Sept 29, Colombo: The time given to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international NGOs (INGOs) to withdraw from LTTE-held areas of northern Sri Lanka ended yesterday, and the Sri Lankan government says that the safety of humanitarian workers remaining in rebel-held areas cannot be guaranteed further.

The Sri Lanka Ministry of Defense provided nearly three weeks’ grace period for humanitarian organizations to relocate their offices out of rebel-held areas. Many organizations including United Nations agencies were obliged to withdraw from Wanni.

Meanwhile, state security forces are a few kilometers from Kilinochchi, the LTTE’s de facto capital, and are expected to direct their attacks at the town starting today, security sources say. The town is reportedly almost empty as civilians have shifted away from the battlefield.