The Ceylon News

Voicing concern over the plight of the trapped civilians in Sri Lanka's conflict zone, Britain has favoured "a fully inclusive" political process for lasting peace in that country as it discussed the situation in the island nation with India.

British Foreign secretary David Miliband discussed the situation in Sri Lanka with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, among other international leaders yesterday.

"We have always been very clear that there can be no military solution. Lasting peace in Sri Lanka can only come about through a fully inclusive political process that takes into account the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lanka's communities - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.

"We have...been very clear with the Sri Lankan government that democratically elected governments are rightly held to higher account for their actions than terrorist organisations," he said.

In a statement to Parliament, Miliband said the fate of Tamil civilians was Britain's most pressing concern.

If the reports of latest exodus of civilians prove to be accurate, thousands would have managed to leave the conflict area since January, he said, adding many of them would have been displaced "numerous times over the past 18 months, each time the front line has moved."

"It is vital that these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are treated in accordance with international humanitarian law. The over-riding need is for an immediate end to the tragic humanitarian crisis," Miliband said.

He said the Department for International Development had so far allocated 5 million pounds, the majority of which was being used to support the work of the agencies providing protection and assistance work for the IDPs.

"We want to see an urgent end to this conflict, now in its 26th year, which has cost well over 70,000 lives," he said.

Noting recent reports that on April 20 the Sri Lankan Army had breached the LTTE's groundwork defences, he said he was deeply concerned over reports that civilians were killed in the operation and that others remained at threat from the fighting.

"We condemn the killings of civilians in the strongest possible terms and urge all parties to take all necessary action to avoid further civilian casualties.

"Both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians at all times," he said yesterday.