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The Sri Lankan foreign secretary has accused the Tamil Tigers of using the civilians caught in the conflict to build a bund during the two day ceasefire period. Dr. Palitha Kohona told BBC Tamil service that the LTTE's action of keeping the civilians "hostage" amounts to a criminal act. "Holding anybody hostage is a criminal act," he said. The Sri Lanka government announced a 48-hour ceasefire for the tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the safe zone to flee fighting. But Dr. Kohona says the LTTE has not allowed the civilians to leave. "They use and perhaps conscripted them to construct and strengthen a bund along the lagoon and build further fortifications," he told the BBC. In a statement issued on Monday, the rebels called for an extension to the cease-fire. The Tamil Tigers asked for a "permanent internationally supervised truce". The foreign secretary indicated that the government has no intention of extending the two-day truce. "What is the purpose of keeping it extended if they don't let the people go?" he questioned. | LOCAL LINKS  Sri Lanka ceasefire 'a deception'Sandeshaya Sri Lanka holiday truce under waySandeshaya Sri Lanka military declares truceSandeshaya Govt. denies shelling safe zone10 April, 2009 | Sandeshaya Renewed call for Lanka truce07 April, 2009 | Sandeshaya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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