The Sri Lankan army opened up an escape route in the 3.5 sq km new safety zone (NSZ) along Mullaithivu coast. It is expected that around 3000 civilians could have fled from the area. However, it is said that there are still hundreds waiting to escape from the NSZ.

The General Officer Commanding the 58 Division Shavindra de Silva told a newspaper, “We hope to facilitate the release of all the stranded citizens in the current phase of the operation.”