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

In the Northern Region (NR) artillery shelling and skirmishes continued along the northern and southern Forward Defence Localities (FDL), at the Jaffna peninsula and in the Mannar – Vavuniya area. Losses are reported from both Parties in those areas. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducted air strikes in the LTTE controlled Vanni on two occasions, reportedly killing four civilians and injuring five. In addition the SLMM received reports on two Claymore mine explosions with civilian casualties in Vanni. On 22 November two Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) sailors were injured in confrontations between the LTTE Sea Tigers and the SLN, following a Sea Tiger operation against a police post in Pesalai.

 

In the Eastern Region (ER) military activity indicated that the LTTE was present in all districts; Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Military operations continued this week, with frequent confrontations between GoSL and LTTE forces along the northern and southern FDL. During the week, heavy shelling was registered on several occasions around Jaffna town and Vavuniya town.

 

There was a larger than usual confrontation in Kokkothuduvai, in the Mullathivu area on 20 November. Among the incidents reported to the SLMM from the area of Muhamalai, Jaffna, were clashes on 21 and 22 November with no casualties reported. On 22 November there was a clash south of Adampan, about 10 km east of Mannar. On 25 November there was a confrontation in Pallankulam, 7 km southeast of Mannar, and the same day an SLA soldier was killed in the Mannar district.

 

On 20, 21 and 22 November there were confrontations in Mullikulam, west of Omantai. The LTTE Peace Secretariat (PS) confirmed that three LTTE cadres were killed in the third clash. On 21 November there was a clash in Navathkulam, 3 km east of Omantai. On 23 November a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier on clearing patrol was killed by a Claymore mine explosion nearby Varikuttoruwa, about 15 km west of Vavuniya.

 

On 22 November there were confrontations between the LTTE and the SLN, following an LTTE Sea Tiger operation against a police post in Pesalai, about 15 km northwest of Mannar. Two SLN sailors were injured according to the SLN.

 

On 23 November the SLAF bombed areas near Puthukkudiyiruppu, about 10 km northwest of Mullathivu. No casualties were reported. On 25 November the SLAF bombed Tharmapuram, about 20 km east of Kilinochchi. According to the LTTE PS, four civilians were killed and five injured.

 

The SLMM received a report on one soldier being injured in an operation previous to the period of reporting.

 

Two Claymore mine explosions resulting in civilian casualties in Vanni were reported to the SLMM. On 25 November two civilians were killed in an explosion in Oddusuddan, 20 km southwest of Mullathivu. The same day an ambulance driver was seriously injured in a Claymore mine explosion in Mudkomban, 15 km west of Kilinochchi.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 23 November a civilian was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Ariyalai, in the outskirts of Jaffna town. On 24 November a civilian male (32) was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in Urumpirai South, about 7 km north of Jaffna town. The same day another civilian male was shot and killed at the University of Jaffna, in Jaffna town.

 

The SLMM received a complaint regarding an abduction which occurred previous to the period of reporting.

 

On 19 November unidentified men threw a hand grenade at a house in Chavakachcheri, about 15 km east of Jaffna town, causing material damage.

 

The SLMM received information of continued trends of extortion in Jaffna. The amount the victims are extorted for is reportedly increasing.

 

Four men (26 to 33 years old) surrendered through the HRC in Jaffna town this week, because they felt their life was threatened, according to a report received by the SLMM.

 

The SLMM enquired into the situation of the surrendees in Jaffna this week. There were currently 193 surrendees in the Jaffna region, of which 174 males and two females were incarcerated in Jaffna prison. The remaining 17, consisting of four families, are accommodated in a children’s home in Vaddukoddai. The total number of inmates in Jaffna prison was 430.

 

Due to fishing restrictions in Jaffna only a minority of the fishermen were permitted to exercise their profession every day according to information received by the SLMM. To solve this problem the fishermen work on a rotation basis. Fishing was allowed between 0700hrs and 1400hrs, and up to 1 km from shore.

 

According to official sources civilians living close to military camps in Mannar and Vankalai are facing increasing hardships due to the frequent shelling and military operations. Civilians can not sleep, they fear for their security, and children and patients are reportedly especially affected.

 

The SLMM visited one of the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps in Nanaddan, in which approximately 200 families (1000 people) live. The situation in the camp was quiet and no shortages of food or shelter were reported to the SLMM. Civilians in the camp said they were treated well and were not harassed by SLA soldiers.  

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

On 22 November a group of SLA soldiers were fired upon in Thoppur, about 10 km southeast of Muttur. The SLA soldiers returned fire, killing two men. The same day the LTTE launched an operation on a Special Task Force (STF) outpost in Bakmitiyawa, about 40 km south of Ampara. On 24 November two police officers were killed in a Claymore mine explosion near the Kalanwanchikudy police station, about 25 km south of Batticaloa.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 22 November a man (22) was killed by a Home Guard at a ferry point in Trincomalee.

 

In addition, the SLMM received reports on two killings occurring previous to the period of reporting.

 

On 25 November a police constable was injured in a landmine explosion in Bakmitiyawa, 40 km south of Ampara.

 

On 22 November a man (23) was abducted from his home in Thambalagamam, about 20 km southwest of Trincomalee, by four armed men in a white van. On 24 November a 15 year old boy was abducted, reportedly by two TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) cadres, in Thiraimadu, Batticaloa.

 

In addition, the SLMM received reports on seven persons being abducted previous to the period of reporting.

 

The SLMM received three complaints regarding harassment and threats against civilians. In one case the reported perpetrator was the LTTE. The TMVP was the reported perpetrator in another, occurring previous to the period of reporting.

 

After the Pilliyan faction of the TMVP took over the organisation in Batticaloa they have released about 20 youngsters, seven of whom were minors, according to information received by the SLMM. The youngsters were handed over to their families. All of them were working in Karuna Amman’s offices. According to SLMM sources, the TMVP had 55 youngsters in their custody under Karuna’s leadership.

 

The SLMM spoke to returning IDPs in areas west of Batticaloa, to which 9,000 IDPs are in the process of returning, and learned that the return is strongly promoted by the Government Agent (GA) in Batticaloa district, and that many IDPs have felt pressured to return. The returnees are concerned about the security situation in the area, and also about how they are going to earn a livelihood. Reportedly, they would have preferred to assess the situation in their home villages before returning.

 

When speaking to resettled IDPs in the Eachchilampattu area, the SLMM found that many feel insecure. Recent events have prompted many former IDPs to leave their homes again and relocate in the Batticaloa district, where they have earlier sought refuge.