By DPA,
Colombo : Aid agencies suspended withdrawal of staff from conflict zones in northern Sri Lanka, following strong protests from civilians in the region, a newspaper said Sunday.
United Nations agencies and other organizations started pulling out Tuesday to comply with orders from the government as fighting intensified in the rebel-controlled northern part of the country.
The government cited safety concerns in directing them to recall their staffs.
But civilians protested outside aid agency offices in Kilinochchi, 320 km north of the capital, The Sunday Times newspaper in Colombo reported.
UN spokesman Gordon Weiss was quoted as saying the agencies were forced to suspend the pullout due to the protests and were in the process of negotiating with the civilians.
“We have kept the government informed about the situation and also have informed the UN headquarters in New York and are awaiting advice,” he said.
The government wanted the pullout to take place immediately, and the UN and other agencies started moving their staff, vehicles and heavy equipment out of the rebel-controlled area earlier last week.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Tamil rebels were instigating the people to carry out the protests, as the rebel themselves were under pressure due to ongoing military offensives.
Government troops have been moving towards the rebel strongholds including the Kilinochchi town, where Tamil guerrillas have their political headquarters.
Troops earlier captured rebel-held areas in the eastern province and have been focusing on re-taking the northern region.