Sri Lankan government fears for civilians

The Sri Lankan government has said Tamil Tiger rebels in the northern Jaffna peninsula are preventing many civilians from leaving areas they have recently captured.

A government statement said a large number of civilians wanted to go to areas under government control, but the Tigers were instead forcing people to move south into rebel-held territory.

The Tamil Tigers have made no comment on the claims.

Aid agency representatives have been unable to visit areas where heavy fighting has taken place. The government has called for full public backing for Wednesday's commemoration of War Hero's Day, which President Chandrika Kumaratunga announced as a mark of respect for the troops in Jaffna.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service