Timeline

January 2009

Following a breakdown in talks between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the government of Sri Lanka, Colombo announced it had formally pulled out of a ceasefire agreement on 2 January 2008. A sporadic shadow war had now grown into an all-out military offensive, with Sri Lanka’s military having greatly expanded and garnered international support.

Sri Lankan troops had surged forward and seized large swathes of LTTE territory. In the preceding months, thousands of Tamil civilians have already been killed.

For several months the military has focused its efforts on capturing the key town of Kilinochchi.

JANUARY 1

Sri Lankan Army captures Paranthan

Sri Lankan forces capture Paranthan, a strategic stronghold and the key road junction located on the A9 lifeline between Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

JANUARY 1

5 Killed, 28 wounded in Sri Lankan Air Force attacks on Murasumoaddai

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers hit a civilian settlement in Murasumoaddai three times killing civilians and causing injuries to many, confirmed reports by medical staff/authorities at Tharmapuram hospital.

Source: 1 | 2

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JANUARY 2

Offices of Tamil-owned media critical of government attacked

The offices of Maharajah Television stations in Pannipitiya were attacked with five petrol bombs. The Tamil-owned MTV network broadcasts channels in three languages and has been criticized constantly by pro-government groups as being anti-patriotic and against the interests of Sri Lanka. MTV’s Tamil language news is Shakthi, which broadcasts to the North and East of Sri Lanka. Following the attack, police refused to provide the station with additional security.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 2

Sri Lankan Army occupies Kilinochchi town

The Sri Lankan military authorities announced it had captured the LTTE’s Headquarters of Kilinochchi town. Most of the civilian population of Kilinochchi had left prior to the military’s arrival, moving with the LTTE further North-East.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

JANUARY 2

Sri lankan Air Force bombs a petrol station and bus stand close to Mullaitivu hospital

SLAF bombers attacked a petrol station and a bus depot killing four civilians and causing injuries to eight close to Mullaitivu Hospital.

Source: 1 | 2

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JANUARY 3

Second Bomb Blast in Colombo

For the second day, a bomb blasts in Colombo with two people wounded in the Pertard commercial district, and several vehicles damaged.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 3

Bombardment of LTTE Sea Tiger Base and Mullaitivu by Sri Lankan Air Force

SLAF (fighter helicopters) launched an air strike on the LTTE’s Sea Tiger base while also bombing areas of Mullaitivu. Reports point to the potential use of cluster bombs during these attacks.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 3

White van abducts Tamil woman in Vavuniya

28 year old Muthusami Renukadevi is abducted from her relatives’ home in Barathipuram in Vavuniya by armed men in a white van.

Source: 1

JANUARY 4

Sri Lankan military flies in foreign and local journalists to Kilinochchi

The Sri Lankan military flew a group of foreign and local journalists into captured Kilinochchi. Journalists reported it being a ‘ghost town’ with infrastructure damage. Journalists also reported that the military did not show them any civilians until the end of their visit, and only then a small group of eight families they alleged had recently returned from Tiger-controlled territory.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 4

13 civilians wounded in SLA artillery barrage

Artillery shelling continues by the Sri Lankan Army and is extended to Murasumoaddai, Pu’liyampokka’nai, Vaddakkachchi and Tharmapuram, east of Paranthan and Ki’ilnochchi. At least 13 civilians are reported injured.

Source: 1

JANUARY 4

18 Tamils arrested in Colombo and Kandy

Sri Lankan police arrest 10 Tamils in Colombo and 8 in Kandy, as search and raid operations continue.

Source: 1

JANUARY 4

TNA accuses Sri Lanka of committing war crimes and genocide

“The Tamil National Alliance releases a statement, condemning the recent massacres of civilians. It goes on to add,
These measures that collectively target the Tamil population cannot be justified under any circumstances. They are not only War Crimes in contravention of the Geneva Conventions but are also a part of a policy of Genocide that the Sri Lankan State has been carrying out against the Tamil people. “

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 6

Several Tamils abducted in the East, man shot dead in Vavuniya

“19-year-old Kanthasamy Tharsan and 20-year-old Kanagaratnam Pirabananthan, who suffers from polio, are reportedly abducted by Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force in Batticaloa.
In Amparai, 25-year-old Varnakulasooriya Fernanandos and 25-year-old Saunthararajan Kiritharan are also forcibly disappeared by white vans in separate incidents.
48-year-old Kothandar Jeybalakulasingham, a father of five, is shot dead in Vavuniya.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 6

MTV media offices attacked again and destroyed

Four days after petrol bomb attacks on MTV’s media studio in Colombo, a group of at least 20 armed men attacked and destroyed the complex with guns, clubs, grenades and a claymore mine. Security personnel and staff were held at gunpoint while the attackers set fire to the control room, leaving an unexploded grenade inside. Tamil-owned MTV was seen a media company critical of the Sri Lankan government.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

JANUARY 7

SL Government re-proscribes LTTE

The Sri Lankan government has re-proscribed the LTTE as a terrorist organization, one year after it unilaterally withdrew from the ceasefire agreement. The designation was lifted in 2002 as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

JANUARY 7

US issues a statement welcoming Sri Lankan government's victories and recommending against negotiations with the LTTE

“The United States Government issued a statement affirming their support for the Sri Lankan government, welcoming their victories and saying, “[t]he United States does not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a group designated by America as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997.” It is reported that this was the American signal to Sri Lanka to move forward with the complete annihilation of the LTTE.

A leaked US embassy cable says the ban marks the final end of the already moribund peace process launched by the UNP-led government in 2002.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

JANUARY 7

UK ministers 'concerned' about impact of conflict

Lord Malloch-Brown and Douglas Alexander issue a statement, saying the UK is “concerned about the humanitarian impact of the conflict and call on all parties to abide by their obligations under International Humanitarian Law, in particular the need to ensure the safety of civilians, to allow their free movement in the Vanni and to enhance access for humanitarian agencies to facilitate the delivery of adequate supplies of humanitarian aid.”

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 7

India sends RAW recon air team to Sri Lanka

Following the Sri Lankan government’s capture of Kilinochchi town, India sent a RAW intelligence team by air reportedly to survey the conflict zone. It is unclear as to whether this was by request of the Sri Lankan government.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 7

Sri Lankan Army blocks access for ICRC to Vanni

The International Committee of the Red Cross continues to face difficulty accessing the Vanni conflict zone as the Sri Lankan army continues to shell the road blocking their path.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 8

Tharmapuram Hospital attacked

Shells hit Tharmapuram junction only 75 metres from Tharmapuram hospital killing seven people. 11 month old baby boy, Sasikaran Chudarnilavan, is amongst those killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 8

Artillery shelling in Thevipuram and Vaddakachchi

Artillery shelling in Thevipuram and Vaddakchchi killed at least five civilians and injured 15.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 8

Editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge killed

The Editor of the Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickrematunge was gunned down by men on motorcycles on his way to work. Lasantha who had been critical of the Sri Lankan government’s war tactics had been attacked on two previous occasion. In his last editorial published three days after his death Lasantha predicted his own murder saying, “

[w]hen finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 8

US Ambassador meets with Rajapaksa

US Ambassador Robert O Blake Jr meets with Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo. Rajapaksa denies any involvement in the mnurder of Lasantha Wickrematunge and claims he has “instructed the military to take the utmost care to avoid civilian casualties”.

Source: 1

JANUARY 8

Sri Lankan Army captures Palai and Sorampattu

Troops of the Sri Lankan Army’s 53 and 55 Division captured the LTTE base at Palai and moved further south taking Sorampattu.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 9

Sri Lankan Army captures Elephant Pass

After intense fighting, the Sri Lanka Army captured Elephant Pass, a strategic stronghold the LTTE held for eight years. This also meant the Sri Lankan army has gained control over the A9.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

JANUARY 9

More Tamils arrested

“The Sri Lankan security forces reportedly arrest 12 Tamil youth in Vadamaraadchi, 5 Tamils in Moneragala and another Tamil man Subramaniam Joseph in Kandy.

Meanwhile 30-year-old Nadarasa Pathmasiri is shot dead in Vavuniya, and 37-year-old K. Sivananthan is shot and wounded in Jaffna.”

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 10

Sri Lankan Government urges all citizens to register online

The Ministry of Defence has called on all citizens to register themselves either online or in person. An official for the Media Centre for National Security said, “When every citizen registered it is kind of a census and it is easy for the security forces to carry out random checking.” Already it was reported that Tamils in Colombo were being harassed and intimidated into registering with security forces for months prior to this announcement.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 10

More arrests and shootings of Tamils across island

“50-year-old Thambirasa Raveenthiran is shot dead in Batticaloa and 36-year-old Irulaandy Sivasuntharan is shot dead in Vavuniya.
16-year-old Mariyanayagam Nisanthan from Aanaikkoaddai in Valikaamam is reported missing by his mother.

More Tamils are arrested in Mt Lavinia, Badulla and Bandarawela.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 10

'Food situationin Vanni is critical' - TRO

The Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation says convoy routes are “shelled or become impassable due to the monsoon rains” leading to massive shortages and “no buffer stocks… due to restrictions and embargoes”.

Source: 1

JANUARY 11

LTTE and Tamil civilian population withdraws towards Mullaitivu

Following the Sri Lankan army’s capture of Elephant Pass and Kilinochchi town, the LTTE and Tamil civilian population are reportedly withdrawing to Mullaitivu. The Sri Lankan army has announced it is now turning the attention of seven different divisions on this cornered population, 53, 55, 57, 58 and 59 of the Army and 03 and 04 of the Special Task Force.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

JANUARY 11

Sri Lankan army fires artillery shells in vicinity of Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital

SLA fired artillery shells that killed four displaced civilians, residing in the settlement located behind the hospital of Puthukkudiyiruppu in Mulalaiththeevu district. Meanwhile, artillery barrage on Vaddakkachchi and Pu’liyampokka’nai in Ki’linochchi district continued, disrupting the access roads for civilians to move away from the areas that have come under artillery barrage, which has caused injuries to at least 40 civilians.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

JANUARY 11

Tamils arrested in Palai and Colombo

Six Tamils were arrested in the Katunayake high security zone in Colombo, whilst 9 women, 20 men, and 4 children were arrested in Jaffna.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 12

Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital attacked again

Artillery shells fell in PTK hospital injuring two patients Monday morning.

Source: 1

JANUARY 12

Deputy British High Commissioner visits Jaffna

Deputy British High Commissioner Mark Gooding visits Jaffna “to review the humanitarian and security situation”. He meets with military and paramilitary leaders.

Source: 1

JANUARY 12

TRO issues urgent appeal to 'cease all bombing'

The Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation says convoy routes are “shelled or become impassable due to the monsoon rains” leading to massive shortages and “no buffer stocks… due to restrictions and embargoes”.

Source: 1

JANUARY 13

PTK Hospital shelled again

For the third day in row, PTK hospital was shelled killing one and wounding six. Patients fled to wards seeking shelter.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 13

Heavy fighting destroys Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts' remaining hospital facilities as tens of thousands flees further East

Doctors in the conflict zone report that following attacks on Ki’linochchi and Mullaiththeevu districts, there has been a loss of usable, sustainable facilities in the major District Hospitals. Doctors and remaining government staff have fled east with the civilian population, setting up makeshift clinics and hospitals as injuries continue to increase.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 13

More Tamils arrested and missing

16-year-old Nagaraja Nirojanan is reported missing from Thenmaraadchi, 21-year-old Poobalasingam Jay Prasanth is reported missing from Wellawatte in Colombo and Sinnathamby Jaily Atputhanathan is reported missing from Wattala in Colombo. A Tamil woman from Kilinochchi is arrested in Uva Paranagama.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 13

Religious leaders in Vanni say 'a great huamn tragedy has exploded'

Religious leaders in the Vanni write to the United Nations calling for “immediate action to stop this senseless war”. They say 491,000 Tamil civilians remain trapped in the conflcit zone.

Source: 1

JANUARY 14

13 civilians wounded in SLA shelling

Reports that the Sri Lankan army is firing artillery shells targeting civilians who have been moving from other areas of the Vanni towards Puthukkudiyiruppu, causing injuries to 13 civilians.

Source: 1

JANUARY 14

Army completes Jaffna takeover

The last remaining strip of LTTE-held land on the northern Jaffna peninsula is now in government hands, the Sri Lankan administration reports after the Sri Lankan army captures Chundikulum, the land mass linking Jaffna to the mainland. Several LTTE cadres were captured during the fight over Chundikulum with at least senior ranking cadre reported to have been killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

JANUARY 14

Prime Minister Gordon Brown states need for ceasefire

Answering a question from MP Keith Vaz during British Parliament Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated there is a need for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka and that he would be raising the matter with French President Nikolas Sakorzy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 15

Shelling in Udayarkattu, Visuamadu and Puthukkudiyiruppu

Shelling in a a number of villages along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu road has resulted in multiples injuries and casualties. Reports say that the Sri Lankan army is now advancing from both sides of the small area in the Vanni the LTTE remains in control of and heavy shelling is causing many casualties. The UN reported that six people were injured close to the Assistant Government Agent’s office in PTK, while 40 were injured in the market area in Thodyady Visuvamadu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

JANUARY 14

"Army 'completes Jaffna takeover'"

The last remaining strip of LTTE-held land on the northern Jaffna peninsula is now in government hands, the Sri Lankan administration reports after the Sri Lankan army captures Chundikulum, the land mass linking Jaffna to the mainland. Several LTTE cadres were captured during the fight over Chundikulum with at least senior ranking cadre reported to have been killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

JANUARY 14

Prime Minister Gordon Brown states need for ceasefire

Answering a question from MP Keith Vaz during British Parliament Wednesday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated there is a need for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka and that he would be raising the matter with French President Nikolas Sakorzy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 15

Shelling in Udayarkattu, Visuamadu and Puthukkudiyiruppu

Shelling in a a number of villages along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu road has resulted in multiples injuries and casualties. Reports say that the Sri Lankan army is now advancing from both sides of the small area in the Vanni the LTTE remains in control of and heavy shelling is causing many casualties. The UN reported that six people were injured close to the Assistant Government Agent’s office in PTK, while 40 were injured in the market area in Thodyady Visuvamadu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

JANUARY 15

Gotabaya accuses Tamil media of 'terrorism', US warns against arrest of MTV station manager

Sri Lanka’s defence secretary claims the editors of a Tamil-language newspaper group that publishes Sudar Oli in Colombo and Uthayan in Jaffna are engaged in “terrorism”. A leaked US embassy cable reveals how the US ambassador also intervened to protect MTV station manager Chevaan Daniel from possible arrest.

Source: 1

JANUARY 15

Massive displacement of civilians' says ICRC

“In a rare public statement, the ICRC says “in the districts of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, more and more civilians abandoned their homes and shelters and fled combat areas in December”.

“Unfortunately, there is almost no area left in that part of the country where people can be safe from the ongoing hostilities.”

Source: 1

JANUARY 16

Shelling on remaining LTTE-controlled territory intensifies

The Sri Lankan army is reportedly now using indiscriminate artillery, multi-barrel and mortar fire on the shrinking territory held by the LTTE in Mullaitivu with Puthukkudiyiruppu at its centre. The area is reported to hold 250,000 civilians with casualties increasing. Sri Lankan artillery attacks on overcrowded Kaiveali and Koampaavil, and also on Visuvamadu, from where civilians were fleeing Friday, killed five civilians.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

JANUARY 16

UN Convoy travels to Puthukudiyiruppu

The UN Convoy, which would end up being the last one, travelled to PTK with 58 trucks of food from the World Food Programme, six international staff and five national staff. The Convoy had received permissionf from both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan military.

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 16

Sri Lankan military forces launch attacks from the East in Tharmapuram and from the South in Chundikulum

The Sri Lankan military is continuing to attack from both sides of the LTTE-controlled territory. The LTTE reports state that the military is being held at bay, but the military reports heavy casualties to the LTTE.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 17

Indian Foreign Secretary states support for Sri Lankan government

The Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse Friday and “reaffirmed India’s cooperation with Sri Lanka in the attempts to eliminate terrorism from Sri Lanka and the region.” He also stated, “that at present the relations between India and Sri Lanka have never been so close, so warm and so deep.”

Source: 1 | 2

JANUARY 17

Several killed in heavy shelling of Visvamadu

As the Sri Lankan military launches a heavy offensive on Visvuvamada and the outskirts of Kilinochchi at least 18 civilians were killed and dozens injured.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3

JANUARY 17

Make-shift hospital in Punnaineeraavi school comes under artillery barrage

Despite medical authorities providing coordinates of the Kilinochchi hospital makeshift clinic at Punnaineeraavi school through the ICRC, the premises came under artillery barrage Saturday. Among civilians fleeing the surrounding area two were killed and six wounded.

Source: 1

JANUARY 17

Abdcutions and murder of Tamils continues

22-year-old Ramachchandran Ravichandran and Kulanthaivel Krishnaraj are shot dead in separate incidents in Moneragala. Another Muslim businessman Mohamed Lebbai Safi Hasan is shot dead in Batticaloa. The TMVP is accused of abducting 30-year-old Seentihamby Subaj from Amparai.

Source: 1

January 18

Assault on Visvuvamadu continues killing several civilians

Heavy shelling in Visuvamadu continued for the second day killing 9 civilians and injuring at least 40.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 18

50,000 soldiers surrounding 1,000 LTTE cadres says army commander

Sri Lanka’s army commander Sarath Fonseka says there are 50,000 soldiers battling against just 1,000 LTTE fights, at a dinner he hosted in Colombo.

