OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT

The main development over last week was an escalation in shelling, this time in and around the Forward Defence Localities (FDL) West of Omantai crossing point. Three air attacks were furthermore reported in connection with some ground operations in the area.

 

According to the LTTE the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) attempted a forward movement on 15 March near Kallikkulam (West of Omantai). Casualty figures are unknown. Shelling in Vanni continued in the North and Southeast and one air attack was reported north of Elephant-pass. There were reports of confrontation between the parties on the ground on the northern FDL, but it seems to have been limited and casualties were low.

 

In Jaffna mass abductions, disappearances and killings continue. No proper investigations are made into these killings by GOSL, even though they are taking place close to heavily guarded sentry posts and areas.

 

Tension is high in Vavuniya due to the intensive shelling on the FDL mainly northwest of the town but both the Security Forces and the LTTE have been reported shelling over the FDL West and East of Omantai crossing point.

 

There have been four abductions in Vavuniya most likely performed by the Security Forces in and around checkpoints. One person was released again. Few people move around Vavuniya town and shops close early. Harassment and extortion by unidentified armed groups continue but the high level of crime and harassment is being replaced by more common war-like events. One claymore killed a home guard on Trincomalee road.

 

Mannar has stayed calm in spite of tensions in the district. A child in Mannar town was injured by a Navy soldier in a shooting episode, and an SLA soldier was killed by the LTTE on the FDL. After the extensive shelling west of Omantai a large number of people have sought refuge in the Madhu area around the shrine where the LTTE has abducted three youngsters and attempted to take several others in the IDP camp in Madhu.

 

The situation in Trincomalee has been calm apart from two assassinations and a couple of abductions. According to GOSL military operations against the LTTE are still ongoing north of Trincomalee. Monitors have noticed some troop movement and it seems that GOSL is strengthening its position in the northern part of the district.

 

According to UNHRC 835 families (2733 total) of IDPs have arrived in Trincomalee district this week. They are expecting more IDPs to arrive next week but not in large numbers.

 

In Batticaloa district the SLAhas been on the offensive against the LTTE controlled areas with the main focus on Thoppigala area. There has been very heavy mortar shelling, artillery firing, MBRLs and air strikes in the district during the week. MBRs were being fired at least every 20 minutes for many hours a day for at least four days causing people to flee their homes in the LTTE controlled areas. Early in the week parents of school children and hospital staff demonstrated to 233 Bge in Batticaloa town about the offensives since they were disturbing education and the caretaking of the sick.

 

Numbers of causalities due to the operations in the East remain unclear but it could be that the number of killed and injured this week is much higher than has already been reported.

 

In Batticaloa district the number of IDPs is reported to be around 140 000. Resettling of IDPs is in progress and SLA has been transferring IDPs back to their home areas. IDPs in Batticaloa have delivered two letters to SLMM seeking assistance to not be forced to go back to Trincomalee district.

 

SLMM received complaints about ten persons being abducted this week in Batticaloa, seven of them claimed to be abducted by TMVP and three claimed to be abducted by the Sri Lankan Army personnel.

 

Two claymore incidents took place in Ampara district killing in total five Special Task Force (STF) personnel and injuring one STF and four civilians. Two soldiers were furthermore seriously injured by a landmine. In an operation in Pulumunai on 11 March four STF were reported killed and ten injured.

 

One LTTE cadre was shot by the police and one Tamil man was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Akkaraipattu. SLA arrested six persons under suspicion this week, one of which was shot and injured.

 

Since Friday 16 March the SLA has banned all crossing over to the LTTE controlled areas but people are allowed to enter the GOSL areas from there.

 

 

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

SLMM is working on establishing a new operations centre in Negombo. Head of Mission had a meeting with the Head of the Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi and then headed with his entourage to Trincomalee district office to meet with both international and national staff. A team of monitors was dispatched to Vavuniya district. Monitoring activities were limited due to shelling on the FDL West of Omantai crossing point. Support functions are fully operational at HQ Colombo.