Permit civilian movement, Tamil parties urge Govt.

By V.S.Sambandan

COLOMBO, APRIL 5. As the latest offensive by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula entered its second week, Tamil political parties have urged the Government to permit the movement of civilians in the battle-zone to reach safer areas.

The exact number of civilians held up in the conflict areas is not officially stated, but it is estimated that at least 5,000 civilians could be affected.

The Tamil United Liberation Front has appealed to the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, to take action ``on humanitarian grounds to provide relief for the innocent civilians living in constant fear and tension.''

``It is very cruel on the part of the authorities to use innocent men, women and children as a shield to give protection for the forces,'' Mr. V.Anandasangaree, TULF

vice-president said. There were a number of civilian casualties in the latest offensive.

Mr.N. Sri Kantha, Leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), called upon the international community ``to impress upon the Government its constitutional and moral obligation to permit forthwith all defenceless civilians to leave the theatre of war''.

The appeals come in the wake of the offensive since March 27, in the south-eastern sector of the Jaffna peninsula. The Tigers have overrun four military camps in and moved closer to the crucial Elephant Pass military complex, posing a serious threat to the peninsula.

700 rebels surrounded

PTI, UNI report:

Meanwhile, the Army claimed to have encircled over 700 rebels within a four-km radius in the peninsula, even as 16 more guerillas were killed in fresh fighting, the official media said today.

Quoting military sources, the State-run Observersaid the Army had encircled the militants between Kodikamam and Pallai, where the LTTE has claimed to have made significant success. However, the Defence Spokesman's office here said there was no information on the development. The Navy foiled an infiltration attempt by destroying two boats.

Agreement over asylum seekers

Norway has agreed to repatriate Sri Lankan nationals, who do not obtain the right of residency, according to a Foreign Ministry statement today.

The agreement signed by the two countries earlier this month in Oslo-but made public in Sri Lanka only now-``reflects the improvement in the human rights situation in Sri Lanka,'' it said. Details of the agreement were sketchy.

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