SUMMARY

This week four Claymore mines detonated in the north, claiming seven lives. Further use of Claymores in the north during past weeks indicated increased infiltration.

 

Nine cases of extortion and harassment in Mannar were registered during the week. No payments were made, and the police claimed to have made an arrest and solved the case. Abductions were still being reported in the north, with the SLMM receiving three complaints. According to the complainants abductions were regularly carried out in broad daylight, and the victim was in one case driven blindfolded through check points. Five people were reportedly abducted in the east during the week.

 

According to SF (Security Forces) the resettlement in the east was in progress, with the process nearly finished along the A15 Road. The presence of SF was still significant, and the next step would be to de-mine the area from Batticaloa district to Uppural. However, enquiries carried out by the SLMM revealed people still felt insecure.

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Minor operations were carried out in the east, in order to prepare the area for resettlement. Some clashes between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and SF were also reported.

 

On 6 August two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers died in a clash between the LTTE and the SLA at Pankulam, 15kms west of Trincomalee, while a LTTE cadre was shot dead by SF in Akkaraiupattu, 25kms east of Ampara, on 10 August.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 11 August an Islamic leader was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Nintavur, Ampara district. A hartal was carried out in Nintavur on 12 August as a result of the killing.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Shelling from Pampimadu military base in Vavuniya district continued throughout the week, while shelling in Mannar was more frequent than earlier weeks. Shelling was also directed towards Poonaryn and the Jaffna Forward Defense Line (FDL) at the end of the period. In the morning of 6 August, six to eight mortars were fired from LTTE controlled areas toward the Uyilankulam Entry/Exit (E/E) point. Shelling occurred frequently in the area east of Madu Church, carried out by both the SLA and the LTTE.

 

Four Claymore mines killed one LTTE cadre and seven SLA soldiers and injured 20 during the week. On 6 August five SLA soldiers were injured by a Claymore mine targeted at a SLA bus in Point Pedro, Jaffna. The same day a LTTE cadre was killed in a Claymore blast close to Madu Church in LTTE controlled area. On 8 August two SLA soldiers were injured by a Claymore mine explosion 1km from the city of Jaffna. On 12 August six SLA soldiers were killed and 13 injured by a Claymore mine explosion in Thenmaraadchi, Jaffna district.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 7 August two people were killed in Vavuniya town in two separate incidents taking place within a short time and distance. In the first, a man was shot dead, allegedly as a revenge for extortion. A few minutes later a man was killed and two SLA soldiers injured in a hand grenade explosion. The SLMM arrived on the scene of the incidents.

 

Two civilians were shot dead on 7 August in Thenmaraadchi, Jaffna district.

 

The SLMM received three complaints on abductions during the week. In two of the cases the complainants pointed out the SLA as the perpetrator.

 

Despite reports the Madu Road would be open every day for the Madu Festival, the SLMM confirmed the main road was closed and would remain closed even during the festival period. The visitors to Madu would have to travel through the Uyliankulam E/E point, which opening hours would be extended from 9am to 5pm every day of the week.