Colombo 'seeks' Indian help to rescue troops

COLOMBO, MAY 2. The Sri Lankan President, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, has reportedly sought India's assistance to evacuate at least 40,000 troops trapped by a Tamil tiger rebel advance to regain their former capital, according to a television news report today.

"Sri Lanka's first appeal has been to India," said the report on the Telshan network. There was no immediate Government response. An official close to the Indian embassy, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Sri Lankan Government had requested India's assistance.

The report came a few hours after Mrs. Kumaratunga met with top Opposition leaders to find ways to defend Jaffna from rebel occupation.

Earlier, the National Sangha Council, a group of powerful Buddhist monks, in a surprise move, demanded that the Indian military should intervene to prevent the fall of Jaffna to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The call was echoed by `The Island', a pro-Opposition newspaper, which said there was an immediate need to seek foreign assistance if Jaffna was to be saved.

- AP

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