The SLMM Operation

 

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) conducted a verification and monitoring operation in the areas of the country designated by the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), from March 2002 till February 2008. The field operation was carried out mainly from the six District Offices, manned by monitors receiving complaints, making enquiries, and patrols – collecting information, and reporting to the Headquarters in Colombo.

The main operational tasks of the SLMM were to assist the Parties with the implementation of the CFA, serving as a means of communication between them, and to enquire into and report on violations of the CFA.

 

The operation

The SLMM operation commenced shortly after the signing of the CFA, with the appointed Head of Mission (HOM) arriving in Colombo for consultations with leaders of the Parties, and the arrival of monitors in early March 2002. By 8 April 2002 the six District Offices (DOs) were permanently deployed, from which the monitoring was conducted on a local level. Two Naval Monitoring teams were also established. The naval monitors accompanied the Sri Lankan Navy on patrols and escort duties, and were involved with LTTE Sea Movements sanctioned by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) – through which the LTTE transported personnel between territory in the East and the North. Naval monitoring was suspended in May 2006, following a serious incident placing SLMM monitors at great risk. Other parts of the operations were also temporarily suspended at times of particular insecurity, at which point monitors were withdrawn from the districts until conditions were considered sufficiently secure to recommence normal operations.

Local Monitoring Committees (LMC) were established in each district, in accordance with the stipulation of the CFA that urged any dispute concerning the implementation of the agreement to be solved on the lowest level possible. Under the auspices of the DOs, the Parties met in the LMCs to consult and resolve differences. The SLMM also served as a conduit between the Parties on a higher level, especially through the services of the HOM, who had an important liaison function.

A major part of the operation was to receive and respond to complaints about violations of the clauses of the CFA; from the Parties and from third parties, often civilian citizens. The SLMM monitors had the authority to conduct enquiries into incidents, though not investigate, which was the responsibility and prerogative of the local and national authorities. Enquiries, with on-site monitoring and the collection of information, could lead to a conclusion, and to a “ruling” – a declaration from the SLMM regarding violations of the CFA. The findings were communicated to the Parties. The rulings ended in 2007, at a stage where the violations were numerous and serious, while the access of the SLMM to large areas restricted; it was no longer feasible to continue the practice.

Initially, part of the SLMM operation was to observe the opening of checkpoints, the gradual evacuation of public buildings, and monitor the armed escort of military members of the LTTE travelling through government-controlled areas. The SLMM conducted regular patrols by vehicle, and in 2007 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) and Presence in District (PID) teams were established to fulfil SLMM’s monitoring role while the international SLMM staff had temporarily withdrawn from the districts to Colombo.

 

The environment

After the Parties signed the CFA, there was a considerable and notable reduction of violence. Furthermore, there was a general spirit of cooperation and the Parties worked together with the SLMM to improve the conditions for the civilian population. However, violations of the terms and conditions of the CFA continued, and some parts of the CFA were never fully implemented. As a telling tale of the development, a statement from the SLMM of May 2002 reads that “The Parties compliance with the Cease Fire Agreements is going extremely well”, whereas in a statement of January 2006, the SLMM questions whether there still was a ceasefire in Sri Lanka, and called for greater commitment from both Parties unless war was yet again to break out.

During the first four years of its existence, the SLMM operated in a relatively stable environment, monitoring and enquiring into violations of the CFA, established a good dialogue with the Parties, and assisted these in settling disputes on a local level. As the conflict escalated, it became increasingly difficult for the SLMM to monitor and enquire into violations of the CFA. Although the SLMM enjoyed freedom of movement and was guaranteed security by the Parties, the military activities in the later stages of the period prevented the SLMM from operating in large parts of its Area of Operation. The areas became inaccessible due to security reasons.

At several occasions monitors were close to shooting episodes, explosions, shelling and air strikes. Still, during the six years of operation, the SLMM suffered no casualties or serious injuries.