CHA SITUATION REPORTEASTERN PROVINCE

(Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee)September 2006

General Situation

Ampara

The security situation has worsened and personal security is not assured. The media reports on incidents are partial or presented to the public with the interest of the media.

There is a shortage of water in the district due to the prevailing dry season. Though there is occasional rain in the interior of the Ampara District, the coastal belt has not had any proper rain except for a few scattered showers.

As per the report of UNHCR there are one thousand three hundred and fifty–three IDPs in the Ampara District, who had come from Trincomalee. There are thirty–three in Addalaichenai, forty–six in Akkaraipattu, four hundred and twenty–five in Alayadivembu, five hundred and fifty in Kalmunai, thirty in Navithanvelli, thirty–one in Sainthamaruthu, and two hundred and thirty–eight in Thirukkovil.

A wild elephant killed a 27–year–old father of four. The incident took place while he was watching over the crop in the paddy field. Persons engaged in paddy cultivation close to the jungle in the Ampara District are prone to wild elephant attacks. Six incidents were reported from Ampara, Puttuvil, Uranny, Sangamankandy, Oluvil and Panama this year.

Special Report

There have been more killings and abductions during the month. The worst incident was the killing of ten Muslim youths at “Eathalkulam” area.

On the 18th of September, eleven youths who had gone to renovate a tank bund did not return home. Family members of the victims have found the bodies the next day, blindfolded and hands tied. The victims’ throats had been slit and hacked with a sharp weapon. The sole survivor of the attack was admitted to the Pottuvil Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to Kalmunai. The situation in the district worsened by the next day.

The Muslim community held a protest on the 20th of September demanding that the OIC of the STF be transferred. The protesters at Periyamulla waylaid a three–wheeler transporting rations and vegetables to the STF camp; the protesters threatened the driver who was transporting the goods.

Batticaloa

Security in government–held areas of the Batticaloa District has been strengthened following a number of incidents in the east. A number of abductions and killings by unidentified group are being

1

reported. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops were deployed in the streets. Some main roads near Police station and Army camps were closed after 06.00 p.m. (DO Observation)

The LTTE Deputy Head of Batticaloa District stated that on the 20th of September, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir fighters flew air sorties over areas near residential homes in the LTTE–controlled territory in the district.

Security Issues

Adherence to, or Violation of, Human Rights Standards

Two police constables, attached to the Thirukkovil Police Station, sustained severe injuries when they were attacked at Thambiluvil. One Tamil youth was shot in the retaliatory attacks. The injured constables were admitted to the Ampara Hospital.

On the 06th of September, severe fighting erupted between the Karuna faction and the LTTE at Kanjikudichcharu, an LTTE–controlled area, when the Karuna faction attacked a LTTE camp. The attack started began early in the morning. Most civilians left the village. The LTTE insisted that they should remain and, except for the elders, all others left the village.

Tamil people living in the LTTE–controlled area of Paduvankarai, Batticaloa District face starvation and danger of health hazards due to the closure of all the entry points from government–controlled Eluvankarai. The gateways to this area are Ampilanthurai and Manmunai ferries, boat services in Kinnayady and Santhively, bridges at Paddiruppu, Vavunathivu, Chenkalady and Kiran, and access roads via Kavaththaimunai and Vaharai.

Batticaloa District Volunteer Teachers, who have been on a hunger strike and picketing in front of the Zonal Education Office on rotational basis for the last three weeks, demanded permanent appointments. The protest was held to draw the attention of religious leaders of all faiths, politicians, and Government officers, in support of their demands.

An unidentified group shot dead a woman at Vantharumoolai. The group came to her residence at Vakehouse Road, Vantharumoolai and open fired at her. The victim was a mother of four children.

The Tamil Rehanilitation Organisation (Vaharai Branch) stated that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), staying at the Palsenai Government Tamil Mixed School in Vaharai division in the LTTE–controlled area in the Batticaloa District, have been facing food and accommodation problems.

Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a former paramilitary cadre of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), in Eravur. The 28–year–old father of two was shot dead while returning along School Road in Eravur, after closing his shop for the day.

