OPERATIONAL SUMMARY

The Eastern Region (ER) shelling continued in the Thoppigala area throughout the week, although with decreased intensity. The presence of the TVMP is reportedly more noticeable in the region. The IDP resettlement process continued in the Batticaloa district.

 

In the Northern Region (NR) there was continuous shelling along the Forward Defence Localities (FDLs) of Muhamalai and Pallai. Tension in the southern part of the NR has increased this week, with continuous clashes taking place in Cheddikulam and areas west of Cheddikulam. Clashes have furthermore occurred in Mannar and the Muhamalai area, and shelling was reported in the vicinity of the Omanthai Entry / Exit (E/E) point.

 

 

Eastern Region

 

Military Operations:

Shelling continued this week towards the Thoppigala area, from the Valaichchenai area north of Batticaloa. The shelling was, however, less intense than previously. On Tuesday 26 June one LTTE cadre reportedly surrendered to the Special Task Force (STF) at the Palayadivettai STF camp. On Saturday 30 June LTTE cadres were observed crossing A6 from Thoppigala into Pampallagalam in the Trincomalee district, according to the Security Forces (SF). Shelling followed from China Bay and the Monkey Bridge, and consequently the LTTE cadres returned south.

 

On Monday 25 June a police constable was injured due to an alleged LTTE grenade attack in Kokkadichcholai.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Two civilians were reported killed this week in the ER. On Thursday 28 June, a TNA member and the Chairman of the Pradeshya Saba in Thirukovil in the Ampara district was assassinated in front of his house by unknown persons . In addition, a civilian was found shot dead in Sithandy in the Batticaloa district on Friday 29 June.

 

On Thursday 28 June eight Muslim civilians fishing in the Sinnavillu area were fired at by SLA. According to the SF, the Muslims were mistaken for LTTE cadres. Four of the Muslims died as result, while the four others managed to escape. On Friday 29 June a suspected former LTTE cadre was abducted in the Batticaloa district, allegedly by TMVP paramilitaries.

 

On Saturday 30 June a civilian was admitted to the Batticaloa Hospital with gun shot injuries. On Wednesday 27 June a TMVP member was injured in a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack in the Batticaloa district.

 

On Friday 29 July a lorry containing about 1018 kg of explosives was discovered in Trincomalee town by the TMVP. The lorry had been parked in the same spot for four days. According to the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) in Trincomalee, it was destined for Colombo . The LTTE denied any involvement in the incident. Security in Trincomalee town has been tighter after the explosives were discovered.

 

According to civilians, cadres of the TMVP split group are now more visible in Trincomalee town. In Batticaloa town, fear of robberies has reportedly increased lately, although the actual number of robbery cases reported to the SLMM is low. Many of the unreported robberies are suspected to be committed by the TMVP. Both in Ampara and Batticaloa the SLMM has received complaints regarding harassment and extortion by suspected TMVP members.

 

Through the IDP resettlement programme in Vavunathivu about eighty percent of the IDP families have reportedly been resettled into their original homes. According to government officials, the families that have not been resettled either decided so due to personal reasons such as their children’s schooling situation, or had to wait for their home places to be cleared of mines.

 

 

Northern Region

 

Military Operations:

Continuous shelling was observed along the FDL south of LTTE controlled area this week, mostly fired from Pampaimadu northwards to the Palamoddaikulam area. The intensity of the shelling is similar to last week. Shelling has moreover been reported from the northern part of the Jaffna costal area directed towards Pallai, with the same intensity as last week.

 

Nine SLA soldiers were killed this week, in addition to one Home Guard attached to the SLA. On Wednesday 27 June the LTTE attacked SLA positions at Avaranthalawa, Cheddikulam, and three SLA soldiers and one home guard were killed. One SLA soldier and two home guards were moreover injured in this attack. A clash between the SLA and the LTTE occurred on Wednesday 27 June at Thalladi in Mannar, after the LTTE attacked the SLA. Four SLA soldiers were confirmed killed in the attack. Two SLA personnel were killed in a claymore attack on Thursday 28 June in Vavanthurai, in the Jaffna district. According to SLMM sources, one LTTE cadre was shot dead by SLA on Tuesday 26 in Pesalai, Mannar.

 

On Tuesday 26 June a Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) managed to infiltrate a LTTE position in the Muhamalai area in the FDL and exploded a van laden with a claymore. There has not been reported any casualties. According to the LTTE the attack was repulsed.

 

On Wednesday 27 June Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was spotted over Kilinochchi town and its surrounding areas. On Thursday 28 June NR was informed about a K-fir attack along Mulaithivu coastal area; but no casualties were reported.

 

A civilian bus was attacked by a claymore mine on Friday 29 June in Cheddikulam, allegedly by the LTTE. As a result four civilians and one SLA soldier were injured. The attack happened about 100 metres away from a military camp.

 

On Friday 29 June the SLA shelled an area east of the Omanthai E/E, from the Joseph military camp at the southern entering point of Vavinuiya. The LTTE claimed that civilians travelling on the A-9 narrowly escaped; while the SLA stated that the A-9 was safe and that the shelling was retaliation to a LTTE attack. SLMM later patrolled the A-9 from Vavuniya to the Omanthai, and the area was then calm. Nevertheless, according to SLMM sources a few shells fell a few hundred metres from the check-point. Later the same day, a SLAF helicopter fired rockets towards the same area.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Three civilians were reported shot dead by unknown gunmen in the NR this week. One civilian male was found dead on Wednesday 27 June in Ganeshapuram, Vavuniya. In addition, two civilian males were shot dead in Jaffna town on Saturday 30 June.

 

One civilian male was reported missing on Monday 25 June in Kopay. The SLMM moreover received a complaint regarding a civilian male who went missing the same day in Vavuniya.

 

The situation for the population in the NR is deteriorating. When the SLMM visited a local hospital in Puliankulam they raised concern over the lack of medicine and how the limitations to cross the Omanthai E/E point is affecting the access of doctors. General concerns have moreover been raised on both sides of the Omanthai concerning rising food prices and the limited availability of necessities further north as a result of the Omanthai only being open three days per week. On a more positive note, the Omanthai E/E point was opened on Thursday 28 June to allow worshippers attend Hindu temple festivals in Kilinochchi.

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SUMMARY

The Head of Mission returned from Norway on Wednesday 27 July.

 

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 are operational. Both the Operations Centre and the Support Centre are operational.