At least nine patients were killed and 20 injured when artillery shells hit a crowded hospital in Sri Lankas northern war zone,sparking fresh concerns over security of trapped civilians. The hospital,situated in rebel-held territory of Puthukkudiyiruppu in the Wanni region and housing around 500 patients,suffered direct hits in two separate shellings on Sunday afternoon,aid agencies said on Monday. The shells,which fell into the paediatrics and womens wards other than a kitchen and a chapel,killed nine patients and wounded 20,Red Cross spokeswoman Sarasi Wijeratne said. Were shocked that the hospital was hit,and this the second time in recent weeks, Head of the Colombo delegation of ICRC Paul Castella said in a statement. The Sri Lankan army denied any involvement in the shelling and blamed the Tamil Tigers. In clashes elsewhere,46 LTTE cadres were killed and two senior members of the outfit injured as the troops moved to capture the remaining rebel-held areas supported by air raids by fighter jets in the fringes of Mullaittivu,the military said. Security forces captured two Sea Tiger rebels as they were about to blow up a reservoir near Kilinochchi,officials said on Monday. They admitted that if the Tigers had been successful,the Lankan army as well as its armoured columns would have got bogged down in mud and water,which the Tigers had planned. The detonation would have caused the destruction of the tank bund,flooding an entire land mass wrecking havoc,triggering a humanitarian catastrophe,what would have been the worst ever in recent history,a military official said. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa held out an olive branch to the Tamil Tigers,asking them to lay down arms after which they will be readily accepted and treated humanely. The President also warned the LTTE that it will not be able to stop the march of the troops to clear the remaining areas held by them in the war-torn northern region. The whole country has united against terrorism and no one will be able to stop the forward march of the troops, Rajapaksa said,addressing a rally in Hanguranketha in support of the ruling United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidates contesting the Central Provincial Council elections. The President said all facilities would be made available for the LTTE cadres who lay down their arms and surrender.
