Archive for March, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
“How did Canada escape protracted political violence despite having a flourishing separatist movement?”
This was a perplexing question that six Sri Lankan media participants seriously tried to grapple with during a ten – day study tour in Canada February 25th to March 6th. We raised this question often at our meetings with academics and professionals particularly in the French – Canadian majority province of Quebec.There were answers and answers and then questions and more questions. The round table discussion at Laval university was lively and focussed much on this issue.
[Maple leaf foliage during Autumn, reflecting the Canadian Mosaic]
We spoke about this matter among ourselves too both collectively and individually and struggled to find answers. Our interest went far beyond a detached and objective curiosity. There was strong subjectivity in our spirit of inquiry. If Canada has its Quebec then Sri Lanka has its Tamil Eelam. Both are two “states” of mind.
There is a healthy debate going on about the future of Canada and Quebec. But the current reality is that in Canada there is virtually no related political violence now . The debate however heated is confined to democratic fora like the Parliament, political meeetings and discussions, media interviews , debates, editorials, articles and press conferences, letters to the editor columns etc
In Sri Lanka the “debate” turned into violence many, many years ago. The acrimonious politics of ethnicity transformed itself into war and institutionalised violence from a very early stage. It was a case of cracking rather than counting heads. In Clausewitzian parlance war became the logical extension of our politics.
This does not mean that Canada did not undergo political violence of a terrorist nature. Yes it did! The late sixties saw a steady rise in violence that culminated in the infamous “October crisis” of 1970. It was like a cathartic experience. Thereafter Canada has not seen major political violence related to Quebec separatism. Passions are aroused and there are “oddball” threats and cranky remarks but there are no signs of violence on a big scale occurring or emerging.Why did this happen? What lessons can Canada offer us by way of its experience in handling a separatist crisis?
The seeds of “modern” separatism were sown in the sixties in both Canada and Sri Lanka. Actually separatist violence began in Canada even before Sri Lanka. Canada had its own home – grown terrorist movement in Quebec known as the Front de Liberation du Quebec (Quebec Liberation Front) or FLQ. It was formed in 1963. It reached its peak in 1970. The “October crisis” was an indication that the FLQ had over- reached itself. The stern response of the Canadian state and the overwhelming backing given by the people resulted in the FLQ being crushed. Thereafter it was downhill all the way for the Felquistes as the FLQ members were known.
[Citadel gate - The gate used to be the entrance to a fortress, or citadel, which protected Canada from intruders. The gate and walls still exist but the city has grown up around it. Quebec City is the oldest city in all of North America. Quebec City, Canada Photo:Rick Aiello]
In contrast separatism and related violence began only in the seventies in Sri Lanka. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed only in 1976. Its fore-runner the Tamil New Tigers(TNT) emerged only in 1972. Governments in Colombo came down heavily on the Tamil militant movement even as it sprouted. All three arms of the defence services, the Police and a crack Special Task force of the Police were all deployed. Even the Indian army stepped in briefly. Yet the Tamil armed separatist movement in Sri Lanka has reached the point where it controls territory, runs parallel administrative structures and even has a “navy” of sorts and an airwing.
So how did separatist violence in Sri Lanka withstand the powerful state and reach this level whereas separatist violence in Canada wilted vis a vis the state and simply withered away?Nobody has the perfect or complete answer and it would be audacious to presume such knowledge. Besides it would be false analogy to compare the experience of one Country situated in the so called first world with that of another located in the developning or third world. Nevertheless there are a few comparable notes that may shed some light and possibly generate a little heat too.
[Cyclist passing Sangilithoppu, Place of the old Kingdon of Jaffna, Photo HA]
The illuminating discussion at Laval was chaired by Gerard Hervouet , Directeur du programme Paix et Securite internationales ( director of Internationational Peace and security program) and a Professor at the Political Science dept in the University. A significant point was made by “diplomate en residence” Michelle Bussierese during this discussion about an observation made by Rene Levesque when people were killed for political reasons in Quebec. “Independence is not worth the life of even one man” Levesque reportedly said.
Rene Levesque as is well – known was the father of modern Quebec nationalism. It was he who founded the movement for Sovereignty – association which later merged with another party to form the Parti Quebecois (PQ) that espoused separatism through democratic means. The crucial difference in the case of Quebec separatism was that the democratic proponents of sovereignty or separatism had no tolerance for violence however “justifiable” the cause. Almost all the mainstream Quebec separatist leaders were firmly opposed to violence as a means to an end. Moreover they firmly rejected it and lent support to the Government in power to curb and eradicate it.
This was in stark contrast to how Tamil democratic leaders conducted themselves in regard to separatist violence. Had the “Gandhi of Eelam” SJV Chelvanayagam been healthy and alive he may have condemned the violence. But many Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) politicians did not condemn the violence. In fact some even encouraged it. When youths were charged in courts TULF leaders appeared for them in courts. Youths with links to violence were paraded on political platforms. Several TULF leaders made speeches glorifying the violence and even tried to bask in reflected glory. When many political opponents of the TULF were killed as “traitors” by armed youths the so – called moderates did not object or condemn.
The different reactions of the Francophone and Tamil democratic, moderate political leaders towards the rise of separatist violence is a crucial factor when attempting to discern reasons for separatist violence decaying in Canada and flourishing in Sri Lanka.In fairness to the TULF and other Tamil leaders they had in a way assessed the Tamil public’s political mood. They realised that there was a groundswell of sympathy and admiration for Tamil militancy among many sections of the people. Being crafty politicians they capitalised on this mood. Therby they churned up a wave and also hoped to ride that wave’s crest.
This would not have been possible without genuine undercurrents of public support for armed Tamil militancy. Here again there was a big difference with Canada. There was genuine revulsion against political violence among Canadian people. This was not confined to English Canada alone. It is estimated that almost 90% of French Canada also disapporoved of political violence as a strategy. French Canadian leaders from different political parties backed strong action against “terrorism”.When former Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau invoked the War Measures act , suspended civil liberties and sent the army in , the move had significant backing from French Canadians too. Also Trudeau himself was a Francophone..
In the case of Sri Lanka the situation was different. Initially there was shock and surprise when violence accompanied the demand for Tamil Eelam. Afterwards there was gradual support for it. People seldom articulated it publicly but if hidden thoughts were any indication there can be no denying that the people “sanctioned” it silently. I write this not only as a journalist but also as a Tamil youth who was born six months before Velupillai Pirapakaran.
The overwhelming Tamil mood for my generation then was that liberation of Tamil Eelam was the only way for Tamil salvation. Armed struggle was the only way to achieve this. Those early acts of political violence were seen as precursors to the ultimate struggle. To think otherwise was deemed treachery in those times. Incidently the best article justifying the Tamil armed struggle in those times was the one written by Dayan Jayatilleke in “Lanka Guardian”.
What made the Tamil people regarded as docile and law – abiding lend support to the armed struggle then? What made the bookwormish Tamils turn? Why did they not condemn and turn away from the violence that began then? It is with the wisdom of hindsight that I venture to comment that the violence has not brought Tamils anywhere near political emancipation. To the contrary it has only debilitated the people and reduced them to despair. Such is the corrosive nature of violence. So how and why did Tamils unlike French Canadians not spurn violence from the beginning itself?