A group of paramilitary cadres, who claimed that they were conducting a search operation in the area, took three persons and shot them by the side of the road. The owner of a hairdressing saloon, and a resident of Pattiyadichenai, was brought out of his house located along School Road and shot dead. The paramilitary cadres assaulted the victim’s pregnant wife.

ICRC personnel transported two wounded civilians to the Valaichchenai Hospital. The wounded were later transferred to the Batticaloa Hospital.

2

On the 08th of September, the Sri Lanka counter–insurgency Special Task Force (STF) personnel, operating the Kaluwanchikudy–Paddiruppu Bridge, prohibited the entry of vehicles to LTTE–controlled territory in the Batticaloa District. Only Government officials, including Grama Niladhari Officers and Samurdhi workers, were allowed to entre from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) controlled areas to LTTE–controlled areas. Civilians from the LTTE–controlled area were allowed to entre SLA areas. STF personnel did not allow vehicles, including bicycles, to cross the bridge.

On the 11th of September, the Sri Lanka Police shot and killed two LTTE cadres, in an ambush, at Karuwakkerny Vikneswara Vidyalayam in Valaichenai. The Police recovered two pistols, three hand grenades and two cyanide capsules. The bodies were handed over to the Valaichchenai Hospital.

On the 12th of September, SLA and LTTE exchanged artillery fire for about one hour in Kadjuwatte located along the border of SLA and LTTE–controlled areas in Valaichchenai. Military sources stated that the LTTE launched artillery and mortar attack on SLA camp in Kadjuwatte from 10.30 p.m. and the SLA retaliated. Both sides revealed neither details of injuries nor casualties, in the fight. Residents living closer to the area had fled from their houses when the fighting erupted. Large number of SLA soldiers began a cordon and search operation in the area.

Two policemen attached to the Kaluwanchchikkudy Police Station were shot dead by unidentified gunmen while they were travelling with two other colleagues, in Batticaloa bound a passenger bus. The injured Constables were rushed to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries. Police alleged that LTTE pistol group had waylaid the bus and fired at the Policemen who were on a private visit to Batticaloa.

Unidentified persons shot dead a 35–year–old farmer, a father of two children, at his residence located at Moonkilady Road, Vantharumoolai. The victim had been also working as a tractor driver. The gang had entered the victim's house forcibly and fired at him when he did not open the door. His body was handed over to his relatives after a post–mortem at the Eravur Hospital.

Two children of displaced families from Muttur East have died of diarrhoea at the Vaharai Hospital. A displaced medical doctor from Eachilampattu, working at Vaharai Hospital, says that the IDPs in Vaharai are facing health hazards. However, a displaced person says that they are not prepared to return home, "at least until a situation that prevailed prior to April 25, is returned to our areas."

Health Needs

Ampara

A free health clinic was organised and held by the Kalmunai North Social Development Organisation, near the Masoor Moulana playground at Maruthamunai.

The Centre for Human Development in Ampara (CHDA) conducted an awareness programme on health for the IDPs who had arrived from Trincomalee. These IDPs are at the Karitivu Vipulananda Welfare Centre and at the Nathan Welfare Centre at Pandiruppu. Breast feeding, vaccinations and precautions were some of the valuable areas discussed.

Water and Sanitation

3

Canadian Agro Sustainability Programme (CASP) has planned to conduct awareness programmes on Solid Waste Management (SWM) for the schoolchildren in the Ampara District. The programme is for schools on the coastal belt of the district – Sammanthurai 3, Akkaraipattu 4 and Kalmunai 3. Two workshops have been already conducted, one at Akkaraipattu and the other at Kalmunai. A SWM coordination body has been formed. As per the Secretary of the coordination body, the response from the schoolchildren is very encouraging; the schoolteachers too are much interested in the programme.

Shelter (Types of Settlements, Building Materials Used, Space, Site Selection)

Providing permanent houses for tsunami affected people of the coastal area is in progress. Under this scheme forty–seven acres of land has been allocated in Ismailpuram. Sammanthurai has been selected and the construction of four hundred houses is underway. The German Red Cross and IMRC are undertaking the programme. Each house is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.2 million. The first two hundred houses will be handed over to the selected victims, in March 2007. Ismailpuram will become a model village of four hundred families with all the basic needs such as electricity, water and transportation facilities.