“When the war started, I used 50 map sheets to plan it. Now I only need one sheet to plan it,” he boasted. “Soon you will see the final outcome of the war against the LTTE.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 18

Another Tamil youth shot dead

23-year-old Rasiah Selvarajah of Moopanawela Estate in Moneragala district is shot dead.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 19

Vallipuram hospital attacked

Shells landed in the yard of Vallipuram hospital in the vicinity of a makeshift ward treating outpatients. Six were injured. The Government of Sri Lanka had been made aware of the makeshift ward and specifically the GPS coordinates were provided to General Fonseka, commander of the army, and Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Security Force commander for the Vanni.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 20

Heavy shelling in villages along A35 Parathan-Mullaitivu Highway between Visvumadu and Puthukudiyirrupu kills at least 18 and injures over 50

Heavy shelling in Visvumadu, Thevipuram, Vallipuram, Suthanthirapuram and near Udayarkattu killed at least 18 people, injuring over 50. The areas along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu road were heavily populated with internally displaced populations moving towards Puthukudiyirrupu. One eyewitness reported to an INGO that his wife and two daughters had been killed in shelling in Visvumadu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

JANUARY 20

Sri Lankan government declares first No Fire Zone

The offices of Maharajah Television stations in Pannipitiya were attacked with five petrol bombs. The Tamil-owned MTV network broadcasts channels in three languages and has been criticized constantly by pro-government groups as being anti-patriotic and against the interests of Sri Lanka. MTV’s Tamil language news is Shakthi, which broadcasts to the North and East of Sri Lanka. Following the attack, police refused to provide the station with additional security.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 21

Last UN Convoy attempts to leave conflict zone

UN Convoy 11 which had arrived in the conflict zone on January 16 was trapped there for several days due to heavy fighting. On January 21st the convoy attempted to leave, but the LTTE would not allow through its national staff. Ultimately, the convoy left behind all of its national staff alongside two international staff. They moved to the newly declared NFZ and set up a UN hub there.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 21

Vallipuram hospital hit by shells again while facing onslaught of civilian admissions

Shells once again landed outside the Vallipuram make-shift hospital. On the same day at least 11 dead and 25 wounded were brought to the hospital site.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 21

British foreign minister says UK recognises ‘Sri Lanka’s need to root out terrorism’

David Miliband says the UK recognises “the Government of Sri Lanka’s need to root out terrorism”. “The LTTE is a proscribed terrorist organisation with no democratic mandate to represent the Tamil people. It is responsible for a terrorist campaign that has targeted innocent civilians across all communities in Sri Lanka over the past three decades.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 21

Tamils killed in Jaffna and Trinco

65-year-old R Ratnasingam was found dead in the streets of Jaffna, whilst 26-year-old Anandarajah Suthanthirarajah was killed by unidentified gunmen in Trincomalee

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 21

TNA writes to Obama and Clinton warning of 'genocide fo the Tamil people'

The Tamil National Alliance writes to Obama and Clinton. Extracts of their letter below:
“It is our submission that the Sri Lankan State prosecutes the current war in the manner outlined above in the pursuit of a given ideological position – the assertion of a Sinhala Buddhist supremacy throughout the whole of Sri Lanka, and that in order to achieve that objective a process of Genocide of the Tamil people is in progress…. Consequently, we would like to urge that the policy of the United States of America towards the resolution of the Tamil National Question reflects the existence of two distinct Nations of People inhabiting Sri Lanka and where these two nations are encouraged to associate with one another by pooling their sovereignties to form the State.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 22

Military says it will not fire into No Fire Zone

Sri Lanka’s army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, the military will not attack the No Fire Zone. “We will not fire into that area,” he tells reporters.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 22

No Fire Zone is hit - Vallipuram hospital shelled again killing 5 and injuring 22

An eyewitness told Human Rights Watch, shelling occured at around 11:45 a.m. on January 22. He told HRW, “There was heavy shelling, especially where people gathered-near the hospital and where the UN distributed food. People were running around, crying. There was no shelter. Some were trying to hide under trees, like animals… We could hear where the shelling was coming from. It was coming from the other side of the A35 road [from the area where government forces were located]”.
Dr T Varatharajah, one of the few remaining doctors left, tells TamilNet,

“It is shocking that artillery attack has been stepped up on the area announced as attack-free zone by the Sri Lankan military. The casualties today would have been much lower, had the promise been kept or there was no promise at all”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 22

40 civilians killed and 188 injured around Puthukkudiyirrupu

The US State Department quotes a source in the conflict zone reporting to HRW that, according to Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital staff, 40 civilians were killed and 188 seriously injured by shelling in the villages of Thevipuram, Udayarkattu, and Moonkilaru.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 22

TNA calls for immediate ceasefire and says ‘genocide is in progress’

The Tamil National Alliance releases a statement and “urgently appeals to the international community to prevail upon the Sri Lankan State to bring the war to an immediate end”. It adds, “The Sri Lankan State is prosecuting the current war in pursuit of an ideology, namely the assertion of Sinhala Buddhist supremacist nationalism, and in order to achieve that objective a process of Genocide of the Tamil people is in progress.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 22

More arrests and disappearances

25-year-old Sivapragasam Sivaroopan is reported missing from Colombo, whilst 27-year-old Selliah Nadarajah was arrested in Bandarawela. Three other Tamils were arrested in Trincomalee and 40-year-old Kasim Bawa Iqbal is shot dead in Pottuvil.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 23

UN sets up bunker and distribution centre in NFZ- near A35 road

The United Nations humanitarian facility in Suthanthirapuram/Udayaarkaadu was set up on 23 January in an open field north of the A35 highway, approximately 700 metres from the hospital. The GPS coordinates of the new United Nations facility were communicated to the security forces on or soon after 23 January. Surveillance drones belonging to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces were witnessed overhead on 23 January. A food distribution centre managed by the Office of the District Secretary, comprised a storage centre and approximately 10 distribution points in a field located adjacent to the United Nations facility. Offices of several humanitarian organizations were also located nearby.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 23

UN hub and Udayaarkaadu hospital shelled , dozens killed

As the United Nations facility was being set up, the area around the United Nations and the hospital came under shelling. At least 23 civilians were reportedly killed when three shells landed in proximity to United Nations workers who were constructing the site, one just 60 metres from the United Nations location. Incoming fire, coming from the direction of SLA positions to the south, included MBRL fire and small arms fire.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 24

Shelling of the No Fire Zone continues overnight and throughout the day

More civilians were killed overnight, as at least 12 shells landed in vicinity of the United Nations hub. Children were among the victims, killed and injured as shrapnel ripped through makeshift shelters that were set up close to the United Nations base.
Shelling continued throughout the day. Despite the shelling, thousands of civilians queued up to receive food rations. People lay on the ground as they heard the incoming fire approaching. Five shells landed in close proximity to the food queues, reportedly killing 20 people and injuring many others.
Between five and 13 people were killed and 27 injured, as shells hit Udayaarkaadu hospital. One of the dead is a nurse who was treating patients at the hospital.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 25

First NFZ and UN hub face more shelling

The UN Panel of Experts reports says “the United Nations hub continued to be pounded with shells….Paradoxically, while PTK was outside the Government-designated NFZ, that area did not seem to have been shelled”.
The Petrie report quotes text messages from staff members detailing how shells landed all around them, coming from Sri Lankan military lines.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 25

UN staff leave NFZ and head back to PTK

UN staff are forced to leave the NFZ due to the intensity of shelling and head back to PTK.
The ICG notes, “in PTK there was comparatively less damage from shell- ing, though PTK hospital was full of wounded and dying civilian patients.”
The OISL says, “As the United Nations staff members left along the A35 highway, they witnessed scenes of devastation: “when we got to the A35 and turned towards PTK, a horrible sight awaited us. There were bodies of civilians everywhere on and beside the road”. Another witness told OISL that “virtually nothing was left standing” in the NFZ””.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 25

More shelling of the No Fire Zone by MBRLs

HRW report nineteen people were killed and 52 were injured as shelling continues to pound the No Fire Zone. TamilNet reports as least 22 people were killed throughout the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 25

Army takes over Mullaitivu

The 59th Division take over and occupy Mullaitivu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 26

As many as 300 killed within 24 hours

HRW that 102 people were killed and 274 people were injured by shelling in Puthukkudiyiruppu and shells hit Udayarkattu Hospital, killing 12 and injuring 40. TamilNet says that as many as 300 peolle are feared to have been killed. In Suthanthirapuram, amidst the deaths, at least two children are permanently disabled.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 26

Health Director lists out supplies of medicines needed

The Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) for the Mullaitivu district, Dr. T. Varatharajah lists out all the medical supplies needed in the No Fire Zone. He warns that if they do not arrive in the next 24 hours, “many of the injured will die”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 26

LTTE says Sri Lanka is commiting war crimes by targetting NFZ

Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Political Head B. Nadesan says the Sri Lankan military is commiting a war crime by targetting the No Fire Zone. He adds “We come to know that the civilians who have fled the war zone and got into the hands of the military are put to untold humiliation and suffering”. “There is no mechanism to guarantee the human dignity of civilians who are caught in the hands of the Sri Lanakn military. The phenomenon is nothing new, but a historical legacy of ages in this island,” Nadesan said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 26

TNA urges 'immediate end to the massacre'

“There can be little doubt that if immediate steps are not taken to stop the shelling, and emergency medical supplies and medical personnel not sent into the affected areas, there would be many more hundred civilian deaths as a result of lack of treatment,” says the Tamil National Alliance.

“Under these dire circumstances the TNA calls upon the international community to use all its influence with the Sri Lankan State to bring an immediate end to the massacre of these Tamil civilians. The TNA further appeals that the international community intervenes to secure immediate medical supplies and medical personnel to be sent to treat the affected civilians. The TNA reiterates that these steps must be taken within the next 24 hours if the civilian death toll is not to increase to several more hundreds.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 26

PTK hospital under attack

Between 26th January and 4th February PTK hospital comes under repeated attack. The OISL says “witnesses described multiple rounds falling sequentially on the hospital within a very short period of time, indicating the possible use of MBRLs by SLA… The hospital was overcrowded and many patients were on the floor due to a lack of beds, as well as in hallways and outside, on the ground. Witnesses told investigators that as shells fell, people ran to take cover, including several patients who ran towards bunkers located outside the hospital, carrying their intravenous drips with them.”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 26

Military denies hitting No Fire Zone again

“We are not targeting this safe zone,” military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara told reporters.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 27

Norway expresses concern over 'increasing' civilian casualties

Norways releases a statement expressing concern, stating,
“We are receiving information that the number of civilian casualties are ever- increasing and that the civilians are caught up in the crossfire between the parties. This is very serious. Both the Government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have a responsibility to protect the civilians and to avoid further civilians getting killed.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 27

Gotabaya orders ICRC out of Vanni 'within 2 hours' and then backtracks

A leaked US embassy cable reveals that Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered the ICRC to vacate the Vanni “within two hours” before backtracking after US intervention.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 27

Leaked US cable praises Sri Lankan military for 'discipined campaign... that minimized civilian casualties'

A leaked US embassy cable calls on Assistant Secretary Boucher to tell the Sri Lankan government it “has gained considerable credit until this point for conducting a disciplined military campaign over the past two years that minimized civilian casualties”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 27

Shelling continues at PTK

The US State Department reports that 16 people were killed and 72 people were injured in Puthukkudiyiruppu, whilst shelling at the hospital continues.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 28

Time is running out' warns ICRC

The ICRC releases a rare public statement, warning that it “high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out.”
“The violence is preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from operating in the region,” said Jacques de Maio, ICRC head of operations for South Asia in Geneva.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 28

Heavy shelling continues around PTK

The US State Department reports says a source in Puthukkudiyiruppu reported to HRW heavy shelling within a kilometer of the Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital. At least 21 people were killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 28

No civilians killed' army tells reporters

Military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara told the media that “There were no civilians killed,” and added: “We are targeting the LTTE. We are not targeting any civilians, so there can’t be any civilians killed.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

Shells continue to hit Tamil civilians

The US State Department reports a source in Puthukkudiyiruppu telling HRW of “hearing very heavy shelling and rifle fire”. Forty-seven civilians were reportedly killed and 176 injured by the shelling. Shelling was also reported in Vallipuram. The OISL also adds “one shell hit the male ward of [PTK] hospital, and two shells fell on the hospital grounds”. TamilNet also reports dozens of deaths from shelling.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

Tamil Nadu journalist self immolates in protest

26-year-old K. Muthukumar, a journalist from Tamil Nadu, self immolated in protest against the massacres of Eelam Tamils. His death sparked waves of protests across the state and led to more acts of self immolation in Tamil Nadu and around the globe.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

Army captures Visvamadu town

Troops of 58 Division gained control over Visuamadu town.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

LTTE denies holding civilians in No Fire Zone

“We have been very clear that any individual who wishes to leave the combat zone has an individual right to move anywhere. We have not imposed any restriction on individuals. But, we will not be organising any ‘organised exodus’ against the collective will of the people who have sought refuge away from a genocidal military,” says Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Political Head B. Nadesan. “We are urging responsible top officials of the UN and other international agencies to immediately visit the ‘safety zone’ and to obtain the views of the civilians and make independent assessment of the needs and concerns of the civilians.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

ANC condemns "unfolding humanitarian crisis" and calls for ceasefire

“This liberation war between the Tamil Tigers for self determination and the Sri Lankan Government has been going on for well over 27 years and has resulted in the deaths of hundreds and thousands of civilians from both sides of the conflict and much destruction in the country,” says South Africa’s ANC. “The ANC urges all parties in the conflict, both the LTTE and the Sri lankan Government to call a halt, immediately institute a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to be brought to civilians caught in the conflict who are in dire need of assistance. The ANC calls on all political players to immediately return to the negotiating table and resume a peaceful process of finding a lasting political solution to the conflict.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

British foreign secretary reiterates call for 'humanitarian ceasefire'

Foreign Secretary David Miliband urges “both parties to agree an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. “

Humanitarian corridors must now be set up and respected by both sides so that civilians have the opportunity to move away from the conflict area and humanitarian assistance can be safely delivered. Wounded civilians must receive the care they urgently need. The UK will continue to press all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

UN human rights chief deplores deteriorating situation for civilians in Sri Lanka

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said she was deeply concerned by reports of the rapidly deteriorating conditions facing a quarter of a million civilians trapped in the conflict zone and of alleged human rights abuses and a significant number of civilian casualties, as well as the huge displacement.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

Rajapaksa assures 'safe passage' to Tamil civilians

Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa releases a statement. “For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure environment,” he said. Shells continue to pound the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 29

Last remaining international UN staff leave

The last two remaining UN international staff leave the conflict zone for Vavuniya. The UN Panel of Experts report says the LTTE does not allow any of the remaining national staff to leave.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 30

PTK hospital continues to come under fire

The US State Department reports a source telling HRW there is heavy shelling nearby in Puthukkudiyiruppu. Five civilians, including a schoolteacher, were killed, and 27 people were injured.
The UN Panel of Experts reports says the “GPS coordinates of PTK hospital were well known to the SLA, and the hospital was clearly marked with emblems easily visible to UAVs”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 30

Indian military experts injured

TamilNet reports that at least four Indian “military experts” are receiving treatment at a military hospital in Colombo for injuries. India is reportedly providing military aid and other assisstance to Sri Lanka.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 30

South Africa calls for permanent ceasefire

The South African Government release a statement calling for a permanent ceasefire. “We believe that a lasting and sustainable political solution will be best achieved through broad consultation and peaceful dialogue amongst all the people of Sri Lanka. We therefore urge both parties to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible,” it says.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 30

LTTE calls for international monitored ceasefire

The LTTE once more calls for a ceasefire. Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Political Head B. Nadesan says “medical staff and the patients at Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital are in a pathetic state due to the artillery barrage by the Sri Lankan forces.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 31

Not a ceasefire, reiterates government minister

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 48-hour pledge of “safe passage” was not a ceasefire confirmed Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, as fierce shellign continued.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

January 31

Shelling of No Fire Zone continues

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) jets were reportedly deployed as bombs continued to fall on the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 2009

Thousands of Tamil civilians continue to be killed, as the government continues its offensive in the Vanni. Government declared ‘No Fire Zones’ have been shelled and there are embargoes on food and medicine reaching the conflict affected areas. Though there have been international calls for a ceasefire, the Sri Lankan government continues to ignore them and presses ahead.

February 01

Shelling of PTK hospital

Sri Lankan government said that it was committed to adhering to the zero civilian casualty policy. That same day the security forces stepped up their assault on Puthukkudiyirippu (PTK). PTK hospital was shelled repeatedly on 1 Feb, striking various facilities including a ward with women and children and a church. ICRC staff were present during the attacks and issued a press statement that day stating that the hospital had been shelled and it had over 500 patients, with more injured patients arriving. A press statement issued the following day stated that at least nine people had been killed and 20 injurd by shelling on 1 Feb.

Three attacks. First attack: 1 person injured by shrapnel inside the hospital. Second attack: 1 shell hit the hospital, 1 killed and 4 injured. Third attack: 1 shell hit the woman and children ward (no casualty info).

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Tigers launch counter offensive in PTK

The LTTE reportedly launch an offensive in PTK. “The defensive formations of the Liberation Tigers are courageously facing the Sri Lanka Army, which has been engaged by Colombo in a genocidal war against Tamils,” said S. Puleedevan from LTTE’s Political office.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 02

Continued shelling on PTK hospital

In an interview, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said: If reports are referring to PTK hospital , now there shouldn’t be a PTK hospital or anything because we withdrew that. We got all the patients to Vavuniya…so nothing should exist beyond the no fire zone.

One shell hit the hospital: 7 were killed, including a nurse and 15 injured.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 02

Noithing should exist beyond NFZ' says defence secretary

In an interview, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said:

If they [reports] are referring to the [PTK] hospital, now there shouldn’t be a hospital or anything because we withdrew that. We got all the patients to Vavuniya, out of there. So nothing should exist beyond the No Fire Zone … No hospital should operate in the area, nothing should operate. That is why we clearly gave these No Fire Zones… For the LTTE …to crush the terrorists, there is nothing called unproportionate.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 02

John Kerry expresses concern over humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka

US Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry says he is “greatly concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation”. “We urge the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to immediately take all necessary steps to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access,” he adds.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 03

Continued shelling on PTK hospital

Staff from international organisations were still present in the first NFZ and continue to send text messages on the situation based on their own direct observations: “Intense shell towards and around us. Hosp theatre shelled 2 victims. 58 people killed and 43 injured at Suthanthirapuram.”

Two attacks- operation ward, staff headquarters and female ward hit. Atleast 2 killed and several injured.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 03

Co-chairs call for temporary ceasefire and LTTE surrender

The Tokyo Co-chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU) call for a “temporary no-fire period” and call on the LTTE to discuss with the government the “laying down of arms, renunciation of violence; acceptance of the Government of Sri Lanka’s offer of amnesty; and participating as a political party in a process to achieve a just and lasting political solution”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 03

U.S. Judiciary Committee Chairman calls for immediate ceasefire

“Rather than protecting the Tamil people, the government has often contributed to their suffering,” said U.S. Judiciary Committee Chairman and Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy . “Its strategy has been to cordon off the area and blame everything, including its own violations, on the LTTE.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 03

US and UK call for halt of attacks on NFZ

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband call for “a temporary no-fire period” and an end to attcks in the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 03

Denmark "greatly concerned"

Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Per Stig Møller releases the following statement:

“It is imperative that both sides respect international humanitarian laws. The Tamil Tigers (LTTE) should not block the civilians from fleeing the conflict zone. At the same time Sri Lanka government should ensure that the civilians coming from the war zone be treated with respect,” the report further said.

“Both Sri Lanka government and Tamil Tigers are responsible to safeguard the civilians. Denmark has repeatedly stressed that it is necessary to find a political solution to achieve lasting peace and this is the message that we continue to pass.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 04

Evacuation of PTK as a result of continued shelling

Intense attack on PTK hospital in the morning, killing more patients. Around 300 patients and 18 ICRC staff fled PTK hospital and went to Putumattalan along with the remaining UN national staff and dependants.

After evacuating PTK hospital on 4th Feb, the government medial staff and the ICRC estabished a makeshift facility at the Putumattalan school, which consisted of four classroom buildings and two temporary shelters. The UN national staff and dependants set up near the school. Both organisations provided the government and the military with the GPS coordinated for their locations.

Text message: “PTK hosp being vacated, heavy shelling for about 16 hours we are in trenches.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 04

Terrorism "almost completely defeated" claims Rajapaksa

Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Sri Lankan Independence Day speech announced that the “cowardly forces of terror” have been “almost completely defeated”. But he said that the country

still faces challenges including “defeating our internal enemies”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 05

Tamils 'disappeared' in transfer from hospital to IDP camp - leaked US cable

A leaked US embassy cable states: “Ambassador noted disturbing unconfirmed reports that civilians from the north had disappeared during the transfer from the hospital in Vavuniya to the camps in Vavuniya, while several young women were found in the hospital morgue shot between the eyes. Such reports underline the need for international monitoring of the registration and transfer process. Since Vavuniya has the largest number of paramilitary groups operating anywhere in Sri Lanka, it is very important to ensure a continuous UNHCR or other UN presence in the camps to ensure the safety of IDPs in the camps.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 05

Situation in Sri Lanka is nothing short of shocking' - UK minister

During a debate on Sri Lanka in the British parliament, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Bill Rammell, says “to put it bluntly, the situation in Sri Lanka is nothing short of shocking”. ” We will do everything in our power to prevent more deaths, but ultimately it is for the Government and people of Sri Lanka to bring this about,” he concludes. Several parliamentarians speak.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 05

Hospitals hit inside the NFZ

HRW reported that Ponnampalam Memorial Hospital was shelled, killing 60 people. Amnesty International reported that 48 people were killed and 174 injured during heavy shelling in Mahtalan, Thevipuram, Suthantirapuram, Moongilaru, Udayarhaddu and Vallipunam.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 05

Ceasefire is 'ridiculous' says Gotabaya and calls for 'unconditional surrender'

“Nothing could be as ridiculous as this,” Gotabaya Rajapaksa, told the Island newspaper when asked about a ceasefire. “Nothing short of unconditional surrender of arms and cadres could bring an end to the offensive,” he said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 06

Ponnambalam Memorial Hospital bombed

ICG reports as many as 75 people were killed in the attack, as the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed the hospital.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 06

Red Cross office in Colombo stoned by protestors

About 150 protesters demonstrated outside the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Colombo, throwing stones at the building. It comes after reports that the organisation had placed an order for 35,000 body bags. “There is no need for 35,000 body bags or for that matter 3,500,” Keheliya Rambukwella, a government spokesman said, shortly after the attack on the ICRC office. “They may cancel the order tomorrow. But first they want to create a fear psychosis in the eyes of the international community,” he said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 06

Tamil man self immolates in Malaysia

A Tamil man from the island living in Malaysia self immolates in protest against the Sri Lankan military offensive and calling for a permanent ceasefire.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 06

LTTE cadres reportedly fire on fleeing Tamil civilians

The US State Department reports that a group of six LTTE cadres fired on civilians when they tried to cross the front line in Moongkilaaru.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 07

Shelling on PTK area and PMH

Amnesty International reported that ―126 civilians, including 61 patients, were killed and 238 people were fatally injured when shelling was directed on the Puthukkudiyiruppu area. Some shells fell on Ponnampalam Memorial hospital killing the warded patients there. The area was also subjected to aerial bombing.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 08

More shelling of No Fire Zone

TamilNet reports more than 80 civilians have been killed and more than 200 injured in more Sri Lankan shelling of the No Fire Zone. A local source in Mattalan reported to HRW that a shell landed

approximately 10 meters from a hospital, and fragments hit the hospital.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 08

LTTE cadres accused of shooting at fleeing family

The US State Department reports that LTTE cadres shot at a man fleeing with his 7-year-old daughter. It reports that the girl died and her father was injured.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 09

Putumattalan hospital shelling

Around 10pm, one shell struck about 10 metres east of the hospital compound. No casualties, but the compound was damaged by shrapnel.

