SUMMARY

Artillery operations continued throughout the period in the north, and a MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) struck and damaged the Customs Office, located 3 kms north of the Omantai check point on 18 July. The SLMM visited the area and could not find any military targets to be hit.

 

Street violence in Jaffna continued through extortion, assassinations and abductions. Youth and businessmen were targeted as violence picked up compared to previous week. In Vavuniya, the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) vacated its main office as a result of the operation undertaken by security forces last week (ref. SLMM Weekly Report 9-15 July). Other political organisation felt unsafe too, and some had given its guards arms since they did not trust the protection offered by the police.

 

The SLMM initiated inquiry to accusations that the LTTE demanded every family residing within their area of control to contribute at least one member to the group. During the last week the SLMM had received two complaints on child recruitment in the area of Mannar.

 

The situation in the eastern regions turned less tense after the SLA operation in Thoppigala was scaled down. However, the east was shaken when the Eastern Provincial Chief Secretary was assassinated on 16 July. The incident led to 23 arrests, and the investigation was still in progress with eight people detained.

 

The security forces were still carrying out some minor operations in Thoppigala.

 

 

Eastern Region

 

Military Operations:

According to the Batticaloa Police Division, three LTTE cadres were killed in a clash with the SLA close to Valaichenai on 20 July. In the same location, the SLA killed a suspected LTTE close to the local army camp.

 

One captain in the SLA was killed during a clash between the SLA and the LTTE south-east of Kantale on 17 July.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Some abductions were reported in the area. A 15 years old boy was abducted and shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kaluwankerny on 16 July, while a male member of the Civil Volunteer Force (CVF) was abducted in Gandhigar, close to Trincomalee on 19 July at 19.30pm.

 

On 17 July at 5pm a middle-aged man was shot dead by unknown perpetrators in Thampalakaman, located 20 kms south-west of Trincomalee.

 

Between 16 and 17 July the SLMM received four complaints on arrests related to the assassination of the Eastern Provincial Chief Secretary.  

 

 

Northern Region

 

Military Operations:

The use of MLRS caused damage to the LTTE Customs Office situated 3kms north of the Omantai check point, which defined the line between the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and LTTE controlled area, on 18 July.

 

Shelling continued throughout the period from the military installations based close to Vavuniya town towards LTTE controlled areas.

 

The LTTE carried out an operation in Neelachcheanai on 20 July at 3am, claiming to have killed 10 SLA soldiers while losing four cadres. According to the SLA, 4 soldiers were killed and nine injured. The incident resulted in the Uliyankulam check point being closed. It opened again with a one-day delay.

 

A civilian male, age 57, was killed and a SLA soldier injured when a Claymore bomb went off in Point Pedro on 18 July at 8.15am. The operation was, according to the police, allegedly carried out by the LTTE.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

In the wake of the operation directed at the TELO office (ref. SLMM Weekly Report 9-15 July), political groups had expressed concerns related to their security in Vavuniya. The TELO had evacuated its main office, due to security issues, and other political groups had started to arm their security guards, stating police failed to provide necessary protection.

 

On 16 July, the SLMM received two separate complaints on child recruitment. Two boys, both 17 years old, were allegedly abducted by the LTTE when going to school in the morning. They were being held in the LTTE compound in Silvatturai, close to Mannar, and family members were told by LTTE officials the children had joined the group voluntarily.

 

The unrest continued on the peninsula of Jaffna, with the SLMM recording four assassinations, two abductions and one case of extortion.

 

On 16 July at 2.15pm a male, age 31, was shot dead in the city of Jaffna, with another man, age unknown, was killed two days later. A businessman, age 53, was assassinated in the city of Jaffna on 20 July at 4.30pm, while a 24-year-old male was killed on 21 July at 3.30pm. On all occasions the perpetrators were unidentified.

 

Two men were abducted in the city of Jaffna, on 16 and 19 July respectively.

 

The SLMM received complaints of extortion during the week, with extortionists demanding up to SLR 500,000 from shop owners and people with relatives abroad. On 16 July a hand grenade was thrown into one of the complainants shop.

 

 

ADMINISTRATION

A new monitor arrived from Norway. The recent arrival would be located in the HQ in Colombo. All HQ staff was now working in Colombo.