The tsunami victims of Kalmunai, Karaitivu, Sainthamaruthu and Maruthamunai will be provided with permanent houses, which will be constructed as flats. Due to the shortage of land in the Kalmunai DS area, the paddy lands in the western side are being filled with soil for the construction. At Karivaguvattai, six hundred houses will be constructed for the people of Sainthamaruthu; at Irivala Kandam four hundred and seventeen houses will be constructed for the people of Kalmunai; at Mettuvattai four hundred and twenty–eight houses for people of Maruthamunai; and at Kulaveli two hundred and fifty houses for the people of Karaitivu.

At Inspector Eatham, which is in the Pottuvil DS Division, the Netherlands Red Cross had pledged to construct eighty–three houses for those who were affected by tsunami and the war. Sewa Lanka will implement the project with Solid House Organisation. The houses are of a new structure called balloon houses. Two model houses have been constructed at Inspector Eatham.

Access to Education

Ampara

The Kalmunai Peace Foundation, which has been a link between the two communities in building peace and good relationships, is in the process of constructing Peace Pre–schools in the border areas, with funding from Watch Child Canada. Pre–schools are being constructed at Kalmunai, Kurunthayadi and Periyaneelavanai at a cost of Rs. 150,000/=.

Infrastructure

A new sub–post office was opened on the 26th of September at Sallithivu, in the Karaitivu DS Division. The sub–post office replaced the post office that was completely destroyed by the tsunami.

4

Economic Growth and Opportunities

Denmark Red Cross and Sri Lanka Red Cross are conducting vocational trainings for youth in the Kalmunai area. The courses include those in sewing, English, and computer. Sixty–two trainees who completed the course were awarded certificates. Another batch of eighty–five were enrolled, on the same day, for the next batch of trainees.

The Ministry of Fisheries will be developing the tsunami affected fishing industry in the east. The Ministry had pledged to distribute fishing accessories worth Rs. 200 million and another million as subsidy for petroleum requirements. Already 5511 boats and 9378 canoes with modern equipment have been distributed.

After cultivation, milk production is the second income generating activity in Ampara. The milk producers complain that due to the severe drought experienced this year, the production of milk had dropped by 40%. Milk production and cattle farming is the second income generating activity in seven DS Divisions in the coastal area, including Pottuvil, Thirukkovil, Alayadivembu, Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai, and Sammanthurai.

Environmental Issues

People of the Navithanvelli DS Division protested against the unauthorised removal of soil from their village. The soil is being taken to fill the selected areas for the construction of houses for tsunami victims. The protesters were complaining that the removal of soil is causing environmental pollution. The OIC of Chavalakadai Police took immediate action to stop this.

Development of Peace Constituencies (Peacebuilding Activities)

A Peace March was held on the 17th of September in Akkaraipattu. The March was organised by the CHA District Office, Ampara and the CPN. Participants from the three communities gathered opposite the CHA District Office to walk from the office to the Sri Thammarathana Viharaya, which is situated on the Pottuvil Road. At the Sri Thamma Rathana Viharaya premises, the three religious leaders were received. Each leader was given ten minutes to deliver their speech on peace and harmony. The Buddhist priest said, "we all should live together as relatives and not have any hatred towards any religion or community."; The Moulawi said that "we are blood relatives and anyone who abides by what the Koran teaches, will never hate another human being."; and the Rev. Fr. said that "we are the children of God, and we should trust each other." After their speech, the participants stood in silence, for three minutes, prayin g for peace. After the prayer, everyone left the place in silence. (A Reporter from Rupavahini and other media were present).

5

Participants at the Peace March, Akkaraipattu

6

Entering Sri Dhammarathana Viharaya

Silent prayers at the Sri Dhammarathana Viharaya

7

The four Religious Leaders

A free Legal Mobile Clinic was organised by CHA and IHR and was conducted in Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu.

