[The Hindu International] Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday said the option of surrender was still open for the remaining LTTE cadre taking cover among an estimated 20,000 civilians inside the remaining seven km stretch of the No-Fire Zone (NFZ).At a function here, Mr. Rajapaksa said: "In the five or six days remaining, we have given the opportunity for the LTTE to lay down their arms and surrender to the armed forces and, even in the name of God, free the civilians held by them. If they have no regard for their own lives they should at least consider the lives of others."
Mr. Rajapaksa said the whole world could now see how the LTTE used tanks to fire at the Tamil people fleeing from them. "Of what need special observers to know this? Why do we need special representatives to study this? This is known the world over." It was a surprise that some members of the international community did not see the writing on the wall.
"I must warn the world that this lack of vision could lead to an international tragedy...Daya Master says that he was carried to safety like a father carrying his child." Some parents embrace troops for saving them from terror. "The world must see and know all this. That is why we call this a humanitarian operation".
"This is not how wars are fought in other countries. We have seen how Iraq was bombed. We have seen how Afghanistan is bombed. It must be made clear that before accusing others, you must have the strength to know what you do yourself."