CNN News update on Sri Lanka - 16 May 2009

CNN News update on Sri Lanka - 16 May 2009

Stench of dead bodies permeate Vanni, wounded allowed to die without treatment

An uncounted number of dead bodies between 2,000 and 3,000 are lying all over the places in civilian congested area and the civilians are all struck by a heavy stench of dead bodies, said a volunteer doctor from Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal. "Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has destroyed all medical facilities by targeted attacks, and the SLA was continuing inhuman and indiscriminate attacks on civilians providing only two options, death or surrender," he added. The volunteer doctor himself witnessed more than 100 deaths Saturday morning. All the government doctors and the top officials have fled the shelling. Civilians are in shock at the continuing carnage in Vanni.

"We need a pause from continued cannon and mortar fire to treat the wounded. There is a serious need for external medical crew to take care of the seriously wounded, who are allowed to die without medical attention," the volunteer doctor told TamilNet over a satellite phone.

"Above all, the wounded and the remaining civilians need food and water urgently. There are people dying within the bunkers without food."

Meanwhile, the veteran doctors T. Saththiyamoorthy and S. Varadarajah, who are the Regional Directors of Health Services of Ki'linochchi and Mullaiththeevu districts and the Additional Government Agent K. Parthipan have entered Sri Lanka Army controlled territory, sources in Colombo said.

Both Dr. Sathyamoorthy and Dr. Varadarajan have been recommended by the UN for special honours for their part in carrying out their professional duties under difficult and trying conditions in the war front so far.

Earlier, the government defence spokesperson and minister Kehiliya Rambukwella told journalists in the Colombo that the two doctors were not attached to the Government service.

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