8

Free Legal Mobile Clinic in Kalmunai

Free Legal Mobile Clinic in Akkaraipattu

M. Rajamoney.CHA District Officer,CHA – District Office, Ampara.

Trincomalee

General Situation

The situation in Trincomalee is very tense due to the continuous killings and abductions. The Government restricted the cargo and imposed bans on items entering LTTE–controlled areas.

9

People live in fear and parents fear for their young children. The Security Forces have put up checkpoints everywhere in the Trincomalee Town. Most parents are now trying to send their children abroad, legally or illegally, at least to India for their safety. Many people have left Trincomalee to India as refugees, and as IDPs to other parts of Sri Lanka.

Tsunami affected people are selling their temporary shelters and leave to India with the money they earn from it. The people who can afford flights have gone to India by air. Sally, once a thickly populated Tamil village in the Trincomalee District, now has only about forty to fifty families living there. People from Thirukadaloor, Sampalthivu, Sally, Nilaveli, Kumpurupiddi, 10th Division of the Trincomalee Town and other villages along the coastal areas have already left to India. Civilians and Government officers are killed daily; on average, two to three people are killed everyday. There are more SLA checkpoints.

Due to the continuous killings of NGO workers, NGOs are reluctant to send their workers to the field. This has limited NGO activities.

Though there is no artillery or firing sound in Trincomalee, the situation is worse than previously as a result of killings and abduction of innocent people. More people are leaving to other countries.

Traders and business men have closed their shops and left to other parts of the country or India. This is as a result of some armed groups that are forcibly collecting money from traders. In instances where the traders refuse, the armed groups threaten the traders.

The main problem in Trincomalee now is information gathering. People are not willing to share information for fear of their lives. Several people have received anonymous calls and as a result, have stopped lodging complaints in order to safeguard their lives.

The Security Forces and Police are carrying out search and round up operations in different areas of the Trincomalee Town and suburbs. Several permanent checkpoints have been setup to strengthen security in the district, especially in the Trincomalee Town.

Displacement – Muttur

Most Muslim families who were displaced, due to recent confrontations between the Security Forces and the LTTE in Muttur, have been relocated in Muttur. Aid agencies are assisting many Tamil families who are still in the camps in Trincomalee without basic needs. The Government has requested them to return to their homes but people are reluctant to return due to insecurity. In some areas, families gather for the night, as they feel more secure when they have company. People have requested the Government to provide them with guaranteed security for their lives, in order for them to return permanently.

The daily life of the people of Muttur has returned to normal even though there are existing fears with regard to their life. Most Tamil people have not yet returned to Muttur and this has created fear amongst the Muslims.

A team of Government officials are working hard to assess damages caused during the fighting between the LTTE and the Security Forces in Mutur. Meanwhile they are collecting information on other needs of the affected and displaced people in Mutur. A few NGOs are also involved in the

10

assessment process in Muttur. The Government information centre is operating an office in Muttur in order to collect information on affected people, their needs, and problems.

According to the GA, the Government has made all necessary arrangements to resettle the displaced people in their homes and they have also taken steps to provide dry rations to them. Now the Government is in the process to giving compensation to affected families. The Government has decided to assist families who lost their family members during the recent conflict in Trincomalee.

Some groups have circulated handbills to the Muslim Mosques and Muslim leaders, asking them to inform their communities to evacuate from Muttur before the 24th of September. The reason given was that the Security Forces were going to be heavily attacked. Scared Muslims fled the areas to safer havens. Approximately eight hundred families left to Kinniya, Kantale, Trincomalee Town, and other areas.

Human Rights Violations – IDP Rights

The STF, Security Forces, and Police carry out sudden spot checks. All travellers are stopped and their belonging and identity cards are checked for the security reasons.

Daily Events and Incidents

The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has alleged that the Government is responsible for the killing of the seventeen ACF aid workers in Mutur. (Virakesari 01–09–2006)

On the 04th of September, EHED–Caritas of Trincomalee made arrangements to hand over forty permanent houses to Tsunami victims of Kinniya.

On the 06th of September, Action Contre la Faim informed the media in Colombo that they will be stoping their operations in Tricomalee and Batticaloa. (Thinakural 08–09–2006)

The case of killing of seventeen INGO employees has been transferred to the Anuradhapura Courts.

