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Anger over Lanka civilian deaths Anger over Lanka civilian deaths
(about 1 hour later)
The Sri Lankan government has been heavily criticised for an artillery bombardment that killed dozens of civilians in the east of the island.The Sri Lankan government has been heavily criticised for an artillery bombardment that killed dozens of civilians in the east of the island.
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. Peace negotiator Erik Solheim said he was "very troubled" by the attack. Human rights group Amnesty International called it "appalling".
Rights group Amnesty International described the attack as "appalling". Some 2,000 people were in a camp hit by army shells. Clashes between troops and Tamil rebels have trapped thousands.
The government expressed "regret" that the army shelled the camp for people displaced by fighting near Batticaloa. Meanwhile, a fierce sea battle has been going on off Sri Lanka's north coast.
Both sides accuse the other of starting the clash, in which the navy says it sank 22 rebel craft and lost two of its own. Twenty sailors are missing.
The rebels say they captured four sailors alive and five of their fighters were killed.
'So many dead and wounded''So many dead and wounded'
"I am very troubled by the government's onslaught in Vakarai," Mr Solheim said. Mr Solheim accused government forces of an "onslaught" in Vakarai, where the refugee camp was shelled on Wednesday.
A lot of children died... there are thousands of people trying to leave Survivor Palachchenai Kadiraveli Sea battle erupts off Jaffna Civilians' dire plight Q&A: Sri Lanka conflict A lot of children died... there are thousands of people trying to leave Survivor Palachchenai Kadiraveli Sea battle erupts off Jaffna Civilians' dire plight Q&A: Sri Lanka conflict
"Yet again it is civilians who are being killed and made to suffer due to military operations. "Yet again it is civilians who are being killed and made to suffer due to military operations," he said in a statement.
"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.""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. Thousands have been trying to flee the shelling in the eastern district of Batticaloa.
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. But the BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Colombo says they have nowhere to go as the lines from the Tamil Tiger-controlled areas into government territory are closed.
"While we regret this whole episode, we also must say that national security is uppermost in our minds," he told reporters. Aid agencies are working on creating a humanitarian corridor, but the government has so far failed to provide any safety assurance to allow supply convoys safe passage, she says.
'Human shields'
The school being used as a makeshift camp shelled on Wednesday 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.
A number of children were among the woundedA number of children were among the wounded
Government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told the AFP news agency that the military had targeted two Tamil Tiger artillery positions, but conceded a civilian centre had also been hit.
"While we regret this whole episode, we also must say that national security is uppermost in our minds," he told reporters.
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.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.
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.
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.
"There were a lot of explosions, so many people dead and wounded," 29-year-old survivor Palachchenai Kadiraveli told the Reuters news agency."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.""A lot of children died... there are thousands of people trying to leave."
Call for answersCall 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. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) estimates that about 35,000 people have been displaced by fighting in the region which flared up 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."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 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 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.
The government says nearly 3,000 people - troops, rebels and civilians - have been killed in violence since last year. There is no reliable independent confirmation of that figure.The government says nearly 3,000 people - troops, rebels and civilians - have been killed in violence since last year. There is no reliable independent confirmation of that figure.
Correspondents say a ceasefire signed between the two sides in 2002 now exists in name only. Correspondents say a 2002 ceasefire now exists only in name.
The Tigers and the Sri Lankan military have clashed several times in the recent days since peace talks collapsed in Geneva in late October.