New move to enlighten foreign media

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry last week decided to hold regular press conferences for international media at the Presidential Secretariat.

"The objective is to create awareness among the foreign countries on the current situation in Northern and Eastern Provinces and also to give a factual account of the status of civilians who come over to Government-controlled areas from uncleared areas," Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told the Sunday Observer.

The proposed conference which is expected to hold two days a week will be chaired by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe himself while Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Ministry Secretary Palitha Kohona will assist. Minister Samarasinghe expressed his deep concern over the distorted information being circulated among foreign countries by the LTTE and said the outfit always has the habit of blaming Sri Lankan forces for killing innocent civilians.

"Therefore, it is the duty of the Government to educate foreign countries and all overseas agencies on the atrocities committed by the LTTE against civilians, especially those of the Tamil community," he said.

The Minister also said within the last ten days the LTTE had killed a large number of civilians and soldiers who were detailed to protect people coming over to cleared areas from the LTTE clutches,".

Over 33,000 civilians have already crossed over to Government controlled areas during the 48-hour period for safe passage declared by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Minister pointed out.