OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

SLMM has noticed an increase in tension again at the Forward Defence localities (FDL). Military buildup is reported to be taking place in the north; in Nagarkovil, Muhamalai and Pallai areas. In the FDL in Jaffna shelling increased and large number of targeted assassinations at the same time took place. 5 civilians and one perpetrator were killed when a bomb went off prematurely. 

 

A difficult humanitarian situation in Jaffna prevails. Fishing restrictions will continue due to security and the Sri Lankan Navy is on high alert.

 

In Mannar one hand grenade was thrown at a police/SLA sentry point, one ex-LTTE cadre was killed and an incident occurred in Mulikulam where the Sri Lankan Navy from Kalpitiya followed a boat that did not stop and later confiscated the boat.

 

In Vavuniya one Tamil was killed, who had alleged links with LTTE. There were two hand grenade attacks and two claymore attacks during the week. One soldier was killed and 6 injured. One police man was injured in the hand grenade at the house of a TNA parliamentarian.

 

In Trincomalee a spate of killings took place. There are reports of an ongoing power struggle between the LTTE and the TMVP inside town boundaries.  There was some activity in the northern area of Trincomalee (north of A12) with a mortar attack launched from the jungle by the LTTE towards a Sri Lankan Army base. 24 LTTE Trincomalee cadres reportedly surrendered to the SLA in Mahindipura and Selvanagar but SLMM has only obtained the names of 7.

 

Batticaloa is tenser than the week before and SLMM received complaints of 8 killings and 17 abductions (there of 3 children). Numbers are bound to be much higher as parents of abductees have been threatened by the perpetrators to no report to police or international organizations.

 

An air strike was conducted in Vakarai. About 35.000 IDPs in Vakarai area are directly affected by these attacks. Shelling continues every night and morning and also during the daytime making it very difficult for NGOs and SLMM to enter the area. SLMM had to cancel a trip up there once this week, and both ICRC and UN have cancelled their convoys to the area on numerous occasions over the last few days.

 

In Ampara three killings were reported, 2 of which were LTTE cadres shot dead by the Special Task Force in Thirukovil. New clashes occurred in the northern part of the district. SLMM received complaints and heard of 42 abductions, including 15 children. This includes the mass abduction reported on the 4 November, causing tension in Thambiluvil. Real figures are likely to be higher.

 

The A 9 road still closed, tension is building up again in the Vanni area. The humanitarian situation has detoriated during the last week with less than 40% coverage of food distributed to people in need.

 

In Vanni there were some arial bombings during the week, the worst resulting in 5 civilians being killed in an attack next to Kilinochchi General hospital. The Sea-Tiger base at Kiranchi was attacked from the air, reportedly for the first time. The air raids have created fear among the civilian population and as fighter jets flew over town the following day people were seen running in all directions for shelter, and patients were fleeing the Hospital.