``The government thinks security personnel may have more cover if they are transported with civilians in the same ship or aircraft. It is a highly irresponsible practice and unacceptable to us,'' said Neelan Thiruchelvam of the moderate Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF)....

His allegation came a day after a Sea Tiger attack near Mullaithivu sank a navy Dvora-class gunboat that was providing escort to the government transport ship Lanka Muditha. Sources said the ship was carrying troops and civilians from Kankesanthurai in Jaffna to Trincomalee.

The sinking of the Dvora was a clear warning to the government that the LTTE considers the Lanka Muditha a legitimate military target because it ferries security personnel. The state-run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation quoted the military spokesman on Saturday saying that the attack was aimed at the Lanka Muditha and alleged that the LTTE was now hitting out at civilians. He made no mention of the soldiers on board the ship, giving credence to fears that the military is deliberately using civilians to protect troops in transit.

An angered international aid worker said the government's policy of lumping soldiers and civilians in one category for transport was an "invitation'' to the Tigers to attack. "When civilians die in such attacks, the government calculates it stands to gain because it can then score a couple of propaganda points over the LTTE,'' he said.