Wounded Sri Lankans flee harrowing days in war zone

By S.M. Krishantha

TRINCOMALEE, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - Tamil Tigers rebels shot at civilians trying to flee fighting in Sri Lanka's northern war zone, wounded witnesses said on Thursday after escaping with the help of the Red Cross.

The military says at least 32,000 people have fled the war zone in the Indian Ocean island's northeast, where troops aim to deal a death blow to separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) they have cornered there and end a 25-year-old civil war.

Chaminda Perera

The Government yesterday said over 32,500 civilians out of the total population of 113, 832 in the Mullaitivu district have fled uncleared areas and sought protection with the Forces.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said 6,000 civilians have arrived per day in cleared areas since last week and the Government has launched a comprehensive program to ensure their safety and welfare.

Mangalanath Liyanarachchi, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

Civilians trapped by fighting between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels tried to flee villages in the war zone, but the rebels opened fire as they ran, survivors claimed.

Manoharan Mahendran said villagers in Vishwamadu begged to be allowed to cross into government territory last week, but the separatist Tigers blocked their path and fired indiscriminately.

"People were helpless," said Mahendran, 53, in a rare first-hand account of the exodus.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday froze the assets of a Maryland-based charity that officials accuse of having given money to the Tamil Tiger rebels in Sri Lanka. 

The Tamil Foundation, based in Cumberland, Md., has acted as a support network for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which the U.S. government considers a terrorist group, the agency said in a statement.