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

This week of reporting was again marked by a high number of civilian casualties in the Northern Region (NR), most significantly with a civilian bus being hit by two Claymore mines on 5 December in Kebithigollewa, 23 km southeast of Vavuniya. Furthermore frequent shelling and heavy confrontations between the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) took place along the Forward Defence Localities (FDL) resulting in several casualties on both sides. The security for civilians is affected by the daily shelling in Mannar and in the areas surrounding Muhamalai. The situation for civilians in the Jaffna peninsula remained serious with continued killings of civilians and furthermore, 11 civilians surrendered through the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna during the week, fearing for their lives.

 

The SLMM is concerned about the situation in the Eastern Region (ER) where a total of 22 civilians, including seven children, have been abducted according to reports received this week. According to information received by the SLMM TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) was involved in 18 of the cases. Furthermore, seven civilians were killed in the region this week.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Continuous shelling and confrontations occurred during the week along the northern and southern FDL. Shelling was heard from areas around Vavuniya, but the intensity of the shelling decreased compared to previous weeks. However, daily heavy shelling was reported from Mannar and from areas surrounding Jaffna town and Palaly in the Jaffna peninsula.

 

Confrontations between the SLA and the LTTE were reported from several locations along the southern FDL; in the Mannar area clashes took place in Adampan on 3 and 5 December, in Narikkulam on 4 and 5 December and in Sinnasippikulam on 5 December. Frequent clashes also took place in the Cheddikulam area, 25 km southwest of Vavuniya town, and the SLA confirmed that eight SLA soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in the area on 2 and 5 December. On 5 December five SLA soldiers were killed when their tractor drove over a pressure mine in Cinnachippikulam, 7 km southeast of Cheddikulam, and one soldier was   injured in the incident. On the same day three SLA soldiers were killed in a confrontation that took place in the same area.

 

It was reported that confrontations took place along the northern FDL in Muhamalai on 3 and 5 December; in Nagarkovil, about 30 km east of Jaffna town, on 5 December; in Kilali, about 25 km east of Jaffna town , on 4 December; and in Jaffna Lagoon on 3 December. It has not been possible to confirm the number of casualties from these incidents.

 

According to SLMM information the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed areas in Mullaithivu and in Mankulam on 6 December. No casualties were confirmed.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

The security for civilians is affected on both sides of the southern FDL.

 

On 5 December a bus in Kebithigollewa, Abhimanapura, 23 km southeast of Vavuniya, was hit by two claymore mines. 16 civilians were reported killed and 21 injured in the incident, according to information received by the SLMM.

 

In Vavuniya civilians continue to be affected by the conflict. Searches are taking place within Vavuniya town, the number of police checkpoints has increased and civilians are frequently stopped and searched by the SLA and the police. On 6 December a joint cordon and search operation by the SLA and the police was conducted in Vavuniya with all entries into the town being closed for an hour. Increased shelling and military activity north of the Mannar area has led to frequent closing of the A 14 road and making travelling to and from Mannar difficult and at times dangerous.

 

The SLMM has received complaints regarding harassment and extortions in Vavuniya this week and a complaint regarding the disappearance and feared abduction of three civilian males that left the airport in Negombo for Vavuniya on 6 December and have not been heard from since.

 

The restriction of movement through Omanthai was suspended on 5 December, as was the temporary suspension of train services to and from Vavuniya.

 

The increased security measures imposed at the checkpoint at Medawachchiya, about 25 km south of Vavuniya, after the bombing in Nugegoda, Colombo, are still in place making it difficult for INGOs to travel through.

 

In Jaffna six killings were reported to the SLMM during the week. On 4 December a civilian male (32) was shot and killed in Sinnakadai, in Jaffna town. On 6 December two civilian males (22, 55) were shot by an unidentified gunman in Sandipilay, Mallakam Magistrate. On the same day two civilians were shot in their home in Anandapuram, Nallur division. A male (18) died immediately and the other one, a male (22) was critically injured and later died due to his injuries. On 9 December one civilian male (27) was shot dead in Eralai West, Mallakam, 16 km from Jaffna town.

 

One abduction was reported to the SLMM the past week, when one civilian male (37) was taken from his home in Thavady South, Kokuvil, Malakam, 7 km from Jaffna town. The SLMM received a report about an abduction taking place prior to the period of reporting.

 

During the week 11 people surrendered through the Human Rights Commission (HRC) due to them fearing for their lives. On 3 December one civilian male (25) from Naavalai, Chavakachcheri surrendered through the HRC. On 6 December, five civilians, one male (21) and one female (32) from Mallakam and Chankanai division and three men (26, 27, 30) from Sandipay, Kopay and Jaffna Town surrendered. On 7 December three civilian men and one boy (15, 18, 19 and 37) from Sandiplay, Kopay, Jaffna town and Nallur surrendered. The   surrendees came to the SLMM office; the boy escorted by his mother. On 9 December one civilian male (39) from Mallakam surrendered through HRC.

 

The SLMM received two reports regarding disappearances of civilians. On 3 December a male (22) from Kodikamam was reported missing and previously to the week of reporting one male (40) from Nallur was reported missing.

