Civilians urged to use escape routes

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday urged displaced civilians living in the Wanni to follow suit making use of the proposed humanitarian corridor following the re-location of aid agencies from Kilinochchi to Vavuniya.

The Minister added that arrangements had been made to make Vavuniya a humanitarian assistance hub to cater to an expected exodus of IDPs who have been moving deeper into Mullaitivu due to LTTE pressure.

Authorities said the military had demarcated two No-Fire Zones in Oddusudan and Viswamadu for the Internally Displaced People to escape non-liberated areas as troops came within two kilometres of Kilinochchi town limits yesterday.