Last modified on: 5/1/2009 10:01:49 PM

President's appeal to Tamil civilians in NFZ "I appeal to every one of you to come over to the cleared areas" states President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Tamil civilians held hostage by the LTTE in the No Fire Zone in the North of Sri Lanka. The President's appeal in the Tamil language dated today - May 1 - air-dropped to the civilians still in the NFZ assures that the government will continue to give utmost priority to ensure the safety and welfare of each and every of them. Here is the text of the President's appeal: "I am aware of the tremendous difficulties faced by the civilians who are unfortunately still being held hostage by the LTTE in the "no-fire zone". "Your suffering is prolonged by this action of the LTTE who are holding you as a human shield for their own safety and security. "I appeal to every one of you to come over to the cleared areas. "My government will continue to give utmost priority to ensure the safety and welfare of each and every one of you." Mahinda Rajapaksa - President O1 May 2009