Sri Lanka said Thursday it will protest to Canada, Belgium and Switzerland over pro-Tamil Tiger demonstrations that used the flag of the banned separatist group and displayed pictures of its leader. “This is taking place in countries which have banned the LTTE,” Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said, referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels, which are blacklisted as a terrorist group in the United States, the European Union and Canada. He said Sri Lanka's ambassadors in the three countries have been instructed to “take this up at a bilateral level.” Thousands of Tamils have demonstrated in recent months, including near UN offices in Geneva and at European Union headquarters in Brussels, urging a cease-fire in the 25-year-old separatist war that appears headed for rebel defeat. The protesters voiced concerns over the plight of civilians caught in the war zone, where aid groups say there are acute shortages of food, medicine and clean drinking water. The government said Thursday that sufficient food and medical supplies had been sent to the conflict zone. “Of course there are shortcomings, but the government is satisfied with the process of sending essentials,” S.B. Divaratne, commissioner general of essential services, told reporters. The rebels once controlled a vast swath of land in the island's north and east but are now cornered in a tiny slice of coastal land measuring 10.8 square miles (28 square kilometers). The United Nations says at least 150,000 civilians are trapped. The government says the figure is closer to 50,000 to 60,000, and accuses the rebels of using them as human shields in a bid to avoid defeat. The U says some 2,800 civilians caught in the fighting have been killed since Jan. 20. The Red Cross said Tuesday that conditions were deteriorating daily. Aid group CARE International said one of its local workers was killed in a “no-fire” zone when a shell severed his leg and he was unable to get medical care, highlighting the dangers faced by civilians. A CARE statement said it is oo dangerous for many to leave. “Many of those attempting to flee are being prevented by the LTTE,” it said. The Sri Lanka navy said it rescued nearly 650 civilians who were being fired on by the Tamil Tigers as they fled in 35 boats. A military statement said navy fire drove away four rebel vessels.
