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Colombo 'regrets' civilian deaths Anger over Lanka civilian deaths
(about 2 hours later)
The Sri Lankan government has expressed "regret" over the killing of dozens of civilians in a refugee camp in eastern Batticaloa district. The Sri Lankan government has been heavily criticised for an artillery bombardment that killed dozens of civilians in the east of the island.
The camp was hit by the army in a heavy exchange of fire with the Tamil Tigers in rebel-held territory. The rebels say at least 45 civilians were killed. Peace negotiator Erik Solheim said he was "very troubled" by the attack and urged the government and Tamil Tigers to honour pledges at recent talks.
Military spokesman, Prasad Samarasinghe, said it was "unfortunate" that civilians had been hit. Rights group Amnesty International described the attack as "appalling".
But the government has accused the Tigers of using them as human shields. The government expressed "regret" that the army shelled the camp for people displaced by fighting near Batticaloa.
Total panic 'So many dead and wounded'
"I am very troubled by the government's onslaught in Vakarai," Mr Solheim said.
A lot of children died... there are thousands of people trying to leave Survivor Palachchenai Kadiraveli Civilians' dire plight
"Yet again it is civilians who are being killed and made to suffer due to military operations.
"I am extremely disappointed that the parties are not honouring the promises they made in Geneva a week and a half ago to refrain from launching any military offensives."
The camp was hit by the army in a heavy exchange of fire with the Tamil Tigers in rebel-held territory. The rebels say at least 45 civilians were killed on the spot - three more died later of their injuries.
Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the AFP news agency that the military had targeted two Tamil Tiger artillery positions in Wednesday's attack, but conceded a civilian centre had also been hit.Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the AFP news agency that the military had targeted two Tamil Tiger artillery positions in Wednesday's attack, but conceded a civilian centre had also been hit.
A number of children were among the wounded
"While we regret this whole episode, we also must say that national security is uppermost in our minds," he told reporters."While we regret this whole episode, we also must say that national security is uppermost in our minds," he told reporters.
"Actions by the defence authorities were something that was inevitable." A number of children were among the wounded
Mr Rambukwella said the government would investigate the incident, but stressed the army was responding to an earlier Tamil Tiger attack. Mr Rambukwella said the government would investigate the incident, but said the army was responding to an earlier Tamil Tiger attack and accused the rebels of using civilians as human shields.
"We still believe that these casualties will rise," Mr Rambukwella said. He warned that the number of casualties may rise, and accused the rebels of firing mortar and artillery rounds at government positions for more than a week.
"Some people may have been injured and are still in jungle areas. We are not trying to cover up anything."
Bombs fell
He accused the rebels of firing mortar and artillery rounds towards government positions and civilian settlements in the region for more than a week.
International truce monitors who have visited the scene described total panic as tens of thousands of people try to leave the area.International truce monitors who have visited the scene described total panic as tens of thousands of people try to leave the area.
Two hospitals have received more than 100 casualties, including at least 17 children.Two hospitals have received more than 100 casualties, including at least 17 children.
Members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said that the army fired two rockets at two school buildings which were providing shelter to displaced Tamil civilians. They reported seeing 23 bodies at the scene, but say there are likely to be "many more". "There were a lot of explosions, so many people dead and wounded," 29-year-old survivor Palachchenai Kadiraveli told the Reuters news agency.
"A lot of children died... there are thousands of people trying to leave."
Call for answers
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) estimates that about 35,000 people have been displaced by fighting which flared further north in August.
"Our monitors saw there were no military installations in the camp area, so we would certainly like some answers from the military regarding the nature and reasons of this attack," SLMM spokeswoman Helen Olafsdottir said.
The human rights group, Amnesty International, said: "It is appalling that the military should attack a camp for displaced people - these are civilians who have already been forced from their homes because of the conflict."
The Tamil Tigers say the number of deaths could be as high as 100.The Tamil Tigers say the number of deaths could be as high as 100.
The government agent for Batticaloa, S Puniyamoorthy, said more than 1,000 refugees were living in the camp - a school building in the town of Kathiraveli near Vakarai.The government agent for Batticaloa, S Puniyamoorthy, said more than 1,000 refugees were living in the camp - a school building in the town of Kathiraveli near Vakarai.
According to reports, bombs fell in the area for about an hour around midday.According to reports, bombs fell in the area for about an hour around midday.
Violence
The government and the SLMM say more than 3,000 civilians have been killed in violence since the beginning of this year.The government and the SLMM say more than 3,000 civilians have been killed in violence since the beginning of this year.
Correspondents say a ceasefire signed between the two sides in 2002 now exists in name only.Correspondents say a ceasefire signed between the two sides in 2002 now exists in name only.
The Tigers and the Sri Lankan military have clashed several times in the recent days since peace talks collapsed in Geneva in late October.The Tigers and the Sri Lankan military have clashed several times in the recent days since peace talks collapsed in Geneva in late October.
The Sri Lankan air force has repeatedly shelled Tiger areas since the failure of the talks.