The Sri Lankan government on Thursday claimed that till date, 45,519 civilians had crossed into government-controlled areas from the LTTE-held territory.The figures made public by the government suggest the exodus of civilians from the shrinking Tiger territory has considerably picked up in the last few days.
As per the military, the area under the LTTE control has shrunk to 28 sq. km. Over a month ago, the government had estimated there were over 70,000 civilians stranded in the Tiger-held territory. The number of civilians still caught up in the war, as per government assessment, is around 50,000.
Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the government had repeatedly asked the LTTE hierarchy to lay down arms and surrender; but to no avail.
He said the military had instructions not to fire at the designated "safe zone" irrespective of the circumstances. The military and the LTTE had been accusing each other of firing at the "safe zones".
Protection
Separately, the military said at least 31 Tiger cadre were killed and as many injured as troops ran into LTTE resistance positions located north-east of Puthukkudiyirippu. It said 384 civilians had sought protection with troops in Puthukkudiyirippu. "The civilians included 105 men, 124 women, 75 boys and 80 girls who had undergone unprecedented hardships with LTTE.
These civilians have revealed the continuation of forcible child recruitment by the LTTE for battle purposes and brutal killings of individuals and families who defy their orders. Anyone who attempts to flee from the LTTE control will be brutally tortured and exhibited," it said.