OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT
The situation in the northern and eastern part of Sri Lanka continued to be tense throughout the week, even though both Parties seem to have decreased their activities at the end of the week in relations with the New Year celebrations.

On Monday a big offensive took place between the LTTE and the SLA , when the latter infiltrated the LTTE controlled area just west of Omantai. It is estimated that 400 – 600 SLA soldiers took part in this attack, which was repulsed by LTTE. SLMM can confirm that at least eight SLA soldiers died, but the number is probably somewhat higher. This attack was seen as retaliation after LTTE attacked Omantai using shells the day before, killing one soldier and injuring three. Because of this Omantai checkpoint was closed around noon on Tuesday and did not reopen until Friday.

In the East the SLA announced that they had gained control of the A-5 road that runs from Badulla to Chenkaladdy in Batticaloa district. The LTTE had control over this road for the last 14 years. The SLA now claim that they have the LTTE “boxed in” in Toppigala and have stated that they are getting ready to attack them there. 

In Jaffna no significant change in the military situation has been noted during last week. No incoming shelling from the south was reported, whilst the shelling from SF positions towards and into LTTE controlled area is continuously ongoing. One assassination was reported compared to five the week before. On top of that five people were reported missing.

The situation in Vavuniya and Mannar does not seem to be getting any better and constant fighting is taken place along the FDL. Civilians are reported to be fleeing Vanni indicating ongoing shelling and fighting in civil areas on the LTTE side of the border. On Thursday seven people were killed in the Cheddikulam, there of six women. The official report from the police says that these people were killed by LTTE. The day before, four people were killed in gun fight in Kumankulam. Two other killings were reported and in addition the above mentioned conflict was ongoing around Omantai. The death tolls reported in the district last week was therefore 22. 

The situation in the Trincomalee district continues to be what has been described as cautiously calm. There were two cases of assassinations reported last week compared to three the week before. One abduction, allegedly by TMVP was also reported. Both the Police and SLA are involved in roundups and cordon searches all over the district. As a result of that, 28 arrests were made last week in Muttur, Kiliveddi, Palaiytoo and Trincomalee town. 

In Batticaloa and Ampara a lull in attacks was observed from both LTTE and SLA . This week, compared to the last week the number of people killed has dropped somewhat, from 23 to 11. On the other hand 14 cases of abductions were reported, compared to five the week before. On top of that there were three cases of grenade and gun-shot attacks which sometimes resulted in injuries of civilians. Ampara Police area experienced unprecedented move of three high ranking Police officers in three different Police Stations. This has been attributed to the bombing of a civil bus in Ampara on 2 April.

In Kilinochci and Vanni the week was marked by repeated air strikes. All in all seven air strikes were reported, where of four took place on Thursday. No casualties were reported by LTTE from these attacks, indicating that the targets were LTTE military installations. Jets were reported to circle over Kilinochci town on their way to the target making the over all situation there quite tense.

The fact that SLA seems to be gaining control of more and more former LTTE controlled areas in the east is a matter of great concern. High ranking government officials have stated openly that their objective is to drive the LTTE out of the east. At the moment actions are following their words. In the East an increasing number of reports of shelling from GOSL controlled areas towards LTTE controlled areas are reported, possibly indicating that an escalation in the conflict is upcoming.

 

OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES
One PID trip was undertaken last week, where SLMM monitors went up to Jaffna .

The office in Trincomalee remains open as usual. SLMM has two monitors in Kilinochchi ensuring the line of communications with the LTTE. The new operations centre in Seeduwa is now fully operational. Support functions are fully operational in Colombo HQ.