Nov 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka government today emphatically rejected the charges of humanitarian aid blockage to the displaced people in the in the Wanni region, made by the Amnesty International in its latest report released yesterday.

Issuing a brief statement Presidential Secretariat said that the government is fully aware of the numbers of persons who need assistance and it is satisfied that the maximum assistance is being provided to these people, under the prevailing conditions, especially the difficulties caused by the intransigence and brutality of the LTTE.

The statement further said that it is correct that a large proportion of the civilian population of the Wanni region who live in LTTE controlled areas are undergoing considerable hardship and suffering due to the rigid policies of the LTTE of preventing the free movement of civilians and making use of them as human shields against the advancing troops.

The government rejected the suggestion by AI to allow international monitors saying that under the prevailing situation the government sees no need for any international monitors to assess the needs of the affected Sri Lankan citizens or to carry out the effective distribution of relief already being done through the International Committee of the Red Cross, other identified relief agencies and the government machinery.

Amnesty International yesterday issuing a report called upon the Sri Lankan government to allow international monitors to assess the needs of the thousands of people trapped in the Wanni and to ensure proper distribution of food and other resources.