Again there are no firm answers but the rising tide of resentment against what was seen as majoritarian oppression by the Sinhala dominated state was important. Various acts of perceived discrimination led to the feeling that there was no place for Tamils in a Sinhala dominated Sri Lanka. The moderate Tamil political tactics of agitating through Gandhian methods and negotiating with Governments in power had failed. Non – violent protests went unheeded and were ruthlessly suppressed. Once the Tamils began clamouring for a separate state it seemed a logical conclusion that violence would be the acceptable form of struggle. As Maoist leader N. Shanmugathasan would remind us often “All Gods in the Hindu pantheon had weapons to destroy evil”.
There was also the fact that Canada was way up in the developed first world. Within Canada the province of Quebec was developing economically through the “Quiet revolution”. It was in the interests of French Canada not to upset the equilibrium through violence. Economic considerations played a big role in curbing emotions prone to violent conduct. Ordinary Francophones felt that political violence was not in their best interests.In Sri Lanka there were some Tamil leaders who argued against separation and violence but were submerged in the emotional torrents of Tamil Eelam and “Aayuthap Porattam” (Armed struggle).
It must also not be forgotten that there was Federalism in Canada long before FLQ violence. Quebec enjoyed much autonomy.The role and history of French Canadians in building up Canada was recognized and appreciated. The English and French were seen as the two solitudes who created what is now Modern Canada. They were the founding parents. In Sri Lanka the Sinhala majoritarian Governments of the 50’s, 60’ss and 70’s did not recognize the historic place and contribution of the Tamils. They were seen as outsiders. Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was the land of the Sinhalese alone was the dominant credo then.
When Tamils wanted federalism it was rejected. Federalism was depicted as secessionism . It became the “F” word in Sinhala political discourse. Even agreements entered into with Governments by the Tamil dominated Federal Party were not implemented.In that context the Tamils went to the extreme and wanted a land of their own. The mono- state ideology resulted in the two – state response. It is possible that secessionism may have been contained if a viable alternative within a united Sri Lanka was offered. That did not happen.
Another point is the nature of political violence in post – independence Ceylon or Sri Lanka. There have been three types of political violence. One is the mob violence ( often state backed) against Tamil ciivilians. Then there is the violence of the armed forces. This is primarily directed against Tamils (civilian and militant). Today that violence has been institutionalised as war.Thirdly there is the armed Tamil violence which deteriorates into terrorism at times. Thus much of the violence in Sri Lanka is caused by state terror, majoritarian terror and minority terror.
[Water Fall in Hatton, Sri Lanka, Photo: HA]
If the approach towards political violence in the Tamil psyche is to be properly gauged , it is necessary to understand that historically, Tamils were the victims . Mob violence of 1956 , 1958, the reprehensible way in which the Satyagraha campaigns of 1956 and 1961 were suppressed etc are all indicators. Tamils were powerless in a situation where violence was a monopoly of the Sinhala majority or the Sinhala dominated state.
Collectively Tamils were angry at this state of affairs. It was then that the Tamil militants began hitting back. For the first time Tamils were not at the receiving end of violence. Many Tamils were happy that some youths were engaging in violence. The violence then washed away the shame and perceived cowardice of a people being continuously repressed through brute force. So Tamils were horrified by violence but were reluctant to condemn it.
If this collective psyche was an indicator of Tamil ambiguity towards violence the manner and mode in which the Government and rest of Canada responded towards Quebecois violence and the Sri Lankan situation is another moot point. In Sri Lanka the heads of state who spearheaded the fight against Tamil terrorism were all Sinhala leaders but in Canada the two men who led the anti – terror campaign were respected French Canadians. Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister and Robert Bourassa was premier of Quebec when FLQ violence peaked in 1970. Both were able to carry with them the approval of the majority of Francophones in their actions against the FLQ.
In Sri Lanka it was not the case. The Colombo governments which cracked down on Tamil militants did not have support among the Tamil people or their accredited leaders. They were not able to co-opt the TULF also. It was like a Sinhala vs Tamil fight. Indeed the state thought of and conducted itself in that manner. Brute force was used without any attempt to reach out to the Tamil people. The long use of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act treated every Tamil as guilty unless proved otherwise. Thousands were incarcerated.
[Niagara Falls Ontario - Photo: Ian A. Fraser]
This was not the case in Canada where the War measures Act was invoked by Trudeau. The army was called in to Quebec and the capital Ottawa. Civil liberties were temporarily suspended. The people at large supported drastic measures as a temporary, necessary evil. 497 peope were arrested; 435 were released. 62 wete charged 32 of them without bail, Once the crisis was over civil liberties were restored and the army sent to barracks. Years later the very same Trudeau was responsible for introducing the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. It is perhaps the best of its kind and is regarded today as a defining characteristic of Canada.
The FLQ was also weakened due to heavy infiltration by the Police. French Canadians were involved. This was not possible in Sri Lanka because the Tamil militants targetted Tamil police sleuths from the start. Thereafter the Police was “Sinhalaised” and lost its information gathering capacity. This was not so in Quebec. Canadian officials also managed to “convert: many FLQ members and activists. All this would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of French Canadians. It could be seen therefore that French Canadians in Government, opposition, Police and media spearheaded the drive against FLQ terrorism. Moreover it had the backing of an overwhelmingly high number of Francophones.
[Statue of Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake, at the entrance of Colombo-Cinnamon Gardens School bearing his name, D.S. Senanyake Vidyalaya]
This was not so in Sri Lanka where the Sinhala dominated state treated all Tamils except for some “quislings” as the enemy. It was a case of a Sinhala dominated Government and Police force and armed forces waging war against Tamil militants. It was in a sense an ethnic confrontation. The PTA became permanent law. The human rights of the Tamils were ruthlessly denied. People were killed, made to disappear, tortured, detained without trial etc. The state bombed and shelled its own people and practised a scorched earth policy. Under these circumstances the state alienated the Tamil people.All these were absent in Canada. There would have been hell to pay if even a fraction of what the state did to Tamils in Sri Lanka was done to Francophones in Canada under the guise of fighting terrorism.
The response of the state therefore was crucial. In Canada successive Governments tried to reach out to Quebec. There were French Prime Ministers like Trudeau and Chretien and also Anglophone PM’s like Mulroney and Martin from Quebec. Francophones are adequately represented in Cabinet and Supreme Court. There is official bi – lingualism in Ottawa and in all Federal institutions. The charter guarantees equal protection under the law. French is the official language in Quebec and a determined campaign is on to empower it further. Quebec’s economy is growing.
Thus a conscious effort is underway to remove Francophone insecurity and demonstrate that they could live as equals in a united but federal Canada. The referendums of 1980 and 1995 saw the Sovereignists being defeated. This would not have been possible but for substantial sections of Francophones aligning themselves with Anglophones and Allophones.
[At the time the colonies were considering forming a new nation, John A. was the "prime minister" of the United Canadas (today, Ontario and Quebec). After Confederation in 1867, John A. served as the first Prime Minister of the new-formed Dominion of Canada-the first dominion in the British Empire.
This statue of Sir John stands af the very head of Queen's Park, overlooking University Avenue southbound - Photo: Lone Primate]
Again the attitude of English Canada towards secession has been of great importance. Impatient cries are often heard at what is perceived as Sovereignist intransigience. Objections have been raised against special treatment being given to Quebec. Despite these there has been an overall tendency to reach out to Quebec. The percentage of Anglophones learning French or teaching French to children is very high. Though annoyed by the separatists English Canada has tried to accommodate French aspirations as far as possible.
