Nov 18, Colombo: With the fighting intensifying in the northern part of Sri Lanka, 17 more civilians, escaped from un-cleared areas in Paranthan arrived in cleared areas of Vidattalpalai in Jaffna yesterday morning.

“The group on two dinghies included four little girls, one little boy, five males and seven women. There were three teenage boys among the males,” the army said.

Army troops provided the escapees with basic needs before they were sent to the IDP centre in the area.

The civilians had told the troops that the decision to quit LTTE areas was prompted due to LTTE atrocities and their attempts for conscription.