The Sri Lanka Navy rescued 139 Tamil civilians fleeing the LTTE in Mulaithivu on two occasions on the 23rd March 2009. The first group consisted of 126 persons while the second group consisted of 13 persons.
The first group had been found fleeing in 07 white-flag hoisted dinghies around 10.50 a.m. They consisted of 43 adult males, 43 adult females and 40 children. The second group was rescued around 12.50 p.m. while struggling on board two dinghies to save their lives from the LTTE cadres who are on the prowl to gun down any one that dares to escape from their grip. The second group consisted of 08 adult males, 03 adult females and 02 children.
Upon rescuing, all were safely brought ashore at Pulmudai and provided with much-needed food, refreshments and medical assistance. The rescued expressed their heart-felt gratitude to the Navy for coming to their rescue.
The exodus of Tamil civilians escaping from the LTTE is now on the rise.
The Sri Lanka Navy has made special arrangements to assist innocent Tamil civilians fleeing from the LTTE. Naval personnel and vessels along with stand-by rescue and medical teams are on special deployment for this humanitarian assistance mission in the North-eastern seas.
