Media Release
21st April 2009
Urgent: Rescue Tamil civilians from the war crimes of the Sri Lankan armed forces
The LTTE is calling the attention of the UN and international community to the situation unfolding at Vanni /Mullitivu region. Since last 48hours, the Sri Lankan armed forces are using Tamil civilians as human shields to move into this territory through two fronts, Puthumathalan and Valiynarmadam. The Sri Lankan armed forces are trying to weaken the resistance of the LTTE by using the Tamil civilians as human shields. And also using these trapped civilians to clear landmines at the frontal areas. The initial reports suggesting hundreds of civilians are killed in these operations, including the people who tried to resist were shot dead by the Sri Lankan soldiers.
Yesterday, 20.04.2009, over 1000 civilians were killed and near 2300 civilians were injured. And today, a situation of bloodbath is prevailing.
LTTE request the ICRC to provide medical supplies and evacuate by ship the 2000 people injured and facing imminent danger. Immediate food is required as several are faced with starvation. The LTTE has provided coordinates for the ICRC ships to land at a new port as Puthumathalan is now under Sri Lankan military occupation.
These are serious war crimes and the Sri Lankan government and the head of the armed forces are direct responsible for this carnage.
The LTTE urges the International community including UN to act faster to rescue those trapped Tamil civilians. The LTTE consider these war crimes are very serious and need urgent international actions to stop it.
The LTTE urges diplomatic community in Colombo to act at this time of serious humanitarian crisis where tens of thousands of people are facing serious war crimes.
"Pulikalin Thaham Tamileela Thayaham"