More importantly English Canada was tolerant of the Francophones in their midst even when FLQ violence was at its highest. English mobs did not attack French living in Ottawa or Toronto or Vancouver as retaliation for terrorist violence as Sinhala mobs did to Tamils in Colombo and elsewhere in 1977 or 1983. Neither do they pat themselves on their backs for exercising patience in the face of provocative violence. When looking at violence being condemned by civil society the contrasting conduct of the majority in Canada and Sri Lanka in the wake of minority violence has to be given full cognizance
These are but a few thoughts that come to mind when comparing the political violence of Canada and Sri Lanka and in trying to ascertain why separatist violence withered away in the former and flourishes in the latter.The difference in conduct of French Canadian leaders and Tamil leaders played a crucial part in this. So too was the role of the people themselves. Though the crises were ethnic in nature, ethnicity was not allowed to dominate in Canada whereas in Sri Lanka ,ethnicity was everything in the state’s response.
In Canada the state led by French Premiers at Federal and Provincial level spearheaded the anti – FLQ campaign. In Sri Lanka it was an All Sinhala affair. After invoking harsh measures for a specific period the Canadian regime let things slip back to normal. Extraordinary attempts were made to reach out to th French people. Much legislation was brought to assuage Quebec sentiments. French Canadians remain an integral part of Canada and its Government notwithstanding a separatist movement enjoying much support in Quebec. This is not the case in Sri Lanka.
Likewise the French politicians and people are to be commended for not encouraging violence to pervade the just struggle for equality. This again was not the case in Sri Lanka as far as Tamil leaders and public at large were concerned..
However much the Tamil struggle has now been distorted or undermined through violence it is of paramount importance to realise that the under – lying roots of this conflict lie in the Tamil perception that they have been denied their rightful place in Sri Lanka. Though that perception was allowed to crystallise in the form of secession through armed struggle the quest for Tamil equality remains unfulfilled. Basically the Tamil struggle was for justice, egalitarianism,democracy, pluralism. power – sharing, human rights, honour and dignity. In Canada these concepts were recognized and addressed whereas it was not so in Sri Lanka. If a disease is to be cured permanently both causes and symptoms have to be addressed.
The difference in attitude and approach among the majority and minority communities in Canada and Sri Lanka towards political violence is therefore the crucial factor when trying to determine the reasons for the fall of separatist violence in one Country and its rise in another. Again it must be said that the experience of one Country cannot be applicable in all respects to that of another. Yet , there are valuable lessons to be learnt if we can shed our xenophobic insularity and seek enlightenment with an open mind.
Related: The Power Sharing Experience in Canada
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March 23rd, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Man’s inhumanity to man is transforming Mattakkalappu (Batticaloa) into a district of the displaced. People like Keheliya Rambukwella try to downplay the human suffering by downsizing the actual number of displaced persons. Despite these puerile yet callously insensitive efforts there is no denying that a terrible humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in the district. The latest figures indicate that 38% of the Tamil population in B’caloa are now displaced.
The civil administration and Non – Governmental organizations active in the district are struggling to cope with this sudden and massive influx of Internally displaced persons (IDP’s). The rapid spurt in IDP numbers in March came at a time when the civil authorities and INGO”s were struggling to accommodate the people displaced in December 2006 and January 2007. Despite the best efforts of dedicated professionals and volunteers the challenge of catering to the needs of more than 150, 000 helpless people remains formidable and unfulfilled.
A vast crisis like this brings out at times the best in human nature. One such silver lining in the dark cloud of despair is the commendable efforts of Muslim people in Kattankudi (pronounced Kaathaankudi) to provide limited succour to suffering Tamil refugees in neighbouring Manmunai Pattru or Aaraiyampathy AGA division.
[Children of Sainthamaruthu - Picture HumanityAshore]
There have been communal clashes and resultant tensions between Muslims and Tamils in this region during the past. These have been mainly instigated by scheming politicians and armed militant groups. Yet, K’kudi Muslims have at this time of humanitarian deed engaged collectively in alleviating to some extent at least the suffering of their Tamil brethren.
An overwhelming number of Tamil civilians have fled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled areas into Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) areas in the past few weeks. Many of them have registered themselves as IDP”s at the Manmunai Pattru (Aaraiyampathy) AGA division. This is adjacent to the pre- dominantly Muslim Kattankudi AGA division. With the District administration and functioning NGO”s unable to look after the newly displaced in many respects several civilian organizations are struggling to fill the void. The significant aspect in this is that the K’kudi Muslims are not helping their co -religionists but Tamils who are either Hindu or Christian.
An emergency relief program was initiated by K’kudi residents. The K’ kudi branch of the Federation of Mosques & Muslim Institutions along with the Kattankudy Urbam Council, Kattankudy Traders Association, Kattankudy Jammiyathul Ulama, Risala Media World etc play a crucial part in this effort. The local branches of national organizations like Sri Lanka Jamath-e-Islami, Caring Hands, Human Care Foundation and the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka are also assisting in this mission.
Thousands of cooked meals and lunch packets have been provided to IDP”s in Manumanai North by K’ kudi residents. Plastic plates, mats, mosquito nets for infants, hygiene packs etc have been supplied. Mobile medical clinics have been held at IDP camps. Several urgent needs like mats, infant food, medicine etc have been identified and an appeal has been issued for donations. An donation campaign where every K’ kudi household is being solicited for a minimum donation of 100 rupees is going on. The people of K’ kudi seem determined to continue with a sustained help campaign.
So inspiring has been the K’kudi example that SLM Haniffa who heads the Eastern province Federation of Mosques and Muslim institutions has issued a public appeal that Muslims in other Eastern areas too should emulate their K’kudi brothers and help out with Tamil IDP”s in their respective localities. Batticaloa district MP and cabinet minister Ameer Ali has also issued an appeal on similiar lines. If more Eastern Muslims respond to these appeals it would be a great humanitarian initiative illustrating the noble concept of brotherhood in Islam. It will also be a tremendous fillip to civil society peace building given the fractured state of relations between Muslims and Tamils in the East.
It was only some weeks ago that friction ensued between Tamils of Aaraiyampathy and Muslims of Kattankudi. The issue concerned settling displaced Tamils from Vaakarai in lands within Muslim areas. A matter that could have been settled amicably was exploited by cadres from the breakaway Karuna faction of the tigers who now call themselves the Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP). The TMVP engaged in several acts of provocative violence against innocent Muslim civilians. Muslims were barred from doing business in Aaraiyampathy.
The TMVP is fomenting regionalism among Eastern Tamils to counter the northern hegemony of LTTE leadership . There is also an ingrained anti – Muslim chauvinism among many Tamil leaders of the TMVP. Whipping up anti . Jaffna and anti – Muslim hysteria is also a device to mobilise Eastern Tamils. The TMVP is unable to exploit the “traditional” anti – Sinhala cry as “Col” Karuna is now reduced to being – in the words of chairman Mao – a running dog of “Sinhala” imperialism.
