UN estimates of deaths in the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Press konferentsiiBoris Volhonskiy29.04.2009Chem the battle between the Sri Lankan authorities and the separatists? According to UN estimates, during the civil war in Sri Lanka between government forces and militias "Tamil Tigers" that lasted almost 27 years, died from 80 to 100 thousand people, reported Agence France-Presse. Officially the end of military operations against the separatist government of Sri Lanka announced on May 18.
Shortly before it was announced the elimination of the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Velupillaya Prabhakarana and other leaders of the movement. Later, at a refutation of the death of rebel Prabhakarana. However, May 19, on television Sri Lanka were shown images, confirming the loss of head movement.
The Government began a major military operation against Tamil separatists in January 2009. The rebels suffered a series of defeats, and by mid-May under their control was only a small area on the northern coast of the country. During the final phase of operations by international organizations, primarily the UN, accused the government forces in the massive use of artillery against the Tamils and the "massacre", because the shelling had died hundreds of civilians.
The army, in response accused the "tigers" in exaggerating the number of deaths and the use of civilians as human shields. "
Founded in 1976, the group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was aimed formation of an independent Tamil state in northern Sri Lanka. In 1983 he started a civil war. In some periods of confrontation "tigers" have been able to control up to one third of the island. The group was recognized as a terrorist organization in many countries, including the United States, Canada and EU countries.