Text messages from staff of international organisations: 9 Feb 6.51pm “Many shells landed on our ground, we’re in life threat.” 8.03pm “Shelling started again and we narrowly escaped, pls make sure not shelling here.” 10.19pm ” 3 security incidents today. 1st in Pokkanai, aerial bombardments 3 civilians killed 5 injured. 2nd reported from Thevipuram areas 7 killed 12 injured…3rd in Mathalam (our area), 16 killed 49 injured.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 09

BBC announces suspension of FM programming

The BBC announced that it was suspending its FM programming in Sinhala, Tamil and English from the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) due to “deliberate interference” by the government.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 09

Suicide bomber kills soldiers and civilians at IDP checkpoint

A suicide bomber reportedly killed more than 20 soldiers and at least 8 civilians at a checkpoints for IDPs in the Visuamadu area of Mullaittivu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 09

The shelling continues

The US State Department reported that the makeshift hospital in Putumattalan was hit by shelling, killing 16 patients. In Pokkanai, three civilians were killed and five injured by aerial bombardments. In Mattalan, shelling killed 16 people and injured 49

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 10

More shelling as patients evacuated from Putumattalam to Trinco

Shelling in Putumattalam kills 16 people, reports HRW.

The ICRC announced that it was evacuating 240 wounded and sick from Putumattalam to Trincomalee Evacuations resumed by ship on 10 February 2009. On each of its journeys, the ICRC evacuated an average of 500 patients and accompanying caregivers. Between 10 February and 30 April 2009, they evacuated more than 13,000 sick and wounded patients and accompanying caregivers.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 10

ICRC 'shocked' at situation in Sri Lanka

“We are shocked that patients are not afforded the protection they are entitled to,” said Paul Castella, head of the ICRC delegation in Colombo. “Once more, we call on both parties to meet their obligation under international humanitarian law to spare at all times the wounded and sick people, medical personnel and medical facilities at all times.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 10

LTTE denies firing at civilians

LTTE’s Puthukkudiyiruppu Divisional Political Head, C. Ilamparithy denies they have been firing at fleeing civilians.

“Colombo is committing the worst crimes of humanity, by killing and maiming hundreds of civilians every day within the ‘safety zone’, and by indiscriminately bombing medical installations,” he said.

“As pressure is mounting on all fronts, the Colombo government has let lose vicious propaganda.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 10

Sinhalese protest against the ICRC

The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) holds a protest in front of the British High Commission shouting slogans against the ICRC and demanded the agency to leave Sri Lanka, accusing it for “helping the Tigers.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 11

UN staff send texts with casualty details

Text messages from international organisation staff: 10.03pm: “According to the hospital, 34 civilians killed and 46 injured by shelling today in two places. In Thevipuram 19 killed, in Vallipunam 15 killed. Totally 15 children killed in both incidents.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 11

Shelling continues

The US State Derpartment says a source in Mattalan reported to HRW that shelling killed 19 civilians in Thevipuram and 15 civilians in Vallipuram. TamilNet reports cluster bombs were used.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 12

New NFZ declared

The UN Panel of Experts reports says “the United Nations hub continued to be pounded with shells….Paradoxically, while PTK was outside the Government-designated NFZ, that area did not seem to have been shelled”.
The Petrie report quotes text messages from staff members detailing how shells landed all around them, coming from Sri Lankan military lines.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 12

The bombardment continues

The UN Panel of Experts reports says “the United Nations hub continued to be pounded with shells….Paradoxically, while PTK was outside the Government-designated NFZ, that area did not seem to have been shelled”.
The Petrie report quotes text messages from staff members detailing how shells landed all around them, coming from Sri Lankan military lines.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 12

Two burnt bodies found in Vavuniya

The bodies of two Tamil youth were found burnt in Vavuniya. 31-year-old Selvaretnam Sathananthan and 26-year-old Saravanamuthu Sathiyanathan were reported missing from their homes jsut days before.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 12

UK appoints 'special envoy' to Sri Lanka

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown appoints Des Browne as the ‘special envoy’ to Sri Lanka.

“I want him to be involved in seeing whether there is scope for political progress in Sri Lanka as well as looking at the issues of humanitarian aid,” the Prime Minister said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 12

Sri Lanka rejects UK envoy

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama warned of “major repercussions” for relations with Britain.

“There is no further discussion with London on the matter.”

“It is tantamount to an intrusion into Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and is disrespectful to the country’s statehood,” the minister told AFP. The LTTE meanwhile had welcomed the move.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 12

Tamil man self immolates at UN in Geneva

26-year-old diaspora Murugathasan Varnakulasingham self immolated in front of the United Nations building in Geneva. Before he doused himself in petrol and set himself alight in the Place des Nations in Geneva, Mr Varnakulasingham wrote a five-page letter.

It read: “We Tamils, displaced and all over the world, loudly raised our problems and asked for help before [the] international community in your own language for three decades.

“But nothing happened… So I decided to sacrifice my life… The flames over my body will be a torch to guide you through the liberation path.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 13

Casualities pile up, but no medicines available

Doctor, T. Satyamurthy, was a doctor at the makeshift hospital in Putumattalam. He told media that “on Friday (February 13) early 100 civilians were admitted for injuries, They have injuries from shells, burn marks, but we don’t have basic medicine to treat them.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 14

More bombs drop on civilians

More than 50 civilians were feared killed in Theavipuram. An elders home was reportedly hit in a shell attack. A source in Mattalan reported to HRW an aerial attack close to the Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital, killing 14. A source in Mattalan reported to HRW that shelling in Thevipuram and Vallipuram killed 36 and injured 84.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 14

Tamil jouranlist killed inside No Fire Zone

Puniyamoorthy Sathiyamoorthy, a well known Tamil journalist, was killed inside the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 14

Attempted self immolation in front of Downing Street

A Tamil was arrested outside Downing Street, before he could set himself ablaze.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 15

Shelling in Valayanmadam kills 62 civilians, dozens more killed in NFZ

Shelling in Valayanmadam kills 62 civilians. A source in Mattalan reported to HRW that shelling in Thevipuram and Vallipuram killed 36 and injured 84. Incendiary bombs are reportedly used.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 15

UNHCR was given acces only to Omanthai

A UN report says “despite UN advocacy and repeated Government commitments, from 15 February UNHCR was given access only to Omanthai, and the agency was only allowed to observe the screening from a distance and communicate with IDPs in the presence of a military escort, restricting any confidential dialogue and therefore any effective protection monitoring”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 15

Lack of antibiotics force doctors to re-amputate patients in Vanni

“If we are not going to receive at least IV antibiotics, anesthetics and surgical consumables in minimum amounts ASAP, we may not be able to provide even emergency first aid to the war wounded,” writes Dr. T. Varatharajan, the Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) in Mullaitivu, in a letter sent to Colombo “We were in total frustration when we had to re-amputate the limbs at higher levels in days after initial lifesaving amputations, just because of lack of IV penicillin and other antibiotics essential to prevent fatal sepsis.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

Shelling kills 65 people, 34 of which were in the no-fire-zone over the last 24 hours

A source in Mattalan reported to HRW that 65 people were killed and 138 injured by shelling over the last 24 hours. Of these, 34 were killed and 60 injured within the NFZ.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

Lack of medicine drives up amputations

The US State Department say sources reported a short supply of medicine and no antibiotics. Conditions that were causing even minor shrapnel wounds are becoming gangrenous and require amputation. There were unconfirmed cases of cholera and malnutrition, particularly affecting children, in the conflict area. The US Embassy in Colombo also reported that the GSL had yet to grant permission to organizations to bring medical supplies by ship to the makeshift hospital in Putumattalan

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

RSF accuses Sri Lanka of war crimes

Reporters sans frontières (RSF), expressed “revulsion at the death of Tamil journalist” Puniyamoorthy Sathiyamoorthy inside the No Fire Zone.

“Army air strikes and artillery fire on areas where there are tens of thousands of civilians, including Tamil journalists, are war crimes” the worldwide press freedom organisation said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

LTTE accused of child recruitment

The US State Department claims an organisation reported that the LTTE was attempting to recruit by force all boys and girls aged 14 years or older.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

Shelling continues, hundreds feared dead

A source in Mattalan reported to HRW that 65 people were killed and 138 injured by shelling over the last 24 hours. Of these, 34 were killed and 60 injured within the NFZ. TamilNet quotes humanitarian workers as fearing as many as 250 people were killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

TRO accuses UN of shedding its responsibilities

“The UN for the first time openly acknowledges its agenda of withdrawing even the remaining few local staff from the conflict zone, completely shedding its responsibility of caring for the civilians trapped here,” said Velupillai Sivanadiyar, the president of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO), the only NGO working in Vanni.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 16

ICRC evacuates 400 seriously wounded civilians via sea from Vanni

The ICRC evacuated Monday more than 400 seriously wounded civilians in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery barrage from Puthumaaththa’lan in Mullaiththeevu district. This is the third batch of transport through sea of seriously wounded civilians who have been waiting for further treatment at higher hospitals, according to the local staff of the ICRC. The ICRC services in Vanni are carried out by its local staff as the organisation was forced to withdraw its foreign staff from Vanni as Government of Sri Lanka did not provide necessary security guarantees for foreign nationals of the ICRC.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 17

Food water and shelter and medical dressing are scarce in Mattalan

The US Embassy Colombo received information from multiple international organizations operating among the IDPs that water, food, and shelter was scarce, and that the Mattalan school, which was being used as a hospital, had no medicines or dressings.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 17

UNICEF expressed concern for safety of children in the conflict

UNICEF issues a statement expressing grave concern for the safety of children in conflict areas, stating that “we have clear indications that the LTTE has intensified forcible recruitment of civilians and that children as young as 14 years old are now being targeted.” Scores of injured children have been evacuated in the past week,” said UNICEF’s Duamelle. “Children are victims of this conflict by being killed, injured, recruited, displaced, separated and denied their every day needs due to the fighting.” The main injuries to children have been burns, fractures, shrapnel and bullet wounds. UNICEF reiterates the call it has made time and again to Government and the LTTE – civilians, especially children, must be given every protection from the fighting.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 17

Red Cross evacuates wounded

The ICRC evacuated by sea 400 wounded persons, who are now receiving medical treatment in Trincomalee. This brings the total number of medical evacuations by sea to 1145.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 17

'War has to be stopped immediately' - LTTE

“The international agencies and media adopt a faulty diplomatic policy that whenever they want to come out with any criticism of Colombo government, they first attack the LTTE at length and finally come up with their point against the Colombo government,” said LTTE’s Political Head B. Nadesan. “This appeasement doesn’t work well in handling the ongoing crisis and the international community has to come out in no uncertain terms in their indictments and effective action against the Colombo government.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 17

Sampanthan accuses Sri Lanka of genocide

“This is but a deliberate and systematic genocide of the Tamils,” said Tamil National Alliance leader, R. Sampanthan, in a press conference.

“The government spreads false information that the Liberation Tigers are killing the Tamils flee the war-zone in Vanni while it is the armed forces of the government which are killing the Tamils in Vanni. Why should the Tigers kill the Tamils who have been living with them all these years?”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 17

Further shelling of Putumattalan hospital

Witnesses report shelling of Putumattalan hospital killing patients and further injuring others. The US State Department also quoted a source in Valayanmadam who reported shelling in the NFZ, which killed 48 civilians and injured 37.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 18

Large numbers of casualties' reported, dozens of families killed

An artillery barrage into the No Fire Zone killed at least 108 civilians and causing injuries to more than 200. At 2:00 a.m. the army reportedly fired more than 200 shells, signalling the beginning of more than 10 hours of continuous shelling. The US State Department reports thirty entire families were amongst those killed. Witnesses reported that during the night, at least two patients in Putumattalan hospital were killed when an artillery shell landed near the surgical ward, and six members of a family were killed when a shell landed on their shelter, on the edge of the hospital boundary.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 19

Dozens more killed in Sri Lankan shelling

The US State Department says an organization’s local sources in Valayanmadam reported that SLA shelling in the conflict zone caused the deaths of 46 civilians and fatally injured 126 people. Shells started falling in Puthukkudiyiruppu at 1:00 a.m., killing 24 civilians. At 2:00 a.m. shelling was directed at Iranaipalai, Ananthapuram, and Valayanmadam, killing 10 civilians and injuring 70. Shelling on Pokkanai, which began at 7:00 a.m., caused the deaths of 12 civilians and injured 56.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 19

Shelling in Valayanmadam kills 100 ‘LTTE recruited children’ claims US State Department

The US State Department says an organization’s source in Valayanmadam reported that SLAF aerial attacks killed more than 100  children, and said that they had been “forcibly recruited” by the LTTE.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 19

UN official begins visit to Sri Lanka

UN U/SYG for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Sir John Holmes began a three day visit to Sri Lanka on February 19.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 20

More shelling

The US State Department says an organization’s local sources in Valayanmadam reported that SLA shelling in the conflict zone caused the deaths of 46 civilians and fatally injured 126 people. Shells started falling in Puthukkudiyiruppu at 1:00 a.m., killing 24 civilians. At 2:00 a.m. shelling was directed at Iranaipalai, Ananthapuram, and Valayanmadam, killing 10 civilians and injuring 70. Shelling on Pokkanai, which began at 7:00 a.m., caused the deaths of 12 civilians and injured 56.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 20

Black Tiger aircraft bomb Colombo, 2 killed, 51 wounded

The LTTE launches an air raid in Colombo using two aircraft. Despite being picked up by Indian-provided radars in northern Sri Lanka, and by an infrared camera after the first plane passed the Colombo port area, the Air Force was unable to intercept and shoot down the planes before they reached Colombo. Both planes crash amid anti aircraft fire, killing at least two people.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 20

Sri Lankan army captures Theivapuram

The Sri Lankan military occupies Thevipuram in Mullaittivu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 21

'Severe, continuous shelling'

The Sri Lanka army launched a heavy artillery barrage throughout the day. Dozens are killed thorughout Mullivaikkal, Pokkanai, and Mattalan as well as Ampalavanpokkanai, Mullivaikkal and Valayanmadam.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 21

Hard to say who is responsible' says UN official

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes tells a press conference in Colombo, “it is hard to say how many of those killed are civilians and who is responsible for any particular incident”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 21

Sinhala villagers killed in Amparai

A group of at least 10 villagers are reportedly killed in Amparai. The LTTE denies responsibility.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 22

Shells hit Valayarmadam

Mortar shells from SLA positions were fired in the direction of Valayarmadam. One shell hit the local government base, killing a Government worker. Dozens more are reported to have been killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 22

The worst genocide of the 21st century' - LTTE

“The Tamils of Tamil Eelam are facing the worst genocide of the 21st century,” said the Political Head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), B. Nadesan “In this situation, the LTTE is ready to accept the calls for a ceasefire issued by the international community with the good intention of ending the human suffering. The LTTE desires that this effort for a ceasefire to grow further into peace talks to seek a political solution to the ethnic conflict.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 23

LTTE accused of forced recuritment

The US State Department says that the LTTE continues to forcibly recruit children. A source reported that that a young person who resisted being forcibly recruited had both his arms broken by the LTTE as punishment.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 23

EU calls for 'immediate ceasefire' and says conflict 'cannot be resolved by military means'

The European Union Council passes a resolution on Sri Lanka calling for “calls for an immediate cease-fire thereby providing for the establishment of full and unrestricted access, allowing humanitarian aid to be safely delivered and allowing civilians to leave the conflict area”. “The EU condemns the LTTE’s use of violence and intimidation to prevent civilians from leaving the conflict area,” it adds.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 23

Heavy shelling in Iranaipalai

Three people reportedly died and 27 were injured due to heavy shelling in the Iranaipalai area.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 23

Young girls taken from IDP camps and never returned'

The US State Department says, “an organization’s local sources reported that at night young girls would be taken out from the IDP camps in Vavuniya and never returned. Due to death threats, most of these events were never reported to the camp authorities”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 24

Shelling continues despite government promises

TamilNet’s correspondent reports the shelling conitnues. A single artillery shell fired around 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday reportedly claimed the lives of 6 civilians, including two teenage boys, near the makeshift hospital at Puthumaaththa’lan.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 24

Heavy fighting in PTK, civilians trapped

Heavy fighting has been reported west of Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK).

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 24

CID grills Sampanthan

Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) reportedly interrogated R. Samapanthan, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader in the notorious Colombo ‘Fourth Floor’ interrogation centre.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 24

No one denies that there is a terrorist problem in Sri Lanka' - Miliband

“No one denies that there is a terrorist problem in Sri Lanka,” said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband during a parliamentary debate. “That terrorist problem poses a mortal threat to Sri Lankans in all communities, but the resolution of that terrorist problem cannot be achieved at the expense of the rights of minority communities in Sri Lanka, and that is what we are trying to work on.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 24

No talks even if Tigers surrender - Sri Lankan prime minister

“The international countries say that the Tigers should lay down their weapons and come to talks but the position of our government is that there is no need to talk to them once they give up their arms,” said Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramasinghe. “The truth is that some are asking us to stop the war in their own interests but there is no need for our government to act so as to fulfill their selfish motives,” he said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 25

More shelling of PTK

Shelling and air attacks around Puthukkudiyiruppu kill 45 civilians, reports the US State Department

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 26

Tamil newspaper editor arrested in Colombo

N. Vithyatharan, the editor of Sudar Oli, a Colombo-based Tamil daily is reportedly arrested by Sri Lankan security forces. TamilNet reports he was taken away by armed men in both civil and police uniforms whilst attending a funeral at Mahinda Parlour in Galkissa (Mount Lavinia) on Galle Road. The men had allegedly arrived in white vans. RSF called the arrest a “violation of the rule of law”. Uthayan press group chairman M. Saravanapavan said “until we have seen Vithyatharan safe and sound, we will continue to regard this as an abduction”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 26

No food or medicine'

One of the US embassy in Colombo’s local sources in the NFZ reported that they had no food or medicine.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

February 27

Shelling and starvation claims more lives

Civilian deaths over thee last two days totalled 75 and scores wounded, reports from Vanni said according to TamilNet. The US State Department said an organization’s local source in the Vanni reported that a

hospital in the area announced that 11 patients died due to the food shortage

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 2009

Thousands more have been killed and reports emerge of cluster bomb and chemical weapon use. With hundreds of thousands of civilians being hemmed into a smaller strip of land, causalities are climbing every day. Hospitals have been hit by artillery fire and air strikes. The LTTE has been accused of crimes, including forcible recruitment.

