The Sri Lankan military has blocked a United Nations aid mission from entering the area where the Sri Lankan military continues to attack Tamil Tiger separatists. Some 50,000 civilians are believed to be trapped in the conflict zone. John Holmes, the UN humanitarian affairs chief, failed in his attempt to bring a halt to the fighting.

John Holmes: “I think our view is that the key point is, when this conflict comes to an end and however it ends, and it’s much better if it ends without more civilian bloodshed, then there’s a real need to address the political issues, to find solutions to the political problems which underlie all this, and to react in a generous way to make sure that you not only win the military victory, but you win the peace, as well. And that’s obviously — that’s crucial.”

Meanwhile, Sweden’s foreign minister has been refused entry to Sri Lanka. Carl Bildt, was due to visit Sri Lanka on a European mediating mission aimed at bringing about an immediate ceasefire between the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE. On Sunday, the Sri Lankan government rejected a Tamil Tiger call for a unilateral ceasefire.