On the 07th of September, a peace march from Selvanayagapuram to Trincomalee Town was organised by several NGOs and the Archbishop of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, Rev. Fr. Swamipillai and several other religious leaders and peace lovers participated.

The Red Cross Society has provided push cycles to the students of Uppuveli Shivananada Thapovanam to ease difficulties in transportation.

On the 16th of September, the bodies of the slain aid workers were exhumed in the presence of the Judge of Muttur and Trincomalee, for further investigations.

The scholarship examination, which was postponed, is scheduled to be held in December 2006. (Thinakkural 15–09–2006)

Most of the families who were displaced from Muttur due to recent situation, have returned to their homes.

11

UNCEF has made arrangements to renovate buildings that were damaged in Muttur by the recent conflict. A group of de–miners have begun clearing landmines in Sampoor.

Security Situation

Observance of the Ceasefire Agreement/the Security Situation/Degree of Violence/Rebellion

A Sinhalese person shot dead by unknown gun men in Thuvarankadu in Trincomalee

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Muslim three–wheeler driver at Linganagar. (Shakthi TV 27–08–2006)

Ten soldiers were seriously injured in a claymore attack at Selvanaganagarr, Thoppur. (Sooriyan FM 27–08–2006)

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Sinhala youth at Anpuvalipuramat. (Sooriyan FM 28–08–2006)

Three people were killed in Kinniya in a landmine explosion. (Virakesari 29–08 2006)

On the 02nd of September, an unidentified gang attacked a dumb youth at the Anuradhapura Junction, Trincomalee. The victim was admitted to the Trincomalee Hospital with cut injuries. (Virakesari 04–09–2006)

On the 04th of September, unidentified gunmen shot dead a 55–year–old man at Thirugnanasampanthar Street in Trincomalee.

On the 11th of September, unidentified gunmen shot dead an employee of World Concern, an INGO, at the 08th Milepost, Iqbalnagar, Nilaveli.

On the 12th of September, seven security personnel were wounded in a claymore attack near St. Xavier Maha Vidyalayam, Trincomalee.

On the 14th of September, unidentified gunmen shot dead a Rehabilitation Officer very close to the Mc. Heyciyar playground. The victim was on his way to office (Kachcheri) when he was shot.

On the 17th of September, a security force personnel, a home guard and two civilians were injured in a claymore attack on the Kandy Highway at Thampalakama, Trincomalee. In a separate incident, unidentified gunmen shot dead three civilians at Anpuvalipuram, Trincomalee.

On the 19th of September, unidentified gunmen shot dead a Tamil youth at Ganesh Lane on the Kandy Road in Trincomalee.

On the 19th of September, unidentified gunmen shot dead an employee of the Kinniya Hospital, a Muslim youth, and a Tamil youth, at the 98th Milepost in Trincomalee. (Sooriyan FM 19–09–2006)

Displacement

The UNHCR released the particulars of displaced people in Trincomalee:

12

Areas No. of PeopleKantale 24,854Town and Gravets 3,857Thampalagamam 9,495Kinniya 3,489Muttur 5,929

Total number displaced = 48,810 (Thinakkural 31–08–2006)

Various NGOs and the Libyan Embassy are assisting IDPs from Muttur and Thoppur. (Virakasari 04–09–2006)

The Minister of Rehabilitation has taken action to re–open all Government offices in Muttur. (Virakesari 01–09–2006)

On the 05th of September, heavy fighting was reported in Muttur East between the LTTE and the Security Forces. (Thinkkural 06–09–2006)

A mobile service was conducted to collect the data of IDPs in the Kantale DS Office. (Thinakkural 06–09–2006)

EHED–Caritas is assisting IDPs in camps in Kinniya. (Virakesari 04–09–2006)

The DS of Kantale stated that 15,000 IDPs have returned home from camps in Kantale. (Virakesari 08–09–2006)

The displaced people sought refuge in various camps in the Trincomalee Town. The Government Forces entered Sampoor, which was under LTTE control. Nearly 45,000 people from the area was displaced and sought refuge in camps. The Government has taken steps to resettle these people in their homes and provided buses and ships to transport people.

13