Against this backdrop the humanitarian efforts of K’ kudi Muslims in helping Tamil IDP”s was not welcomed by the TMVP in Aaraiyampathy. In a shameful gesture the TMVP tried to block K’ kudi Muslims from helping Tamil IDP”s. They were prevented from giving meals to some camps. A senior TMVP leaders announced that “TAmils should not eat meals supplied by Muslims”. But the needy IDP”s paid litle notice. The K’ kudi Muslims took the meals to some other IDP camps. Despite the despicable attempt by the TMVP to spoil things ,the K’ kudi Muslims are continuing with their humanitarian efforts.
The conduct of the TMVP that claims to free the Eastern Tamil from Northern oppression has been disgusting during this crisis. The Karuna faction has not rendered any worthwhile assistance through the manpower it possesses. It is a stumbling block to many NGO”s as the outfit demands financial allocations for itself in order to look after the refugees. In many instances the TMVP has placed obstacles to NGO efforts. Moreover the TMVP hovers like vultures to abduct IDP children as child soldiers. The Amnesty International recently drew attention to this in a statement.
While the TMVP continues with its petty, racist politicking the Kattankudi Muslims continue with their good work. I sincerely hope that they and Muslims elsewhere in the East will not be deterred by the Karuna faction. Such demonstrations of inter – faith goodwill and inter – ethnic amity are sorely needed in the beleaguered East.
Recently when Sufi Muslims fled Kattankudi to escape the wrath of Wahabis it was the Aaraiyampathy Tamils who gave them refuge. Earlier when the Ysunami struck people of different races and religions helped each other. Their common suffering forged a bond that was shred to pieces when the state and politicians got involved.
Political leaders and self – styled liberators may say that the people of the Eastern province and in a larger sense the people of this Island cannot live together peacefully. That is not so. The ordinary people want to live together. They want to help each other. The shining example of Kattankudi Muslims is further testimony that our human bondage transcends other artificial barriers.
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March 20th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
There is a deliberate effort going on to minimise the internally displaced person figures in the Eastern district of Batticaloa. The clumsy attempt to juggle with numbers by the media center for national security is a pointer. Another indicator is the callously insensitive claim by Keheliya Rambukwella that only 52, 000 are displaced in Batticaloa.It was totally incorrect to say the least. It may be that the Government of Sri Lanka is trying to downplay the gravity of the crisis by downsizing IDP numbers. If so it is one more exercise in futility by this government.
The de- facto entity governing Batticaloa today is the Defence ministry. The de- jure civil administrative authority is the District Secretary or Government Agent. The district secretariat’s official figure for displaced in B’ caloa on Friday March 16th evening was 165, 485.. These people were from 43, 808 families. Of these 6, 512 people from 1, 921 families had been re- settled in Vaakarai within the B’caloa district between March 7th to 15th. Another 2, 664 from 835 families were re- settled in Muthur and Eechilampattru in Trincomalee district by March 15th. This left a balance of 156, 309 peole from 41, 052 families by the week’s end.
The various acts of aerial bombardment and artillery shelling last year had led to a slow trickle of displaced persons from regions dominated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil eelam (LTTE) to areas controlled by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). This trickle became a flow during December 2006 and January 2007 when thousands of people from the militarily beleaguered Koraliapattru North (Vaakarai) division began fleeing to Govt areas. Among these were tens of thousand IDP”s from Trincomalee district who had sought refuge in Batticaloa North.
The IDP flow became a mini – flood in March when the armed forces launched “Operation Human shield”.The objective was to capture LTTE dominated areas of five AGA divisions. Army commander Sarath Fonseka has pledged that the Eastern province will be eradicated of the tigers by April new year. The latest offensive was seen as an integral part of an initiative to implement this pledge.
["I missed my son Rajendran (44), while leaving Vakarai. He is a mentally retarded person. I am worried about him, and don't know his whereabouts" says Sellaiah Ramupillai (72), who is a farmer from Kathiraveli - Photo HumanityAshore]
Some attempts by the soldiers and special task force personnel to advance on ground did not meet with expected success as the tigers offered stiff resistance. The brunt of the attack however was borne by the civilians. Barrages of artillery shells and MBRL rockets were fired. Intensive aerial bombardment was on. As a result of these atacks thousands of Tamil civilians left their homes and sought shelter and safety in GOSL areas. Though most people have left their homes the armed forces are yet to advance into this territory.
Substantial parts of five AGA or Pradeshiya divisions were under LTTE domination. They were Pattippalai (Kokkaticholai) Manmunai West (Vavunatheevu) , Poratheevupattru (Vellaveli), Eravoorpattru (Chenkalladdi) and Koralaipattru South (Kiran). Around 145, 000 people wee living in these five divisions. Of these about 128, 000 were living in LTTE dominated areas. Around 106, 000 of this number have registered themselves as IDP”s in GOSL controlled areas. Another 22, 000 are either living in their former areas or have not registered themselves as IDP”s. 98, 000 of these IDP”s were displaced in March this year.
The IDP’s living currently in B’caloa can be classified in two categories. One category concerns people from the Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts . The other is about those living in IDP camps or welfare centers and those living with friends or relatives.
21, 306 people from 5, 981 families from Trincomalee district are living in camps. 6, 729 people from 1, 683 families from Trinco are living with friends or relatives. 27, 005 people from 7. 664 families among the IDP”s in B’caloa are originally from Trincomalee district.
Among those from B’caloa district 62, 644 people from 16, 101 families are living in welfare center camps. 75, 806 from 20, 043 families are living with friends and relatives.Thus according to B’caloa dist secretariat figures of March 16th 138, 450 people from 36, 144 families from B’caloa district are registered as IDP”s.
A further classification could be that 81, 535 people from 21, 726 families are staying with friends and relatives while 83, 950 people from 22,088 families are staying at IDP camps. These categories consist of both Trinco and Batti district IDP”s. Proportionately more Trinco IDP’s are in camps while more B’caloa IDP’s are living with relatives and friends. There are 91 Welfare centers or IDP camps in Batticaloa district right now.
The displaced people are living in ten AGA divisions.Eravoorpsttru has the highest number with 40, 948 people from 10,974 families. Next comes Manmunai South and Eruvilpattru (Kaluwaanchikudi) with 35, 883 people from 8, 422 families.Manmunai North (Batticaloa town) ranks third with 33, 230 people from 9, 502 families. Manmunaipattru (Aaraiyampathy) has 24, 012 people from 6, 260 families.Koralaipattru (Vaalaichenai) has 12, 527 people from 3, 527 families. Koralaipattru south (Kiran) has 11, 888 peope from 3, 139 families.Koralaipattru North (Vaakarai) has 4, 278 people from 1, 282 families. Poratheevupattru (Vellavely) has 2, 384 people from 613 families.
[Photo: Yahoo! News]
There are three Muslim majority AGA divisions. Here the number is small. Kattankudi has 26 people from 6 families. Koralaipattru West has only 7 people from 4 family units. Koralaipatru Central has 302 people from 79 famiies. Most of these are Muslim refugees. They are from Muthur and a few villages north of Oddamavady. All of them are registered as IDP”s but staying with friends and relatives.
The break- down of registered IDP figures in B’caloa are not static. It is an evolving and changing situation. Therefore the numbers will fluctuate daily. Yet it is important to note that the actual number is at least double that of the defence ministry figure. It is almost three times the number stated by Keheliya Rambukwella. An estimated 22, 000 displaced have either not registered or living amidst hardship independently. 38 % of B’ caloa’s 422, 000 Tamils are displaced. The land of the singing fish is fast becoming a district of displaced Tamils.
