Colombo/Geneva (ICRC) – The number of casualties caused by deliberate attacks against civilians has sharply increased in northern and eastern Sri
Lanka.
Only last week some 30 people were killed and more than 50 injured as a result of two bomb attacks on civilian buses and other violent incidents.
The last took place
on Saturday in Vavuniya district, where a claymore-mine explosion gutted a public bus, killing eight persons and injuring 25.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is deeply
concerned about the worsening situation in the country and especially its effects on civilians.
It calls on the parties to the armed conflict to respect the rules and principles of
international humanitarian law, in particular by distinguishing at all times between civilians and fighters.
In all circumstances the law prohibits direct attacks against civilian and
civilian objects.
The ICRC has been active in Sri Lanka since 1989, in particular in the north-east of the country, acting as a neutral intermediary, protecting and assisting the civilian
population, visiting detainees, restoring contact between members of separated families and promoting international humanitarian law.
For further information, please contact:
Davide Vignati, ICRC Colombo, tel.
