Pro-LTTE media misleading Int'l community: Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan government today said that pro-LTTE media have "misinformed" the international community by circulating "fabricated stories" about civilian casualties in the embattled north.  

The pro-Tigers website 'Tamilnet' yesterday accused Sri Lankan forces of killing over 2,000 civilians in shelling during the last 24 hours in the "safe zone" in the embattled north, a charge refuted as "propaganda" by the government. 

 "Sri Lanka Defence Ministry has categorically denied these fabricated stories, published on pro LTTE websites, to capture the sympathy of the international community and also to tarnish the image of the Sri Lankan government and the security forces," the Ministry said.  

More than 1000 Tamil civilians reached the government controlled areas on Saturday and Sunday, it said.  As clearly witnessed in the past few weeks, the security forces contributing in the world's largest hostage rescue mission, have saved over 116,000 civilians while LTTE fired upon them using their battle tanks and heavy mortars.   

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle footages has clearly shown the true nature of the LTTE to the international community.  

"The pro-LTTE propaganda machinery reactivated their operations against the security forces and Sri Lankan government while the security forces in the final phase of the humanitarian mission entrusted to them; the rescue of civilian held hostage by the LTTE," it said. 

As the troops of 58 and 53 divisions spearheading the hostage rescue mission currently in close proximity to the newly declared "No Fire Zone", the LTTE forcibly held civilians trying to breach the LTTE defences to enter government controlled area, it said.  

"LTTE terrorists manning possible civilian escape routes see no option other than firing at thousands of civilians trying to escape the area, bringing pressure on the armed terrorist cadres manning the line," the Ministry said.   

Analyzing the Mortar locating radars, Sri Lanka Army confirmed that LTTE rebels have directed heavy mortars at the civilians, targeting them in the newly declared "Safe Zone", which lasted for hours last morning, the ministry said.  

"Witnessing more bloodshed by the LTTE on Saturday, 10 civilians were killed while 20 sustained injuries in LTTE firing when over 300 civilians were trying to enter the troop-held areas via the sea in Mullaittivu," it claimed.  

The civilians managed to escape the LTTE grip amidst rebel gunfire and 12 victims among them who received severe injuries were airlifted by the Sri Lankan Air Force to the Anuradhapura hospital, it said.