Franciscans express concern over Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka

Franciscans International, a human rights organization, has joined international and church aid groups in expressing deep concern over the fate of more than 350 000 Tamil civilians it says are trapped in Sri Lanka 's northern region of Vanni. "The ongoing conflict between Sri Lankan Armed Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Northern Sri Lanka has pushed civilians into a very small area surrounded by fighting," said Geneva-based FI. ACT International, a global humanitarian alliance of churches and agencies said, "Churches operating in Sri Lankan government-controlled areas have requested support from the National Christian Council/ACT to provide food, household items, water and medical supplies to persons displaced by the present conflict."