March 01

Sri Lankan police interrogate senior Tamil journalists in Colombo

Senior Tamil journalists were summoned to Colombo for questioning by Sri Lankan police in connection to the arrest of Chudaroli Editor Vithyatharan.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 01

Colombo killed 700 children in 2 months - LTTE Radio

Voice of Tigers, the official radio of the LTTE said 2,018 Tamil civilians have been killed from January to February in Vanni. It added that 700 of the victims were children.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 01

Hunger claims lives in Vanni

The OISL reports that the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office indicated that at least 3,000MT was needed per month for between 150,000 and 200,000 people. Food supplies remain scarce, with reports that patients are being admitted to hospital after eating weeds. TamilNet says at least six people have died from starvation in recent days.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 01

Heavy shelling reported

The US State Department says there are reports of “heavy shelling”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 02

Sri Lankan minister denies heavy weapon use

Sri Lankan minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told BBC Hardtalk, “There is absolutely no justification to use heavy weapons, and, in fact, about ten days ago, the Armed Forces took a conscious decision not to use any heavy weapons”. “As you know, the LTTE is restricted in fact to a very small areas of about 48 sq kilometeres, and we cannot use heavy weapons”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 02

30 - 50 civilians killed every day' claims TamilNet

TamilNet claims an average of 30 to 50 civilians were being killed in Mullaitivu every day. It added that Sri Lankan shelling had killed 122 people within 3 days. Heavy shelling is reported in this period.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 03

Mattalan hospital in Valayanmadam experiences heavy shelling

US State Department notes that the Mattalan hospital in Valayanmadam experiences shelling. Tamil Net reports that the shelling claimed the lives of 13 Tamil civilians, four of whom were children, including a one year old baby. 56 civilians suffered sustained injuries and two children under the age of 10 were reported missing.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 03

Sri Lankan army searches Jaffna University

The Sri Lankan military launches a search of the University of Jaffna. A student is briefly arrested and then released later that same day.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 03

Woman recovered dead in Batticaloa

Police recover the dead body of Sivakumar Mahathevi, 32, the treasurer of Viveakaananthapuram Women’s Development Society.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 03

Doctors confims at least 13 die from starvation

Dr. T. Varatharajah, the regional director of health services in Mullaitivu, confirms that at leeast 13 people have died from starvation.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 03

Food and aid delivery stalled by government

US Embassy in Colombo states the government is stalling in providing tugboats to provide food aid into the NFZ.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 04

Mattalan hospital in Valayanmadam experiences heavy shelling

US State Department reports that Mattalan hospital in Valayanmadam experiences heavy shelling resulting in the death of an aid worker who was assisting patients

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 04

Dozens killed in NFZ

US Embassy in Colombo reported that 58 people were killed and 143 injured due to shelling in Ampalavakanai and Mullaivakal. Fifteen bodies were brought into the Mattalan hospital. Thirty-nine deaths were reported overall from the NFZ, and 120 people injured. Tamil Net reports that 73 civilians were killed and 15 cluster bombers were fired

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 04

ICRC worker killed in SLA shelling

A staff worker of the ICRC in Vanni was killed Wednesday around 5:00 p.m. while he was returning after sending some of the seriously wounded patients from Maaththa’lan hospital in ICRC ship, reported TamilNet correspondent from Vanni. The victim was identified as Vadivel Vijayakumar, 36.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 04

Emergency extended in Sri Lanka for another month

The Sri Lanka parliament adopted a motion to extend the state of emergency for another month by a majority of 62 votes.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 05

Shelling kills 57 and injures 154 in cluster bombing of Valayanmadam and Mattalan.

HRW reported that 57 civilians were killed and 154 injured by cluster bombs in Valayanmadam and Mattalan.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 05

Office of the Regional Director of Health Services declares the situation in Vanni "a humanitarian catatrophie", due to lack of medicine.

Office of the Regional Director of Health Services declares the situation in Wanni “a humanitarian catatrophie”The statement describes a severe shortage of medicines, including anaesthetic drugs, surgical items, IV fluids, antibiotics and vaccines. It stated that “Due to the nonavailability of materials to construct toilets, open defecation has become common among the majority of the people.” The US State Department reports that the immunization programs had been disrupted for the preceding two months. Vaccine coverage was below 50%.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 05

Food is not being delivered to those in the no-fire-zone

US Embassy in Colombo reported that two weeks ago negitioations were made to send a tugboat of food aid per day (40 megatons), six days per week, to Mullaittivu. In the past two weeks only one tugboat had been authorized to carry food.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 05

SLA cluster bombing kills 57 civilians in Valayanmadam and Mattalan

SLA cluster bombing killed 57 civilians in Valayanmadam and Mattalan. TamilNet reports that shells were fired close to a makeshift-hospital in Mattalan.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 06

Shelling continues in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Manthuvil, Iranaipalai, and Salai

US State department reports that Valayanmadam reported shelling in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Manthuvil, Iranaipalai, and Salai.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 06

Security Council action is urgently needed – Tutu, British academics

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and several leading scholars at British universities have written an open letter to the British government urging it to press for a UN Security Council Resolution authorising a fact-finding mission.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 06

Press Freedom Group calls for unconditional release of Tissanayagam

A number of press freedom groups has called for the release of the Tamil journalist “Tissainayagam”. This includes International Press Freedom Mission, Article 19, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Theye are “calling for the unconditional release of Tissainayagam, who has been subjected to arbitrary court adjournments and is suffering ill health.” The first anniversary of arrest and imprisonment of Tissanayagam fell on 7th March.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 07

LTTE accused of forcibly recruiting children

The US State Department report says it has evidence that the LTTE are taking children from the ages of 12 to 16 in Mullaitivu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 07

Two Tamil media correspondents were killed in the NFZ

Tamil Net reports the death of Sasi Mathan and an unnamed media person who were killed in a shelling attack in Vanni. Mathan was 27, he was the Mullaiththeevu District Distribution Manager of Eezhanaatham Daily, this was the only newspaper published in LTTE controlled territory.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 09

Estimate number of civilian deaths between 20 January and 2 March is as much 2,683

On 9 March, estimate numbers of civilian deaths in the Mullaithivu district between 20 January and 2 March numbered close to 2,683, two-thirds of the deaths occurred within the latest 14 km² NFZ.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 09

Diplomats urge UN to take a public stand on casualities

Diplomats who attended the UNCT’s 9 March briefing urged the UN to take a public stand on casualities and leaked briefing material. Their meeting but did not mention the reports of people disappearing from other screening locations to which the UN had no access.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 10

Shelling in Mullaittivu kills 124 people

Shelling in Mullaittivu kills 124 people, 59 of the victims were children. Another report details 130-150 deaths over the last two days. HRW reports that shelling near Mattalan killed over 150 people.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 10

Hillary Clinton expresses concern over Sri Lanka and discusses evacuation with India Foreign Secretary

US Secretary Hillary Clinton expressed concerned over the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and Secretary is very concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka and “there is a sense that maybe there are things we (the US and India) can do together”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 11

Sri Lanka did not permit anesthetics enter the no-fire-zone

US Embassy Colombo reported that the GSL did not permit anesthetics to be shipped into the NFZ due to fears that they would be used to aid wounded LTTE cadres instead of civilians.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 11

72 people killed in shelling in the No-Fire-Zone

US Embassy Colombo reported that 72 people were killed and 91injured by continued shelling in the NFZ. A multi barrel rocket launcher sent 40 shells into the NFZ in one barrage. 21 of the 72 deaths were of individuals who were in line to receive their food ration.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 12

US legislators petition Secretary Clintion sighting Sri Lanka as on "Red Alert" for genocide

A group of 38 United States members of Congress sent a joint letter today to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and to the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Susan Rice, highlighting the humanitarian crisis faced by Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, and expressing concern over conditions in the internment camps, calling for bringing the issue to the UN Security Council, and encouraging active U.S. leadership to bring about a long-delayed political settlement. Sri Lanka was placed on ‘red alert’ according to genocide rankings.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 12

US Ambassador pressured Defense Secretary to minimise civilian loses

In a meeting the US ambassador put pressure on the Sri Lankan Defense Secretary to minimise civilian casualties. The U.N. reports 2,683 killed and 7,241 injured during the period of January 20-March 7.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 12

Shelling in Mullaittivu kills 32 and 5 in Pokanai

Shelling in Mullaittivu’s NFZ has killed 32 and injuring 43. There is uncertainty as to whether this is a different incident than one reported by another source, which reported 38 killed and 43 injured in the Vanni. HRW that a shell came from the direction of Thevipuram and hit Pokkanai, 400 meters from the Mattalan port, killing five civilians and injuring many more.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 12

Government officals wrote to the OHCHR asking to remove reference to civilian casualities and all war crimes by the government

Sri Lankan Government officals wrote to the OHCHR asking to remove reference to civilian casualities and all war crimes by the government. OHCHR released the statement on 14 Marchwithout substantive changes, listing the COG statistics, describing them as credible, and stating that actions by the Government and LTTE “may constitute international crimes, entailing individual responsibility, including for war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 12

EU Parliament passes resolution calling for a ceasefire

The EU Parliament passed a resolution, with a large majority, calling for immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka to allow the civilian population to leave the combat zone. They condemning all acts of violence against civilians in the safe zone and expressed serious concern for the plight of the people in the refugee camps run by the Sri Lankan government. The EU Parliament demanded full and unhindered access to international and national humanitarian organisations, as well as journalists to the combat zone and to the refugee camps.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 12

US Senators call for immediate ceasefire and international oversight of detention camps

A bipartisan group of seven senior U.S. Senators wrote to the Foreign Secretary Hilary Clinton calling for an immedia ceasefire. The statement reads; “The situation in Sri Lanka is unacceptable and must be remedied as quickly as possible. We commend your recent statement with UK Foreign Minister David Milliband that called on the government and the LTTE to adhere to a ceasefire, allow access to humanitarian agencies, and resume political discussions to bring the long-standing ethnic conflict to an end. An enduring peace can be achieved only through a political solution that treats the Tamil minority as equal citizens under the law. Without such an agreement, the violence will only continue.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 13

52 people killed in Mullaittivu

In Mullaittivu shelling killed 52 people. Two other sources verified this number and noted shelling in Pokkanai, Mattalan, and Mullivaikkal.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 13

LTTE prevent civilians from leaving

In Mullaittivu there are reports that the LTTE stopped roughly 1,000 civilians were crossing the lines to the SLA on the land route to Kilinochchi.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 13

Sri Lankan army fires two artillary shells killing a child and seven civilians

Two artillery shells hit Mattalan killing a child and seven other civilians. The shelling was heavier later in the day

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 13

6 arrests issued over the death of a Six-year-old girl in Trincomalee town

A six year old girl was kidnapped and held for randsom. The unidentified men demanded 30 million rupees and when the mother couldn’t pay they killed her. The girl’s body was found Friday morning along Sarathaa Veethi in Trincomalee town in the High Security Zone (HSZ) where there are many police and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sentry points,

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 13

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navay Pillai expressed concern over war crimes and calls for a cease fire

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement expressing her concern for the civilians. She stated: “Certain actions being undertaken by the Sri Lankan military and by the LTTE may constitute violations of international human rights and humanitarian law […] We need to know more about what is going on, but we know enough to be sure that the situation is absolutely desperate. The world today is ever sensitive about such acts that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity”. She called for a cease fire to allow for evacuation and urged the government to grant full access to UN and other independent agencies to allow an accurate assessment of the human rights and humanitarian conditions in the conflict zone. She said 2,800 civilians have been killed since Jan 20. TamilNet reports that Jaffna MP, Kajendran, criticised the High Commissioner stating: “Calling for the evacuation of civilians and making them to end up in the hands of their killers, is taking side with one of the parties to the conflict and amounts to another one of the war crimes, perhaps the most serious one of them when comes from a world body of human rights”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 13

Hillary Clinton puts pressure on Rajapaksa to give humanitarian relief organisations full access

Hillary Clinton spoke to President Rajapaksa over the phone expressing concern over the ‘safe zones’ and urging the President to give international humanitarian relief organizations full access to the conflict area and displaced persons camps, including screening centers. The State department further states that the Sri Lankan government should “put forward a proposal now to engage Tamils […] and to develop power sharing arrangements so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 14

Mullaitivu hospital closes

Mullaithivu announced that due to drug shortages the hospital in Mathalam hospital will close tomorrow.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 15

62 killed in shelling in Mullaittivu

US State Department reports that shelling in Mullaittivu kills 62. Tamil Net reported that the shelling occured near a makeshift hospital and had killed 69 people.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 15

Reports of birth defects

There are also reports of a 6 month fetUs who had lost both feet inside the womb; following the child’s birth the mother shortly died. Tamil et also notes a pregnant mother delivering dead twins on Thursday.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 15

LTTE plead for the UN to stop the humanitarian crisis.

B. Nadesan, the political head of the LTTE, reported that government was carrying out “genocidal massacres by deliberately targeting civilians, their humanitarian supplies and the hospitals”. He further accused the government of targeting World Food Program’s (WFP) storage for humanitarian supplies in Chuthanthirapuram. He called upon the “international community to send its diplomats to visit the people here in Mullaiththeevu and listen to them”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 15

Gotabaya accuses Tamil journalist of 'terrorism'

Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse, speaks to dateline. He attacks the coverage and ordering the arrest of Vidyadaran, a Sri Lankan journalist. Who he accuses of terrorism saying “he is involved in recent air attacks and I am telling you if you try to give coverup for that person you have blood in your hands […] I am telling you he is a terrorist. He is responsible for co-ordinating air-attacks in Colombo.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 16

Allegations of the LTTE forcibly recruiting youth in Mullaittivu

The US State Department states reports allegations that the LTTE were forcibly recruiting youth as young as 14 in Mullaittivu.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 16

Heavy artillery, mortar and multi-barrel rocket attacks on NFZ

Reports in Mullaitivu of heavy artillery, mortar, and multi-barrel rocket-launched shelling in the NFZ. Human Rights Watch detailed that 55 people were admitted into Mattalan hospital, four of whom died. The State Department further reported that a rocket hit Mattalan and Putumattalan hospitals killing two people in each.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 16

Most deaths could have bee avoided had they had essential drugs

In a report entitled “Undue Deaths due to Non-Availability of Essential Drugs at Mullaittivu” it was found that “most hospital deaths could have been prevented if basic infrastructure facilities and essential medicines were made available… We have been supplied with no antibiotics, no anaesthetics and not even a single bottle of IV fluid, leaving us in a desperate situation of not bein able to provide even lifessaving emergency surgery”. The Regional Directors of Health Services of Mullaithivu and Killinochchi reported that “… less than 5 percent of the combined quota of drugs and dressings that are meant for the last quarter of last year and for the first quarter of this year have been sent to us, so far.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 17

Eye witness details Sri Lanka combat aircraft attack killing 20 people

Eyewitnesses in Valayanmadam reported seeing a government aircraft kill 20 people who had gathered to eat breakfast. A second aircraft arrived at 6:45 a.m. The source and his family hid in a bunker when a bomb dropped on them. The witness’s two-year-old son received burns and an eye injury and his four-year old son received injuries to the head and arm. His brother was killed along with the brother’s wife and four children, aged nine, seven, and four-years-old, and 1.5 months. Altogether six people were killed and more than 60 injured. That area was attacked

about eight times that day.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 17

This is custom heading element

US State Department claims LTTE uses arms against civilians “causing many injuries”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 17

No medical supplies had been sent to the NFZ in recent weeks

Reports that no medical supplies had been sent to the NFZ since February 20 which only included bandages and other basic supplies. It did not include anesthesia or other medicien and supplies ran out within two days. This comes despite Government assertion otherwise.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 17

2 Muslim civilians abducted in Puththa'lam

Two Muslim civilians were abducted in Munthal and Kadayamootai in Puththalam by men in army uniform. Fifty-four year old S.M.Jamal was abducted into a white van from his residence in Munthal. Twenty four year old Farook Shan was abducted by army clad men in a white van from his shop at Kadayamootai.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 17

Ban Ki Moon expresses concern over civilians

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon contacted Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to express concern about civilians trapped in the conflict area.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 18

US Ambassador presses SL Foreign Minister to allow in supplies

US Ambassador, Banki Moon, pressed Foreign Minister to allow in medical supplies and to stop shelling near civilian concentrations.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon contacted Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 17 to express concern about civilians trapped in the conflict area.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 18

Colombo Embassy recieves report that the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed targets within the safe zone.

Colombo Embassy recieves report that the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed targets within the safe zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 18

3,000 civilians died with reports of thousands more

UN’s Crisis Operations Group had verified nearly three thousand 72 individual civilian deaths, with reports of thousands more, mostly from Government shelling.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 18

Sri Lanka Minister thanks Indian government in fight against LTTE

Nimal Sripala de Silva, a cabinet minister in Sri Lanka parliament, said that India’s great assistance helped Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to defeat the Liberation Tigers and that the people of Sri Lanka should be grateful to India,

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 19

Cluster bombs injures 60 in Pokkani

A witness reported that cluster bombing injured 60 in Pokkani

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 19

36 people reportedly killed by LTTE

A US State Department source in Valayanmadam reported that the LTTE killed 36 people.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 20

Mattalan shelling hits near a church and kills 5, 7 injured

A Human Rights Watch source reported shelling in a heavily populated area in Putumattalan and near a makeshift hospital in the area as well as a church in Valayanmadam, killing five people and injuring nine. There were further reports that seven people were admitted to the Mattalan hospital. One source was critically injured.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 20

LTTE urges China to consider Tamils plight at UN

Political Head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), B. Nadesan, on Friday urged Chinese government to allow Tamils plight to be discussed at the UN Security Council for a second time. “The Sri Lankan state is not only denying the Tamil sovereignty, but it is waging a genocidal war against them of catastrophic dimensions,” said Mr. Nadesan adding that Colombo was engaged in a propaganda campaign saying that the conflict is an internal matter.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 21

Ambassador Rice supports UN Council briefing on Sri Lanka

Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative, told the UN Security Council “The United States feels strongly about and concerned about Sri Lanka and we support the provision of it to the Council- a full and updated information on the humanitarian situation”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 22

Shelling in NFZ Putumattalan kills two children

Shelling in the NFZ at Putumattalan killed two young children.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 22

Civilians trying to flee 'beaten'

A HRW source in the Vanni reported that hundreds of people trying to escape were arrested by ‘local dictators’ and beaten with sticks and poles.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 23

No medicines or vegetables were available in Valayanmadam even on the black market

US State Department reports that in Valayanmadam there is no medicines or vegetables were available, even on the black market.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 23

LTTE recruit children as young as 12 killing those who resisted orders

US state department reports LTTE recruiting as young as 12 and killing those who resisted orders

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 23

Sri Lankan government continue shelling makeshift hospital in Putumattalan

HRW reacived witness statements from a makeshift hospital in Putumattalan. The source said the hospital recieving 14 corpses and 98 wounded persons that day. He told HRW that the shelling appeared to come from the direction of government positions three kilometers to the west.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 23

Sri Lankan media outlets vilinise NGOs and human rights organisatons who are being harrassed and intimidated

OHCHR released a press statement on the threats, harassment and intimidation and noting that in Sri Lanka itself, domestic media outlets had since January been running a continuous campaign of vilification against NGO activists, accusing them of treason and association with terrorism.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 23

LTTE prevent people from leaving

There are reports that the LTTE continued to prohibit civilians from departing the NFZ. Rumors were circulating that the LTTE damaged boats along the shore to prevent people from escaping.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 23

Clinton speaks of 'post-conflict political solution'

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton writes to US Congress members, saying, “We continue to urge the Sri Lankan government to devise a post-conflict political solution that will demonstrate to Sri Lanka’s Tamil population and the Tamil Diaspora that the government is serious about political inclusion. We have called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to allow civilians freedom of movement and to discuss modalities for ending hostilities.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 24

Hospitals came under fire killing a 6 year old boy

OISL reports detail attacks on Puttalam hospital killing at least threee including a woman and an RPG hitting a civilian bus in the vicinity of the United Nations hub, killing one six-year-old boy. The State Department report shelling near Mattalan hospital killing a child.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 25

Jaffna University lecturer abducted in Colombo

Selvarajah Raveendran, a lecturer of the Geography Department of the Arts Faculty of Jaffna and brother of Jaffna District Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Selvarajah Kajendran has been abducted by armed persons inside the high security area in Madiwela in Colombo

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 25

Shelling continues near Mattalan where hundreds of people are encamped

An HRW source near Mattalan reported shelling near where hundreds of people were encamped.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 25

Shelling of Hindu temple in Pokkanai.

