OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
This week was marked with continued tension in the northern part of Sri Lanka , especially in Vanni where SLAF conducted air strikes on almost daily basis. 

In the East tension decreased with less shelling being reported and GOSL forces have scaled down their operations after capturing Kokadichcholai and the A5 road. There are claims that the LTTE has withdrawn to the Toppigala jungle but at the same time there are still numerous reports of LTTE attacks taking place in different parts of the East. 

In Jaffna two assassinations were reported during the week, three were reported missing and one abducted. This is similar to previous weeks. At the same time the shelling decreased and tensions in Jaffna town and the surrounding areas subsequently has gone down and the situation is described as calm.

In Vavuniya and Mannar an unusual amount of abductions were reported to the SLMM. According to reports the LTTE abducted 43 fishermen from Mannar area but later released 29. In addition, six young men were abducted from the Mannar region, also allegedly by the LTTE. 

Three men were shot dead in Vavuniya town, one of which was allegedly a PLOTE member. One suspected LTTE cadre that was taken by police in Mannar for interrogation swallowed a cyanide capsule and died. Four others were reported killed and six injured in a number of different incidences.

The situation remains calm on the surface in the Trincomalee district. During the past week 33 civilians were arrested in five different places in Trincomalee by police and army but most were subsequently released. It was reported that four persons were injured in various assaults/ shooting incidents. One complaint concerning an abduction of adults was received and one assassination was reported, where a Muslim male was shot dead in Kinniya. 

In Batticaloa and Ampara an unusual lull in attacks was noted with fewer reports of confrontations and shelling. Despite this, the number of people killed did not decrease. Most of the reported shelling took place in the Northern part of the district, especially close to Valaichchenai. All in all 18 people were reported to have died in different incidents in the area, compared to 11 last week and 23 the week before. SLMM furthermore received reports of 12 abductions compared to 15 the week before. Mobile networks in Batticaloa continue to be down. In Ampara, however, the connection was restored during the week.

Overall, the general situation in North and the East is still very tense and unpredictable. There are reports of military build up by the SLA close to the northern FDL and in the Mulaithivu area. It is expected that tensions will continue to be quite high in the coming days and weeks.