COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — U.N. chief Ban Ki-Moon appealed today to a triumphant Sri Lankan government to “heal the wounds” from three decades of civil war by turning its victory over the Tamil Tiger rebels into a fair and lasting resolution of the Tamil minority’s long-standing grievances.
The United Nations secretary-general, arriving in the capital early this morning, also said he would ask the government to give greater access to the refugee camps to the U.N., the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international relief organizations. The camps are home to more than 300,000 people.
“Now that the long decades of conflict are over, it is time for Sri Lankans to heal the wounds and unite without regards to ethnic and religious identity. That is why I am here as secretary-general of the United Nations, to offer help, whatever I can do,” Ban said.
He was met at the airport by the foreign minister and walked a red carpet, saluted by a military honor guard of soldiers in white uniforms.
Ban’s 24-hour visit was to include a stop at a hospital and the biggest relief camp, Manik Farm, about 6 miles north of the town of Vavuniya.
Aid agencies have complained that the Sinhalese-dominated government was restricting access to the camp, allowing in only essential supplies of food and water. Epidemics of chicken pox and skin diseases were sweeping through the camp and hepatitis was a growing problem because of poor sanitation, the Oxfam aid agency said.
Most vehicles have been prevented from entering the camps. The military says it is concerned that Tamil rebels may be hiding among the refugees and would try to escape if there were heavy traffic in and out.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had been allowed to speak Thursday with three government doctors who ran an overwhelmed makeshift hospital in the war zone and were detained by the government on accusations that they gave false information to the media about civilian casualties.
Ban said his first priority will be “to ensure that humanitarian assistance is given to many displaced persons” by gaining the “unimpeded access” of U.N. agencies and humanitarian workers.
