The disproportionate military offensive of the Sri Lankan army against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) -the guerrilla fighting for an independent country within the island- is sparking off international complaint after hundreds of civilians died last weekend. British foreign secretary, David Miliband, criticized the alleged use of heavy weaponry by Sinhalese military forces. According to UN figures, 380 civilians have died this weekend as a result of a new attack on the small area controlled by the rebels, a portion of land where thousands of civilians have also taken refuge.

The statement issued yesterday by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describes hostilities over last weekend as a "blood bath". He presses Tamils to allow the remaining civilians in the conflict zone to leave immediately, and urges the Government to bring the conflict to an end "without further bloodshed". US government has also expressed his deep concern over the alarming number of civilian casualties.

However, it seems that such statements have had little effect on Colombo, since Tamil sources and several witnesses have reported that an army shell has hit a field hospital, leaving at least 47 people dead and dozens more wounded. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has denied again using heavy weapons against civilian population.

Disputed figures
According to UN figures, 196,000 people have fled the shrinking area controlled by the Tigers, but around 50,000 civilians remain trapped in the zone. It is unfeasible to obtain reliable casualty figures, as independent journalists have been denied access to the war zone. TamilNet, a pro-Tiger online journal, has informed today that 2,600 people have been killed in the last three days.

Further information:

• AlertNet: Britain, UN appalled by 'blood bath' in Sri Lanka
• NYTimes.com: Sri Lanka Attack Said to Kill Dozens
• TamilNet: SLA attacks hospital, 47 massacred