HRW calls on the UN to take decisive action on Sri Lanka

Meanwhile, the rebels have again accused government forces of continuing to use heavy weapons inside the zone set up to protect the civilians. The government has again denied it.

The visiting UN humanitarian envoy, John Holmes, said on Monday that Sri Lanka is facing two humanitarian crises -- the safety of civilians in the war zone and conditions in camps set up to house those who fled the fighting.

Earlier this week, the Sri Lankan government said its combat operations against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island have reached their conclusion - although it stressed that the war is not at an end, and there is no ceasefire.

Heavy weapons

The government said its forces had been instructed to stop using heavy weaponry and air attacks which could cause civilian casualties. A statement issued by the government said, "The priority would be saving civilians trapped in the war zone".

	Sir Holmes said Sri Lanka has not respected its pledges in the past

In a statement to the BBC, John Holmes said, "I hope that not using heavy weapons will be genuinely respected this time; which I'm afraid was not the case in the past".

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) had called for a UN inquiry on the use of heavy weapons by the government forces in recent fighting.

Referring to the recent government statement on stopping the usage of heavy weapons by its forces, Brad Adams, Asia director of the HRW say, "By finally admitting it has been using heavy weapons all along, the Sri Lanka government has shed light onto its official deception as well as its brutal military tactics,"

The HRW has urged the UN to take action against Sri Lanka.

"The UN Security Council should stop burying its head in the sand on Sri Lanka and urgently create an international commission of inquiry to look at abuses by both sides" Brad Adams added further.