Aug 28 Colombo: Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that the government had provided all the necessities to the civilians who fled the Tamil Tiger rebel held areas.

At a press conference held in Colombo this morning Defence Secretary pointed out that this year nearly thousand civilians had fled the Tiger controlled areas.

“We are especially delivering the food and medical items daily to these civilians, who are mostly lodged in Vavuniya at the moment,” Defence Secretary said.

He stressed that there is no shortage of food and other essential commodities for those civilians. “Government sources have clarified that the mechanism which controls the supply of food and medicine to those areas are functioning perfectly,” he added.

According to the defence sources, civilians are fleeing the Tiger held areas daily and seeking protection of security forces.

Defence Secretary hoped all those who have been displaced in the conflict would be able to report to Vavuniya soon as all facilities for them will be provided there. A campaign will be launched to alert the civilians in uncleared areas to report to Vavuniya. Immediate relocation of the IDP's will be commenced afterwards, he explained.

United Nations and other aid organizations say nearly 190,000 people have been displaced due to the escalating war.