Report: Law and War or War and Law?

The District of Vavuniya in a State of Lawlessness - Situation Report (August 2008)

By Sujith Xavier, B.A., LL.B., LL.M., Ph.D. Candidate

Osgoode Hall Law School, York University







Introduction

A recent visit to Vavuniya district (Vavuniya town, Vavuniya south, Vavuniya north and Cheddikulam) reveals troubling evidence of gross human rights violations. It is clear that the context is dire. The journey began in the early morning and by the time we reached Medawachiya some 5 hours later, we were officially ‘searched’ by the Police and Home Guards (now known as the Civil Defence Force1), on four different instances. In Medawachchiya, we registered at the train station with Police Officers and Home Guards (as requested we provided our destination address and home address). They ‘searched’ through our possessions rigorously, not even an elderly woman with a child of 5 years of age was spared. As no other means of transport were available, all travelers on their way to Vavuniya were forced to take a three wheeler to the bus station from the Medawachchiya train station (at a cost of approximately 200 Sri Lankan Rupees). At the ‘bus stand’, Special Task Force (STF) personnel searched our belongings again; while being searched, we noticed the presence of two youths, in civilian clothing, assisting the STF to identify potential risks. These ‘youths’ according to some members of our team were members of the paramilitary groups operating in the region;
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Report: The Psychosocial Situation of Civilians Living In The War Zone In Wanni, Sri Lanka

PSYCHO SOCIAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WANNI REGION

Maththalan,
Mullaitheevu
Sri Lanka

27th March, 2009

THE PSYCHOSOCIAL SITUATION OF CIVILIANS
LIVING IN THE WAR ZONE IN WANNI, SRI LANKA

A very intensive and fierce war is currently being fought between the government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Thamil Eelam, in Wanni in the North of Sri Lanka. As a result of this intense war more than 330,000 internally displaced people are forced to live in a very narrow coastal stretch which is roughly twelve kilometers long and one and a half kilometers wide. This coastal area, stretching from Maththalan to Mullivaikkal, has been unilaterally declared by the Sri Lankan Government as a ‘no fire zone’.

More than 3000 people have already been killed and more than seven thousand have been injured as a result of shelling which includes artillery, multi barrel, cluster and mortar shells and long range gun fire carried out by the forces of the Sri Lankan Government into the so called ‘no fire zone’. The number of casualties caused by the shelling is quite high since a population which is more than 330,000 is forced to live in a very small area which is less than 30 square kilo meters. It is admitted that this coastal belt is inhospitable and quite unfit for human habitation.

The situation of the civilians living in this war-torn area is further affected by the acute shortage of food prevailing in the same area. The people living here depend totally on food items brought into this area by the ICRC. Sixteen civilian deaths caused by starvation have already been reported by the hospital at Maththalan. The medical institutions functioning in this area are unable to treat the hundreds of civilians who are injured by shelling which takes place within the no fire zone daily as hardly any medicine is available at this makeshift hospital.
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Report: Leaked UN document detailing Tamil civilian casualties and rates, March 2009

[caption id="attachment_101" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Page 1 of Leaked UN Report of Vanni Tamil civilian casualties, March 2009"]

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Page 2 of Leaked UN Report of Vanni Tamil civilian casualties, March 2009

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Report: Vanni Situation Report from Sri Lankan Government Official

Secretary,

Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs,

Colombo.

Through,

Govt.Agent/District Secretary,

Mullaitivu District.

Situation Report – February, 2009

Mullaitivu District

The situation report of Mullaitivu District for the month of February, 2009 is forwarded herewith for your perusal please.

K.Parthipan,

Addl.Govt.Agent,

Mullaitivu District.

SITUATION REPORT as at 28.02.2009

Mullaitivu District

Preamble

Mullaitivu is the most affected District by the recent disasters. The District consists of five AGA Divisions. The Main sources of income of the people are Agriculture and Fishing.

Almost the entire people from all AGA Divisions of the District are displaced. The IDPs of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi and parts of Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna Districts are now staying in Mullaitivu District.

Most of them are staying in the Safer Zone proclaimed by the Government. They are staying the villages of Palayamaththalan, Puthumaththalan, Ampalavanpokkanai, Valangermadam, Mulliwaikal West and Mulliwaikal East coming under the Maritimepattu AGA division. Some are staying in Iranaipalai & Anandapuram villages coming under the Puthukkudiyiruppu AGA Division.

The population of Mullaitivu District at present is about 81,000 families, consisting of about 330,000 persons. This population is now living in the above mentioned villages amidst untold difficulties.

The authorities responsible are unable to provide the much needed pure drinking water and sanitation facilities due to lack of resources.

The safer zone is extremely congested and most of the people are living under plastic tarpaulin sheets along the eastern coast and around the lagoon.

The required food items for the issue of Dry Ration under WFP have not been transported to the district. Only a few MT of food items were brought by ships and were issued to the IDPs. There is a severe shortage for food in the area. People are unable to purchase the food in the market. Prices of the food items have increased and vegetables and fruits are not available at all in the area.

Amidst severe hardship, fear and risk of life, the government employees loyally render their services to the best of their ability.
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