A witness who escaped the NFZ reported to HRW that a multibarrel attack occurred very close to the Hindu temple in Pokkanai. About 20

rockets had struck the area. Several tents had burned down. Over 75 people were injured. The hospital reported 10 civilians killed, but usually not all dead bodies are taken to the hospital.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 26

38 dead in Valayanmadam

US State Department reports in Valayanmadam there was a record of 38 deaths as of noon.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 26

TNA MP calls for Immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access in Vanni

S. Jeyananthamoorthy, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian from Batticaloa district called for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to the suffering people of Vanni.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 27

Shelling Putumattalan kills a child and injures another

Shelling in the NFZ at Putumattalan kills one child and injured another

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 27

Jesse Jackson calls for ceasefire

Veteran American civil rights campaigner Reverend Jesse Jackson, who addressed the diaspora Tamil conference in London calls for ceasefire

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 28

51 people killed, including family of five.

The US State Department says an organization’s source in Valayanmadam reported heavy shelling very close to this area of the NFZ. Fifty-one people died, including an entire family of five.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

29 March

Shell attacks continue

Artillery, mortar and long-distance gunfire throughout Sunday killikelledng at least 53 civilians and caused injuries to around 119, reports TamilNet

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

30 March

More than 50 LTTE cadres killed

“At least 26 LTTE cadres and a Sri Lankan sailor were reportedly killed when navy vessels confronted a group of LTTE boats off the coast of Mullaitivu, a navy spokesman said.

In a separate land battle, the military said at least 29 Tigers were killed.

30 March

Sri Lankan air force drops bombs in NFZ

The US Starte Department says an organization’s local sources reported aerial bombing in the NFZ with jets dropping four to five bombs at a time on three separate occasions. At least 88 people are reported to have been killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

30 March

TRO director highlights several deaths in NFZ

Lawrence Christy, Planning Director, TRO releases a report highlighting several deaths inside the No Fire Zone. It includes n emergnecy caesarean section where the “baby was born dead with a shell shrapnel inside its stomach”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 31

A racist war on all Tamils - Arundhati Roy

“So while the killing continues, while tens of thousands of people are being barricaded into concentration camps, while more than 200,000 face starvation, and a genocide waits to happen, there is dead silence from [India],” says Arundhati Roy.

“It’s a colossal humanitarian tragedy. The world must step in. Now. Before it’s too late.”

March 31

Cluster bombs fired

Cluster bombs are reportedly fired at civilians, killing at least 45 people

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

March 31

Soldiers ' fired on civilians fleeing the NFZ'

The US embassy in Colombo received reports from SLA soldiers and officers on leave from the front line that SLA soldiers had fired at escaping civilians.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 2009

The shelling of the No Fire Zones has become relentless, with bodies reportedly littered around the area as Sri Lankan troops advance. There are reports of chemical weapon and cluster munition use. Civilian areas, including hospitals, have been bombarded.

April 01

Solheim speaks with the LTTE

Erik Solheim, the Norwegian minister for international development, speaks with with B. Nadesan, the head of the political wing of the LTTE.

“Our political head categorically told Mr. Solheim that a serious responsibility rests on the International Community to put an immediate stop to the attacks on the Tamil civilians,” said the LTTE.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 02

Miliband calls for ceasefire

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband renewed his call for an “urgent humanitarian ceasefire” to “allow the remaining civilians to leave the conflict area” and sought unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to the civilians displaced by the fighting.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 03

Shelling claims more lives

Shelling kills 90 civililans within 3 days, reports TamilNet

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 04

Pregnant women killed by shells

At least 12 pregnant wiomen were killed in March alone from shelling, reports the Mullaiththeevu Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS)

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 04

Mullaitivu wounded die due to lack of antibiotics

Regional Medical Services Divisions (RMSD) for Mullaiththeevu and Kilinochchi received only 5% of the total allocation of monthly needs of medical supplies for the first three months in 2009. One death a day is reported due to depletion of blood transfusions, several die due to lack of antibiotics.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 04

Another air strike by Sri Lanka

The US State Department said a foreign government received a witness report of an air strike on Valayanmadam, which injured the witness and her uncle and killed her aunt.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 05

Army launches invasion of No Fire Zone

“A spokesman for the [SL]military said operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had commenced within the zone. “The only uncleared area left is the no-fire zone,” military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Security forces said they had found the bodies of 250 fighters when they overran the village of Puthukkudiriruppu, a former Tiger stronghold. “We have recovered over 420 bodies over the last three days.”

April 05

Major battlee in PTK, several senior Tigers killed

Several senior LTTE leaders, including Theepan, Vidhusha, Kamalini, Thurga and others are killed as the Sri Lankan military boxes off LTTE fighters. Hundreds of cadres are reportedly killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 05

71 civilians killed, 143 wounded as attacks in No Fore Zone intensify

Several dozen civilians are killed as shelling intensifies. “”Death in most brutal form has become common within the Safety Zone,” says a medical staff member. “The area littered with mangled bodies, torn limbs, and blood soaked soil appears more horrific than what one finds inside a butchers shop.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 06

More shelling of civilians

The US State Department says a source reported to HRW that at noon. while the source was having lunch with his family in a tent in Pokkanai, one shell struck 10 meters away. Seven people were injured and two died. The witness sustained a minor injury and his 19-year-old son was killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 06

Senior UN human rights official Walter Kaelin states more than 100,000 civilians are trapped in the conflict zone

“A senior UN human rights official [Walter Kaelin] warned of a bloodbath unless tens of thousands of civilians are allowed to leave the war zone.”

April 07

Sri Lankan government rejected UN call for ceasefire

“It is not going to end soon,” said Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, as Sri Lanka once more rejected calls for a ceasefire.

April 07

HRW reported that several areas in the NFZ were subjected to heavy shelling, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 07

Sri Lanka is using chemical weapons, says LTTE

Lawrence, a senior commander of the LTTE, who survived the earlier battle at PTK said the Sri Lankan military was using chemical weapons in its offensive.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 07

Killed whilst lining up for milk powder

A large group of women, children and other civilians who had lined up to receive a distribution of milk powder near Ampalavanpokkanai in the second NFZ are shelled. Hundreds were killed or injured. The security forces’ aerial surveillance vehicles were flying over the location before the attack, and the time and location of the distribution had been communicated to them.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 08

Instructed to cross lagoon and then shelled

The US State Department says, “according to an organization, IDPs who escaped the NFZ said that the SLA broadcast an announcement over speakers instructing residents to come across the lagoon into the government-controlled area immediately, as the SLA was going to advance into the NFZ. Soon afterwards, the government forces fired a large shell into the midst of these IDPs, causing heavy casualties.”

Heavy shelling is reeported in the NFZ. A source contacted the BBC and said that the intensity of shell fire had increased in the last 24 hours.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 09

Red Cross evacuates 230

“On April 9 the International Committee of the Red Cross evacuated 230 injured civilians plus their relatives by ferry from Putumattalan.”

April 09

ICRC team leader killed in Vanni

47-year-old Sinnathurai Kugathasan, one of the three Team Leaders of the ICRC in Vanni, is killed by hselling inside the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 09

Jaffna university lecturer freed

Selvarajah Raveendran, a lecturer of Jaffna University and the brother of Jaffna District TNA MP S. Kajendran was released Wednesday night around 9:30 p.m. at Wellawatte in Colombo,

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 10

UN Security Council Action Needed to Avert Humanitarian Catastrophe - HRW

Human Rights Watch called upon the United Nations Security Council to take urgent measures, including by sending a special envoy to Sri Lanka, to bring an end to violations of international humanitarian law by government forces and the LTTE.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 10

Canada calls for immediate ceasefire

“We’ve asked [the United Nations] for an immediate ceasefire. We’re very worried, of course, of the hostilities that are taking place but particularly worried for the civilians that are in the combat zone [in Vanni],” said Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 11

`69 percent kids malnourished: Vanni health officials`

69 percent of children in the Vanni are malnourished, said health officials of Mullaitivu working in the No Fire Zone

Source: 1

April 11

No post-LTTE scenario says Nadesan

Head of Liberation Tigers Political section, B. Nadesan says “”[t]here will not be a post-LTTE scenario”. “We urge the international community not to go along with Sri Lanka’s uprooting of Tamils, being carried out in the guise of “fighting terrorism”. We appeal to the international community to halt this war immediately and facilitate a negotiation for a permanent political settlement based on the Tamils’ right to self-determination,”

Source: 1

April 11

Heavy rains and shells cause carnage in No Fire Zone

Heavy rain has flooded bunkers, worsening the crisis in the Vanni as dozens die from shelling.

Source: 1

April 12

Sri Lanka announced '48 hour ceasefire'

The Sri Lankan government announced it was going to restrict military operations for 48 hours on 13 and 14 April. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon welcomed the Sri Lanka

government’s decision, noting, “This is less than the full humanitarian pause of several days I had pressed for but is nevertheless a useful first step and an opportunity to move towards the peaceful and orderly end to the fighting now so badly needed.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 12

TNA says Tamils 'are clearly being subjected to genocide'

.The Tamil National Alliance says in a press release,

“The Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka are clearly being subjected to Genocide.

It is in these dire circumstances of an accelerated Genocide by unprecedented levels of Tamil civilian killings and the imminent extermination of those within the “safe zone”, that the TNA appeals to India and the rest of the international community to: –

Compel the Sri Lankan Government to stop all military operation immediately”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 12

Shells do not spare the womb

TamilNet reports that a pregnant woman who had her abdomen torn open in shelling has been admitted to hospital. The limb of her unborn baby had protruded out through her wound. It is not known whether she or her pregancy survived.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 12

Dozens killed despite 'ceasefire'

The US State Department quotes a source in Valayanmadam as reporting shelling and RPG attacks as the SLA advanced, coming within 200 meters of the people. TamilNet reports at least 31 people were killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 13

Shells, gunfire and air attacks reported in Valayanmadam

Shells, gunfire and air attacks reported in Valayanmadam, reports the US State Department. At least 23 civilians within the last 12 hours from 8:30 p.m. Sunday to 8:00 a.m. Monday, according to TamilNet’s correspondent

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 13

LTTE calls for permanent ceasefire

The LTTE says it has “long been requesting a permanent ceasefire encompassing sensible military and political essence” “As a result of Sri Lanka’s embargo on food and medicine, the suffering of our people is unfathomable. To make matters worse, the floods caused by the recent summer-rain, flowing over the drinking-wells, have contaminated them, causing an acute shortage of drinking water in the region… With people getting killed and wounded daily at the hands of the Sri Lanka military, the casualty figure has now climbed to 300 per day.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 14

Shelling starts before temporary ceasefire ends

TamilNet reports continued gunfire and RPG fire despite a temporary ceasefire in place. The US State Department reports shelling begins at 9.00pm, before the end of the declared 48-hour ceasefire by the Sri Lankan government.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 15

Shelling and gunfire continues

TamilNet’s correspondent reports more artillery shelling as well as machine gun fire into the No Fire Zone. “It is impossible to assess casualty details, but at least 180 civilians are feared killed within 3 hours,” the corresspondent adds.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 15

Children die from malnutrition and illness

Several children are reported to have died due to a lack of food and medicine. Amongst them are 2-month-old baby girl Sakeela and 2-year-old girl Sivagnanamoorthy Prasitha. Pictures 1 and 2.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 16

Norway reiterates 'long-standing friendship with Sri Lanka'

Norway releases the following statement:

“Norway has a long-standing friendship with Sri Lanka, and all our efforts have been to work for peace within a united Sri Lanka. All attention must now be directed towards the precarious situation for the civilians trapped in the conflict zone, and to end the fighting without further bloodshed.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 16

British MPs call for UN Security Council resolution on Sri Lanka

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG-T) releases a statement saying,

“However we now urge our government to take this very serious issue to the UN Security Council to pass a Resolution that will cover the following:

An immediate, permanent, internationally monitored ceasefire

Unfettered access by international humanitarian organisations and the UN

An unimpeded flow of humanitarian relief, especially adequate food and medicine, to the civilians in the conflict zone

Full and immediate access to the ‘safe zone’ for the international media.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 16

UNSYG Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar visits Sri Lanka and meets with Rajapaksas

UNSYG Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar embarks on a two-day visit to the island. He meets with senior government officials.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 16

Malnutrition and bombs plague the No Fire Zone

Shelling of the No Fire Zone continues, with TamilNet reporting that Sri Lankan helicopter gunships are providing extra fire. More than 57 are reported killed and 300 wounded. Malnourishment is widespread.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 16

Rajapaksas celebrate in Kilinochchi

Sri Lanka’s president Mahidna Rajapaksa and defence secretary Gotabaya visit Kilinochchi and share a feast with Sri Lankan troops, as they celebrate its capture. He is the first Sri Lankan president to visit Kilinochchi in nearly three decades.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 16

US calls for 'return to a humanitarian pause' and 'power sharing arrangements'

The US releases a statement saying,

“Both sides must immediately return to a humanitarian pause and both must respect the right of free movement of those civilian men, women and children trapped by the fighting… A durable and lasting peace will only be achieved through a political solution that addresses the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankan communities… We urge the Sri Lankan government to employ diplomacy to permit a peaceful outcome of this conflict. We call on the Sri Lankan government to put forward a proposal now to engage Tamils who do not espouse violence or terrorism, and to develop power sharing arrangements so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 17

Only 5% of medical supplies are in conflict zone

The US State Dept says “Organizations estimated that only 5% of needed supplies were being received, and avoidable deaths were occurring as a result”. The Ministry of Defense imposed a strict ban on anesthetics entering the LTTE-controlled area. Sri Lanka Ministry of Health supported the ban, saying ―”They do not need medicines inside the zone, as you evacuate the wounded”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 17

India asks for extension of 'pause' in hostilities

India releases a statement saying,

“India is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka. The continuing conflict has taken a heavy toll on Tamil civilians and internally displaced persons caught in the cross fire. The Government of India has repeatedly expressed its concern for their security and sought to ensure safe passage to secure zones for the civilian population.

While it is incumbent on the LTTE to release all civilians and IDPs under their control, the Government of Sri Lanka cannot be oblivious to the evolving human tragedy and the fate of the Tamil civilian population caught up in the so-called No Fire Zone. There is no reason not to continue with the pause in military actions in the NFZ.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 17

ICRC evacuates hundreds of wounded but many more still waiting

The ICRC reported that it evacuated 462 wounded. More than 400 additional wounded are waiting to be evacuated.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 18

TNA appeals to India

The TNA tells India,

“the fact that the Sri Lankan State and its Armed forces despite the widest possible international outcry that the safety of Tamil Civlians is paramount, have not been deterred even to the slightest degree, in the pursuit of their military attacks in Tamil Civilian populated areas, without any regard whatever, for the safety of Tamil Civilians is indicative of the deep hostility that the Sri Lankan State and its Armed forces bear towards the Tamil people. The Sri Lankan State’s actions establish beyond a shadow of doubt, that the real intention of the Sri Lankan State is the progressive extermination of the Tamil people”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 18

Sri Lanka deports British journalist

The Sri Lankan immigration officer’s eyes narrowed as she swiped my passport at the international airport in Colombo last week. “Come this way,” she said, leading me into a side room, where a colleague typed my details into a computer.

A message flashed up on his screen: “DO NOT ALLOW TO ENTER THE COUNTRY.” With that, my passport was confiscated, I was escorted to a detention room, locked up for the night, and deported the next day. I can’t say that I was surprised, though it was my first deportation in 12 years of reporting from China, the former Soviet Union and South Asia.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 18

Sri Lanka rejects UN appeal for ceasefire

“I told him (Mr Nambiar) that we cannot extend our decision to restrict offensive military operations because there was no result during the previous halt in the fighting,” the Sri Lankan defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapakse, said in an interview with the BBC. Though he denied firing in the No Fire Zone, he added, “However, if the rebel leader, Prabhakaran, is seen then we will take him out, even if it is inside the safe zone”. “But we will take all measures to avoid civilian casualties,” he said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 18

LTTE says Nambiar must be allowed to visit conflict zone

The LTTE says Sri Lanka should allow UN Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar to visit the conflict zone. “The GoSL is not making arrangements for his visit, to prevent him from knowing the nature and magnitude of its offensive and to prevent first hand verifications of the truth reaching the UN,” said LTTE political head, B. Nadesan.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 18

Starvation worsens, chilren malnourished

TamilNet’s correspondent said people were only eating once a day for the last 4 weeks and that there are people who have become completely dependent on gruel being supplied by the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO). Children begin showing visible signs of undernourishment as supplies dwindle.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 18

British Foreign Secretary 'gravely concerned'

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband says,

I remain gravely concerned at the continuing conflict in northern Sri Lanka that threatens many thousands of civilian lives. The British Government maintains its calls for an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka and for civilians to be allowed to leave the conflict area….

Protests and demonstrations around the world have highlighted the tragic loss of life of innocent civilians in Sri Lanka. Further loss of life will only compound that tragedy. The Tamil community are a community we value and they make an important contribution to British society. They have seen friends and relatives perish, and their loved ones are still at grave risk from the fighting. We have heard their voice and will keep listening. We are committed to do all we can to bring this terrible conflict to an end.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 19

Putumattalan Hospital hit as army fires at NFZ

Sources at Putumattalan Hospital confirmed that many shells hit the civilian area and the hospital compound. The hospital roof was also hit by small arms fire.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 20

Sri Lankan army enters No Fire Zone

The Sri Lankan army splits No Fire Zone 2 into two parts after breaking through the LTTE defences on Monday morning. A US embassy cable says “exact civilian casualties are unknown, but some estimate 1,000 dead

and 2,000 injured inside the NFZ since the morning of April 20.” Cluster bombs are reportedly used. 100,000 civilians cross into government controlled territory and are sent to Menik Farm.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 20

It's now all over for the Tigers' says Rajapaksa

People “are running to safety,” claims Mahinda Rajapaksa. “What we are doing is not a military operation, but the world’s biggest hostage rescue.”

“The process of the complete defeat of the LTTE has just begun,” he told AFP. “It is now all over for the Tigers.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 20

Doctors are 'worn out'

Dr T Satyamurthy, director of health services in Kilinochchi, said there were several hundred injured and dozens of dead there and at another, nearby hospital.

He also said his staff had told him that they had seen “many dead bodies” by the edge of a road in the area.

ICRC country chief Paul Castella told the BBC that government doctors working in the area were “really worn out”.

“These people are working for months now without any break, they work day and night. And medical supplies are lacking,” he added.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 20

LTTE welcomes US State Dept call for ceasefire

In a statement released today the LTTE says,

The LTTE would like reiterate its commitment to a ceasefire without any preconditions, as urged by the US and other members of the international community. The LTTE is also ready for a meaningful negotiation on all issues related to humanitarian access, security, movement and welfare of the Tamil civilian population.

The LTTE urges the Sri Lankan government to stop its military actions, including shelling and bombing civilian areas and accept the call of the United States and other members of the International community for a ceasefire, which we believe will create a conducive atmosphere for talks on all relevant issues.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 20

Mattalan hospital is shelled

A US State Department report says there is an “eyewitness account of shelling at the Mattalan hospital”. “Another witness reported that her husband, her nine-year-old daughter, and six others were killed during the attack.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 21

LTTE warns of 'bloodbath', says over 1000 civilians killed and 2,300 civilians injured

The LTTE issues the following statement.

