Colombo: The LTTE maintains a hostile approach towards the exodus of civilians from Wanni and the casualties caused by it is under-reported, Sri Lankan government told a high-level UN delegation on Monday.
"The surge of civilians leaving the conflict zone, numbering in excess of 20,000, are encouraging even though the LTTE regrettably maintains a hostile approach on the exodus of civilians," Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said.
Speaking at a meeting with United Nations officials in Colombo, Rajapakse claimed the casualties caused by the LTTE are under-reported.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Chief of Sri Lankan Defence Staff Air Vice Marshal Donald Perera, the UN Resident Coordinator and Heads of several UN Agencies, including the UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP.
"During the meeting the Lankan side deliberated on all issues of mutual interest regarding the protection of civilians in the conflict zone," a Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry statement said.
The release said issues like the LTTE holding civilians from leaving the conflict zone and the discrepancies pertaining to reported casualty figures were discussed during the meeting.
Comments
0 comment