Security guaranteed for civilians in "Safety Zone"

The Sri Lankan Security Forces are now at the decisive stage of defeating terrorism. Security Forces when conducting operations from the commencement of the "humanitarian" operations until reaching its final stages today have given the utmost priority and concern to safeguard the security of the civilian population.

It is at the final stage of the conduct of operations to eliminate terrorism by the Security Forces that the LTTE has attempted to forcibly confine the civilian population to keep them under their control.

The Government calls on the civilians forcibly held by the LTTE under their control to enter the "safety zone" provided for them as soon as possible, states the Media Centre for National Security in a press release.

Many civilians have until now not made use of the "safety zone" established nearly three weeks earlier. The Government has announced through the electronic and printed media that all civilians who have not yet used this opportunity to enter the "safety zone" as for their own safety and security.

The Government has taken the responsibility to guarantee the safety and security of all civilians within the "safety zone". However, the Government cannot be responsible for the safety and security of civilians still living among the LTTE terrorists.

The Government calls on all civilians to enter the demarcated "safety zone" as soon as possible to ensure their safety and security.