On visit to Sri Lanka, UN humanitarian chief stresses need to protect civilians

The United Nations humanitarian chief today stressed the need to ensure the protection of civilians caught in the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, where Government forces are battling the separatists Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), as he began a three-day visit to the South Asian nation.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes underscored his concern about reportedly heavy civilian casualties amid the ongoing fighting in his discussions with Government officials, including Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

Some 250,000 civilians are trapped in the conflict area in the northern part of the country. Mr. Holmes stressed in his meetings that civilians must be allowed to leave the affected area, and that all parties must respect international humanitarian law.

In a press conference with the Foreign Minister, he called on the LTTE to allow civilians to leave the conflict area, and to cease the forcible recruitment of civilians, including minors. He further reiterated the need for all parties to do everything possible to prevent civilian casualties.

Mr. Holmes, who is also UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, also met with Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, Secretary of Defense, Rishard Bathiuddin, Minister of Resettlement, as well as the UN Country Team in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan officials informed Mr. Holmes that the Government is doing everything it can to protect civilians.

Tomorrow Mr. Holmes travels to the vicinity of Vavuniya, where he will meet people displaced from the conflict zone.