Sri Lanka admits shelling civilian areas
Sri Lankan army admits shelling Tamil Tiger positions designated as no-fire zones due to heavy civilian presence
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Monday, 27, Apr 2009 10:07
The Sri Lankan army has admitted for the first time that artillery and aerial bombardments have been used against Tamil Tigers in designated no-fire zones.
On Monday the army said its "combat operations have reached their conclusion" in its war against the rebels and that heavy shelling and air strikes would stop.
The government had previously not confirmed the use of such tactics.
But in a statement the army said it would concentrate on rescuing civilians from a 12m square area the remaining fighters from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are resisting.
More than 50,000 civilians are trapped in the north-east of the island in the no-fire area, according to the United Nations.
"[The] government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion. Our security forces have been instructed to end the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties," the statement said.
"Our security forces will confirm their attempts to rescuing civilians who are held hostage and give foremost priority to saving civilians."
Yesterday the Sri Lankan government rejected the offer of an unconditional surrender from the Tigers.
The LTTE has been fighting for an independent homeland for ethnic Tamils in the north and east of Sri Lanka for more than a quarter of a century in a conflict that has killed more than 70,000 people.