|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Amnesty International is a big liar- Sri Lankan GovernmentSri Lanka NewsThe Sri Lanka Government categorically rejects the assertion made by
Amnesty International (AI) in its latest report that it is carrying
out a policy of blocking humanitarian aid needed for the people at present
displaced in the Wanni region, states a spokesman for the Presidential
Secretariat. It is correct that a large proportion of the civilian population of
the Wanni region who live in locations still controlled by the terrorists
of the LTTE are undergoing considerable hardship and suffering due to
the rigid policies of the LTTE of preventing the free movement of civilians
and making use of them as human shields against the advancing forces
of humanitarian liberation of the Sri Lanka Government. The Government is fully aware of the numbers of persons who need assistance
and it is satisfied that the maximum assistance is being provided to
these people, under the prevailing conditions, especially the difficulties
caused by the intransigence and brutality of the LTTE, with regard to
the very people it claims to represent and allegedly liberate. Under the prevailing situation the Government sees no need for any
international monitors to assess the needs of the affected Sri Lankan
citizens or to carry out the effective distribution of relief already
being done through the International Committee of the Red Cross, other
identified relief agencies and the government machinery. It is necessary to mention that there has been considerable credible
evidence of non-government agencies that were engaged in relief work
in the Wanni region, having provided both financial and material assistance
to the LTTE, for the pursuit of its separatist goals against the sovereign
state of Sri Lanka, through terrorism. A more detailed response to the claims and allegations made by AI will
follow the Presidential Secretariat states. This web site publishes without comment the following excerpt of the
Background to the conflict in Sri Lanka as stated by AI. "The security situation for civilians including displaced people
has worsened since May when conflict intensified in Wanni. The LTTE has blocked freedom of movement for the displaced in the Wanni.
The LTTE appears to have no capacity to provide safety, or food or shelter
and yet prevent families from moving to safer areas. The LTTE has a history of silencing dissent in Wanni and treating conscientious
objectors badly. Recent reports highlight a large camp at Moonru-Murippu
in which, following its takeover by government forces, it was revealed
that conscripted people who refused to fight were locked into metal
cages, with pointed wires extending inside. The pointed wires ensured
that they had to stand in a bent position and were pricked if they tried
to move. They were let out only when they agreed to the LTTE's demands."
|
||||||||||||
|
|
Disclaimer: The comments contained
within this website are personal reflection only and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the LankaWeb. LankaWeb.com offers the contents
of this website without charge, but does not necessarily endorse the
views and opinions expressed within. Neither the LankaWeb nor the individual
authors of any material on this Web site accept responsibility for any
loss or damage, however caused (including through negligence), which
you may directly or indirectly suffer arising out of your use of or
reliance on information contained on or accessed through this Web site.
Copyright
© 1997-2004 www.lankaweb.Com
Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved. |
|||||||||||
