Civilians Affected by Military Offensive

According to the LTTE, the recent Sri Lankan military offensive in Killinochchi has resulted in heavy civilian casualties and displacement of thousands of residents in the area. Among the casualties were women and children including an 18 months child who was killed in the Mulathivu District. Military experts say the goverment offensive has advanced well into the Killinochchi district which is the stronghold of the Tamil Tigers and the de-facto capital of the Tamil Eelam. Reliable sources also reported that the LTTE has appealed to the UN as well as other international bodies to help negotiate a ceasefire to prevent further suffering among the civilians in the region. The Sri Lankan military has ruled out the possibility of negotiations until the LTTE has agreed to lay down arms saying the LTTE has never been honest in the past and has only used previous agreement to regroup before terminating agreements unilaterally.