Army closing in on remaining separatists

Sri Lankan troops closed in on separatist rebels in an ever-shrinking coastal war zone, as two prominent guerrillas surrendered and tens of thousands of refugees clutching their belongings fled the fighting in boats.

The UN Security Council demanded that rebels stop using civilians as human shields and expressed deep concern at the plight of the non-combatants trapped by the fighting.

Photos released by the military showed that the sandy beaches north of the five-mile-long combat zone were filled with ethnic Tamil civilians.

Mothers held infants and others carried sick relatives as they sailed to government territory with a navy escort.

The fighting and the surrender of the two officials may be an indication that the guerrillas are feeling pressure from the army’s months long offensive to end the 25-year-old conflict. The rebels had previously ignored the government’s calls to surrender.

The rebels’ former media spokesman, Velayutham Dayanithi, whose nom de guerre is Daya Master, and an interpreter for the group’s political wing, known only as George, turned themselves over to government forces.

The two played prominent roles in talking to the media and visiting foreign diplomats in a now defunct peace process brokered by Norway.

The former spokesman is the most senior rebel official to surrender so far, the military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, said.

Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, ruled out a pardon for the reclusive guerrilla leader Velupillai Prabhakaran if he is captured alive by advancing government soldiers.

Mr Rajapaksa said Mr Prabhakaran “must now face the consequences of his acts”.

The United Nations and humanitarian groups called for an immediate stop to the fighting so more people could escape, as concerns rose for the thousands of ethnic Tamil civilians trapped in the war zone.

In a non-binding statement that demanded an end to the rebels’ use of civilians as human shields, the Security Council also urged the rebels to lay down their arms, renounce terrorism and join political talks to end the war.

The separatist fighters have previously denied allegations by human rights groups that accused them of using civilians to protect themselves.

The council also urged the Sri Lankan government to abide by international humanitarian law which requires the protection of civilians in armed conflicts and to allow UN and international humanitarian agencies access to the thousands of people affected by the fighting.