9,924 casualties including 2,683 deaths and 7,241 injuries in Mullaitivu since 20 January 2009 – UN’s leaked document

Security tightened at airport after LTTE attack warningKochi

The security personnel at Kochi International Airport here swung into action tightening the security in and around the airport when they were alerted of possible LTTE attack. According to Airport Director A C K Nair yesterday, a message warning of LTTE attack at one of the airports in the South was received at office of the Air India, functioning in Mumbai Airport. The CISF, police and other security forces' personnel were immediately alerted. The patrolling on all roads reaching the airport was intensified. The CISF personnel launched thorough checking of vehicles and people approaching the airport. Frisking of the passengers and staff has been held at different points at the airport. A similar threat was received at the Kolkota Airport on Thursday night. A special security meeting was convened by Airport Director to evaluate the security arrangements.

EU offers more aid to battle-scarred Sri Lanka

The European Commission on Thursday announced an additional three million euros funding for the Red Cross to help tackle the growing humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka's strife-torn north.
"I am appalled by the humanitarian catastrophe in the north of Sri Lanka. Thousands of civilians trapped in the conflict zone have died and more are dying every day, not only from repeated shelling but also from lack of food, water and medical care," said EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel.
"Only minimal humanitarian assistance is being allowed into the area. There is an immediate and urgent need to act, to save lives and prevent further human tragedy," he added in a statement.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the only international humanitarian organisation allowed into the conflict zone and is working "in desperate conditions" to bring life-saving assistance to the people who are trapped and to evacuate the sick and wounded, the Commission said.
United Nations' human rights chief Navi Pillay has said she fears both sides could be guilty of war crimes in the Sri Lanka conflict and that more than 2,800 civilians could have been killed since late January.
"The government must face its obligations to protect all its citizens by stopping the indiscriminate shelling of civilians and by agreeing to a humanitarian lull so that adequate food and medicines can be brought into the area and sick and wounded people can leave," said Michel.
The announcement of fresh EU aid came as Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF) warned that civilians pouring out of the war zone in Sri Lanka's north are in dire need of emergency medical and psychological help.
The MSF also voiced "extreme" concern for 150,000 Tamil civilians still trapped by fierce fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.
Over the past five years the Commission, the EU's executive arm, has given a total of 95 million euros (130 million dollars) in aid for victims of humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka, including 42 million euros for victims of the 2004 tsunami.

SLA shelling kills 102 civilians within 3 days inside 'safety zone'

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery shelling killed 46 civilians Friday inside the safety zone in the besieged pocket in Mullaiththeevu. SLA-fired shells hit 6 tarpaulin shelters of the IDPs in Maaththa'lan Friday, killing 16 civilians. Meanwhile 4 civilians were killed around 11:00 a.m., 300 meters near the coastal spot, where the ICRC was transporting wounded civilians. On Thursday, 39 civilians including 11 children were killed and at least 17 civilians were reported killed inside the safety zone on Wednesday. 6 civilians were killed in Pokk'anai when a single shell hit an IDP hut around 1:00 p.m. on Friday.The remaining casualties were reported in Mu'l'livaaykkaal, Iraddaivaaykkaal, and Valaignarmadam.Heavy shelling was reported in Pokka'nai and Maaththa'lan areas within the safety zone since 11:00 p.m. Thursday.

Australia seeks end to Sri Lanka's war

Australia is calling on Sri Lanka to present "credible political reforms" to end ethnic bloodshed and has expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the island's north.
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith is also asking Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels to lift all restrictions on civilians living in rebel-held areas amid allegations that the guerrillas are holding them as human shields.
"There can be no justification for preventing free movement of civilians from the conflict zone," Smith said in a statement.
"We encourage the Sri Lankan diaspora to add weight to this call to prevent further loss of life."
Australia, which designates the Tamil Tigers a terrorist organisation, has a large Sri Lankan community, including ethnic Tamils.
"Australia again calls on the Sri Lankan government to put forward credible political reforms to engage Tamils and other minorities without delay," Smith said.
"A political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans is essential for the long-term security and prosperity of Sri Lanka."
The minister said arrangements must be put in place urgently to allow the safe passage of civilians from the shrinking war zone, where government forces are leading their biggest ever offensive against the Tigers.
"As long as civilians remain in the conflict zone, both sides have an obligation to ensure that hostilities are not conducted in a way which endangers civilian life," he said.
The United Nations rights chief said last week that over 2,800 civilians have been killed since late January and both sides of the conflict may be guilty of war crimes.
Tamil Tiger rebels have been fighting for an independent state in the island's northeast. Their mini state was dismantled by security forces earlier this year with the capture of their political and military headquarters.
Sri Lanka's government pulled out of a Norwegian-arranged truce in January 2008.