permitted to travel beyond the Omanthai checkpoint, in consideration of prevailing security situation.”

“The UN is now evaluating its operations in the area with a view to relocating humanitarian staff. A precise timetable for the complete withdrawal of all staff is yet to be determined, but relocations will begin this week,” said the UN statement.

There are at least 1,60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mullathivu and Kilinochchi districts, which are under LTTE control, according a report by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). There are 11 UN and other agencies working in Wanni. Once the UN agencies leave Wanni, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has observers at the Omanthai entry/exit point connecting Wanni to areas in the south, would be the only agency which would continue to function in LTTE-held areas.

Separately, the Air Force claimed to have raided several LTTE targets in the north. The military said at least 23 Tiger cadre and two soldiers were killed. “Taking on offensive raids into the LTTE backyard, jets made precision air sorties at the LTTE’s main intelligence command and control centre located 1 km west of Kilinochchi, on Wednesday at 6.45 a.m.,” said the Defence Ministry.

It said the target was acquired on reliable ground information that a high profile LTTE gathering was taking place at the site during the time of the attack. This is also a site frequented by the LTTE’s intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman, added the Ministry.

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