Sri Lanka’s military says more than 700 civilians have fled to a government-controlled safe zone to escape fighting in the north.
India asks LTTE to give up arms, urges Sri Lanka to end offensive
New Delhi (PTI): Voicing concern over the loss of lives in embattled Sri Lanka, India on Thursday asked the LTTE to lay down arms and come to the negotiating table while urging Colombo to suspend hostilities.
"We are deeply anguished at the loss of lives. We are not happy that the Sri Lankan government has resumed hostilities. It is for both sides to cease hostilities," Union Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters here.
Replying to questions, he said the Sri Lankan government must suspend hostilities and the LTTE must lay down arms. "This must happen simultaneously. It requires both hands to clap.
"Unfortunately, we are not able to prevail over the LTTE to lay down arms and not able to prevail over the Sri Lankan government beyond a point. We once again appeal to both sides to give up hostilities and come to the negotiating table," the Home Minister said.