SUMMARY

Military operations in the eastern region (ER) indicated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) still had presence in the area, and that it was able to carry out military activities. Security Forces (SF) officials told the SLMM they estimated 50 LTTE cadres to be active from the jungles in Trincomalee district.

 

Confrontations between SF and the LTTE were registered throughout the week in the northwest, first in the Vavuniya area, then in Mannar district at the end of the week. Casualties were reported on both sides. These were the most constant and longest period of exchange of fire observed by the SLMM in the north since the first weekend in June when the LTTE retook the villages west of Omantai previously lost.

 

The extended opening for the Omantai Entry/Exit (E/E) point from three to five days was implemented, allowing easier flow of commodities. However, travel permits were still difficult to obtain. The fighting reported above did not affect the opening of the E/E point.

 

The situation in Jaffna was still tense, and more security measures were imposed. Issuance of ID cards for inhabitants above the age of 10 started, and registration of vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles was enforced. Most recently the authorities demanded registration of all mobile phones.

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Military incidents were registered in the ER during the week. SF claimed there were around 50 LTTE cadres operating from the jungles in Kumpuruppiddi and Peraru, Trincomalee district.

 

A pressure mine injured four police officers driving a police jeep on Karadiyanaru-Aaithiyamalai Road west of Batticaloa town on 28 August.

 

On 1 September a Claymore mine exploded in Kaayaanmadu, 12kms west of Batticaloa. No casualties were reported.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

While on patrol on 27 August, SF caught eight underage unarmed soldiers close to Ampara. Documents proved they were LTTE cadres, the youngest one being 14 years old. The children were able to meet their parents before being sent to the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) in Colombo on 28 August. While SF said the children were going to launch military operations, the LTTE said they were in the process of being handed over to civil society.

 

On 29 August a member of TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) (25) was shot to death in Uppuveli, north of Trincomalee, while another member was killed in Koththiyaapulai, 14kms west of Batticaloa, on 2 September.

 

On 29 August a man (39) was shot to death in Mahadivulwewa, located close to Pankulam in Trincomalee district.

 

On 30 August two members of Eelam People's Democractic Party (EPDP) (24, 37) were shot and killed allegedly by two LTTE cadres in Iankerny, 10kms north of Batticaloa, according to police. The LTTE Peace Secretariat (PS) denied the LTTE had anything to do with the incident.

 

On 30 August one road worker was killed when a hand grenade was thrown at a road construction crew in Uppuveli, north of Trincomalee. Further three road workers were injured, as well as a policeman.

 

On 1 September a TMVP cadre (19) surrendered to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) close to Eravur. He was later accepted in protective custody by the police.

 

A man (27) was abducted from his house in Kannankudah, located 15kms from Batticaloa, on 29 August, police reported.

 

The SLMM received two complaints during the week regarding abductions, one including a child, supposedly carried out by the TMVP.

 

The SLMM visited Vakarai, located 50kms north of Batticaloa. It was registered that a LTTE cemetery had been desecrated, and a sign explained it now being a coconut plantation.

 

Sinhalese villagers in the ER still had not been able to return to their farms due to mines being scattered on their farmland.

 

From discussions with different stakeholders the SLMM learnt that despite the calm situation in Trincomalee, the Tamil population was still discontent. It was claimed government actions resulted in growing distances between the different communities.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Ongoing confrontations between the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the LTTE in Kalikkulam, west of Omantai were registered until 29 August. Casualties were reported.

 

Shelling, at times intense, was heard from Vavuniya district throughout the period of reporting. Shelling was also reported in the Mannar area at the end of the week, and the tension was increasing in the district. Shelling took place from Jaffna into LTTE controlled area as well, with the LTTE PS reporting a count of more than 870 artillery shells fired towards their region of control from the Jaffna peninsula over a 24 hour period.

 

On 30 August the LTTE carried out an operation on the Tallady SLA base, retaliating for 80 mortars and artillery fired into LTTE controlled areas, according to the LTTE PS. SF said three SLA soldiers were killed.

 

On 31 August one Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldier was injured when an explosive device attached to a bicycle detonated in Pesali, Mannar district.

 

On 29 August two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter planes dropped eight bombs on Mullaitivu, according to the LTTE PS. No casualties were reported.

 

On 31 August one LTTE cadre and one SLA soldier were killed during an infiltration attempt into LTTE controlled area in Vilathphikulam, Mannar district, according to the LTTE PS.

 

Approximately 5,000 people from Arapu and Silvatturai, Mannar district, fled their homes due to fighting between the SLA and the LTTE on 1 September. The LTTE claimed a SF Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) detonated a Claymore mine among the fleeing civilians, and 13 people were killed.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

Concern was expressed by the LTTE PS about the new ID card system imposed in Jaffna by the SLA, suggesting the government put further burden on the population. The system, previously imposed in the city of Jaffna, was now extended to the whole district, resulting in 400,000 civilians over the age of 10 having to obtain ID card, according to the LTTE PS. During the week plans were announced to register all mobile phones as well. Vehicles, motorbikes and bicycles were already being registered.

 

On 31 August a man was killed in Thenmaradchi, Jaffna district, allegedly by the LTTE, according to the SLA.

 

The population in the village of Veerapuram still felt insecure, due to harassment in the wake of the killing of four Home Guards by the LTTE on 20 August (cf. SLMM Weekly Monitoring Report 20-26 August 2007). 20-25 families of the 500 making up the village had left, and SLMM witnessed a family moving while visiting the area. Buses avoided the official check points, and instead drove long detours in order to reach Vavuniya. The population avoided being outside after 6pm.

 

ADMINISTRATION

One SLMM monitor took office in Jaffna. The office would receive further staff in the near future.