Cluster bombs blast Sri Lanka's last working hospital
Cluster bombs hit the last functioning hospital in Sri Lanka’s northern war zone where Tamil Tiger rebels are fighting a last-gasp battle for survival, the United Nations said today.
It is the first time cluster bombs are known to have been used in the government’s push to defeat the Tamil Tigers since the collapse of a ceasefire in 2006.
UN spokesman Gordon Weiss said: “We hold the gravest fears for the safety of our staff and their families.”
Mr Weiss said air strikes were also hitting near the hospital, which is now nearly empty.
The Tigers now control just a small jungle area after being routed from all major towns and villages in their area.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s leader said today the Tamil’s 25-year rebellion for a separate homeland had been nearly crushed and urged citizens who fled the country to return.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa made the comments in a nationally televised speech to mark the 61st Independence Day. The speech was delivered from a beachfront promenade where troops assembled for a parade.
“At this moment I urge all Sri Lankans from all communities who fled the country because of the war to return to their motherland,” the president said.
“Today we have been able to nearly destroy terror.”
In recent months Sri Lankan troops have cornered the Tamil Tiger rebels in a small area in the country’s north east. The government says a final victory is imminent.
