Colombo:
In Sri Lanka, thousands of Tamils are fleeing their homes and are forced to take refuge in their own land as the Lankan army gets ready for a final assault against the Tamil Tigers.
But despite this exodus, many are still feared trapped in a small area still controlled by the LTTE who are said to be using them as a human shield.
Everywhere the eye goes in the LTTE stronghold, thousands of homeless people are carrying whatever little they can take with them.
Parents are running to get help for their newborns. Mothers are trying all they can so that their children can get a better life. Those who can't walk are carried.
But these are the lucky ones amid the fierce fight between the Sri Lankan army and the remaining Tamil Tigers.
Many others, nearly 20,000 of them, are still trapped in the small 10-sq km strip in Northeast Sri Lanka where one of the world's most wanted terrorists -- LTTE chief V Prabhakaran -- is reportedly hiding.
But hours after the 24-hour deadline set by Colombo expired, there's still no sign of Prabhakaran. Meanwhile, the government says it is being careful not to harm civilians.
"We do not want collateral damage. We are being very careful about civilian casualties," said Laksham Hullugalle, DG, Media Centre for National Security.
After nearly three years of intense fighting, the Sri Lankan army is on the verge of a major military victory. But for many it has been a very high price they have had to pay.
But despite this exodus, many are still feared trapped in a small area still controlled by the LTTE who are said to be using them as a human shield.
Everywhere the eye goes in the LTTE stronghold, thousands of homeless people are carrying whatever little they can take with them.
Parents are running to get help for their newborns. Mothers are trying all they can so that their children can get a better life. Those who can't walk are carried.
But these are the lucky ones amid the fierce fight between the Sri Lankan army and the remaining Tamil Tigers.
Many others, nearly 20,000 of them, are still trapped in the small 10-sq km strip in Northeast Sri Lanka where one of the world's most wanted terrorists -- LTTE chief V Prabhakaran -- is reportedly hiding.
But hours after the 24-hour deadline set by Colombo expired, there's still no sign of Prabhakaran. Meanwhile, the government says it is being careful not to harm civilians.
"We do not want collateral damage. We are being very careful about civilian casualties," said Laksham Hullugalle, DG, Media Centre for National Security.
After nearly three years of intense fighting, the Sri Lankan army is on the verge of a major military victory. But for many it has been a very high price they have had to pay.
