Source: ISNA Press Release

http://www.isna.net/index.php?id=35&backPID=1&tt_news=766

On August 12, 2006 an Islamic Society of North America Press Release reported, "The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is saddened by the tragic news coming out of Sri Lanka, where over 100 people, including women and children, have been reportedly killed as they flee from fighting between government forces and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Ealam. The killing comes during the worst period of violence since the Norwegian-brokered ceasefire agreement came to effect in early 2002. The new wave of violence has caused an estimated 40,000 civilians to flee their homes in Northeastern Sri Lanka, the epicenter of violence. Mutur – a predominantly Muslim fishing village – has become the battleground for the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government forces. More than 30,000 are trapped in the area. International aid and human rights observers have left the region. Seventeen aid workers have been reported killed in area in the last week. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has described the fighting as a 'low-intensity war' and has warned that a full scale-war would be 'disastrous' for both sides. The Nordic-run SLMM was established to monitor the ceasefire between the government and the Tigers. SLMM staff are leaving the area because of a lack of security."