OPERATIONAL SUMMARY
This week, as earlier weeks, was marked by a number of air strikes in the Vanni area, most of them taking place in the beginning of the week. According to the LTTE, one of the air strikes allegedly led to the SLAF losing one aircraft, but this was denied by the SLAF. The SLA continued their operations into LTTE controlled area across the southern FDL, and one sea battle took place on the North-Eastern coast. The rest of the island was relatively calm, however a number of smaller attacks on the SF took place in both North and East.  

The main conflict zone in the Northern region this week was in the Vanni area, where six air strikes as well as three SLA lead operational movements took place. Five of the air strikes took place on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a four day break before the final air strike of the week took place on Saturday. Even though civilian settlements were hit in several of the air strikes, no casualties have been reported. As air strikes in the Vanni area have been an almost daily occurrence for the last few weeks, the fact that four days went by during the week without any attacks only served to increase the tension in the Kilinochchi district.  

In addition to the air strikes, three SLA offensive actions and one smaller reconaisance mission over the Southern FDL took place, two in the general area of Madhu West, and two West of Omanthai E/E point. So far the death of five SLA soldiers can be confirmed. There is no information about casualties on the LTTE. Increased shelling took place both on the Southern and Northern FDL throughout the week  

The rest of the Northern region was relatively calm, however with a number of dead civilians found in the Vavuniya area as well as a few search operations taking place.

On the night between 4 and 5 May, the SLMM received report of sea clash between SLN and the Sea Tigers in Northern Trincomalee district. The clash took place when SLN confronted the LTTE Sea Tigers moving in 26 boats from Nayaru to Pulmoddai. Two civilians were reported killed and five injured in the attack. According to SLN 12 Sea Tigers were recovered dead after the confrontation and 15 were injured. According to the army only two SLN officers were injured in this see clash. The SLMM has not been able to verify these numbers.  

The situation in the Eastern Region (Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara) has been similar to what it was the week before. It continued to be calm in Trincomalee and Ampara, and in most of Batticaloa district. In Valaichchenai and surrounding towns plus Toppigala the situation remain tense as it has been for few weeks. The army has the LTTE closed in in Toppigala.  

The level of shelling from Valaichchenai and surrounding towns increased at the end of the week still increasing the tension. In Ampara there is a growing TMVP presence in Pottuvil.

The number of assassinations was higher than earlier week, with nine killings reported, thereof seven in Batticaloa district. Seven abduction were also reported, thereof three abductions of children.