Sri Lanka to dispatch special emissary to India
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, April 22, IRNA -- As the number of trapped Tamil civilians crossing over to safer government-held zones nears the hundred thousand mark, Sri Lankan is dispatching a special emissary to India to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures for these people.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is sending his special advisor and brother Basil Rajapaksa to India to discuss the humanitarian situation, as leaders in Tamil Nadu are pressuring that India prevail upon the island nation to declare a ceasefire.
"Basil Rajapaksa will be leaving for India. But no dates have yet been finalized. The visit will be undertaken shortly," PTI reported quoting official sources.
The sources said the talks will focus on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka in the backdrop of a sudden spurt in Tamil civilians escaping from the No Fire Zone to the government controlled areas.
Till last reports came, an estimated 82,000 people had crossed the battle lines in northern Sri Lanka to government held 'safe zones'.
Overall Lankan authorities say that there are now more than 120,000 people in relief camps.
The Sri Lankan leader is also expected to seek Indian assistance in the challenging task of rehabilitating the Tamil civilians.
During Basil's previous visit, India as a gesture of goodwill, sent around 800 tons of relief material to Sri Lanka for the affected civilians in the North.
Meanwhile, sections of the top Tamil Tiger leadership today began to surrender before rapidly advancing Sri Lankan forces, signalling an imminent collapse of the LTTE after a two-decade long relentless battle.
Two top Tamil Tiger leaders, including its former spokesman Daya Master and George, aide of slain political head Tamilchelvan, surrendered to Sri Lankan forces at Putumathalan, Lankan Defense Ministry spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.
The surrendered leader indicated that there were only 10,000-15,000 people left in the 'No-Fire' zone, he said.
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