The state machinery is woefully inadequate to cope with the crisis. Even at the time when the March influx began the administration had not catered to the earlier IDP’s from Trinco and Vaakarai properly. More than 50% of those refugees were living in tents. Then the new influx began. With nearly a 100, 000 IDP’s converging on GOSL areas of the littoral within days the administrative machinery just could not handle it. Even the NGO”s functioning amid many constraints are not able to help enough.
The blame rests entirely with the Govt in Colombo. This is a regime which began military offensives under the pretext of liberating people as human shields from the LTTE. The military campaign has been a massive show of firepower and airpower. Civilian habitats have been deliberately targetted with the avowed purpose of driving the people out.What has happened is that the so called “human shields” are not in the areas where they lived but the tigers who allegedly used them as shields remain.
What is going on now is merely a repetition of what went on in Sampoor, Muthur East, Eechilampattru and Koralaipattru North. Only the scale and scope is much greater. Under the flimsy pretext of “removing a LTTE threat” the Tamil people of the East are be9ing driven out of their historic habitat. They are being systematically deprived of their homes in their traditional homeland. The timing coincided with the harvest season. Everything was abandoned. Most dwellings have been destroyed or damaged. There are genocidal elements in the war being waged.
The Govt which claims it is freeing the Tamils from the LTTE’s clutches has shown no concern whatsoever for civilian plight. This is a time when enhanced finances have to be allocated to B’caloa district. Special arrangements should be made. More personnel and equipment. supplies. utensils etc are needed. Nothing has been done. The already staggering district administration simply does not have the resources to address the needs that have arisen in an extra- ordinary situation.
No comprehensive action plan has been drawn by Colombo when it should have fully anticipated massive upheaval. The treatment meted out to Tamil civilians contrasts sharply from how Sinhala civilian IDP”s were treated in Trincomalee. There are blatant double standards. The Tamil people of Batticaloa are regarded as children of a lesser God?
There are no proper facilities at IDP camps. There is no bread and therefore no breakfast. Lunch is invariably late and often undercooked. People line up for food in the blazing sun and it is pathetic to see them take food in plastic bags. Toilet facilities are not enough. Water is not adequately available. Drinking water is doled out once a day. There is little electricity available. Chimney lamps have been given without kerosene. There is not enough medicine, infant food or milk for children.
About 2, 000 people are housed in each school while 450 – 500 people are lodged in tents and sheds. Three to four families share a tent or shed. No special arrangements are available for nursing mothers, pregnat women or infants. Sick and the elderly too suffer. Diarrhoea, Eye disease and skin ailments are rampant. The situation is fertile for an epidemic outbreak. The weather is hot during day while the nights are cold with rain.
This is why many people have opted to live with friends and relatives. There too the situation is not rosy with many having to share meagre facilities. Many camp on compounds. Still they are relatively better off than those in IDP centers.
Most people fled their homes with only what they were wearing. Earlier the soldiers allowed people to return home and fetch things they needed. All re – entry has been banned from March 16th. All entry points in places like Black bridge, Ambilanthurai, Manmunai, Paddiruppu etc have been virtually sealed off. Many people wanted to go home and fetch documents like ID cards, certificates etc. Now they are unable to do so. People fear that their damaged houses will be looted as in the case of Sampooor and Vaakarai. It is alleged that the security personnel were responsible.
The IDP’ are destitute now but it must be remembered that they were not poor people. Most of them lived comfortably if not luxuriously. They have been rendred homeless now but they are not beggars. The emotional trauma undergone is terrible. Yet many officials and Social activists fail to realise this. They tend to regard them as people who have been poor all along. This is not so.
Batticaloa was once flourishing in agriculture. The East was the granary of Sri Lanka. Today war and deprivation has reduced it to poverty. Batticaloa people particularly those from the Paduvaankarai region were a hospitable community. All strangers and guests were made welcome and feasted with food. It is hear – wrenching to see such a simple, homely, hospitable people being reduced to living in refugee camps and lining up for rations and rice.
Related: More than One – Third of Tamils in B’Caloa Dist are Displaced
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March 20th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The spotlight is currently on Batticaloa as far as the issue of Internally displaced persons (IDP) is concerned. Quite rightly too as the IDP figure in that Eastern district has exceeded 150, 000. While the media remains focussed on B’caloa IDP’s another development concerning displaced persons in the North – Western district of Mannar also requires some attention because of its particular importance.It is a crisis that has been simmering for some time away from media publicity.
It was a recent press communique issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Sri Lanka that drew my attention to this. The release gave pride of place to the situation in Batticaloa. Yet tucked away at the end were three short paragraphs which referred to a problem in Mannar. Here are the relevant paras –
“We are also concerned about the welfare of an estimated 10,000 internally displaced people in the grounds of Madu Church and surrounding areas in LTTE-controlled Mannar, in the northern part of Sri Lanka.”
“The security situation in this area has deteriorated significantly in the last weeks and the LTTE has now issued instructions that all IDPs should be moved from the church grounds and has restricted humanitarian agencies’ access to the site. ”
“Many of the IDPs there sought refuge in the church grounds for security reasons and in order to avoid forced recruitment by the LTTE. ”
Some delving into this matter revealed that a potential crisis is in the making at Madhu. More than ten thousand people – Catholic, Protestant and Hindu – have converged in the premises of the Madhu Church and its environs. They have sought refuge there for safety and security. Escalating violence, fear of being caught up in a major war and the imperative need to avoid forced conscription by the tigers are the main reasons for this.In the noble tradition of the Church, throughout the ages, the refuge seeking multitude has been offered sanctuary.
The Marian Church dedicated to “Our Lady of the Rosary” is generally known as Our Lady of Madhu or the “Madhu Matha”Church. Madhu actually refers to the place name Maruthamadhu. It is an oasis of spirituality and refuge amidst what was Elephant – infested thick jungle once. Today it remains an undeclared peace zone in the midst of an on – going undeclared war. The easiest way to reach it by road is to veer off at the Madhu church road junction along the Vavuniya – Mannar road and proceed the distance of seven miles.
The Madhu church feasts and festivals have attracted thousands of devotees in the past. As a result the Church has had to construct many structures in the vicinity to house worshippers. These dwellings and shelters were of great use when the war escalated. Thousands of displaced persons have been given refuge in the Church precincts at various stages in the past. It has been a virtual peace zone with all combatants being barred from carrying arms in the vicinity. The church was in an area controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Even the tigers have solemnly honoured this norm.
In 1999 an untoward incident occurred when war went on between the Government of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and the tigers. The Catholic Bishops met President Kumaratunga and elicited an undertaking that the military would keep off Madhu. Yet it was honoured in the breach. The army “occupied” the Madhu church environs for a while triggering off clashes. In one round of shelling the Church premises were hit. Both sides disclaimed responsibility and blamed the other party.
After the ceasefire of February 23rd 2002 the Madhu Church like most places in the North – East began returning to normalcy. The refugees returned home. Catholics from the South began worshipping at the Church and participating in feasts after a prolonged absence. With ethnic relations deteriorating in recent times a climate of war began setting in.
Mannar Island and some areas of the littoral are under army control while much of the hinterland is under tiger domination. Though Mannar district has been spared intense military campaigns there have been many incidents of violence. With increasing insecurity people began seeking refuge at Madhu again.
