The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is a civilian mission which has been set up in accordance with the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) of 2002 between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The mission's mandate is to enquire into violations of the terms and conditions of the CFA in order to assist the Parties in the pursuit of a negotiated solution to the conflict.

 

Due to the current level of conflict the SLMM focuses on major incidents and trends related to restoration of normalcy and military operations. The weekly monitoring report contains incidents that have been brought to the SLMM’s attention during the week and does not represent all incidents occurring.

 

 

SUMMARY

Military operations continued in the Northern Region (NR) this week, with confrontations along the northern and southern Forward Defence Localities (FDL). Confrontations have taken place along the southern FDL in the Mannar region, west of Giant’s Tank and Omantai, and in Muhamalai along the northern FDL. During the week the SLMM has noticed an increase in military activity in the eastern area of Manal Aru, Mullaithivu, Vanni.

 

In the Eastern Region (ER) instances of forced recruitment of minors continued to occur, and the general situation for civilians remained difficult.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

The SLMM received information that the following incidents took place during the week:

 

Vavuniya and Mannar:

On 17 and 19 December there were clashes in the FDL areas in Uyilankulam, Mannar district and on 18 December it was reported that clashes took place in Pokkarvanni in Vavuniya district and in Kallikulam in Mannar district. On 19 December several clashes took place at different locations in Mannar and Vavuniya Districts. The following day confrontations took place in Thalaivankulam and Kandaperiyakulam, Vavuniya District and in Mullikulam, Mannar District. On 22 December clashes took place near Uyilankulam and in Mantai West, between Mannar and Vavuniya. Clashes continued to occur in the Mannar and Vavuniya area 23 December.

 

Shelling was heard from areas around Vavuniya during the week. On 18 and 19 December there was shelling from Pompaimadu Military camp, 10 km northwest of Vavuniya town, into LTTE controlled area.

 

On 18 December a Claymore mine was detonated in Varikuttiaruwa in the Poovarasankulam area, 14 km west of Vavuniya, killing one policeman and injuring two.

 

The same day a police post was subjected to an offensive operation by the LTTE in Ulukkulam, 16 km west of Vavuniya town. The policemen at the post were not injured.

 

The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) conducted a cordon and search operation in Mannar Bazaar on 23 December at 0700 hrs, following the killing of a policeman in Mannar town on 22 December. In the operation 84 people were arrested and according to information received by the SLMM on 24 December, seven people are still kept in custody, charged with minor offences.

 

Jaffna :

Shelling was heard from different locations around Jaffna town, and the use of Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) was noticed on 19, 20 and 21 December.

 

It was reported that heavy clashes took place in Kilaly and Muhamalai during the week. Clashes were also reported in Nagarkovil on 20 and 23 December.

 

Vanni:

Clashes and increased military activity took place in Kokkuttuduvai and Kambiliyawa in the Manal Aru area, 25 km south of Mullaithivu on 20, 21 and 22 December.

 

According to reports received from the parties, three SLA soldiers were confirmed killed and eight injured in the Northern Region this week, while two LTTE cadres were confirmed killed.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

 

Vavuniya and Mannar:

On 19 December a Home Guard was abducted by the 13 Mile Post on the Mannar Road, Vavuniya, by two men riding a motorbike. The SLMM received information about one disappearance prior to the period of reporting.

 

The SLMM received one complaint regarding a woman being harassed by the Security Forces (SF) this week.

 

Jaffna :

In Jaffna one killing was reported to the SLMM this week. On 21 December a civilian male (21) was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Irupalai, about 15 km east of Jaffna town. Previous to the period of reporting a civilian male (50) was shot by unknown gunmen on 21 November in Iyattralai, Varany, about 25 km northeast of Jaffna town.

 

During the week, SLMM learned that three people surrendered through the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna. On 17 December one civilian male (68) from Point Pedro and one civilian male (26) from Chavakachcheri surrendered, and on 18 December one civilian male (36) from Meesalai North, Chevakachcheri, surrendered. The SLMM have received information that there are 223 surrendees in Jaffna at the present; 207 male, 5 female and 11 children.

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

No military operations were reported to the SLMM this week.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 19 December a civilian male (45) was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Akkaripattu, 20 km southeast of Ampara. On 20 December a civilian male (18) was shot by three unknown gunmen at his residence nearby Eravur, about 12 km north of Batticaloa.

 

In addition, the SLMM received information about one killing taking place prior to the period of reporting.

 

On 18 December two boys (14 and 15) were abducted in Komari, Thandiady, about 60 km south of Ampara, reportedly by the TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP).

 

On 19 December a man (44) was abducted from his home in Thampalagamam, about 20 km southwest of Trincomalee, by a group of armed men in a black coloured jeep.

 

The SLMM received information about four abductions occurring previous to the period of reporting. Two of these involved boys (14 and 16) abducted by the TMVP, and one case a girl (17) who was abducted by the LTTE some years ago. Furthermore, the SLMM was informed that a man who was abducted in October 2007 had been released after 15 days.

 

On 18 December a Claymore mine targeting the Trincomalee – Colombo passenger train exploded between Mollipathana and Kantale, about 30 km from Trincomalee. There was material damage due to the explosion, but no injuries to persons.

 

On 21 December a hand grenade was thrown into the premises of the INGO World Vision in Batticaloa. There was no injury to persons, but three vehicles were damaged.

 

The SLMM visited the police station in Kantale, where ten persons arrested in Eachchilampattu on 17 November are being held (cf. SLMM Weekly Monitoring Report 12 – 18 November 2007). Five minor detainees, all boys, are held in a cell separate from the adult detainees. The SLMM interviewed two under aged detainees separately.

 

The SLMM registered heavy presence of the TMVP in Batticaloa and Ampara districts, indicating that the group, despite reported internal conflicts, still has a strong position in the area.

 

The SLMM visited several places in Ampara district during the week, and found that the situation was tense, and it was difficult to interact with the civilian population. On several occasions SLMM monitors were asked to leave private premises to avoid that attention was drawn to the place.