By IANS,
Colombo : India’s External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is expected to arrive in Colombo late Tuesday amid reports that fighting between Sri Lankan government forces and rebel Tamil Tigers was now taking place close to areas where hundreds of displaced civilians are trapped, diplomatic and other official sources here said.
His visit comes at a time when government troops claimed that they have begun the final siege on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels after having captured their military nerve centre of Mullaitivu Sunday.
The visiting Indian foreign minister is expected to hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other top government officials Wednesday.
“This is a friendly visit that has been pending for some time,” sources close to the government here told IANS.
The UN chief and other local and foreign activist have already urged the warring parties to respect civilians and ensure their safety.
According to reports, the LTTE is now confined to Puthukkudiyiruppu and Vishwamadhu, and remain under immense pressure from the advancing troops.