India put across its concern on Lankan crisis

NI Wire

New Delhi

Sat, 25 Apr 2009: 

Despite India’s effort on Sri Lankan crisis by sending its special emissaries to call for cessation of hostilities, the Lankan authority is no way willing to proclaim a ceasefire in its fight against the Tigers.

Indian National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menomet Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday and put across India’s concern for the Tamil civilians caught in the war zone.

In their discussion, the Lanka government briefed Indian delegation about the relief measures it has taken to assist the internally displaced persons (IDPs). They too held cordial discussions on the entire crisis and matters of mutual interest, said an official statement published in Lankan government website.

Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad, Secretary to President Lalith Weeratunga and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa were also present at the meeting.

Lankan effort
In a media briefing on Friday, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe put forward the number of civilians at 193,960 who have come to the government controlled Safe Zone from the No Fire Zone (NFZ) till Friday morning. The minister also said that those people were provided with enhance facilities, identifying their requirements and resettlement.

US concern
In the first official US statement, the BBC quoted a White House statement: "US is deeply concerned about the plight of innocent civilians caught up in the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers and the mounting death toll".

UN relief team
Top United Nations humanitarian officials will soon head to Sri Lanka for a three-day visit to hold discussion on the issue of availing. Earlier on Thursday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had urged both the parties to halt fighting and allow civilians to safely leave the combat zone.

UN reported 50,000 civilians are still being held forcibly by LTTE in the 12 sq km area where fighting is still going. Addressing the crisis, the UN Security Council on Friday in a statement highlighted, “Immediate priority in addressing the grave humanitarian situation in north-east Sri Lanka,” calling on the Government to “extend all necessary support to the United Nations.”