Thousands flee fresh Lankan fighting

At least two civilians were reported killed and many more wounded since the main Tamil Tiger group launched a major offensive Friday to re-take territory held by a renegade regional commander just south of here, officials said.

The main civil administrator in the Batticaloa district, C. Punyamoorthy, estimated the number of people who fled their homes in the troubled areas was in excess of 11,000.

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"About 4,000 have moved to school buildings, but others have gone to safer areas to live with their friends or relatives," Punyamoorthy said. "We are making arrangements to provide them with rations for three days."

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had begun handing out emergency relief supplies such as plates, cups and other cooking utensils.

"We are getting manpower from the local Red Cross society to help with the distribution," ICRC spokesman Sukumar Rockwood said amid a lull in fighting.

Military sources said only sporadic firing was heard overnight after intense battles Friday afternoon near the coastal town of Vakarai, which appeared to have fallen to the main rebel group.