ICRC : TAKE URGENT ACTION !!! STOP BLOODSHED!!! TIME IS RUNNING OUT !!!

Don’t mix Tigers and civilians, says GovT.

By Jamila Najmuddin

While the ICRC made an urgent appeal to prevent further civilian bloodshed in the north, the government yesterday questioned on what basis did international organisations identify the difference between civilians and LTTE cadres who may be operating in the guise of civilians.

Minister and Defence Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella told a media briefing that despite several media reports and statements from international organisations that civilians had been killed or wounded in the confrontations no proof had been obtained by these organisations to identify them as civilians. “How do these organisations know that they are not LTTE cadres?

What proof do they have that they are civilians?

These are just attempts by various groups to tarnish the image of the government,” Minister Rambukwella said.

However, the ICRC in a statement yesterday said hundreds of people had been killed and scores wounded in the ongoing military confrontations between the Tigers and the security forces, resulting to the unfolding of a major humanitarian crisis.

“People are being caught in the crossfire, hospitals and ambulances have been hit by shelling and several aid workers have been injured while evacuating the wounded. The violence is preventing the ICRC from operating in the region,” ICRC Head of Operations for South Asia in Geneva, Jacques de Maio said.

However, the government said it was maintaining a zero civilian casualty rate and stressed those who had been killed or wounded to date were LTTE cadres. “Just because they have taken to civilian clothing, that does not make them civilians,” Minister Rambukwella said.

The ICRC further in its statement said that an estimated 250,000 people were trapped in the 250 square-kilometre area which has come under intense fighting and due to this the civilians had no safe area to take shelter and were unable to flee.

“When the dust settles down, we may see countless victims and a terrible humanitarian situation, unless civilians are protected and international humanitarian law is respected in all circumstances," said Mr de Maio.

"It's high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out," he added.

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