With the Security Forces now at the decisive stage of the operations to defeat terrorism, the Government has reiterated its call to all civilians held by the LTTE to break free from uncleared areas and enter the Safety Zone provided for their security.

A statement issued by the Media Centre for National Security yesterday (02) states that many civilians have until now not made use of the Safety Zone established nearly three weeks earlier. The Government has announced through the electronic and print media that all civilians who have not used this opportunity to enter the Safety Zone for their own safety and security.

The Government has taken the responsibility to guarantee the safety and security of all civilians within the Safety Zone.

However, the Government cannot be responsible for the safety and security of civilians still living among the LTTE terrorists. The Government, therefore, calls on all civilians to enter the demarcated Safety Zone as soon as possible to ensure their safety and security, the statement said.

The statement adds that until this decisive moment in the military operations the Security Forces have consistently given priority to the safety and security of civilians. However, at this decisive stage of the operations the LTTE continues in its efforts to forcibly hold civilians. In order to defeat these LTTE’s efforts, the civilians are urged to flee these areas and come to the Safety Zones established by the Security Forces.

These Safety Zones already provide shelter to a large number of civilians who have safely come there, and other civilians are also informed to enter these zones established for their security.

While the Security Forces accept all responsibility to ensure the safety and protection of civilians in the Safety Zones, they are unable to give such an assurance to those who remain outside these zones. Therefore, the government, with full responsibility, urges all civilians to come to the Safety Zones; and also states that as civilians who do not heed this call will be among LTTE cadres, the Security Forces will not be able to accept responsibility for their safety, the statement adds.