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Aid Workers in Sri Lanka Demand Protection

Foreign aid workers in Sri Lanka this week urged Sri Lankan troops and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam who are fighting each other to spare the foreign aid workers from the violence so that the foreign aid workers could continue with humanitarian aid that they have been distributing to over 30,000 people who have been displaced by heavy fighting.

Aid workers` hopes to provide assistance to Sri Lankan refugees were dampened when 15 employees of the French agency Action Against Hunger were killed by still unidentified assailants in the town of Muttur. Guy Hovey, head of the U.S.-based United Methodist Committee on Relief said, "This is plainly a crime, not only to us - but to those we serve." Hovey`s group has been on the forefront of evacuating refugees since the fighting began.

Hover said, "We`re non-combatants, and we can`t operate if we are attacked. We would like some form of security guarantee or safe passage from both sides. We have a humanitarian duty to remain and help the people. We will remain until we are effective." About 20 volunteers had been bringing food and other aid to thousands still trapped in Muttur who had been under attack from the rebel Tigers trying to cut off the supply line of Sri Lanka`s military. Hovey`s group has been working under a makeshift tent in Kellar, some 12.5 miles south of Muttur.