 

The SLMM was informed that the number of fishing permits that was restricted due to the incident that took place in the Jaffna Lagoon 13 October, has been increased from 350 to 1000 from 5 December.

 

FORUT resumed its field operations in the Vanni this week.

 

A protest against the targeting of ambulances in the Vanni was staged by Government health workers in Kilinochchi town on 6 December.

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

No military operations were reported to the SLMM this week.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

The SLMM received reports concerning seven persons killed in the ER this week.

 

On 3 December the police recovered the body of a civilian male (53) reportedly summoned by members of the TMVP office in Mylampaveli, about 11 km north of Batticaloa, previous to the period of reporting.

 

On 4 December a civilian male was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kaluwankerny, about 5 km northeast of Eravur.

 

On 6 December a TMVP member (31) was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Arayampathi, about 7 km south of Batticaloa.

 

A man (23) was shot and killed by unknown gunmen on 9 December in Akkaraipattu, 24 km southeast of Ampara. The victim was abducted by the LTTE on 26 October 2006 and held for three months. An attempt was made on his life in October this year. The same day two men (20, 37) were killed by a group of armed men in an IDP camp in Kokkuvil, about 4 km north of Batticaloa. Furthermore, on 9 December a body of a male, age unknown, was found by the police in Thihilivettai, about 22 km north of Batticaloa.

 

There has been a sharp increase in the number of abductions in the ER this week, especially in Ampara District. In all, the SLMM received information regarding 22 abductions during the period of reporting in addition to five previous of the period of reporting. There were seven children among the abductees.

 

The following abduction cases involved underage children:

 

On 2 December, previous to the period of reporting, a boy (14) was abducted by two unknown perpetrators in Pethalai, a suburb 2 km east of Valaichchenai. The next day, however, the perpetrators were arrested by the Security Forces (SF) and the boy released.  

 

On 4 December a boy (17) was abducted by four TMVP cadres on motorbikes and taken to the TMVP office in Karathievu. The same day another boy (17) was reportedly abducted by TMVP cadres in Vinayagapuram.

 

On 5 December two boys (10 and 12) were abducted by an ash coloured van in Eravur, about 14 km north of Batticaloa. The children managed to escape and contacted the Kathankudy police; later the Eravur police handed the two boys over to their parents.

 

On 6 December TMVP members reportedly abducted a boy (17) in Komari, 41 km south of Ampara. The same day a child (12) was abducted by two persons suspected to be TMVP cadres in Sungankerny, about 30 km north of Batticaloa.

 

In all, three civilian males were abducted in Karathievu, 17 km northeast of Ampara, and Thirukoil, about 35 km southeast of Ampara, on 4 December. A man (18) was abducted in Karathievu by two perpetrators on motorbikes reportedly belonging to the TMVP group. A second man (19) was reportedly abducted by two TMVP cadres on motorbikes in the same village. A third man (22) was also reportedly abducted by two TMVP cadres in Karathievu.

 

On 4 December a civilian male (22) was summoned by the TMVP to their office in Thirukoil, 35 km south of Ampara, where he was held. The same day a civilian male (32) was abducted in Urani, 4 km north of Batticaloa. Another person was abducted by three TMVP cadres on motorbikes and taken to the TMVP office in Vinayagapuram, Akkaraipattu. A third civilian male was reportedly abducted by the TMVP and taken to the TMVP office in Vinayagapuram, Akkaraipattu. A fourth civilian male (18) was reportedly abducted by two TMVP cadres in Thandiadi, 48 km from Ampara, also on 4 December.

 

On 5 December two civilian males were abducted in separate incidents in Kalmunai, 47 km northeast of Ampara, reportedly by four TMVP members. The same day a civilian male (53) was abducted in Mylampavely, about 10 km north of Batticaloa, reportedly by the TMVP. The same day a fourth man (39) was reportedly abducted in the same village by a group of armed men. A fifth civilian male (20) was reportedly abducted by three TMVP cadres in Sinnathottam, Thirukoil, also on 5 December.

 

On 6 December a civilian male (75) was abducted by unknown persons in Valaichchenai. The same day a civilian male (27) was reportedly abducted by the TMVP in Vinayagapuram, 36 km south of Ampara. He was transferred to the Thirukoil TMVP office.

 

On December 9 a woman (31) was abducted by a group of unknown armed men at the Pillauarady junction, about 5 km north of Batticaloa. She was later found by the Special Task Force (STF) in Satharukondan, about 6 km north of Batticaloa.

 

In addition, the SLMM received information regarding five civilian males (19, 22, 25, 30, 32) abducted previous to the period of reporting in the ER.

 

The SF conducted several cordon and search operations in Trincomalee town during the week.

 

According to the police the operations were just regular procedures to establish the registration of inhabitants. The Ministry of Defence has instructed the SF to register everyone in the district and issue family cards for them.

 

 

ADMINISTRATION

Five new SLMM monitors arrived. Three are assigned to the Northern region and two to the Eastern region.