As civilians pour out of the war zone in northern Sri Lanka, seeking safety in temporary displacement camps, the need for medicines, food and shelter is growing quickly says World Vision.

Hundreds of civilians are being killed and seriously injured in artillery and gun attacks as the Sri Lankan Army attempts to eliminate the remaining LTTE rebels trapped in a shrinking "no fire" enclave.

The executive secretary for justice and peace of the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka has been arrested by a terrorism investigation unit of the government in Colombo.

Catholic aid agency CAFOD has said it fears a new humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka following a recent escalation of ongoing violence in the north and east of the country.