Yesterday, 20.04.2009, over 1000 civilians were killed and near 2300 civilians were injured. And today, a situation of bloodbath is prevailing.

LTTE request the ICRC to provide medical supplies and evacuate by ship the 2000 people injured and facing imminent danger. Immediate food is required as several are faced with starvation. The LTTE has provided coordinates for the ICRC ships to land at a new port as Puthumathalan is now under Sri Lankan military occupation.

These are serious war crimes and the Sri Lankan government and the head of the armed forces are direct responsible for this carnage.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 21

Putumattalan hospital and the United Nations hub shelled in NFZ

Six hundred or more people were seriously wounded on April 21, with over 100 of them dying after admission to makeshift hospital facilities. Bombing from the air accompanied by artillery shelling set fire to tents housing hospital patients and their relatives, causing those who could to flee down to sand bunkers by the sea. Dr. Siva Manhoharan is among those killed. Witnesses alleged the use of cluster-type munitions by the Sri Lankan armed forces in their attacks on Putumattalan hospital and the United Nations hub.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 21

ICRC says 'mass casualties among civilians'

Prompted by the intensity of the conflict and “mass casualties among civilians”, the ICRC issued a press release calling on both parties to take “exceptional precautionary measures to minimize further bloodshed” in NFZ 2. It called on the LTTE to keep its fighters and military resources “well away from places where civilians are concentrated and allow civilians who want to leave the area to do so safely.” It also called on the Government to “ensure that the methods and means of warfare they employ make it possible to clearly distinguish at all times between civilians and civilian objects on the one hand, and military objectives on the other. In this situation we are particularly concerned about the impact on civilians of using weapons such as artillery.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

Indian PM host special meeting on Sri Lanka

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said “The Indian government is very unhappy at the continued killing of innocent Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka”.

“These killings must stop. The Sri Lankan government has a responsibility to protect its own citizens and the LTTE must stop its barbaric attempt to hold civilians hostage.”

“There is no military solution to this ongoing humanitarian crisis, and all concerned should recognise this fact.

“The only lasting solution will come from political efforts to address the real concerns of the Tamil people, giving them lives of dignity within the Sri Lankan mainstream,” the foreign minister said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

Clinton tells Congress of 'terrible humanitarian tragedy' in Sri Lanka

In Washington, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress: “This is such a terrible humanitarian tragedy. And we have been pressing the Sri Lankan government for a halt in the fighting so that we could secure a safe passage for as many of the trapped civilians as possible.

“I think that the Sri Lankan government knows that the entire world is very disappointed, that in its efforts to end what it sees as 25 years of conflict, it is causing such untold suffering.”

“We have made it clear that, as soon as there is some lull in the fighting or an end to the fighting, that there has to be not only massive humanitarian aid, but a political resolution.”

“There seems to be very little openness on the part of the Tamil Tiger leadership to cease their efforts so that we could try to get in and help the people.”

The United States is already “beginning intensive post-conflict planning,” she said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

Valayarmadam church shelled

The OISL says “according to witnesses, the church and its compound were then packed with over 1,000 IDPs seeking shelter. A humanitarian worker described the aftermath of the attacks: “it was a terrible sight: There were body parts blown everywhere. I even saw hands hanging on the trees. I saw human body parts all over the vehicles.”

Several witnesses again described bombs exploding overhead into “bomblets” before impacting on the ground during these incidents. One witness who was injured in the shelling said he could hear “a launch noise, the sound of the explosion and then as many as 40 or 50 smaller explosions which occur over a wide area”.

Rev. Fr. Vasanthaseelan, 35, has his left leg amputated.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

Virtually no operating medical facilities or supplies'

As shelling continues, the US State Dept report says ” sources inside the NFZ reported significant civilian deaths and virtually no operating medical facilities or supplies. Many wounded were not coming to medical points as they understood there was almost no treatment available. A source at Mullivaikkal hospital reported a shortage of medicines when a supply ship did not arrive as expected.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

LTTE 'fired shots into the air' as civilians attempt to flee after hospital shelled by army

The OISL reports “after intense SLA shelling, including immediately around Putumatallan Hospital, when thousands of civilians attempted to leave the LTTE-controlled area… the LTTE threatened them and fired shots into the air to scare them”.

“Later that same night… According to witness testimony, people were very desperate to flee the fighting and began walking towards the Nandi Kaddal lagoon, some carrying their friends or relatives who were unable to walk due to injuries or exhaustion. The LTTE did not attempt to stop them this time, and some cadres even helped them. Unconfirmed reports suggest that some of those trying to cross may have been killed by the SLA shooting, because at the time there was no counter fire from behind where the LTTE military was located.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

US ambassador Susan Rice says situation is 'dire'

Susan Rice, US envoy to the UN, said it was imperative that both sides ceased shelling. “We are appalled that many are left unable to get life-saving assistance.” She was speaking after the UN Security Council hosted an informal meeting on Sri Lanka.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 22

Shelling around ICRC ship as it attempts evacuations

A leaked US embassy cable says “ICRC reported very dire conditions inside the NFZ when their medical evacuation ferry landed there the afternoon of April 22. Shelling around the new landing site was constant during their evacuation of 350 persons. They reported conditions among civilians were so bad that not only was it impossible to bring in and distribute any food supplies, but food was no longer even a priority at this point.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 23

UN demands LTTE surrender

“We demand that the LTTE immediately lay down arms, renounce terrorism, allow a UN-assisted evacuation of the remaining civilians in the conflict area, and join the political process,” Claude Heller, of Mexico, told journalists after an informal Security Council meeting.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 23

Gotabaya says he will not allow in aid agencies

“It’s not a sensible thing at the moment,” Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the BBC.

“There is a civilian rescue operation going on in the area and allowing aid agencies inside the conflict zone is not matching with ground realities.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 23

Hospital evacuated with no time to bury dead bodies

The OISL says, “As a consequence of sustained shelling, Valayarmadam hospital was evacuated on or around 23 April 2009, and the clinic relocated to Mullivaikkal. Families did not have time to bury their deceased loved ones as they rushed to find a safer place to stay. One patient from Valayarmadam describes how he was carried to Mullivaikkal, where he was located in a tent with around 50 other patients.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

White House calls on 'both sides to stop fighting immediately'

In a statement, the United States says it “is deeply concerned about the plight of innocent civilians caught up in the conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers, and the mounting death toll”.

“We call on both sides to stop fighting immediately and allow civilians to safely leave the combat zone,” it said.

The US Embassy in Colombo notes that the last shipment of medicine into the NFZ took place on April 8 and there was a critical shortage of needed supplies.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

LTTE warns starvation is 'imminent'

The lTTE releases a statement saying, “the dwindling stocks coupled with the deliberate withholding of fresh supplies has made starvation imminent over 165 000 civilians belonging to 40, 000 families now living in this area… We fear that further delay can result in a crisis similar to that faced in Darfur or even deadlier”.

The US Embassy in Colombo notes that the last shipment of medicine into the NFZ took place on April 8 and there was a critical shortage of needed supplies.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

Sri Lankan releases Tamil journalist from custody

The Chief Editor of the Tamil daily Sudaroli, Nadesapillai Vithiyatharan, who was arrested by Sri Lankan security forces on Febraury 26 was released without charge

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

Leaked un document confirms at least 6,432 killed in 3 months

At least 6,432 civilians were killed in the intense fighting over the past three months and 13,946 wounded, according to a private UN document circulated among diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka in recent days.

The casualties were reported as “verified data” in the document, which was given to The Associated Press by a foreign diplomat. The UN has declined to publicly release its casualty figures and had no immediate comment on the document.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

Sri Lankan army vows 'no pause' in fighting

Sri Lankan military spokesman Brig Shavendra Silva vowed there would be no pause in the fighting and insisted the Sri Lankan army had been ”very successful”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

Dysentry, malnourishment and open wounds' at Menik Farm camp says UN

Neil Buhne, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator visits Menik Farm in Vavuniya, where tens of thousands of Tamils are being detained.

“I saw infants with dysentery, malnourished children and women, untended wounds, and people dressed in the ragged clothing they’ve been wearing for months.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 24

Senior Indian officials meet with Rajapaksa in Colombo

Shiv Shankar Menon, the Indian foreign secretary and M.K. Narayanan, the national security adviser, meet with President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 25

Starvation worsens amidst food shortages

There is a severe shortage of food. The US State Department notes a ship had been waiting with food items at Trincomalee harbor, but it was not given clearance by the Sri Lankan navy. Sources say people have not eaten in three days. In Vavuniya, where the government is interning thousands of Tamils, the State Department notes “people… were crying for food and lying down by the side of the road, hardly able to move”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 25

Former Tamil Nadu CM says 'Eelam is the only solution'

A separate Tamil Eelam is the only solution that will permanently put an end to the problems of the Tamil people in the island of Sri Lanka, said Tamil Nadu former Chief Minister and principal Leader of the Opposition, Jayalalitha Jayaram at an election rally in Salem city.

In a powerful, moving speech, on Saturday April 25, she resolved to fight to attain independent Eelam.

“I met Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar who has just returned from the war-zone in the Vanni. He gave me CDs and photographs of the atrocities. My heart boils when I looked at it,” the AIADMK leader said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 25

India tells US that Rajapaksa will have a ceasefire

National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan tells the United States that Mahinda Rajapaksa will announce a ceasefire shortly. A leaked US embassy cable says, “While Rajapaksa had “more or less” committed to the pause,

Narayanan warned that the Sri Lanka President planned to consult with his cabinet on April 26 prior to making an announcement. Narayanan asked that the U.S. keep quiet about this development until Rajapaksa fulfills his pledge and announces the pause”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 25

UN accuses LTTE of child recruitment

Gordon Weiss, the UN spokesman in Sri Lanka, says “children as young as 12,” are being forced to fight for the LTTE. He adds that a 16-year-old child of a UN staff member was amongst those listed. The LTTE’s Nadesan denies the charge, stating “A large number of teenagers and children were killed in the deliberate shelling, bombing and firing by the Sri Lankan forces in Vanni in the last few months”. “The North Eastern Secretariat on Human Rights (NESoHR) is working on compiling documentary evidence on the massacre of children and all other war crimes and human rights abuses committed by the Colombo government during the war and this will be brought to light at the right time,” he added.

The UN deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said the humanitarian situation “continues to be critical, civilian casualties have been tragically high and their suffering horrendous”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 25

Sri Lankan air force bombs No Fire Zone

TamilNet reports at least 25 bombs dropped on the No Fire Zone in Mullivaikkaal

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 26

LTTE announces unilateral ceasefire

“In the face of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to the calls made by the UN, EU, the governments of the USA, India and others, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has announced an unilateral ceasefire,” said the LTTE. “All of LTTE’s offensive military operations will cease with immediate effect.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 26

Sri Lankan Defence Secretary rejects ceasefire, calls it a 'joke'

Sri Lankan defence secretary and the brother of SL president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who responded to the LTTE’s unilateral announcement of a ceasefire, announced Sunday has called it a ‘joke’ and said there was “no need of a ceasefire and that the LTTE must surrender,” reported Sky’s Asia correspondent Alex Crawford.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 26

Air strikes continue in the No Fire Zone

The Sri Lankan air force reportedly continues bombing the No Fire Zone. TamilNet reports at least 39 airstrikes on Sinday alone. Several civilians are reportedly killed and more than 200 injured in a 5 hour period.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 26

Several civilians killed, 200 wounded within 5 hours as SLA launches onslaught

Several civilians were killed and more than 200, wounded in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling and gunfire, have been admitted at Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal hospital in the early hours of Monday as the SLA opened fire from its positions attempting to advance further into the densely populated so-called safety zone (No Fire Zone) from 3:30 a.m. Monday. Heavy exchange of gunfire continued and civilians were forced to stay inside the bunkers as rounds were whizzing over them. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers carried out two sorties of air raids in the morning, according to latest reports from Vanni. The aggression by the SLA comes a few hours after Sri Lanka rejected LTTE announced unilateral ceasefire.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 26

British MPs warn of 'humanitarian carnage of unimaginable magnitude'

British parliamentarians with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPG-T) warn that the “final onslaught” in the safe zone by the Sri Lanka Government will result in “carnage of unimaginable magnitude,” and appealed to “Her Majesty’s Government, NGOs, and Governments around the world, to act immediately to prevent this devastation.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 26

TRO issues urgent appeal from inside No Fire Zone

Lawrance Christy, the planning director of Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) writes this urgent appeal from inside the No Fire Zone. “An Open Letter to the Members of the Security Council, the United Nations and the International Community: You are our only hope… Based on their previous experiences over the past three months TRO officials in the ‘safe zone’ have predicted that if the expected offensive goes forward there will be more than 10,000 casualties as the area is densely populated and there is no cover from bombs, shells, and bullets.”

In a separate account that day he adds, “I am writing this crying. A lump of grief has chocked my throat. This is because of the feeling that we are abandoned by the International Community. “

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 27

UN official leaves Sri Lanka as shelling continues

UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes left Sri Lanka. A leaked US embassy cable said “the Sri Lankan government did not approve his requests for UN access to the conflict area and for the release of UN local staff workers from IDP camps. He was publicly skeptical of the Government’s vow to end heavy combat operations, given similar promises in recent months. He told reporters, “I hope that the idea of not using heavy weapons will genuinely be respected, which I am afraid has not been the case in the past.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 27

Sri Lanka pledges not to use any 'heavy weapons'

“Combat operations have reached their conclusion,” a statement from Mahinda Rajapaksa’s office said. “Our security forces have been instructed to end their use of heavy calibre guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties.”

“I hope that the idea of not using heavy weapons will genuinely be respected, which I am afraid has not been the case in the past,” said John Holmes, a UN aid chief.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 27

Sri Lanka continues air strikes violating own announcement - Puleedevan

LTTE’s Director of Peace Seceratariat, S. Puleedevan says the air strikes by the Sri Lankan military have continued despite their earlier announcement.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 27

Sri Lankan air force jets drop bombs in Mullivaikkaal

Despite pledges by the Sri Lankan government, the OISL says sources reported the shellign has intensified. Air force jets dropped more bombs in Mullivaikkaal and the hospital is under attack from artillery shells. Food and medicine shortages are widespread, and many are showing signs of starvation.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 28

Mad shelling' in Vanni as air strikes and artillery barrage continues

A medical source in the Vanni told TamilNet there was “mad shelling” by the Sri Lankan military. A US State Department report notes that despite the Sri Lankan government’s pledge to end the use of heavy weapons, the bombardment continues. At least six persons, including women and children, were reportedly killed when shells landed on the Mullivaikkaal hospital, says the OISL. Shelling in the morning lasts hours.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 28

Sri Lankan Army fired 5,600 shells within 15 hours - LTTE

The LTTE claims the Sri Lankan army fired at least 2,600 Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) rockets, more than 1,000 artillery shells and at least 2,000 heavy mortar shells from 6:00 p.m. Monday till 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. The LTTE says more than 200 civilians had been killed in the barrage.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 28

ICRC ship drops off small amount of food

An ICRC ship drops off 30 MT of rice, oil, and sugar. The population is in desperate need of more food and medicine.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 28

Sri Lanka bars Sweden's foreign minister from entering country

The Sri Lankan government has refused entry to Sweden’s Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. Bildt was due to visit Sri Lanka this week. “The Sri Lankan authorities have suddenly said that they don’t accept me,” he told reporters, adding that no reason had been given. “It’s very strange behaviour … exceedingly strange behaviour.” Czech foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg, representing the Czech EU presidency, said the Sri Lanka move was “a grave mistake … which will of course have repercussions in Europe and will influence the further development of relations between the Sri Lankan government and the European states”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 28

We know how we are fighting,' claims army spokesperson

“We have not used any shelling or mortaring, only small arms,” claims army spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. “We know how we are fighting,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 29

Hospital is hit again as Sri Lankan navy fires artillery, 300 killed in one day

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) attack crafts fitted with 100 mm cannon began firing artillery pieces along the shore of Mullivaikkaal around 4:00 p.m. The makeshift hospital is hit by artillery shells. Shells damaged the roof of a hospital ward and nine patients died while 15 others were reportedly wounded, reports the OISL. As many as 300 people are feared to have been killed today.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 29

Miliband and Kouchener visit Menik Farm, call for a ceasefire

Britain’s Foreign Minister David Miliband and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner visit Menik Farm in Vavuniya, where tens of thousands of Tamil civilians are being interned. They call for a humanitarian ceasefire.“They’re not willing to do that,” Miliband, said in an interview after talks.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 29

Buddhist monks protest against visit of French and British foreign ministers

Sinhala Buddhist monks staged a protest outside the British High Commission in Colombo, demonstrating against the visit of the British and French foreign ministers this week.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

UN Security Council meets informally on Sri Lanka and takes no action

The UN Security Council hosts another informal meeting on Sri Lanka. No one objects to Sri Lanka receiving a $1.6 billion USD loan from the IMF. British Ambassador John Sawers said punishing Sri Lanka did not belong on the Security Council agenda.

“We’re not in the job of penalising the government of Sri Lanka,” Sawers said. “We want to help the government of Sri Lanka to address this problem. I just wish that the government … was more open to the offers of help that have been extended to it.” “Despite the government of Sri Lanka’s promise to suspend combat operations, most accounts indicate that shelling into the conflict zone continues,” said U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice. “Very credible reports also indicate that the Tamil Tigers are using civilians as human shields, and have, in some cases, shot at civilians trying to leave the conflict area.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

Satellite images reveal SLA shelling damages to Safe Zone

A report by United Nations Institute for Training and Reseach (UNITAR) surfaced on April 27th confirmed the heavy use of artillery and aerial bombing of civilian safety zone (CSZ) by the Sri Lankan armed forces. The 10-page document, initially made public, was later blocked by UNITAR for preventing incriminating evidence of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling of civilian areas. Several organizations, including Inner City Press, however, have archived a local copy of the now officially unavailable report.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

7,000 Tamils in Vanni killed, 14,000 injured in 3 months, TNA tells David Miliband

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R. Sampanthan, and parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran tell visiting British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, that 7,000 Tamils in Vanni have been killed and 14,000 injured in the last three months. They also say more than 300 Tamil youths in Vavuniyaa detention centre have been arrested by Sri Lanka Army and their wherabouts remainm unknown.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

LTTE claims to sink two Sri Lankan navy boats

The Liberation Tigers of Tamlieelam (LTTE) Sea Tigers claim to have sunk a Sri Lankan water jet gun-boat and Dvora Fast Attack Craft (FAC) around 2:45 p.m. Thursday.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

Heavy weapon use continues

There is continued shelling of Mullivaikkal as the civilian death toll rises.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

Victory without humanity can be no triumph'

Then British and French foreign ministers David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner wrote in The Times on the 30th of April 2009, after a visit to the island where they met with Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“The gravity of the situation means that the international community has a duty to respond and to do all that we can to halt the suffering.

As members of the UN Security Council we do not shy away from the responsibility of sovereign governments and the international community to protect civilians. Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has joined us in describing the failure to protect civilians in Sri Lanka as truly shocking. Yesterday we took our plea direct to the Sri Lankan Government. In its moment of triumph it must show the humanity and self-interest to find a way to win the peace.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

April 30

Sri Lanka's defence secretary attacks British Foreign Minister

Gotabaya Rajapaksa says his meeting with David Miliband and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchener was a “waste of time”. He adds “In Mr Miliband’s constituency there are many Tamils and they want to save the LTTE leadership, not civilians. It’s a joke. We have proved we can save these civilians by rescuing 200,000. So why so many foreign ministers in this indecent hurry?… We’re just wasting our time with these dignitaries and VIPs coming to this country over and over again because of your internal problem to satisfy their [Tamil] diaspora”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 2009

Diaspora protests have been continuing daily for weeks in capitals around the world. The Sri Lankan government has turned down calls for a ceasefire and continued with its bombardment of the No Fire Zones, where civilians remain trapped. As the military occupies more territory, thousands have been forced to shelter on the beaches of Mullivaikkal.

