International community must intervene to stop attacks on East

More than hundred and fifteen thousand people have been rendered homeless due to the indiscriminate and persistent shelling of Paduvankarai region in the Esatern province by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) since 5th March, in its attempt to invade the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territory, T. Ariyanenthiran, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian for Batticaloa said in an urgent appeal on behalf of the TNA, requesting the International Community to intervene immediately to stop the Sri Lanka Government's war on Tamils in the east.

The following is the appeal released by Ariyanenthiran Sunday:

An urgent appeal from the Tamil National Alliance

One hundred and fifteen thousand people have been rendered refugees today. The Sri Lanka Armed Forces have been launching shells persistently on Paduvankarai region held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, since 05.03.2007, in an attempt to invade into the area.

Thousands of people, displaced from their homes, have moved into Sri Lanka Army controlled Kalavanchikudi, Kaluthavalai, Thethathivu, Chettypalayam, Kurukalmadam, Puthukudiruppu, Thalankuda, Arayampathi, Navatkuda and Kallady, besides seeking refuge under trees, along roads, in places of worship, public buildings, relatives' houses and schools in Batticaloa town area.

Many have lost their lives and many injured in the attacks besides the killing of hundreds of cattle.

Apart form these, the Sri Lanka Army troopers entering Thanthamalai, Panchenai, Pullumalai and Naatpathuvettai areas have arrested hundreds of innocent civilians.

The people who have moved into Sri Lanka Army controlled areas undergo various hardships due to lack of even basic facilities.

Thousands of people have also sought refuge in Kokkadicholai Thanthontrieeswaran temple cultural hall in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam held area.

Students of Batticaloa Vincent Girls' school and Batticaloa Central College fainted due to shell shock and have been admitted to hospital by the launching of Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers by the Sri Lanka Army from Weber Stadium in Batticaloa town. The residents of Batticaloa town too are affected by shock.