SUMMARY

In the Northern Region (NR) shelling along the northern and southern Forward Defence Lines (FDL) continued throughout the week. Three Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldiers were killed in a confrontation on the Jaffna lagoon on 13 October. In addition a number of casualties were reported in relation to confrontations on the southern FDL.

 

Four civilians were reported killed in the NR this week, in addition to two civilians reported killed previous to the period of reporting.

 

In the Eastern Region (ER) minor military confrontations between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the SLA were reported to the SLMM this week – some of which occurred previous to the period of reporting.

 

Killings, abductions, and disappearances continued to be reported in the ER.

 

 

NORTHERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

Shelling was heard in the areas near Vavuniya and Mannar throughout the week, while it was registered around Omantai in the beginning of the period of reporting. Shelling was also registered north of Kilinochchi. In Jaffna shelling was observed every evening and night during the week.

 

Three SLA soldiers were killed in a confrontation with the LTTE on the Jaffna lagoon on 13 October. Security Forces (SF) fired mortars on the LTTE boats, and heavy outgoing artillery fire was registered in Jaffna. In the wake of the clash, 35 fishermen were taken into custody and their fishing permits were seized for an indefinite period. Due to this incident, SF told the SLMM that the previously eased fishing restrictions had been tightened again until further notice.

 

On 9 October the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) carried out an air strike in the area of Mullaitivu. No casualties were reported.

 

On 12 October four LTTE cadres were killed in confrontations with the SF along the FDL in the Mannar district.

 

On 12 October two SLA soldiers were killed by a Claymore mine in Puloali, 28kms northeast of Jaffna city. The same day, one LTTE cadre was reportedly killed by SLA soldiers when trying to throw a hand grenade at an SLA post in the city of Jaffna.

 

In addition the SLMM received two reports of incidents occurring previous to the period of reporting, in which three SF members were injured.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 8 October a man, a member of the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), was shot dead in Vavuniya, reportedly by the LTTE. On 10 October a father (48) and son (20) was killed in Vavuniya by unknown gunmen in two separate locations at the same time. The two were owners of three shops, one of which had been burnt down two months ago. On 12 October a civilian male (58) was assassinated by two unknown gunmen in Valvettithurai, Jaffna.

 

The SLMM received two complaints regarding missing persons in the NR. On 10 October a civilian male went missing in Valvettithurai, Jaffna. In addition two underage brothers (11 and 14) were reportedly abducted in Vavuniya town, previous to the period of reporting, and are still missing.

 

The SLMM furthermore received five reports on incidents occurring previous to the period of reporting, including one person killed, one abducted, and two persons missing on the Jaffna peninsula.

 

On 8 October three men (24, 27 and 28) asked for protective police custody in Jaffna, while further three men (40), presented themselves for the same purpose the following day. On 12 October further two male civilians (35 and 38) surrendered to the Jaffna police through the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

 

The SLMM learned that the curfew in Cheddikulam, Vavuniya, ordered by SF a month ago, was still implemented. The curfew was effective daily from 1700-0600 hrs, according to official sources in Cheddikulam. An emergency curfew was implemented in Vadamaradchchi, Jaffna district, from 1900 hrs on 13 October to 0430hrs on 15 October for unknown reasons.

 

 

EASTERN REGION

 

Military Operations:

On 8 October a Claymore mine exploded in Kanchikudichiaru, Ampara district. According to the LTTE PS six SLA soldiers were killed and ten injured, while the SLA reported one killed and two injured.

 

The SLMM received reports on two military operations involving the LTTE which occurred previous to the period of reporting. One SLA soldier was injured in one of the incidents.

 

Restoration of Normalcy:

On 14 October a man, reportedly a leader of an armed Muslim gang, was shot dead in Akkaraipattu, about 25kms southeast of Ampara. According to the police the incident was a result of rivalry between Muslim armed gangs. On 10 October a man (30) was shot and injured by unknown gunmen in Kathankudy, 5kms south of Batticaloa. The following day a man (25) was shot and injured by unknown gunmen in front of his house in Sithandy, 15kms north of Batticaloa.

 

On 8 October a man (35) was abducted from his home in Thambalamagam, 30kms southwest of Trincomalee, by five men in a van with tinted windows. The man later returned home.

 

On 11 October a woman (19) was abducted from her workplace in Kalmunai, 20kms northeast of Ampara, reportedly by the TMVP. The woman was released after her mother complained to the HRC, but both were living in fear.

 

The SLMM received further two complaints regarding abductions which occurred during the period of reporting. On 10 October a man (26) was abducted from his workplace in Batticaloa by four armed men dressed in civilian clothes and police uniforms. Both the police and the TMVP denied involvement in the incident. On 14 October a civilian male (32) was reportedly abducted by unknown men in Uppuveli, about 3kms north of Trincomalee.

 

On 8 October a hand grenade exploded in the Muslim part of Valaichchenai, located 30kms northwest of Batticaloa, causing material damages.

 

In addition, three incidents occurring previous to the period of reporting were registered by the police, including two missing persons and one abduction. Further four incidents occurring previous to the period of reporting were reported directly to the SLMM, including the abduction of a man (34) in Trincomalee, and the killing of a man (31) in Kumburupiddy, about 30kms north of Trincomalee.

 

The SLMM registered less activity by the TMVP in Trincomalee, and four of its five offices appeared to have been shut down. The SLMM learned that the TMVP was in the process of concentrating their resources in Batticaloa.

 

On 10 October SLMM monitors witnessed TMVP members passing check points unhindered. Close to Kappalthuray SLMM monitors saw a convoy of five vehicles – three white vans, one white pick-up and a sedan. At the back of the pick-up two boys, about 15/16 years old, in military-like clothing were lying, partially covered by a tarpaulin. Inside one of the vans there were up to eight armed civilians. The SLMM witnessed the convoy travelling through check points. Police officials later maintained that the police was instructed to check all vehicles and arrest any armed civilians.

 

The SLMM learned that phase one of the resettlement programme in the area of Eachchilampattu is almost completed. Most mines had been cleared from where people used to live, and resettlement was being planned south of the High Security Zone (HSZ) by the end of the month.