May 01

Obama expresses concern for Tamil journalist Tissainayagam

In a statement issued by the White House in honor of World Press Freedom Day, President Barack Obama expressed his concern for Sunday Times Journalist J.S Tissainayagam and said his case was “emblematic of the hundreds of journalists who face intimidation, censorship, and arbitrary arrest.” Tissainayagam and journalists like him are “guilty of nothing more than a passion for truth and a tenacious belief that a free society depends on an informed citizenry,” said President Obama in his statement.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 01

Sri Lanka admits to shelling No Fire Zone

The Sri Lankan government admitted that it had bombed the ‘No Fire Zone’ where it had instructed Tamil civilians to seek shelter.

Confronted with leaked satellite footage of the region, which showed extensive crater marks from Sri Lankan military shelling, Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona made the admission in an interview with Al Jazeera despite earlier government denials.

However, Sri Lanka’s president Mahinda Rajapaksa contradicted his foreign secretary by continuing to categorically deny that the military had attacked civilian areas with heavy weapons.

“If you are not willing to accept the fact that we are not using heavy weapons, I really can’t help it,” he said. “We are not using heavy weapons. When we say no, it means no. If we say we are doing something, we do it. We do exactly what we say, without confusion.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 01

A night of heavy shelling

Approximately 200 civilians sheltering at Mullivaikkal were rushed to the hospital as the Sri Lankan military bombarded the area on the night of the 30th of April. Dozens were killed.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 02

8 year old girl killed in Batticaloa

Paramilitary groups attached to Pillaiyan and Karuna are accused of killing 8-year-old Thinusika Satheeskumar in Batticaloa, who was abducted whilst on her way home from school earlier in the week. Her body was found dumped in a well.

Tamil paramilitary groups aligned to the government continue to operate with impunity in the region, with the Sri Lankan military providing them continued protection.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 02

Hospital bombed twice

The only remaining hospital in Mullivaikkal was attacked twice by the Sri Lankan military on the morning of the 2nd of May 2009, with at least 64 people killed and a further 87 injured. A US State Department report quoted a local source as stating the hospital was shelled twice, once at 9 a.m. and again at 10.30 a.m. The main outpatient department was hit as well as a bunker in the immediate vicinity to the hospital. Human Rights Watch later reported these attacks, noting that the second attack also resulted in dozens of casualties.

The OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka quoted a witness describing the scene:

“There were many bodies everywhere and I could still smell the smoke from the shells hanging in the air. The smell of blood and the screaming from the injured was overwhelming. There were many women and children dead.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 02

LTTE calls once more for a ceasefire

The LTTE released a statement calling once more for a ceasefire to end the humanitarian crisis. Extracts of their statement below.

“May, I take this opportunity to draw attention to our unilateral announcement of a cease fire on 26th April and our position that only such a ceasefire can end the humanitarian crisis. We are ready to engage in the process to bring about a ceasefire and enter into negotiations for an enduring resolution to the conflict.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 02

Tamil Nadu activists attack Indian Army trucks transporting weapons to Sri Lanka

Activists belonging to the pro-Tamil nationalist Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) attacked a convoy of military trucks of the Indian Army allegedly transporting weapons to Sri Lanka. Five trucks were damaged in the attack. Mortar shells were found in the trucks, sources in Chennai said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 03

‘Horrendous act of genocide’

The LTTE’s Political Head B Nadesan accused the Sri Lankan government for deliberately carrying out “horrendous act of genocide”, with their restriction on food, medicines and humanitarian access to Tamil civilians in the final conflict zone. The LTTE was always fully prepared to extend its support to ensure humanitarian supplies and international humanitarian access to the civilian population, Nadesan told TamilNet. He further said that the LTTE political division was engaged in saving the lives of civilians who were suffering from hunger and starvation.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 03

The attacks continue

A US State Department report quotes a local source as reporting the Sri Lankan military, as part of a multi-barrel shell attack, launched over 40 shells were launched in the vicinity of civilians living in an area between the Mullivaikkal Pillayar temple and the sea.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 03

Food and medicine shortages worsen

The OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) found that,

“Witness testimonies and other documentation refer to many dying of starvation, exhaustion or lack of medical care in addition to those killed by shelling and shooting”.

“It remains to be investigated how many people – particularly the most vulnerable such as the elderly and children – died as a result of lack of access to food and medical care.”

The OISL went on to state,

“A senior United Nations official said they were amongst the worst cases of malnutrition he had ever seen”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 04

The bombing continues

A US State Department report noted a source inside the No Fire Zone as stating the Sri Lankan military was “engaged in daily shelling and bombing of the NFZ, killing an estimated minimum of 100 people per day”.

Several attacks on Mullivaikkal Hospital led to patients not being able to receive surgery or any other forms of treatment, the State Department report added.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 04

TAG calls for ICC investigation

Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) wrote to then Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) Luis Moreno-Ocampo, urging him to investigate senior Sri Lankan military and political officials for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Bruce Fein, counsel for TAG, wrote

I am writing to urge you to open investigations under the Rome Statute of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan presidential adviser and Member of Parliament, Basil Rajapaksa, and Sri Lankan Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.

The quartet should be investigated for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide of Sri Lankan civilian Tamils unconnected with the conflict between the government and the LTTE.

The Government of Sri Lanka is unwilling to investigate itself.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 04

Hundreds of Tamils arrested

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan military continued its roundup of Tamils across the island. In Amparai 160 Tamils were arrested by Special Task Force (STF) commandos and taken into police custody. In Colombo the military arrested 6 further Tamils, whilst 76 Tamils held in detention centres in the Jaffna peninsula were taken by the military to the Thellippazhai ‘rehabilitation centre’.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 04

US pushes for special session on Sri Lanka at UN Human Rights Council

A leaked US cable, reveals that the embassy in Colombo instructed colleagues in Geneva to support a UN Human Rights Council (HRC) special session to discuss the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. The session was eventually held on the 26th and 27th of May. It faced widespread criticism for passing a ‘deeply flawed resolution’ which ‘ignores calls for an international investigation into alleged abuses during recent fighting and other pressing human rights concerns’, said Human Rights Watch.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 05

Deaths from starvation add to crisis

As the Sri Lankan military continued its shelling of the No Fire Zone, the LTTE called on the international community to facilitate the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid.

The Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation reported that of the estimated 2500MT of food that was needed per month, only 60MT was allowed through by the government for the whole of April.

It went on to add,

“Dead bodies are being taken by TRO volunteers for burial or cremation. Dead bodies have to be collected from shelters and bunkers. When dead bodies are brought to the hospitals or when the wounded people died in the hospital as the treatment failed they also have to be picked up.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 05

British MPs conclude trip to Sri Lanka

A delegation of British MPs conclude their visit to Sri Lanka, with a press conference that slams the LTTE and calls on Sri Lanka to “use maximum restraint in their ongoing operations”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 05

Army advances into No Fire Zone

Wikileaks cables reveal the military saying “elements of the 53 Division” have entered the No Fire Zone. It adds “53 Division is advancing south on an axis west of the A35 road and east of the Nanthi Kadal Lagoon, while 58 Division is moving south on an axis east of the A35 and west of the coast.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 06

Hospitals hit by Sri Lankan army

A US State Department report says that on the 6th of May,

A local source reported that the remaining hospital facilities were continually hit by SLA shelling, even though their locations had been carefully reported to the government.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 06

More deaths from starvation

Dozens of people are reported to have died from starvation in the preceding weeks, particularly the elderly.

The US State Department says that,

An organization’s sources expressed their belief that the GSL was deliberately preventing delivery of medicine to the NFZ and reported that ―over the last week, at least 20 people have died due to starvation and lack of medication

Deaths are occurring not just inside the No Fire Zone, but also at detention centres in Vavuniya, where on May 4th, ten elderly persons reportedly died.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 07

Pressure from Tamil Diaspora forces UK to act

A leaked US embassy cable reveals the-then UK goevrnment as sayung, “with UK elections on the horizon and many Tamils living in Labour constituencies with slim majorities, the UK Government is paying particular attention to Sri Lanka, with Miliband recently remarking to Waite that he was spending 60 percent of his time at the moment on Sri Lanka”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 07

More cluster bombs hit No Fire Zone

More cluster bombs hit No Fire Zone

The Sri Lankan army launches cluster bombs inside the No Fire Zone, one of several such attacks in the last few months.

In the UN’s OISL report, witnesses “described the objects exploding in mid-air and releasing many smaller objects in the air before impacting the ground”.

“Cluster munitions release bomblets over a wide area above a target that explode on impact. However, indirect fire munitions may also be configured to explode into fragments overhead. OISL believes that given the persistent nature of the allegations of cluster munitions, further investigation needs to be carried out to determine whether or not they were used.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 07

Tamil human rights activist abducted in Colombo

Stephen Sunthararaj was abducted by five men whilst travelling in his lawyer’s car in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. Stephen, an activist with the Centre for Human Rights and Development, is a father of three children who were all under ten years of age when he was abducted.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 07

LTTE commits to full support of ICRC

The LTTE released a letter from its Political Head Quarters, stating that it “reiterates its full commitment and support to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)”.

“We also wish to reiterate our organisation’s total commitment to the safety and security of the members of the ICRC in carrying out its humanitarian work and its other mandated activities,” it added. “Please take this letter as the necessary security guarantees from the LTTE for performing the work of the ICRC.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 07

Small scale ICRC evacuations continue

Meanwhile the ICRC said that “heavy fighting is taking place near the medical assembly point at Mullavaikkal, which puts the lives of patients, medical workers and ICRC staff at great risk.”

495 Tamils were evacuated from the final conflict zone by boat to Trincomalee and Pulmoddai.

Jacques de Maio, the ICRC head of operations for South Asia, in Geneva said, “not all the wounded could be evacuated today, and it is of the utmost importance that more evacuations take place over the coming days”.

“The food and medical supplies that have been delivered remain insufficient to cover the basic needs of the people there.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 08

Final ‘No Fire Zone’ declared

The Sri Lankan government declared the third and final No Fire Zone.

The OISL reports “tens of thousands of civilians were squeezed into this tiny area”.

“The SLA force now confronting the LTTE was probably in excess of 50,000 soldiers, with significant heavy weapons capability and air supremacy… The SLA was on one side of a large lagoon, the LTTE on the other, the civilians being at some distance behind the LTTE.

Meanwhile General Shavendra Silva, the Commander of the 58th Division, stated,

“At the last stages of the operation we just did not go blind, everything was planned through UAV pictures and where we exactly knew where the civilians and the LTTE wer

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 08

Heavy rains at internment camps

Rains in Vavuniya, where hundreds of thousands of Tamils were being interned, cause mass flooding.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 08

No food, no medicine

The US State Department reported said that “local sources in the NFZ reported that a supply ship had arrived but was forced by the GSL to return to Trincomalee with its cargo of food and medicine still on board. The sources reported that the SLN had refused to allow them to offload the cargo, and then began firing on the beach.”

“An organization reported that shipments of food and medicine to the NFZ were grossly insufficient over the prior month and that the GSL reportedly delayed or denied timely shipment of life-saving medicines as well as chlorine tablets. A source in the NFZ reported that patients were brought to the hospital for fainting attacks attributed to their lack of food.”

“Mothers were crying at the hospital and asking for milk powder. They had not eaten and were unable to feed their children, but the hospital did not have milk powder in stock.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 08

With GPS co-ordinates, Sri Lanka attacks hospitals

The Sri Lankan military stepped up its barrage of the No Fire Zone with heavy shelling reported, including with cluster munitions.

The US State Department quotes a HRW source in the NFZ who “witnessed an SLA drone conduct reconnaissance above the Valayanmadam hospital”.

“Shortly thereafter the hospital was attacked, killing four or five people including a doctor and wounding more than 30. Several sources informed HRW that each time a hospital was established in a new location, GPS coordinates of the facility were transmitted to the Sri Lankan government to ensure that the facility would be protected from military attack. Witnesses said that on several occasions, attacks occurred on the day after the coordinates had been transmitted.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 08

United Nations experts call for 'international commission of inquiry' on Sri Lanka

A group of independent United Nations experts today called on the Human Rights Council to urgently set up an international inquiry to address the “critical” situation in Sri Lanka.

“There is good reason to believe that thousands of civilians have been killed in the past three months alone, and yet the Sri Lankan Government has yet to account for the casualties, or to provide access to the war zone for journalists and humanitarian monitors of any type”, said Philip Alston, the UN expert on summary executions.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 08

Repeated Shelling of Hospitals Evidence of War Crimes - HRW

The Sri Lankan armed forces have repeatedly struck hospitals in the northern Vanni region in indiscriminate artillery and aerial attacks, said Human Rights Watch. Commanders responsible for ordering or conducting such attacks may be prosecuted for war crimes.

“Hospitals are supposed to be sanctuaries from shelling, not targets,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “While doctors and nurses struggle to save lives in overcrowded and underequipped facilities, Sri Lankan army attacks have hit one hospital after another.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 09

Sri Lanka arrests British Channel 4 journalists

Sri Lanka arrests three British journalists from Channel 4 News, after they compiled a report on the conditions of war refugees and alleged sexual abuse in camps for those who fled the northern war zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 09

Head of Sri Lankan army visits Vanni

Then Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka flew to Vavuniya to meet with senior military commanders and “review the latest developments of the security situation in Vanni areas,” reports the military.

“Army Commander, after being received by Commander Security Forces Headquarters Wanni (SFHQ-W) Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, was conducted to the SFHQ auditorium where he met senior ground commanders and discussed the present security situation in Wanni. He also issued further instructions to his ground commanders,” said an official military website.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 09

Malnutrition worsens inside the No Fire Zone

TamilNet reports that newborn babies are suffering from jaundice as the food and medicine shortages worsen inside the No Fire Zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 09

Barrage hits NFZ as last ICRC ship leaves

The Sri Lankan military launched a barrage of heavy weapon fire in to the No Fire Zone as the last ICRC-chartered ferry that visits the conflict area leaves.

“Fighting also made it impossible for the ferry to approach the shore on the previous day, 8 May,” said an ICRC press release.

“The plight of the people remaining in the combat area is desperate, ” said ICRC’s head of delegation in Sri Lanka, Paul Castella.

“We need unimpeded access to them in order to save lives. “

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 09

Heavy shelling continues - ‘Artillery from all directions’

The US State Department quoted a local as stating that the No Fire zone “received artillery fire from all four directions for over 12 hours”.

“He estimated that over 1,000 were killed and another 1,000 injured.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 10

Thousands killed in overnight shelling

As many as 2,000 civilians were reportedly killed in a barrage of artillery fire by the Sri Lankan military throughout the day, reports TamilNet.

“Dead bodies are found in bunkers and inside the tarpaulin tents,” TamilNet added. Rescue workers counted at least 1,200 bodies with fears that many more had been undiscovered.

The US State Department quoted a local source in the NFZ as reporting that “a congested civilian area was under heavy shell attack with many houses and vehicles burning”.

“Many civilians’ temporary tarpaulin houses were struck by shells, and many hundreds of civilians were killed.”

“A local source for an organization also reported heavy shelling with an estimated 1,000 killed and another estimated 1,000 injured. Embassy Colombo also reported that heavy shelling occurred in the NFZ, killing at least 300 civilians.”

“More bodies were on the beaches and along road sides. The source said that heavy arms appeared to have been fired from government-controlled territory into a mainly civilian area under LTTE… The death toll is thought to be closer to 1,000; many of those killed would have been buried in the bunkers where they were slain, and many of the gravely wounded never made it to the hospital for treatment.”

A leaked US embassy cable notes,

The Embassy has credible information that the Sri Lankan Air Force conducted an air strike south of the civilian safe zone yesterday afternoon, May 10…it violates President Rajapaksa’s April 27 commitment to cease all use of heavy weapons and aerial bombing.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 10

"The Tamil people are dismayed that the UN has failed" says LTTE

The LTTE released a statement stating,

“At this very moment (Sunday, May 10 2009), the Sri Lankan Government has unleashed its ferocious military aggression against the hapless Tamil civilians living in the so-called “Safe Zone” in Vanni, Sri Lanka. More than 2,000 innocent civilians have been killed in the last 24 hours. The wholesale bombardment by Sri Lankan planes and shelling on a densely populated, non combatant civilian safe zone is state terrorism and a war crime.”

“The international community and UN have an obligation to protect the Tamil people facing genocidal aggression directed in a manner against all international humanitarian laws. It is clear that the Sri Lankan Government has prevented all aid agencies and humanitarian organisations from visiting the conflict zone. The Tamil people are dismayed that the United Nations and the International Community have failed in their obligations to protect the endangered civilians.”

“Every passing day is resulting in the loss of countless number of civilian lives and alienation of the entire Tamil community.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 10th

Sri Lankan deports 3 British journalists

It’s not often that the most powerful man in the country rings you.

I’d spoken amicably to defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa 45 minutes earlier about getting some better access to Sri Lanka’s 25-year war. But this time he was calling me, and seemed to have remembered something.

“Who is this? You rang me earlier? Is this Channel 4? You have been accusing my soldiers of raping civilians? Your visa is cancelled, you will be deported. You can report what you like about this country, but from your own country, not from here.”

I’m missing out my interjections, but that’s pretty much how you get deported in Sri Lanka. – Channel-4’s Nick Paton Walsh

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 10th

India's Congress president Sonia says now 'people moved to safer places'

India’s Congress president Sonia Gandhi, is in Tamil Nadu where she says,
“Our government had done everything possible to bring an end to the hostilities and it was due to our resolute efforts that Sri Lanka announced conclusion of combat operations and people moved to safer places”.
“Our ultimate goal, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said and as has been the stand of the Congress in the last 30 years, is to secure for the Tamils equals rights and status within the framework of the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka accord.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 10th

Satellite imagery shows extent of Sri Lankan shelling

Satellite imagery analysed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science at the request of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International showed evidence of bomb shell craters, destroyed permanent structures, mortar positions, and 1,346 individual graves, from May 6th to May 10th 2009.
Further analysis of crater morphology shows evidence of fire in a similar tactic to that described in a US Army field manual.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 10th

Catholic father says thousands killed overnight in 'genocidal war'

Catholic Priest Father Francis Joseph writes to the Pope from inside the No Fire Zone, calling on the Church to break its silence on the massacre of Tamils. The father, who was later detained by Sri Lankan security forces after passing through a military checkpoint in May 2009, has not been seen since. Extracts of his letter are below.
Last night’s toll of the dead is 3318 and of the injured more than 4000. It was a barrage of artillery, mortar, multi-barrel shelling and cluster bombs…

The cries and woes of agony of babies and children, the women and the elderly fill the air that was polluted by poisonous and unhealthy gases…

I deem it my duty to point my finger at the Church for its silence while some of the countries like USA, UK, France and some of the European Union countries and others, even the UN have voiced their dismay at the way the Sri Lankan Government is conducting a war to annihilate the Tamils…

Let it be known that under the guise of eradicating terrorism, the Sri Lankan Government is waging the war to annihilate the Tamil nation. It is a genocidal war.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

Bloodbath has become a reality' says UN

The UN spokesman at the time Gordon Weiss said the shelling over the weekend had caused a “bloodbath”, stating,

“The U.N. has consistently warned against the bloodbath scenario as we’ve watched the steady increase in civilian deaths over the last few months… The large-scale killing of civilians over the weekend, including the deaths of more than 100 children, shows that that bloodbath has become a reality.”

Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona, said the government took “serious offence” at the remarks by Mr Weiss and had lodged a formal protest. “It is not the role of the UN office to say anything in public to embarrass the host government,” Mr Kohona said.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

More than 3,200 killed overnight as shelling continues - TRO

The carnage continued in the No Fire Zone with more than 3,200 people killed overnight according to Lawrence Christy, the head of Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) Field Office.

