NESoHR Monthly Human Rights Report for September 2008- Released 10 Oct 2008
The offensive to wrest control of Kilinochchi form the LTTE dominated the month of September. As usual, the tactics of the Sri Lanka military included displacing the civilians en-mass with indiscriminate shelling. The misery heaped on the people of Kilinochchi continues on from similar fate of the people form other parts of Vanni. This September monthly report focuses more or less entirely on the fate of the people who were in Kilinochchi during September.
The monthly statistics on civilian toll throughout the island are; 68 civilians killed, 38 civilian disappeared, 87 injured, 454 civilian arrested and 36,000 newly displaced totaling 190541 displaced since 2006 in vanni.
Vanni toll
Seven civilians were killed in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu by aerial bombing and shelling. A further 40 civilian were injured, among whom were seven very young children. People have also become adept at seeking protection in bunkers if they receive even a two minute warning. The incidents where there were civilian toll were due to lack of sufficient such warning. The civilian toll, despite peoples alertness and despite the fact that the vast majority of the civilian had displaced from areas of shelling, indicates the widespread nature of the attacks. The table below lists some of the attacks in Kilinochchi as well as in Mullaithivu.
- On 8th multi-barrel shelling from Manalaru Military camp killed a father of two children and injured another civilian.
- On 8th shelling in Kilinochchi injured an old man
- On 9th, aerial bombing in puthukkudiyiruppu injured a 50 year old woman, damaged aschool, damaged homes and destroyed commercial outlets.
- On 10th , aerial bombing in Thirunagar, kilinochchi injured three civilian and destroyed and damaged more than 13 buildings including homes and public buildings.
- On 13th, aerial bombing in Vaddakachchi, kilinochchi injured an IDP child
- On 16th aerial bombing in Puthukkudiyiruppu injured two women and destroyed many homes.
- On 18th aerial bombing Visuvamadu, killed one women and injured another,
- On 26th shelling on Uthayanagar in Kilinochchi injured a young mother
- On 26th shelling into Uruthirapuram in Kilinochchi injured a young mother.
- On 27th aerial bombing on Rathinapuram in Kilinochchi killed a young father and injured his wife and two children as well as five more people.
- On 29th shelling in Barathypuram in Kilinochchi injured three civilians.
The villages of Nayaru, chemmalai alampil and Kumulamunai in Mullaithivu are also continuously facing the shelling by the military form Manalaru camp destroying homes. Finishing boats, and trees.
Most of the 40 injured civilians were treated at the Kilinochchi hospital which is also suffering from acute shortages as described later. Based on the burn injuries on some victims including that on a small baby, there was much speculation in Kilinochchi that the Bombing on 27th in rathnapuram in Kilinochchi involved the use some burning agent.
Destruction of Kilinochchi
The targeted bombing of the infrastructure building in kilinochchi was extensive during the first week of October. The picture above are three samples of the damages to infrastructure other infrastructures directly hit by aerial bombing are the tamil eelam police head quarters the political head quarters of the LTTE, and a store of TRObehind one of its shop. Other infrastructure buildings damaged by bombing are the branch office of the center for Women’s development and Rehabilitation (CWDR), Vetrimanai Home for the mentally ill women run by CWDR, and the LTTE peace secretariat. The kilinochchi town center was emptied of people following these extensive bombings.
Indeed, the extensive damages to the civilian services had a flow on effect on the functioning of NESoHR. The electricity supply and internet services of NESoHR were cut off. This is the reason for delayed release of this monthly report. Presently NESoHR, like other civil institutions in vanni are working under extremely limited resources and Facilities.
Displacement
The extensive destruction of Kilinochchi the main town in vanni and the resulting exodus of people were unprecedented. The movement was mainly from the Karachchi AGA division and also partly form the Oddusuddan AGA division. A total of 36,000 newly displaced form these AGA division during September. A further large number of IDPs who had come to Kilinochchi also displaced yet again. Schools in Kilinochchi that were reorganized to accommodate other displaced schools also displaced causing total havoc to the education. Table below is the update table we have been publishing on the displacement statistics in vanni since 2006.
Convoy issue enters new phase
NESoHR has already published detailed table on the problem of restricted entry of convoys carrying essential supplies into vanni. This restriction has resulted in shortage of sugar, flour, lentils and Kerosene, considered the most basic items for eating and cooking. Since the international agencies were ordered out of vanni by the Srilanka Government on 11 September even the limited entry of convoys carrying these items came to more or less a standstill. In a blatant denial of food to the people, hardly arry convoys carrying these it items came to more or less a these items into Kilinochchi despite repeated efforts made by the Kilinochchi district secretariat. The explanation given by the Sri Lanka Government for this blatant act was that there are no civilians left in Kilinochchi. This is far from the truth.
In the same manner kerosene all allocated to the Kilinochchi district was also cut down to 400,000 liters form 600,000 and only 200,000 liters was actually received by the district in September.
The well published UN convoy of 51 trucks carrying relief for the vanni IDPs that was delivered during the first week of October was insufficient to provide even one week allocation for the IDPs. The relief given included to sugar and reduced quantity of rice lentils. Though more such convoys were promised skepticism is prevalent in vanni about receiving them. Even if they are permitted, it must be remembered that half the vanni population do not count as IDPs and will not receive these relief. Their supply must come by the regular convoys which are being blocked by the Sri lanka Government.
Hospital services and Schools appeal for assistance
The massive scale of displacement of schools and hospitals has left them inadequately resourced and both services have produced list of items thy require to continue a minimum service to the people and students. 196 schools in vanni and have enrollment in excess of 1000
Among the items sought by the hospital services are temporary shelters for housing the displaced hospitals, solar panels for basic electricity supply in the absence of adequate fuel, mattresses pillows and bed sheets and Kerosene to run the refrigeration for medicines and blood bank.
The Kilinochchi district hospital the largest in vanni, suffered damages due to shell and bomb explosions nearby. The 2 floor ceiling has shattered forcing the evacuation of patients from that floor.
The schools have appealed mainly for shelters to conduct classes, since they have made the effort to transport the furniture far as possible.
September 2008 civilian victims
