Thousands cross over daily  

With the territory held by the LTTE diminishing progressively, the number of civilians braving LTTE threats and arriving in Government controlled areas is increasing day by day.

While 423 civilians fleeing LTTE terror were saved by the Navy on March 14, another 592 had arrived at the Government controlled Puthukudiyiruppu area on the same day. On March 15 the number that arrived at Puthukudiyiruppu had increased to 968 while the Navy had rescued another 66 persons fleeing from LTTE controlled area. On March 16, another 139 persons were rescued by the Navy.  

Besides over 4500 internally displaced persons arriving from the uncleared area are receiving treatment in Government hospitals in Trincomalee, Padaviya and Vavuniya.  

On March 17 by 6 p.m. the number of civilians who crossed over to the Government controlled area was 1567, the highest in a single day so far. All together 45, 519 persons have arrived since March 1.  

Military sources said that the number of civilians arriving would increase in the coming areas. There are also reports that the entrapped civilians have clashed with the LTTE cadres in an attempt to leave for the safety of the Government controlled areas.  

Civilian arrivals from LTTE held area  

* 14^th March - 1015  

* 15^thMarch - 1034  

* 17^th March - 1567  

* Hospitalised - 4500  

* Total since 1^st March - 45,519