WASHINGTON, DC- After reports of tens of thousands of civilians at risk following the expiration of a government-imposed deadline for rebels to surrender, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs, released the following statement:
“I am extremely alarmed by the growing humanitarian catastrophe in the north of Sri Lanka.
“The exodus of more than 30,000 civilians from the area of conflict to the so-called ‘safe zone’ over the past two days has brought this crisis to a boiling point. Their flight clearly shows that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been holding thousands of innocent people against their will.
“Accounts of the Sri Lankan Army firing indiscriminately on heavily populated civilian areas are also highly disturbing.
“I urge both sides to agree to the terms of a ceasefire.
“In addition, I implore the Government to fully permit international humanitarian organizations into the ‘safe zone,’ as well as into camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), so they can bring desperately needed food, water and medical assistance to the thousands of civilians whose lives have been turned upside-down by this conflict. I am pleased to see Secretary of State Clinton’s leadership and engagement on this crisis.”
In February, Senator Casey chaired a subcommittee hearing on the escalating violence in Sri Lanka, the growing humanitarian crisis and the prospects for a political resolution to the conflict.
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