NEW DELHI: An estimated 3,000 civilians have been killed since hostilities between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) resumed in 2006, Amnesty International, quoting the United Nations, has said in a report.

The report, "Sri Lanka: time to play by the rules," said more than 2,15,000 persons were displaced internally since April 2006.

"Neither the Government security forces nor the LTTE appear to be taking adequate precautions to protect civilian lives. The 2002 ceasefire agreement is effectively in tatters, with analysts referring to the situation on the ground as an undeclared war."

Asserting that the human rights situation in the country deteriorated sharply throughout 2006, the report said: "Unlawful killings, recruitment of child soldiers, abductions, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations and war crimes had increased."

A pattern of enforced disappearances in the north, east, and Colombo re-emerged since early 2006. This had taken place despite presidential directives in July 2006, requiring the security forces to issue receipts for arrested persons and passing information to the Human Rights Commission within 48 hours. It specifically mentioned the role of the breakaway LTTE group headed by "Karuna" as also being responsible for the abductions.

"Reports of torture in police custody have also raised concerns and emergency regulations, introduced in August 2005, which allow for people to be detained for three months at a time and up to a period of 18 months if they are suspected of being connected to any unlawful activity, remain in force," the report said.

The Amnesty has demanded that an international, independent commission of inquiry be established to investigate past human rights' abuses, investigation of two "emblematic" incidents of enforced disappearance or extra-judicial executions and the conviction of those found responsible for such crimes.

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