OPERATIONAL SUMMARY

The Eastern Region (ER) registered military operations in the Thoppigala area throughout the week. Apart from the daily mortar and artillery fire, there were furthermore occasional air strikes by the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF).

 

In the Northern Region (NR) there was one ground military operation from the GOSL side into LTTE controlled area. Heavy shelling was reported north and northwest of the Forward Defence Locality (FDL) west of Omanthai and all the way to Madhu. Two claymore attacks were reported in Cheddikulam and the area around Pompaimadu this week. These two locations seemed to be the most critical in the Vavuniya area.

 

 

Eastern Region

 

Military Operations:

Mortar and artillery fire continued towards the Thoppigala area throughout the week. In addition occasional air strikes were reported. There was mortar and artillery fire launched from newly established military camps in Pullumalai, Illupadichchenai and Karadiyanaru, located along the A-5 road. Attacks were launched from Sir Lankan Army (SLA) camps within Valaichchenai area north of Batticaloa town as well. The government forces claimed to be in control of most of the Thoppigala area.

 

A sea battle took place off the Pulmodai coast between the LTTE Sea Tigers and the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) on Sunday 8 July. Both the LTTE and the SLN claimed that the other Party attacked first.

 

On Wednesday 4 July Special Task Force (STF) officers from Kannahipuram were reportedly fired upon by LTTE cadres. The STF retaliated, and on inspection the next day, the STF found two dead bodies with gunshot injuries. On Saturday 7 July another alleged LTTE cadre was shot dead by SLA soldiers in Eravur.

 

According to the Peace Secretariat (PS) of the LTTE, the LTTE killed a SLA major and five soldiers in a mortar attack on Friday 6 July in the Thoppigala area. Seven soldiers were injured in the same incidence. The numbers were confirmed by the SLA. On Friday 6 July a SLA soldier was injured in an anti-personnel mine explosion in Vaharai.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Four civilians were reported killed in the ER this week. On Monday 2 July a civilian was killed in Chenkaladi by an unknown armed group. On Wednesday 4 July, an ex-LTTE cadre was killed by an unknown armed group in Mandoor. A civilian male was abducted by unknown armed persons in the Uppuveli area on Tuesday 3 July; his body was recovered later. On Saturday 7 July a civilian female was murdered by five unknown persons in Kokkadichcholai.

 

In addition four civilians were reported to sustain gunshot injuries; one of them underage. On Tuesday 3 July a civilian male was seriously injured after being shot by an unknown person in Kanniya, Trincomalee. On Wednesday 4 July a civilian male was admitted to the Batticaloa hospital with gunshot injuries. The same day a civilian boy was admitted to the Batticaloa hospital with gunshot injuries as well. On Sunday 8 July another civilian male was admitted to the Batticaloa hospital after being shot by unknown gunmen.

 

The conflict between different political groups continued in the ER. On Wednesday 4 July a member of the TMVP died due to confrontations between the TMVP and the EPDP.

 

The SLMM received a complaint regarding harassment of a female former LTTE cadre by the STF.

 

 

Northern Region

 

Military Operations:

Continuous shelling was registered from Pampaimadu directed northwards into LTTE controlled area. No casualties were reported in these shellings according to the LTTE. Mortar and artillery fire has moreover been registered continuously along the FDL of Muhamalai and Pallai throughout the week.

 

Heavy shelling was heard from the Joseph SLA base in Vavuniya northwards into LTTE controlled area in the beginning of the week. The shelling continued with increasing intensity towards the end of the week.

 

On Tuesday 3 July three SLA soldiers were killed in a claymore attack near an army camp in Kandapuram in Cheddikulam. On Thursday 5 July three SLA soldiers were killed and ten wounded in an infiltration attempt between Pampaimadu and Uyilangkulam according to the PS LTTE. The SLA, however, claimed that one SLA soldier was killed and ten injured in the clash. The PS LTTE furthermore stated that two LTTE cadres were seriously injured in the clash.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Five civilians were reported killed in the NR this week. One civilian was killed in a claymore attack on the A 30 approximately 3 km west of Vavuniya on Thursday 5 July. Furthermore, street killings in Jaffna continued this week. The majority of these assassinations were carried out by unknown perpetrators on motorcycles. On Thursday 5 July, two civilians were found dead near Poowarasankulam by the police. On Friday 6 July a civilian male was killed by unknown perpetrators at Point Pedro Road. In addition the perpetrators reportedly abducted his son. On Sunday 8 July another civilian male was killed by unknown gunmen north of Jaffna town. Moreover a policeman was injured by unknown gunmen in Jaffna town on Tuesday 3 July.

 

The SLMM visited Mannar this week, in order to carry out an assessment of the general situation in the region. According to SLMM sources, transport restrictions were hampering deliveries, and prices on various goods had increased. Restrictions on fishing were creating problems for those attempting to get two catches a day. Fuel shortages and lack of spare parts furthermore led some fishermen to engage in illegal activities.

 

Approximately 2,000 internally displaced families in the Madhu region depended on humanitarian aid. There were plenty of hospital supplies, but a lack of medical personnel. There were few acts of violence in the region, and religious groups were cooperating well.

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SUMMARY

The Head of Mission went to Kilinochchi on Wednesday 4 July for meetings with the Peace Secretariat (PS) of the LTTE. He updated the PS on the organisational adaptations the SLMM has made, and requested more information from the PS on current issues. The response from the PS was positive, and several concerns regarding the development in the country was raised. A weekly meeting with SCOPP was held on Thursday 5 July, followed by a joint statement from SLMM and SCOPP.

 

The SLMM received seven new monitors this week. One would take the position of Head of the Eastern Region, and three others would be located in the ER. Two would be employed in the Operation Centre, and one in the Support Centre.

 

The NR was operating from Vavuniya, while the ER was operating from the Operation Centre. All six district offices as well as the Liaison Office in Kilinochchi were operational. Both the Operations Centre and the Support Centre were operational.