Sporadic artillery shelling and some instances of aerial bombardment over a period of time saw many people becoming jittery. They preferred the safety and security of Madhu Church. The people were worried about being victimised in these shellings and bombings. With the dawn of the new year there was aerial bombardment of Padaguthurai in Iluppaikkadavai. Many people were killed and injured. This incident led to a fear psychosis that all coastal areas of the district could be bombed. This led to an influx of displaced persons into Madhu.
The past year too witnessed many incidents of violence like landmines, claymore explosions, assassinations, massacres,abductions, disappearances etc. According to one estimate Fifty-five Tamil civilians were killed, 105 injured, and 16 reported missing in Mannar district from 2006 January to February 2007. 15 civilians were killed, 47 injured and 11 reported missing in Mannar DS division. 11 civilians were killed, 15 injured and 6 reported missing in Nanattan DS division. 3 civilians were killed, 5 injured and one reported missing in Musali DS division.
18 Tamil civilians were killed and 39 injured in Manthai West DS division in LTTE held territory. 10 civilians were killed, two by shooting and 8 in claymore attacks , 9 injured and one person reported missing in Madhu DS division in LTTE held area. This violence and resultant insecurity also helped swell refugees at Madhu.
Another round of violence in March led to a spurt in refuge seekers. On Wednesday March 7th an LTTE squad with small arms attacked a Police patrol at Parappankandal near Uyilankulam on the Mannar – Medawachiya road. A Police constable SP Tissera was killed in the incident occurring at 6.45 am.. Security personnel suspended transport along the road and shut down the entry -exit point at Utilankulam. which is the only such transit point between GOSL and LTTE areas in Mannar.The closure caused much hardship. It was re-opened on March 10th.
Security forces however launched intensive artillery barrages into LTTE controlled villages within two hours of the incident at about 8. 30 am.of March 7th. This was retaliatory action for the Parappankandal attack.Artillery firing was repeated with less intensity on the nights of March 7th, 8th and 9th. Many villages were affected. The villages of Adampan, Parappukkadanthaan and Paalaikkudi were severely hit. Panic – stricken villagers left their homes in desperate fear. Most of them sought refuge at Madhu church premises.
The military actions of the state have contributed greatly to prevailing insecurity in LTTE controlled areas of Mannar. This is an important cause for displacement and resultant refuge seeking at Madhu. But this is not the only reason. The LTTE has also been responsible for making people seek sanctuary at Madhu church. While many people remain supportive of the LTTE they resent and object to some of its activities. Chief among them is the LTTE’s forcible recruitment and conscription.
With the LTTE stepping up its “Veetukku oru veeran allathu veeraanganai” (One hero or heroine per household) campaign from mid – 2006 forcible recruitment has increased. Mannar district too felt this intensified conscription. The worst instance was last year when all young males in Kattukkulam and Parappankandal were rounded up and detained at a barbwired enclosure.
Attempts were made to brainwash them into “voluntarily” joining the LTTE. This did not work and after a few weeks there was a mass break – out. Despite tiger political commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan’s efforts to win them over the escapees refused to budge.Many of them with their families sought refuge at Madhu church.
The LTTE also intensified its conscription drive in other areas. Youths in each family were specifically targetted. Many of the youngsters who managed to escape sought refuge at Madhu. In many instances their families joined them.In many instances members of the Catholic clergy helped people avoiding conscription. Many children were given refuge by Sisters of the Franciscan order in Adampan. After housing them at their children’s home the sisters took them along with their families to Madhu. There was friction with the LTTE on account of this.
The Priest in charge of Madhu is Rev Fr. J. Emilianus Pillai OMI. He is known popularly as Father Emil. It is said that Fr. Emil offered sanctuary on his own initiative. Later the Church hierarchy gave its quiet blessings. As a result of sanctuary being given more than 650 persons designated by the LTTE as prospective conscripts are at Madhu. More than 500 families of such earmarked conscripts are also at Madhu. Many of these are Hindus.
The LTTE has been angry over this development. But the Church has stood firm. Some time ago when abductions of children had increased Mannar Bishop Joseph Rayappu and eighteen Catholic priests met SP Thamilselvan and conveyed the Church’s objections to the practice. When the sanctuary at Madhu issue cropped up the administrative head of the LTTE S. Thangan alias Sutha met with members of the Catholic clergy and asked that the refuge seekers be sent out. Also several local LTTE leaders have been meeting priests and pressing their “request”.
The LTTE has cunningly disguised its ulterior motives as professed concern for the IDP’s and the Church. The tigers say that the armed forces could launch a sudden operation to take Madhu. Since the Church has declared Madhu and its environs as a peace zone the LTTE is unable to set up defences in the vicinity. Also fighting in the area could make the historic church as well as the refugees vulnerable.
So the LTTE will not be able to “protect” Madhu church or the IDP civilians. Therefore the LTTE wants the people to move out from Madhu (Maruthamadhu) to Thatchanaamaruthamadhu. If so defences could be constructed and the people protected say the tigers.
But the people that is the refugees at the Church are not swallowing the bait. For one thing they prefer the institutionalised protection of the Church . Also there is the emotional belief that Our Lady of Madhu will protect them. More importantly they know that they would be at the mercy of the LTTE if they move to Thatchanaamaruthamadhu. Their children will be easily conscripted. There is also the lack of confidence among people that the LTTE would withstand a determined military offensive. They feel staying at Madhu church will help them if and when the army moves in.
Against that backdrop the people are refusing to leave. The church takes a neutral position on this. The Church stance is that it is entirely up to the people whether they want to stay at Madhu or go elsewhere. If they want to stay at Madhu then sanctuary will be provided according to the tradition of the church. The LTTE must not enter church premises by force and/or forcibly remove anyone. The church will continue to look after all those who sought refuge from “Madhumatha” (Our Lady of Madhu).
The church has been flexible enough to afford “access” to the LTTE at Madhu. Registered tiger representatives are allowed entry into church premises and given permission to interact with the IDP population. They are also allowed freedom to talk to them and convince them if possible through “reason” that they should leave Madhu. Tiger cadres cannot carry arms and also use threatening language to intimidate the people. If the people do not want to dscuss matters the tigers are debarred from forcing them to do so. Though the LTTE has made many attempts to “convert” the people the refugees at large have remained firm.
There are more than 10,000 people at Madhu right now. The Mannar diocese is looking after them with the help of Catholic organizations like SEDEC and CARITAS. International NGO’s like UNHCR, ICRC, WFP and CARE etc have also provided some limited assistance. In a bid to discourage the IDP’s the LTTE has in a roundabout way restricted access to Madhu by these INGO”s.
The LTTE rationale for restricting access is that it is not safe for these organizations to move about in these areas. Just as the Govt restricts access to NGO’s and diplomats and media to the North – East saying it is not safe the tigers too are following suit in their own way. The tigers cite two recent explosions as the excuse for curbing NGO movement in LTTE areas.
On tuesday Feb 27th a claymore mine exploded at Sinnavalayankattu in close proximity to Madhu. Siluvairasa Amalanesan (33) the newly appointed principal of a school at Vilathikulam left the education office at Madhu on a motor cycle. Seated on the pillion was Christian Rajakone( 47) an education dept official. Amalanesan was killed and Rajakone injured in the claymore explosion.
