Srilanka

More than 20,000 Tamil refugees enter government-controlled area in eastern Sri Lanka

Dec 19 (AP) RIDITENNE, Sri Lanka- At least 20,000 Tamil civilians have crossed into government-controlled areas in eastern Sri Lanka after being driven out by heavy fighting in rebel territory, the military said Tuesday.
Many of them crossed over using jungle paths to escape and some described being held by force by Tamil separatists as the Sri Lankan government shelled rebel-controlled villages. full story