Strictly continuing zero casualty policy:

Rescue mission continues

*No ceasefire

*No cessation of hostilities

Combat operations of the Security Forces have reached a successful conclusion, said a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The humanitarian rescue mission, however, to free the remaining 15,000 to 20,000 held hostage by the LTTE will continue until the last civilian is rescued.

With the success of the world’s largest hostage rescue operation, the Security Forces have been given strict instructions by the Government to refrain from the use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties. This directive coincides with the zero civilian casualty policy pursued by the Government through out its humanitarian operations.

“This is the same and an extension of what the Security Forces have been continuing since the fall of Mullaitivu, as terrorists resorted to taking thousands of civilians as hostage,” a senior defence official said.

There is no ‘cessation of hostilities’ or a ceasefire as interpreted by certain media, said the official.

Over 180,000 civilians who were held hostage by the LTTE have been rescued since January. Of them nearly 115,000 were freed since the beginning of the rescue mission that begun on April 20, 2009.