UN humanitarian chief Sir John Holmes

John Holmes concluding his three day visit to Sri Lanka told media that he was deeply concerned about tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the war zone.

"I urge both sides to do everything they can for a peaceful and orderly end to avoid a final bloody battle," he said.

Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that John Homes condemned Friday’s suicide mission by the LTTE aircraft and called upon the LTTE to avoid such activities.

Holmes also called upon the LTTE to release civilians held by them in Wanni, Minister said.

	LTTE aircraft shot down by SL security forces(SL Defence Ministry photo)

Minister Samarasinghe said that John Homes once again reiterated UN’s commitment to complement efforts of the government to look after internally displaced people (IDPs) now in government controlled areas.

“Sir John Holmes announced that UN has pledged a large sum of money to assist the government in distribution of food and welfare of the IDPs", Minister Samarsinghe said.

Protest

Members of the Tamil Diaspora in the United States have held a mass protest in Washington demanding that the US government put pressure on Sri Lanka as it pursues a major offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels there.

Organisers say several thousand people took part in the protest near the White House.

Demonstrators beat drums and chanted "stop the genocide". The rally was met by a counter demonstration by members of Sri Lanka's majority Sinhala community.