Tread with care in civilian areas

The fall of Kilinochchi was probably inevitable as many experts are predicting that the Sri Lankan government's battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could be reaching its culmination.

The government forces must, however, be mindful that human casualties are kept to a minimum. The Tigers may be low on morale but the campaign certainly has not ended with Mullaitivi and Elephant Pass next on the agenda.

The local population must be protected even as they are being liberated. The government's policy of forming a humanitarian corridor for food and medical aid is thus commendable. More importantly, it is time for LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to study his options by negotiating a complete surrender and decommissioning of weapons by his cadres. An efficient conduit should be created for the commencement of fresh peace talks. It is important for the Tamil people who can be rehabilitated in Sri Lanka's social fabric.