He called on the international community “to intervene to stop the genocide and to provide food and medicine to the besieged civilians”. Civilian casualties are mounting amidst lack of medicine and food due to limited or denied supplies into the area of 7 square kilometres.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

A holocaust in the making' - LTTE

The then LTTE head of international relations Selvarasa Pathmanathan released a statement saying,

“The recent developments in Vanni are very disturbing because they express so vividly a deliberate intention on the part of Sri Lanka and its partners in this war to subject an entire human community to life-endangering conditions of utmost cruelty.”

“We are convinced that this pattern of conduct is a holocaust-in-the making and appeal to the governments of the world and to international public opinion to prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government so as to prevent these current genocidal tendencies from culminating in a collective tragedy.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

UN Security Council takes no action

Steve Crawshaw of Human Rights Watch commented,

“If the Security Council stays silent on this issue any longer, it will be a failure of historic proportions… It is already late, but lives can still be saved”.

A leaked US embassy cable highlights notes of the meeting, hosted by the UK and French Foreign Ministers with like-minded Security Council members. The UN Secretary-General and Council members discussed Sri Lanka during their monthly lunch, it adds.

“The Foreign Ministers of the UK, France, Austria and Costa Rica, as well as the U.S. and Mexico all strongly supported SC action, with Russian FM Lavrov on the defensive. Lavrov said the situation in Sri Lanka is a humanitarian disaster, but not a threat to peace and security. He said other fora in the UN were better suited to address this issue. He added that there were plenty of similar instances when the Security Council did not act. China said that the Security Council’s informal meetings on Sri Lanka had made a difference.

Ambassador Rice disagreed, and said the meetings had not yet made a difference; displaced persons were not receiving help, and the shelling continued despite government assurances to the contrary. On the margins of the meeting, the French said they intend to bring Sri Lanka to the Security Council this week, and would push for a product.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

International human rights organisations write to Japanese Prime Minister

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International Crisis Group and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect wrote a joint letter to Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso calling on his government “to support efforts for the [United Nations] Security Council to keep the situation in Sri Lanka under close and regular review and to consider the situation in Sri Lanka formally at the Security Council.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

British Foreign Minister 'appalled' by reports of civilian casualties

Then British Foreign Minister David Miliband said he was “appalled by the reports that have come out of Sri Lanka over the weekend of mass civilian casualties”, at a press conference at the Untied Nations in New York.

“No-one can be in any doubt that this is an issue that deserves the international community’s attention,” he added, saying that “Our message is a simple one which is that the killing must stop”.

However, Mr Miliband claimed that there were only “up to 50,000” people trapped in the final conflict zone. Later estimates revealed the actual number to be as many as three times that.

He went on to state,

“As you know, the issue [Sri Lanka] has not yet been allowed onto the formal UN Security Council agenda. That’s why we will be having a range of meetings either side of today’s formal meeting on the Middle East.”

“I believe very very strongly that the civilian situation in the North East of Sri Lanka merits the attention of the United Nations at all levels.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

RSF condemn's Channel 4 journalists expulsion

RSF condemns the expelling of Channel 4 journalists from Sri Lanka. It says “the expulsions are the latest incident in a long list of serious press freedom violations connected with reporting of the war, including murders of journalists, arbitrary or abusive imprisonment, torture, ill-treatment, censorship and expulsions”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 11th

UNSG says 'world is watching events in Sri Lanka closely'

The Secretary-General is appalled at the killing of hundreds of civilians in Sri Lanka over the weekend. Thousands of Sri Lankans have already died in the past several months due to the conflict, and more still remain in grave danger.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 12th

Sri Lankan army advances into No Fire Zone

Elements of Sri Lanka’s 58 Division have reportedly entered the new civilian safe zone. The No Fire Zone continues to come under attack.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 12th

Unusual burns' as hospital shelled again

At least 47 people are killed when a hospital in Mullivaikkal East is hit by artillery fire, including the district health administrator, medical volunteers, a nurse, and many patients.
The OISL says, at least two witnesses indicated, patients were being brought in with unusual burns, one of them describing the different parts of the body of the patients being blackened, with skin like “black charcoal”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 12th

Deaths reported at Menik Farm detention camp

TamilNet reports that dozens of elderly Tamil IDPs have died from illness and starvation, exacerbated by the conditions at the Menik Farm IDP camp.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 12th

US, UK want UN to facilitate 'safe evacuation' of civilians

Then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with then UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband. A joint statement issued after the meeting said the two, ‘’expressed their profound concern about the humanitarian crisis in northern Sri Lanka caused by the ongoing hostilities’’.

“They expressed alarm at the large number of reported civilian causalities over the past several days in the designated ‘safe’ zone”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 12th

TNA says 150,000 trapped and warns of more bloodshed

The Tamil National Alliance held a press conference stating more than 3,000 civilians had been killed in the last 3 days alone and warned of further massacre.

All the TNA MPs in the country, with the exemption of one trapped inside the conflict zone, were present. TNA leader R Sampanthan said “there is genocide taking place in Vanni; the entire international community is being silent; we don’t want just statements of condemnations and pledges without any action; the killings of civilians must immediately be stopped; this is our urgent request”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 13th

Obama calls for an end to the shelling

US President Barack Obama stepped out on to the White House lawn to make a statement on Sri Lanka. He called for “urgent action” and for the Sri Lankan government to “stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 13th

LTTE's Pathmanathan, calls for 'immediate intervention'

“Latest reports emanating from the war zone and IDP camps indicate that the bodies, psyche and spirit of the innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka have been shattered. In the name of war on terror, the Sri Lankan government and its military are engaged in genocide.”
“We urgently call upon the International Community, the United Nations and World Leaders to assert their moral right to get actively involved in Sri Lankan Tamil conflict, even without leave from the Security Council, if it is the only way to stop the dire suffering of the Tamil People. Every passing day is resulting in the loss of countless number of civilian lives and alienation of the entire Tamil community. We seek your urgent and immediate intervention, not based on territorial or geo-political ambitions, but based on basic human values.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 13th

The UN Security Council speaks

The UN Security Council released a press statement on Sri Lanka, its first official reaction on the issue. It says “members of the Security Council express grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in north-east Sri Lanka, in particular the reports of hundreds of civilian casualties in recent days, and call for urgent action by all parties to ensure the safety of civilians.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 13th

The same hospital hit again, dozens killed including ICRC

More than 100 civilians, including children, medical staff, a voluntary doctor and an Red Cross worker, were killed in Sri Lankan artillery attack that targeted a makeshift hospital for the second time in 24 hours. See more from TamilNet here.

The ICRC confirmed that one its employees, identified as Sivakurunathan Majuran, was killed alongside his mother in the shelling. The organisation confirmed the hospital had been “hit by shell fire for a third time”.

In another incident of shelling, at least 39 female patients were also killed at a counselling aid centre for mentally ill women located in the final conflict zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 13th

UK Special Envoy meets India

A leaked US embassy cable from this day reveals that British Special Envoy for Sri Lanka Des Browne told diplomats in New Delhi,

“I don’t think anybody can change events over the next 10 or so days”.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 14th

Demands for UN to access conflict zones as soon as possible.

Charge pressed Government officials to permit UN
access to the conflict zone as soon as possible, and to facilitate a
visit this month by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. At least
1,200 civilians escaped on May 14, and perhaps thousands of others are following, according to military sources. The ICRC has not been able to offload food from or evacuate patients to boats waiting offshore from the conflict zone since May 9 despite daily attempts to seek security assurances as boats wait offshore. Both the LTTE and the Government noted appreciation for President Obama’s May 13 public statement on Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa established a Task Force to attend to IDP returns, rehabilitation, and development of the North within the next year.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 14th

Last hospital stops functioning

The last remaining makeshift hospital in the conflict zone, set up inside a school, ceases to function from this day as Sri Lankan military shelling becomes heavier.

The OISL reports,

“After 14 May 2009, the doctors could no longer go to the hospital due to the intensity of the shelling, and it had to be closed. Dozens of patients who could not be moved were left behind.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 14th

No respite from the shelling says LTTE

The LTTE Peace Secretariat reported that the Sri Lankan military had continued shelling, killing thousands of civilians. “The local aid workers in Vanni Region estimated 1700 civilians have been killed and over 3000 injured in the last 48 hours due to the persistent use of heavy artillery and mortars by the Sri Lankan armed forces.”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 14th

LTTE welcome Obama’s call for end to shelling

“We thank and welcome the categorical calls by President Barack Obama for the Sri Lankan Government to take toward alleviating the humanitarian crisis,” said B Nadesan, the political head of the LTTE who was inside the final conflict zone.

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 14th

LTTE political leaders make plans for surrender

The OISL reported that several senior political leaders within the LTTE had begun to initiate plans to surrender, alongside injured cadres and civilians. Tamil MPs who were in contact with Nadesan and Puleedevan also reported to Basil Rajapaksa, that the LTTE had laid down arms and ceased fighting. Basil Rajapaksa responded that the army was already making announcements and dropping leaflets that people should hold up white flags and walk towards the military”

Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

May 14th

Tamil youth reported missing in Vaakarai

A Tamil youth from Maangkea’ni in Vaakarai in Trincomalee district is reported missing since Wednesday after leaving home to his fishing hut in Maavadi, according to complaint lodged by his relatives with Maangkea’ni police.

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May 14th

British parliament debates Sri Lanka

Parliamentarians held a debate on Sri Lanka inside the British House of Commons on this day.

The current Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn stated,

“There has to be isolation of Sri Lanka because of its refusal to undertake the ceasefire. There has to be a diplomatic and political way forward that brings about that ceasefire and a process of safety.”

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May 14th

9 Tamil youths arrested in Colombo

Sri Lanka police took into custody nine Tamil youths in a search operation conducted from Thursday morning till evening in Fort and Pettah areas in Colombo city, sources in Colombo said. The youths arrested are from North, East and upcountry provinces, relatives of the arrestees said.

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May 14th

LTTE issues orders not to restrict civilians leaving - OISL

The OISL says the LTTE gave orders on this day to ensure civilians fleeing the conflict zone would not be stopped.

“From 14 May, tens of thousands civilians heeded the calls of SLA soldiers with megaphones and slowly walked along the A35 road lined with SLA positions towards the Vadduvakal bridge, which was one of the main crossing points. Most surviving LTTE fighters had discarded their uniforms, laid down weapons and other military equipment and donned civilian dress. Along with other LTTE political cadres, they walked amongst the crowds with their families.”

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May 15th

No Fire Zone up in smoke

TamilNet’s correspondent reported that the “entire safety zone area is in smoke” as the Sri Lankan military continued its bombardment.
The doctor said he alone had seen at least 800 bodies within the No Fire Zone.

The Sri Lankan military meanwhile said that 6,000 civilians had crossed over into government-controlled territory.

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May 15th

UK minister says he is 'apalled' as ICRC warns of 'unimaginable humanitarian disaster'

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters in Geneva raised the alarm concerning an “unimaginable humanitarian disaster” unfolding in the conflict zone.
UK Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, said, “I am utterly appalled that the ICRC is no longer able to continue its operations in northern Sri Lanka… Denying this life-saving evacuation and medical treatment is a fundamental violation of International Humanitarian Law… There is simply no justification for allowing such needless suffering.”

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May 15th

100,000 trapped in NFZ, as ICRC ship turns back

An ICRC ship approached, but had to turn back “due to the intensity of the fighting” reports the UN Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka.

“Unless an external humanitarian intervention is carried out without delay, it would be difficult to avert an inhuman catastrophe,” said a volunteer doctor. “The ICRC has abandoned its missions, there is no food, no proper access to potable water to tens of thousands of civilians who are forced to stay under the bunkers, surrounded by dead bodies and wounded civilians who are dying without medical help.”

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May 15th

UN special advisor on prevention of genocide warns of war crimes prosecutions

The Special Advisor of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide Francis Deng said,

“The two sides should be reminded that individuals can be held personally responsible for war crimes and other international crimes committed in the course of conflict and which attract international jurisdiction”.

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May 16th

Soldiers throw grenades into bunkers with surrendering families

As Tamil civilians attempted to surrender to the oncoming Sri Lankan military, many were slaughtered.

The US State department quoted an organization’s local sources as reporting,

“that they attempted to escape the NFZ with a large group of children, coming out with white flags. The SLA started shooting at them and told them to go back to their bunkers.”

“The sources reportedly saw soldiers throw grenades into two bunkers, and saw tanks going over bunkers and destroying everything inside.”

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May 16th

Wounded dying without treatment, doctors surrender

All government doctors and senior health officials have crossed Sri Lankan military lines.

The US State Department reports,

“… in the final weeks of the conflict, doctors in the Mullivaikkal hospital had to operate with butchers’ knives and watered-down anesthetics due to the shortage of medical supplies.”

“With replacement blood running out, staff filtered what they could from the patients through a cloth before feeding it back into their veins.”

TamilNet reports that between 2,000 and 3,000 bodies litter the remaining No Fire Zone. The doctors were detained and interrogated for several months by the Sri Lankan military.

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May 16th

Rajapaksa declares victory

Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is currently in Jordan, declares victory over the LTTE. He says,
“It is worthwhile reminding ourselves over and over again that there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists. Terrorism anywhere is terrorism and should be treated in the manner it deserves.”

Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, the defence ministry spokesman, told Al Jazeera

“The LTTE have no other choice but to surrender or commit suicide.”

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May 16th

Surrender negotiations continue

Surrender negotiations continue

The UN Secretary-General’s Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar is on the island.

The Petrie Report states,

“In the second week of May, LTTE civilian political leaders were in contact… asking that they facilitate a surrender and be present when it took place”

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May 16th

Our people are now at the mercy of the international community' - LTTE

The LTTE meanwhile issued a statement thorugh then spokesperson Pathmanathan saying it was “prepared to take all necessary measures that would immediately stop the current carnage” and restated “its categorical position to enter a political process facilitated by neutral international parties and find a meaningful solution to the ethnic crisis.”

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May 17th

3,000 dead and 25,000 critically injured

Over 3,000 people have been killed over the last 24 hours, with another 25,000 critically injured.
The Commander of the LTTE’s Sea Tigers Colonel Soosai sends out a message to journalists from Mullivaikkal. As he speaks, artillery shells can be heard landing in the background. “The last hours are happening, the last hours are happening… a lot of people are dying, heavy fighting is going on. A lot of people are dying… in all areas, corpses are heaping up… the people are not being allowed to leave”.

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May 17th

LTTE ‘remove last weak excuse… we have decided to silence our guns’

The LTTE’s then head of International Diplomatic Relations issued a statement. Extracts below.

“Despite our plea to the world to save the thousands of people in Vanni from the clutches of death, the silence of the international community has only encouraged the Sri Lankan military to execute the war to its bitter end. In the past 24 hours, over 3000 civilians lie dead on the streets while another 25,000 are critically injured with no medical attention. To save the lives of our people is the need of the hour.”

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May 17th

‘As many as 100,000 civilians trapped’

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapksa announced publicly on May 17 that there were no civilians remaining in the conflict zone.

However, a leaked US embassy cable reveals the Americans were told by current TNPF leader Gajen Ponnambalam and the Bishop of Mannar that a reported “tens of thousands” remain trapped.

According to the cable,

“The Bishop of Mannar… estimated that there were 60,000 to 75,000 civilian left in the zone.”

“Ponnambalam estimated that there could still be as many as 100,000 civilians.”

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May 17th

Sri Lanka refuses to accept mediated surrenders

Basil Rajapaksa is informed by a TNA parliamentarian in touch with the LTTE that there are 3,000 cadres (including the political wing) and 22,000 civilians who wanted to surrender as soon as possible.
A leaked US Embassy cable says,

Ambassador spoke to Gothabaya Rajapaksa on the morning of May 17 to urge him to allow the ICRC into the conflict zone to mediate a surrender.

Rajapaksa commented, “We’re beyond that now”.

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May 17th

Sri Lanka refuses to evacuate the wounded

A leaked US Embassy cable says,

“Ambassador spoke to Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa to request access for the ICRC to evacuate dead and wounded. Rajapaksa refused, contending the GSL could manage on its own.”

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May 17th

Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka

Then Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa returns to Sri Lanka.

Current Sri Lankan president, and then acting defence minister, Maithripala Sirisena is the first to greet him as his plane lands, garlanding and hugging Rajapaksa.

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May 17th

More surrender negotiations

Basil Rajapaksa is informed by a TNA parliamentarian in touch with the LTTE that there are 3,000 cadres (including the political wing) and 22,000 civilians who wanted to surrender as soon as possible.
See accounts from the day, as told by ITJP, below.

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May 18th

A massacre in Mullivaikkal

The Sri Lankan military overruns the last remaining ‘No Fire Zone’.

TamilNet receives a final phone call before it loses all communication with its correspondents in the field.

A US State Department report says there are “accounts from witnesses in the NFZ of SLA soldiers throwing grenades into several civilian bunkers”.

“Some civilians also reported seeing an army truck running over injured people lying on the road. Later in the day, the SLA brought in earth-moving equipment to bury the bodies that had been lying outside for two days or more. Civilians reported seeing among the corpses injured people who were asking for help, and believed that the SLA did not always attempt to separate the injured and the dying from those who had died.”

The OISL says,

“Multiple witnesses described scenes of devastation, with hundreds of bodies of people killed by shelling scattered across areas within the NFZs. Entire families had been killed as bombs landed in bunkers they were sheltering in. Witnesses talked of having to leave dead family members behind as they were further displaced by the shelling. Many witnesses were profoundly traumatized by their experiences and memories of the shelling and the devastation they witnessed.”

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May 18th

Executing the surrendered

Hundreds of other LTTE cadres, their families and other Tamils civilians who surrendered to the Sri Lankan military were executed. Others have been forcibly disappeared.

The ITJP released the names of at least 293 people who were seen surrendering to the Sri Lankan military and have seen been disappeared. Among those is Father Joseph, who was last seen boarding a Sri Lankan military bus with several LTTE cadres whose surrender he had facilitated.
OISL concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that LTTE senior political wing leaders Balasingham Nadesan and Seevaratnam Puleedevan as well as Nadesan’s wife Vineetha Nadesan may have been executed by the security forces sometime after 06:00 on 18 May.”
Amongst the other emblematic cases are those of LTTE leader Colonel Ramesh who was filmed in Sri Lankan custody, being interrogated by soldiers. Later photographs show he was shot dead. Balachandran Prabhakaran, the 12-year-old son of the LTTE leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran, was also photographed in military custody and then shot dead, as well as Tamil TV presenter Isaipriya.

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May 18th

Rape and sexual violence

The UN Panel of Experts found,

“Rape and sexual violence against Tamil women during the final stages of the armed conflict and, in its aftermath, are greatly under-reported… Nonetheless, there are many indirect accounts reported by women of sexual violence and rape by members of Government forces and their Tamil-surrogate forces, during and in the aftermath of the final phases of the armed conflict.”

“Many photos and video footage, in particular the footage provided by Channel 4, depict dead female cadre. In these, women are repeatedly shown naked or with underwear withdrawn to expose breasts and genitalia. The Channel 4 images, with accompanying commentary in Sinhala by SLA soldiers, raise a strong inference that rape or sexual violence may have occurred, either prior to or after execution.”

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May 18th

300,000 in camps

At the time, it was thought to be the largest displacement camp in the world. Many Tamils would remain there for years.

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May 18th

Effigy of David Miliband burn as Sinhalese protest in Colombo

Protesters in Colombo attacked the British High Commission and burned an effigy of David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary. A High Commission spokesman said, “It is an outrage that the authorities allowed this demonstration to become so violent and to cause such damage to our property, in clear contravention of their responsibilities.”

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May 18th

A cover up

The OISL says it is “concerned by serious allegations that SLA may have destroyed evidence after the end of the conflict, including by digging up and burning bodies that had been buried in the conflict zone”. “In addition to those who died in hospitals, multiple witness testimonies recount burying civilian family members or seeing others bury individuals killed in the shelling before they hurriedly fled. There has been no systematic recording of the exhumation of graves since the war. Extensive forensic anthropological expertise will be required to examine those bodies that were buried and may be exhumed as part of investigations. “