On Wednesday Feb 28th A family of four were travelling from Aandaankulam to Madhu church on a motor cycle.An explosion occurred at Periyavil about 6 km away from Madhu on the Parappukkadanthaan rd.Henry Anthonymuttu, 40, a farmer, his wife Henry Uchrista, 42, and their children Angele Shiami, 04 and Sam Surendran Henry, 15, were wounded and rushed to Adampan District Hospital by the ICRC and later transferred to Mannar General Hospital.
The LTTE “Kaavalthurai” (Police) rushed to the scene on both occasions and made inquiries. The blame was placed on the deep penetration squads or long range reconnaissance patrols (LRRP) of the army. Selvy, the LTTE’s newly appointed spokesperson on human rights issues publicly condemned the state and its LRRP squads for both incidents.
It is a fact that the deep penetration units have infiltrated LTTE areas and placed claymore mines that have victimised civilians in some cases. Yet LTTE credibility has sunk so low that many doubted whether the LRRP was really responsible for these two incidents.
The fact that two incidents occurred on successive days and the LTTE used them as examples that the area was not safe for NGO’s to travel made many suspicious. It was felt that the LTTE may have triggered the explosions, blamed the LRRP and conveniently restricted movement of NGO’s. It was all part of LTTE psy – operations to get the people out of Madhu it was felt.
In any case the UNHCR feels the situation is grave enough to be mentioned in a press communique. It is in the interests of the LTTE to take note of this and remove restrictions on NGO movement. The tigers could also refrain from trying to conscript those who have sought refuge at Madhu and respect the concept of sanctuary.
In a separate development the Catholic Bishop of Mannar most Rev. Joseph Rayappu met Gotabhaya Rajapakse on Thursday March 15th and cautioned the Defence secretary about the need to avoid civilian casualties during military operations.Bishop Rayappu’s meeting with the Defence secretary came in the wake of reports that military activities have escalated in Mannar.
LTTE spokesman on military affairs Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan claimed that a military offensive was resisted on Thursday (Mar 15th) at Mullikulam village on the Mannar – Vavuniya border. “More than 600 soldiers were involved in the push and were beaten back” he claimed.
The military drive was preceded by intensive shelling of places like Mullikulam, Keerisuddaan and Periyapandivirichaan.Many civilians were injured and dwellings destroyed in the shelling.The firing came from army camps at Poovarasankulam and Iranaiiluppaik kulam.
Earlier Artillery fire from Peyaadikoolaankulam was also directed against the villages of Pandrikkeithakulam, Mariyadichakulam and Puliyankulam. Likewise the villages of Paalamottai and Semamadhu and Periyamadhu were shelled from Omanthai.
On Friday March 16th soldiers of the Sri Lankan army tried to enter Paalamottai to the north – west of Vavuniya town. The area had been shelled intensively before. LTTE spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan claimed that the soldiers had been beaten back after the daylight confrontation. He also claimed that four security personnel were killed and twenty injured in the clash.
Bishop Rayappu in Colombo pointed out to the defence secretary who is also President Mahinda Rajapakse’s sibling that more than 10, 000 displaced persons had taken refuge at the well – known Madhu Church premises and outlying precincts. As such it was necessary to maintain the area as a “conflict free zone” and avoid military actions that could harm the Church or people the Bishop requested.
Bishop Rayappu was in Colombo on the eve of his departure to Jaffna on a peacebuilding goodwill mission. Three Catholic Bishops from dioceses in the South were scheduled to accompany him on this mission.
“Thousands of people have been gathering at the Church over the past months. They are fearful of escalating military hostilities on both sides. They feel that Madhu Church and its environs would provide them safety and refuge.The number now exceeds 10, 000 ” Bishop Rayappu said.
“It is important for military authorities to adopt caution and be careful in taking military action that may affect innocent civilians”, Bishop Rayappu said. “If Madhu Church gets caught up in the middle of military action thousands of people could be harmed” he further said.
Bishop Rayappu said that Church leaders had cautioned the LTTE also of the need to avoid harm to civilians and also to treat Madhu Church and environs as a ” no – war zone” .
Despite the Bishop’s well – meaning efforts to keep Madhu safe and protect innocent civilians from unnecessary harm it is a moot point as to whether this Govt which regards war as its first priority will give adequate heed to the prelate’s plea. There is every chance that the army will set its sights on that area. The LTTE will then resist and Madhu will be caught in the middle.
Once again this column appeals to the International community to help restrain both the GOSL and the LTTE from making Madhu a theatre of conflict. Let us hope the efforts of Bishop Rayappu will not be in vain.
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March 16th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Batticaloa , the only Tamil majority district in the Eastern province is becoming a region of internally displaced persons. With the recent three – tiered military offensive by the army, special task force and air force, inflicting terrible destruction on civilian areas massive displacement is taking place. According to latest figures supplied by officials at Batticaloa district secretariat more than one – third of B’caloa’s Tamil population of 422, 674 are now displaced.
According to civil administration figures the number of IDP’s registered with the Govt was 156, 384 on Thursday March 15th. Of these 21,497 are from the Trincomalee district and 7,654 from the Koralaipattru north (Vaakarai) AGA division. The rest are from five AGA divisions dominated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The AGA divisions concerned are Poratheevupattru (Vellaveli) Pattippalai (Kokkaticholai) Manmunai West (Vavunatheevu)Koralaipattru West (Kiran) and Eravoorpattru (Chenkalladdy). According to revised figures from the B’caloa secretariat 145, 619 people from 32, 565 families were living in these areas. Though the greater part of these five divisions were under LTTE control significant parts , particularly in the littoral, were under Govt control.
More than 127, 000 displaced people from these five divisions are registered with the Dist secretariat as IDP’s. Tens of thousands were displaced in the latest military offensive codenamed “Operation human shield”.Many of the earlier IDP’s of registered IDP’s are staying independently with friends and relatives. The rest both “old and new” IDP’s are housed at 89 camps called welfare centers. In addition to these registered 156, 384 IDP’s an estimated 15, 000 plus are yet to be registered. People in this category are living either with relatives and friends or living under trees.
Vaakarai or Koralaipattru North division had 14, 301 IDP’s at one stage. About 6500 have been re- settled in haphazard fashion. Most IDP’s were reluctant to go but were compelled to do so by the authorities. If the displaced from six AGA divisions including Koralaipattru North are taken together the number of registered displaced persons in Batticaloa exceeds 140, 000. If the estimated unregistered 15, 000 IDP”s are added on the number reaches more than 155,000. This amounts to more than one – thirds of the total Tamil population (422, 674)in B’caloa.
The district administrative machinery is struggling to cope with this rapid increase in IDP’s. One method resorted to is to forcibly re- settle some of the IDP”s from Trincomalee district in their original villages. Their “vacancies” will be filled by the new B’caloa refugees it is envisaged. But most IDP’s are reluctant to move out in an uncertain climate and tensions are rising. One notable incident illustrates the situation vividly.
Displaced persons staying at five refugee camps in Batticaloa district were forcibly removed to Trincomalee district in a sudden “operation” masterminded by an Assistant Superintendent of Police around noon on Thursday March 15th. Though exact figures are not known NGO sources said that nearly a thousand people were taken against their will in thirty buses to Trincomalee district.
The Batticaloa district Government Agent or divisional secretaries were not informed of this action by the authorities concerned. An NGO official said that civil administration officials in B’caloa were totally in the dark when informed of the incident.
