UN envoy heads to Sri Lanka on mission to safeguard civilians

Colombo: A top UN official has headed to Sri Lanka on an urgent mission to safeguard civilians trapped by fighting as thousands of desperate war refugees escape across the front lines into government territory.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Friday that nearly 4,000 civilians waded across a lagoon overnight and broke out of the war zone, while another thousand waited to flee. He said the rebels fired on those leaving, killing four and wounding 14 others.

Hoping to end the bloodshed, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent his chief of staff, Vijay Nambiar, to Sri Lanka for a second time to try to bring the conflict to a peaceful conclusion.
Nambiar is expected to meet with top government officials after he arrives Saturday.