Ensure people’s safety!

– Virakesari Editorial

(September 18, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Many have expressed concern about the civilians who are living in Wanni since the war between the security forces and the LTTTE is intensifying. It is the view of all sides that people who have suffered in many ways should not suffer further.

Already more than 200, 000 have become refugees. In this situation if the war intensifies, many more people will be displaced. Exit of the UN agencies from Vanni has created distress among the people. It can be observed that people are disturbed as to what their plight is going to be if the war intensifies.

As far as Vanni is concerned, NGO’s have done a great job. They were providing food items, medicines, basic facilities to the internally displaced people. In this background, the exit of the NGOs has created a void.

It can be observed that IC has been stressing the safety of the non combatant civilians. Particularly India has called on Sri Lanka that the civilians, who live in LTTE controlled areas need to be protected.

Meanwhile, MDMK leader and TN political parties have been voicing that Lankan Tamils need to be protected.

It is the humanitarian duty to ensure the safety of the Vanni people and to provide basic facilities to them. It can be noted that the pathetic plight of the Vanni people has been the grave concern of the International community. Considering all these, proactive steps should be taken to protect the Vanni people.

(An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo.)- Sri Lanka Guardian