Civilains have been fleeing due to increased violence in the NE

20 men, women and children, all Tamils, were drowning in a boat in deep sea when the Sinhala fishermen came to their rescue.

The group, including two two-month old infants, were handed over to Chilaw police.

Savarimuttu Subramanium, the leader of the fleeing families, said the group tried to flee their village, Thirikpadaloor in Trincomalle, due to increasing violence in the region.

Many villagers in the eastern Sri Lanka have already left for Tamil Nadu in India, he said.

LTTE come and attack and flee away. Then the army, navy and police come and beat us.We hoped our children will be safe at least in India Fleeing villagers

J Rajeshwaree, a woman in the group, told journalist Prasad Purnimal Jayamnna that the villagers “did not even mind begging in India” if their safety was guaranteed.

The villagers blamed both Sri Lanka security forces and the Tamil tigers for their plight.

S Kumaleshan, who handled the boat said: “LTTE come and attack and flee away. Then the army, navy and police come and beat us.We hoped our children will be safe at least in India".

The villagers said they wanted live a “free life” where no shell and claymore bomb attacks.

Shelton Fernando was among the fishermen who rescued fleeing villagers.

“We initially thought it was a LTTE boat. We were afraid. But we heard shouting for help and we saw woman and the children in the boat,” he said.