Lankan Army does not use lethal weapons against civilians

The Sri Lanka Army does not use lethal munitions against innocent civilians in their war against terror. Cluster bombs are banned in the UN convention and Sri Lanka being a party to this convention, respects these laws.

However the LTTE organization uses lethal weapons banned by the UN convention and this has been amplified by the recent recovery of thermo - baric weapons in the north, the Media Centre for National Security said.

A release from the Media Centre for National Security said a UN representative has alleged that the Sri Lanka Army has bombed the Pudukuduerippu hospital using cluster bombs.

The representative has stated that around 50 civilians have been killed during these attacks and that a number of UN officials are trapped in that area, the release added.

The release said: “The Government wishes to clarify that the Sri Lanka Army does not use these cluster bombs nor do they have facilities to use them. The Sri Lanka Army does not use such lethal munitions against innocent civilians in their war against terror. Furthermore cluster bombs are banned in the UN convention and Sri Lanka being a party to this convention, respects these laws.

However the LTTE organization uses lethal weapons banned by the UN convention and this has been amplified by the recent recovery of thermo baric weapons in the north.

The Government of Sri Lanka also wishes to clarify that all UN and other respective aid organizations were informed to move out of those areas long before the Army launched the offensive in Mullaithivu.

It was confirmed by all agencies that their staff members were moved out. Therefore no members of the UN organization were trapped in these areas.

The Government has demarcated a safe zone of 35sq kms and the civilians have come into this area.

The Government is looking after the welfare and supplying facilities for all these civilians. It should also be clarified that there are no hospitals or any other organizations functioning in these areas where there are LTTE activities.”