The Sri Lankan government has said it cannot guarantee the safety of civilians living among Tamil separatists in the north of the country. "The government cannot be responsible for the safety and security of civilians still living among LTTE terrorists," said Lakshman Hulugalle, a government spokesman, referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
He urged civilians to seek shelter in a government "safe zone" - where there have been reports of shelling as well - but did not say how the civilians would be able to flee if they were being held against their will as human shields, as claimed by the government's military. |