WORLD BRIEFING / SRI LANKA
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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his government had no intention of a truce with Tamil Tiger rebels, telling international critics the military’s actions constituted a “humanitarian operation.”
Colombo has been under renewed pressure this week, from the European Union among others, to allow a cease-fire so civilians can escape the tiny area the Tigers still hold.
“We have at no time gone for a cease-fire. We will not do so now. There is no time for that now,” Rajapaksa said in a speech published on government websites.
There also have been requests for more access to the battle zone for foreign aid workers and others.
The United Nations estimates that as many as 50,000 civilians may be trapped there. The government puts the figure lower, and said this week that it would not use heavy weapons against the rebels, fighting with small arms in an attempt to free civilians.
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