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Sri Lanka rejects UN appeal for truce

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, April 18, IRNA -- Sri Lanka has rejected a fresh appeal by the UN to give civilians more time to leave a safe zone in the northeast.

Only a few hundred civilians used the two-day unilateral government truce with Tamil Tiger rebels to escape. Between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians are still thought to be trapped in the zone of about 20 sq. km. of coastal area in Mullaitivu district.

Meanwhile, to rescue the thousands of civilians held hostage by the Tamil Tigers, the Sri Lankan Army is making swift advances towards Vellamullivaikkal area. In a fierce confrontation, at least eight rebels have been reported killed while nine others injured, All India Radio (AIR) reported.

The Army has charged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) with using heavy artillery mortar attacks from the no-fire zone.

According to defense sources, LTTE terrorists have constructed steep earth bunds to restrict both advances of security forces and movement of civilians across open land terrain and have cluttered the area with anti-personnel mines and land mines, severely restricting civilians from fleeing.

Although the government says that forces will not launch any massive military offensive in the safe zone due to the presence of large number of civilians, but a 'discreet and surgical' operation to rescue the civilians who are held hostage may take place.

Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanyakkara said, "The movements of the LTTE are being observed at the moment and we will decide on the course of action at the right time."

Meanwhile, close to 600 Tamil civilians have reportedly come out in the last 24 hours, one of the highest figures since the Sri Lankan Government announced 'restrictive military operations' early this week. The total numbers of civilians who have sought refuge with the security forces since the beginning of the conflict are now close to 69,000.

Pro-LTTE sources, meanwhile, say that they envisage political solution and ceasefire ending the armed conflict.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 440945