New Safe Zone for civilians

Rafik Jalaldeen

Security Forces in Vanni yesterday declared a new Safe Zone demarcating 12 kms along on the western boundary of the Mullaitivu lagoon on humanitarian grounds to rescue civilians trapped by the LTTE in Mullaitivu.

In a response to the ICRC appealing to the Government and the LTTE to meet their obligation under international humanitarian law to spare the wounded, the sick, medical personnel, and medical facilities at all times, Defence Affairs Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government is fully respecting and adhering to the international humanitarian law.

“We do our fullest and every single effort to safeguard stranded civilians in the Vanni and bring them down to the safe zone amidst indiscriminate LTTE fire on civilians seeking protection with the Security Forces.”

“They are our brothers and sisters, and citizens of Sri Lanka. Therefore, it’s our duty to rescue them from terrorists,” he added.

He said the ICRC must negotiate with the LTTE and pressure the Tigers to allow civilians to reach the Safe Zone.

Troops are making progress to liberate Tamil civilians from LTTE clutches with zero casualties. The ICRC must go to the LTTE held areas and pressure the Tigers to release civilians to reach the Safe Zone,” he added.

Minister Rambukwella charged the LTTE for using civilians as a human shield and called the UN and other international organisations to exert pressure to release the civilians abused by the LTTE. Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Security Forces in Vanni have declared a Safe Zone demarcating 12 kms along the western boundary of the Mullaitivu lagoon.

The 12 km long strip, beginning from the northwest of Vadduvakal to the west, and north of Vadduvakal to the eastern coastal boundary, runs up to south of Palamattalan on the western side.

On the coastal belt up to the extreme north, the eastern strip ends at the southeast of Palamattalan.

The area between the northwest of Vadduvakal to the north of Vaddukal that touches the eastern sea boundary is about 2 kms in width and the extent at the northern end of the strip, touching Palamattalan area is about 1 km in breadth.

The entire uncleared coastal area from the north of Vadduvakal in the demarcated zone includes villages, Vellaimullavaikkal, Karayamullivaikkal, Velayanmadam, Ampelavanpokkanai and Putumattalan in the 12 km long strip.

He said the ICRC has already been informed of the new Safe Zone.

The Security Forces in the Vanni had taken action to ensure safety of the influx of arrivals and arrangements were made to provide essential needs and shelter at the IDP centres.