Civilians seek refuge

 26 Tamil civilians who had escaped the uncleared area in Mulathivu, sought refuge in the Naval Division in Nilaweli and Kallarawa in Trincomalee today (01) around 9.00 am.

A group of eleven consisting of 05 adult males, 04 adult females and 02 children arrived at Nilaweli Naval division while a group of 15, comprising nine males and 06 females at Kallarawa.

The escapees revealed that they escaped the uncleared areas because harassment of the tigers and to avoid forced recruitment.

Children among the escapees who fled the uncleared area had been forcibly recruited to the LTTE. They too were able to escape the tiger grip and join their parents. The forcible recruitment of the children is one of the main reasons for the escapees' decision to flee the tiger controlled area. The escapees were provided with basic amenities.