New Zealand's Labour Party has called for a "ceasefire in the conflict in northern Sri Lanka" going a step further the UN secretary general who last week urged a "suspension in fighting".

On February 23 Ban Ki-Moon called for a "suspension in fighting" between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger separatists to allow civilians to escape.The UN chief did not use the word ceasefire but said the UN "deplores the increasing casualties among civilians trapped in intense fighting".There needed to be "political discussion to achieve an orderly end to the conflict", he said.

Labour's associate foreign affairs spokesperson Grant Robertson has called for a ceasefire and says "this is a humanitarian crisis and both sides need to cease fighting"."There is an urgent need for true safe havens to be established and for international relief agencies to be able to enter them to deliver basic food and medical supplies."

The government should make sure New Zealand's voice is heard on the issue and "we play whatever part we can in averting the emerging humanitarian disaster in Sri Lanka", Robertson says.

A spokesman for the Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully says the government has been calling for both sides to stop their activities for "some time".

He says as the fighting intensifies in a smaller area civilians are becoming more and more affected.

Source: http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/labour-calls-sri-lanka-ceasefire-2523849

Govt.Agent,
Mullaitivu District.

Re: Famine deaths among IDP’s in Vanni

You are well aware that people in Vanni have been facing the threat of losing their lives to hunger. The plight is shocking to note that bodies of 13 people who died due to starvation, including that of elders and children, have been brought to Puthumathalan hospital during past few days.

The Indian High Commissioner in Mauritius rebuffed a memorandum of thousands of Mauritian Tamil demonstrators Friday, requesting India to stop the war against Tamils in Sri Lanka. The representatives of the demonstrators were seeking to submit the memorandum in person to the High Commissioner who is a Tamil and they had informed the High Commission of their request five days in advance.

Additional Government agent of Mullaitivu district Mr.K.Parthipan has released a situational report  which includes populational spread,helth,education,postal,banking,water supplies and finally with his conclusion.

Today’s freedom march organized by the youth front in Melbourne drew the attention of Australian and other multinationals in Melbourne. Though it was organized with a very short notice large number of people took part in the march. This gave great strength and motivation to the organizers.

The Santa Clara County Democratic Party Central Committee, Thursday, passed a resolution asking "U.S. Congress and the Federal Administration to immediately persuade the government of Sri Lanka and the UN to conduct a UN monitored referendum in the Tamil region of Sri Lanka to determine if the people wish the autonomy or the complete independence."

The UK-based family of a young Tamil man who set himself on fire in protest at the treatment of his countrymen in Sri Lanka have said they are proud of his actions.

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling killed 86 civilians on Friday from the early hours of the day and more than 100 civilians were wounded. Thousands of civilians within the 'safety zone' were forced to remain inside the bunkers.

Students from the Tamil Canadian community will be "walking" from Toronto to Chicago for the next 60 days in an attempt to meet Oprah Winfrey and have their voices heard.