At SLAF operations room:

Foreign diplomats, media see exodus from NFZ

The Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday offered an opportunity for the international media and the diplomatic community based in Colombo to view the situation that was unfolding in the No Fire Zone to get the correct picture of the LTTE at the time the Security Forces were engaged in the biggest hostage rescue mission, Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara told the Daily News.

"Many of the international media and the diplomats were invited to the Air Force operations room soon after President Mahinda Rajapaksa witnessed the situation through UAV visuals", the spokesman added.

"International media who were reporting the humanitarian operation was given a chance to view what was happening there at the No Fire Zone through the UAV visuals at the Air Force Headquarters to do their reporting, observing the real situation", he added.

According to Wing Commander Nanayakkara President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, local and international media and the diplomats based in Colombo visited the Air Force operations room at different times", he added.

Diplomats from Japan, China, Russia, the UK and India were present at the Air Operations room last evening and observed long queue of civilians awaiting to enter the Security Forces controlled areas.

"They all observed how the LTTE was using heavy weapons from the No Fire Zone and the way they were trying to prevent civilians fleeing the Safe Zone to get the correct assessment of the situation", Wing Commander Nanayakkara added. RW