The Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Le Luong Minh, confirmed Vietnam’s stance at the council’s informal meeting on Sri Lanka held in New York on April 22.

The council members heard reports on the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka, which were presented by the UN Under-Secretary General, Vijay Nambiar, who visited Sri Lanka last week, and Sri Lankan Representative to the UN, Ambassador H.M.G.S. Palihakkara.

Mr Minh applauded the Sri Lankan Government’s endeavours to evacuate tens of thousands of innocent civilians from the conflict area. However, he also expressed concern about the safety of numerous civilians still trapped in the battle zone.

The ambassador emphasised Vietnam’s views that in all conflicts, concerned parties must take measures to protect civilians, abide by international humanitarian law and facilitate humanitarian operations.