These civilians had been forcibly held hostage by the LTTE terrorists in the government declared No Fire Zone (NFZ) in the North-East of Sri Lanka.

The escape of these Tamil civilians from the early hours today was enabled by the Security Forces at Pudumathalan advancing to the 3km long earth bund the LTTE had built on the fringe of the NFZ and destroying it early today.

It is reported that many more Tamil civilians are waiting to crossover to government held Safe Areas. There also reports of widespread revolts by these civilians against the armed LTTE cadres keeping them hostage.