OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT  

The situation in the East of Sri Lanka was relatively quiet the past week, whereas the North of the island has witnessed an increase in shelling and several air strikes. The civilians still experience a grave lack of security, and both civilians and the Sri Lankan Security Forces are victims of numerous attacks.

 

There has been shelling across the Northern and Southern Forward Defence Lines (FDLs). The SLA shelled twice across the Southern FDL last week. The LTTE shelled the Headquarters of 53 DIV on 14 February, causing casualties among high ranking SLAofficers. SL Forces carried out air strikes and artillery shelling on three different days, hitting targets in Killay, Pallai, and Nagarkovil in the North of Vanni. Vessels from the Sri Lankan Navy also fired at targets in Vadamarachchi East. Except for the above episodes the shelling across the Forward Defence Lines remained sporadic.

 

The humanitarian situation in Vanni is still grave, especially for the people affected by the Tsunami and the fishermen. Both groups are in need of food aid. Fishing has all but stopped, as the fishermen are afraid of being fired upon by the SLN. The hospitals in Vanni are in great need of fuel and medical supplies.

 

The shelling in Batticaloa district has decreased in intensity, and is still concentrated around the Vavunatheevu area where the LTTE is suspected to have attacked the STF camp, resulting in the injury of 12 officers and three civilians. The situation in Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts remains mostly calm, and the Sri Lanka Army and Police report that LTTE cadres are still moving northwards in the jungle areas. There was one claymore attack in Valenchchenai, killing one soldier.

 

One large claymore attack was carried out in Jaffna last week. Apart from the claymore attack in Chavakatchcheri on 23 January 2007 no other attack with this kind of pre-planning has been performed in the Peninsula since the beginning of the year. Weapons caches are continuously found in the peninsula, which together with the professionalism behind the claymore attack, is an indicator of increased activity. Jaffna was moreover the scene of five targeted killings.

 

The situation in Vavuniya remains very tense due to continued violence against civilians and the Security Forces. There is an increased presence of both SLAsoldiers and LTTE cadres in Vavuniya town. Three civilians were killed and two injured, whereas one member of the security forces was killed.

 

Abductions are still taking place in Batticaloa, Vavuniya and Jaffna. There are reports of ten abductions in Pesalai near Mannar over the past 20 days. Fishermen in Pesalai have reported seeing four plastic wrapped bodies floating in the sea. It is not known whether these bodies are related to the abductions. Three adults were abducted in Jaffna.

 

 

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITES  

SLMM is currently fully staffed. Most monitors are based in Negombo. In the past week one PID (Presence in the District) team was sent to Trincomalee, and one to Batticaloa. SLMM currently has one team in Jaffna. SLMM is preparing to send a PID team to Vavuniya and Mannar toward the end of the week.

 

The Liaison Office in Kilinochchi is permanently staffed. Support functions are fully operational at HQ Colombo.