The Ceylon News

"The secretary-general calls upon the LTTE leadership to allow civilians to leave the conflict area of their own free will," a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson said. "The severe restrictions of the LTTE on their freedom of movement violate international law."

"The secretary-general also deplores the forced recruitment of civilians, particularly children," the statement said.

Meanwhile, "the secretary-general is deeply distressed by continuing reports from the Vanni region of Sri Lanka that civilians are at extreme risk, with heavy casualties," and the LTTE rebels "are keeping civilians in a very small area of active conflict against their will," the statement said.

"While some have been able to leave or escape, reliable reports indicate that the LTTE have prevented others from leaving, including by firing at them," the statement said.

"At the same time, the secretary-general again reminds the government of Sri Lanka of its responsibility to protect civilians, and to avoid the use of heavy weapons in areas where there are civilians, as promised," the statement said.

"The government should receive and treat displaced persons in accordance with international law, and work closely with the United Nations in meeting the protection and physical needs of displaced persons," the statement said.

The LTTE is accused of recruiting child soldiers and crushing dissent in its territory, reports said. It seeks a separate state for minority Tamils in the north and east of the country. It alleges mistreatment at the hands of ethnic Sinhalese, who make up75 percent of a population of 20 million.

The rebel fighters had been maintaining stiff resistance in order to prevent government troops from taking a key village, but the rebel efforts failed and the government army captured the village at the end of heavy fighting, which left more than 44 rebels killed.