Navy provides safe passage to more civilians

Chaminda Perera

A total of 97 out of 494 persons who came to the cleared area yesterday required urgent medical treatment.

The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday provided safe passage to the 13th batch of patients and civilians who were evacuated on board the ship Green Ocean under the ICRC flag. Over 494 civilians and patients arrived at Pulmudai yesterday where the Naval doctors have made arrangements to provide emergency medical treatment.

The patients among the evacuees were admitted to the field and base hospitals in the Pulmudai area and the Padaviya Hospital after preliminary treatment by the Naval personnel. All hospitals in the area have been kept ready to treat sick and wounded civilians fleeing from the clutches of the LTTE.

The Health Ministry has equipped all hospitals in the area with better facilities and required drugs to treat the civilians. A team of specialists are on round the clock duty to provide emergency treatment to such patients.

A total of 97 out of 494 persons who came to the cleared area yesterday required urgent medical treatment. These patients who were held hostage by the LTTE despite a series of request by the ICRC to free them had been suffering from various ailments.