Sept 04, Colombo: While acknowledging Sri Lankan government's efforts to improve the freedom of movement of civilians affected by the fighting in the north, United Nations officials in Sri Lanka yesterday urged the LTTE to allow the civilians to leave the battle fields for safety.

UN Country Team in Sri Lanka issuing a statement yesterday said that they have “raised with the LTTE its urgent concern that civilians be allowed maximum freedom of movement of all times."

"Measures that comply with international obligations governing the protection of civilians during armed conflict provide vital options for civilians as they make individual choices about where to seek safety and succour," the statement said.

Neil Buhne, the UN Resident Representative in Sri Lanka told IRIN, UN’s news agency that any displaced person is entitled to freedom of movement according to international principles.

"They can move where and when they want, in search of safety and assistance," he has said.

A recent UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) report estimates that 74,119 individuals (18,970 families) have been displaced since June due to the fighting between government forces and the Tamil Tigers in the north-western regions of the country.

UN officials in Sri Lanka say the displaced have moved into Kilinochchi District which is still under the control of the LTTE.

The IASC report stated that there were at least 134,868 individuals (35,353 families) displaced in the district, and more than 160,000 IDPs in the central-north area, the Vanni, controlled by the Tamil Tigers.

So far with the UN assistance, the supplies are reaching the displaced through the only entry/exit point at Omanthai, the UN Resident Representative said.

The aid officials however worry that the raging battles between the warring parties might cut off the supply line stranding the displaced with no food and other necessities.

"We continue to have access to the bulk of the IDPs, but the situation is very fluid. It is difficult for us to supply them when they are on the move," Buhne said.

Sri Lanka government Monday said the Defense Ministry has taken measures to establish a safe passage for the trapped civilians in the uncleared areas to escape to safer areas. The government appealed the masses in the rebel controlled North to come to Vavuniya saying that they have set up all the facilities for the escaping civilians.