Statement by the Secretary-General on Sri Lanka

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, on 28 April 2009 welcomed the announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka that ‘combat operations’ against the LTTE had reached their conclusion and that heavy weaponry will no longer be used.

He expressed his extreme concern at the reports of large numbers of civilians killed and injured in the fighting and urged that all parties adhere to international humanitarian law and that every possible effort be made to avoid further loss of life and injury to innocent people.

The Secretary-General expressed the hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will take all necessary steps to ensure the safe passage of civilians still trapped by the hostilities between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan armed forces.

He supported the appeal by the United Nations Secretary-General for UN staff to be allowed access into the conflict zone to facilitate relief operations and the evacuation of civilians. He also expressed the hope that full international humanitarian access will be granted to civilians in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: Sri Lanka
• Secretary-General
• Statement on Sri Lanka 14 April 2009