TULF leader V. Anandasangaree has written an open letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing his anxiety and concern over the Air raids in the Vanni conducted by the SLAF at night.

I am much perturbed over the midnight strike on Oddusuddan by the Sri Lankan Air Force and also the decision to intensify operations, causes me grave anxiety and concern. The aerial attack during daytime is bad enough, although civilians have the advantage of being able to run away and save their lives. Inspite of this advantage, had been many instances of civilians being killed and suffering serious injury.

Aerial attacks in the night is sure to cause innumerable casualties among civilians who will not have any possibility of running away in the dark, to save themselves. Families with children will be the worst affected. I very strongly appeal to you to inform all concerned parties to avoid operations in the night and also to give sufficient timely warning of operations during the day time. The Government has a sacred duty to safeguard the lives of all its citizens. Why should these innocent civilians be denied the Government’s protection. The noise made by the Air Force fighter jets is deafening and when they fly over inhabited areas, women and children scream and run for their lives. I myself had such a frightening experience when I was in Jaffna.

People in the Vanni should be liberated from the LTTE. I myself have made several requests to have the people in the LTTE controlled areas, liberated. The people there cannot bear the atrocities of the LTTE any more. They can’t afford to lose their children in their hundreds at the battle front any more. They are prepared to welcome a friendly army that will liberate them without causing loss of life and destruction to property. In fact I had made a similar request once to the Secretary General of the United Nations His Excellency Ban Ki-moon.

I do not want a single civilian life lost due to army action. Please ensure that this policy is maintained throughout. We can’t forget how we in Colombo felt when the LTTE attacked the Katunayake Airport. The people in Vanni live in permanent fear and tension. Aerial attacks in the night will cause them more agony. Therefore please take immediate action to prevent aerial attacks during the night.

V. Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.