Jan 31, Colombo: The United Kingdom government today welcomed the Sri Lankan government's move to allow safe passage for civilians trapped in the north and now it is up to LTTE to allow the civilians to leave for safety.

Foreign Secretary of UK, David Miliband said "The announcement that the Sri Lankan government will allow safe passage for civilians in northern Sri Lanka is very welcome. The LTTE now need to ensure that civilians wishing to leave the conflict area are able to do so."

In a statement released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Milliband said the government of Sri Lanka has a responsibility to ensure that the legitimate concerns of all communities in Sri Lanka are addressed.

Announcing £ 2.5 million in emergency humanitarian aid to civilians caught up in the conflict, Secretary Miliband said it is essential that the UN, ICRC and other agencies are able to carry out their crucial work without fear or threat to their security for the aid to reach the people in need.

Full statement by Foreign Secretary Miliband as follows:

"The announcement that the Sri Lankan government will allow safe passage for civilians in northern Sri Lanka is very welcome. The LTTE now need to ensure that civilians wishing to leave the conflict area are able to do so.

I repeated my call for a humanitarian ceasefire when I spoke to President Rajapakse yesterday. Our conversation covered the military situation, humanitarian needs, the responsibilities of both government and LTTE, the role of the international community, and the vital requirement of a serious political process. I made clear the British Government's deep concern over the humanitarian situation. Too many innocent lives have already been lost. Many more are still at risk.

Douglas Alexander has announced an additional £2.5m in UK emergency humanitarian aid to civilians caught up in the conflict. But this aid must reach those who need it most. It is essential that the UN, ICRC and other agencies are able to carry out their crucial work without fear or threat to their security. Both sides need to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.

The Government of Sri Lanka has a responsibility to ensure that the legitimate concerns of all communities in Sri Lanka are addressed. There is a necessity for a new drive for political engagement of all Sri Lanka's communities if peace is to be established on a sustainable basis."