This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7898831.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UN chief in S Lanka civilian plea | UN chief in S Lanka civilian plea |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Visiting top UN humanitarian official John Holmes has urged Sri Lanka's army and the Tamil Tigers to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties. | Visiting top UN humanitarian official John Holmes has urged Sri Lanka's army and the Tamil Tigers to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties. |
| After meeting Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Mr Holmes said both sides should allow civilians to leave the conflict zone freely. | After meeting Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Mr Holmes said both sides should allow civilians to leave the conflict zone freely. |
| The government says the Tigers are using human shields, but the rebels say civilians are seeking their protection. | The government says the Tigers are using human shields, but the rebels say civilians are seeking their protection. |
| Tens of thousands are believed trapped in the north-east conflict zone. | Tens of thousands are believed trapped in the north-east conflict zone. |
| A key issue on Mr Holmes's agenda is the plight of about 30,000 civilians who have already fled to government-run camps - and the tens of thousands more who may try to join them. | A key issue on Mr Holmes's agenda is the plight of about 30,000 civilians who have already fled to government-run camps - and the tens of thousands more who may try to join them. |
| See map of the region A foreign ministry official told Agence France-Presse news agency that Mr Holmes was expected to travel to the camps in the north-east. | |
| Mr Holmes said: "We are concerned about reports of heavy casualties to the civilian population. | Mr Holmes said: "We are concerned about reports of heavy casualties to the civilian population. |
| "I call on the government and I call on [the Tamil Tigers] to do everything possible to avoid such casualties to make sure international humanitarian law is being fully respected." | "I call on the government and I call on [the Tamil Tigers] to do everything possible to avoid such casualties to make sure international humanitarian law is being fully respected." |
| This is Mr Holmes's first visit since 2007 when his comment that Sri Lanka was one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers sparked government anger and drew a rebuke from the prime minister. | This is Mr Holmes's first visit since 2007 when his comment that Sri Lanka was one of the most dangerous places in the world for aid workers sparked government anger and drew a rebuke from the prime minister. |
| 'Wrong side' | 'Wrong side' |
| The UN last week accused the Tamil Tigers of shooting civilians who were trying to flee. The government has also levelled the accusation. | The UN last week accused the Tamil Tigers of shooting civilians who were trying to flee. The government has also levelled the accusation. |
| The rebels deny the charges, saying civilians want their protection and that the army is continuing to attack civilians with artillery fire. | The rebels deny the charges, saying civilians want their protection and that the army is continuing to attack civilians with artillery fire. |
| John Holmes is expected to travel to civilian camps in the north-east | John Holmes is expected to travel to civilian camps in the north-east |
| The government has accused the Tigers of inventing reports of civilian casualties. | The government has accused the Tigers of inventing reports of civilian casualties. |
| The Tigers' political chief B Nadesan also criticised the UN for "not taking effective measures to protect the life, security and interests of innocent Tamil civilians". | The Tigers' political chief B Nadesan also criticised the UN for "not taking effective measures to protect the life, security and interests of innocent Tamil civilians". |
| "Instead, the UN is engaged in fruitless exercises of accusing the wrong side." | "Instead, the UN is engaged in fruitless exercises of accusing the wrong side." |
| No independent journalists can reach the conflict zone so claims by either side cannot be independently verified. | No independent journalists can reach the conflict zone so claims by either side cannot be independently verified. |
| The UN and aid groups have expressed deep concern that there is not enough food and medicine reaching the civilians. They say that a minimum of of 2,500 tonnes of food a month are needed. | |
| On Wednesday India offered to help evacuate the trapped civilians. | On Wednesday India offered to help evacuate the trapped civilians. |
| Sri Lankan defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella welcomed the offer, "provided it is done within the framework the we have set up already". | Sri Lankan defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella welcomed the offer, "provided it is done within the framework the we have set up already". |
| However on Thursday, the government again stressed its opposition to the UK's appointment of Des Browne as a special envoy. | However on Thursday, the government again stressed its opposition to the UK's appointment of Des Browne as a special envoy. |
| It has called the appointment a "disrespectful intrusion" made without prior consultation. | It has called the appointment a "disrespectful intrusion" made without prior consultation. |
| About 50,000 soldiers are pressing the Tamil Tigers into a patch of north-eastern jungle after taking the key areas of Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu. | About 50,000 soldiers are pressing the Tamil Tigers into a patch of north-eastern jungle after taking the key areas of Kilinochchi, Elephant Pass and Mullaitivu. |
| The Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east for a quarter of a century. | The Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland in the north and east for a quarter of a century. |
| MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return | MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return |