Colombo: An alert Sri Lankan Navy traced down two boats carrying 28 Tamil civilians, who had escaped from the LTTE held area, and rescued them, officials said today.

"A group of 28 Tamil civilians including 6 children, who had escaped from the LTTE held areas, sought protection from security forces in Jaffna last morning," the Defence Ministry said.

The naval patrol craft which detected two boats in northern seas immediately rushed to their assistance and accompanied them ashore under naval protection, it said.

According to the sources, 22 adults including 13 males and 9 females and 6 children are among the escapees and are residents of Mullaian, Kaddaikadu, Paranthan, Kilinochchi and Champianpaththu areas.

"The escapees said that the innocent Tamil civilians living in non-liberated areas in the North have to undergo severe hardships as a result of LTTE activities, including extortion and conscription of youngsters," the ministry statement said.

The escapees have been provided with food as well as necessary medical treatments and later handed over to the Kankesanturai Police in Jaffna.

All arrangements have been made to provide shelter for civilians, the government officials in Jaffna said.

Meanwhile, the UN officials said the world body has dispatched another major food convoy into the Wanni region for the Tamil displaced persons of northern Sri Lanka.

 

Source : PTI