LTTE rejects safe havens

by Ranga Jayasuriya

The LTTE has rejected a government proposal to set up safe havens for Internally Displaced People stranded in the embattled Vakarai, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission has told the Government Peace Secretariat.

The government's proposal envisaged to create safe havens for the IDPs in Vakarai to minimise the danger of civilians being caught in the crossfire.

Peace Secretariat Chief Dr. Palitha Kohona told the Sunday Observer that the truce monitors who met the Peace Secretariat officials on Friday said that the LTTE had rejected the government's proposal.

"This is an example of the LTTE's continued use of civilians as a human shield,' said Dr Kohona. The government's proposals for safe havens came following rockets fired by the army in retaliation to the LTTE artillery fire which fell on an IDP centre in Kathiraveli, killing scores of civilians.

The Army said it retaliated after mortar locating radars identified the positions from where LTTE shelled the Mahindapura village.

Meanwhile, the LTTE has also sought further details on the government's offer to open the Muhamalai entry point once and for all to transport food convoys to the besieged Jaffna peninsula.

"By delaying the opening of the entry-exit point, the LTTE is trying to perpetuate the humanitarian crisis created by them," said the Peace Secretariat Chief.

He, however, said the government would respond to the LTTE's request for more details.