A Sinhala speaking ASP had come down from Trincomalee to supervise the entire forced re- location. He was acting on authority provided by the Trincomalee Government Agent who is a retired major – general of the Sri Lankan army.
According to informed sources 30 buses were used in the operation. Five camps for Internally displaced persons (IDP’s) staying at refugee camps known as welfare centers were the targets. The five camps were located at Savukkadi,Aiyankerni, Palaacholai, Kirimutti and Kiran in the Eravoorpattru (Chenkalladdy) and Koralaipattru West )Kiran) AGA or Pradeshiya divisions.
Six buses were parked near each IDP camp at five places. Police officers brought from Trincomalee along with Security personnel deployed in B’caloa district swooped down on the five camps suddenly and began forcibly removing people to the buses. While hundreds of people fled the camps to avoid being taken to the buses many others particularly those senior in age were “caught”.
People were forced to bring their meagre belongings along and packed into buses. The belongings were put in one bus while the human cargo was packed into the other five buses parked at each of the five camps. Some people were cooking at the time but had to leave food and utensils behind. Others had to leave their drying clothes which they had washed earlier.
It is also alleged that family units were ruptured as some children were away in temporary “school” and other members were away at the time or had fled.
In an operation conducted with military precision and brute force the roughly 25 – 35 people were herded into each of the 25 buses with Policemen guarding them. Their belongings “travelled” separately in five buses. The name of the ASP from Trincomalee who “commanded” the operation is not known.
All peeople forcibly removed were originally from nine Grama Sevakha or Village Services divisions in Muthur and Eechilampatru in Trinco dist. . The nine GS divisions were Mallikaitheevu,Periyavely, Pattithidal, Kiliveddy, Bharathypuram, Menkaamam, Kanguveli, Iruthayapuram and Paalathadicenai.
The people are being taken to a transit camp in Kiliveddy first. They will be re- settled in their own villages in due course.
With displacement on a massive scale being underway in B’ caloa district due to military action the Govt is now planning to re- locate IDP’s from Trincomalee dist to their own places and fill the “vacancies” with new B’caloa IDP”s.
While the Tamil inhabitants of certain places considered militarily “strategic” like Sampoor, Koonitheevu, Senaiyoor, Ilakkanthai, Kattaiparichaan, Ilankaithuraimuhathuvaaram, Nallur, Pattalipuram etc in Trinco are not being allowed to return the Govt is applying force to re- settle others from places .
The people however are unwilling to be re- settled as the security situation is fragile and large – scale hostilities could break out at any time. This could result in further displacement tey fear.
Another problem is that all infra – structure in Muthur and Eechilampattru divisions are destroyed. Most dwellings too are destroyed. Besides their belongings left behind have been looted. Also the re- located people are being forced to live amidst poor surroundings in makeshift shelters akin to an IDP camp.Most people feel it would be better to remain in B’caloa and re- locate only after a permanent peace is assured.
This is the reason for their reluctance to move out. The UNHCR has emphasised that no one should be forces to return against their will. But the Rajapakse regime well – known for flouting civilised norms is bent on removing this segment of the IDP”s while creating more IDP”s through shelling and bombing.
One reason for the Government’s strong show of force in re-locating IDP”s is the incident on March 12th. On that day 2803 people from 771 families from Trincomalee district were officially scheduled to be removed from the IDP camps in B’caloa. But when 35 buses moved in most people ran away and escaped forcible removal. Only 781 people from 228 families were taken away.
Authorities were miffed over this incident and Thursday’s operation was a sequel to the earlier one. Most people taken ere those who avoided re- location on March 12th.
Meanwhile three Ministers from the North – East , Riyaz Badiuddeen, Basheer Segu Dawood and Ameer Ali were attending a meeting at the Sithandy camp to discuss matters of IDP re- settlement. They were inaccessible to the media and it is not known whether they were aware of this forcible removal incident or not.
The UNHCR in a press release issued in Geneva drew attention to the emerging crisis.”The government, through local officials, has made an urgent appeal for immediate food assistance for at least the next four weeks. With existing displacement sites already overcrowded and continued difficulties in allocating land, we are concerned about the welfare of the displaced in the district” the release said.”As fighting continues, more people may be forced to flee, and we have asked the government to step up efforts to meet the needs of the displaced.”it added.
The UNHCR also referred to the pressure exerted on IDP’s to return home against their will. “At the same time, UNHCR and other agencies are monitoring the return of civilians from six divisions in Batticaloa to the Trincomalee district. The returns began yesterday.” the statement said.
“More than 300 people have already been transported to a transit centre in Killaveddi. The Government of Sri Lanka has assured us that all return movements will be voluntary.
However, interagency monitoring reports from Batticaloa indicate that heavy pressure has been applied on internally displaced people, IDPs, including local authority statements that assistance will be stopped if they stay in Batticaloa.
This pressure, coupled with security concerns in the sites for internally displaced people, has forced many IDPs to return to Trincomalee even though they have expressed serious reservations about the security situation in their areas of origin.
UNHCR is continuing to advocate for voluntary return, without undue pressure or duress. We have offered to accompany the process. UNHCR insists on removing the obstacles for return and we want to help prepare for conducive conditions for any return. ” the statement further said.
Another disturbing development was the alleged abduction of youths from IDP camps by the Breakaway LTTE faction headed by Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias “Col” Karuna.The Amnesty International issued a statement on March 13th over this issue. Relevant excerpts are given below -
“Armed groups, some identified as part of a breakaway group of Tamil Tigers known as the Karuna faction, are infiltrating camps for newly displaced people and abducting residents, according to sources known to Amnesty International.
Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing their homes after intense fighting in the eastern region of Batticaloa over the weekend, pushing the number of displaced people to well over 120,000.
“We are hearing reports of armed men, wearing the uniforms of the Karuna faction, roaming the camps and even distributing relief goods,” said Purna Sen, Asia Pacific Direct at Amnesty International. “The Karuna faction appears to operate throughout Batticaloa town with the complicity of the Sri Lankan authorities.”
The military action of the Karuna faction in the east has increased violence and displacement. Analysts observe that the Sri Lankan Army tolerates its military camps as the Karuna faction has assisted in the Sri Lankan military campaign against the Tamil Tigers.
“The people who have been forced to flee the fighting are in an extremely vulnerable position: they have left behind their livelihoods and their homes, they may not know the area and they are likely to be very scared. The government has a responsibility to ensure that camps are safe and civilian in nature — it is unacceptable for men with guns to be wandering around as if they’re in control.”
There have also been reports of armed men abducting young people from internally displaced people (IDP) camps. In one previously unreported incident on 9 March, a 15-year-old boy was approached by a white van as he waited for a bus at a temple near an IDP camp. Armed men tried to pull him into the van, but his struggling and screams attracted a crowd and the abductors fled. A witness said members of the Sri Lankan army watched the incident but did not step in to help the boy.
Food shortages and overcrowding in the camps for displaced people are another concern and Amnesty International is calling on the government to ensure it provides food, water, housing and medical care to all those who have been displaced by the fighting.
“As the fighting continues, we fear even more people will be forced to seek protection in the camps — and basic necessities like food and water will be stretched even further,” said Purna Sen. “The government must act now to ensure supplies can meet the increasing demand.”
Amnesty International is also concerned at reports of people who have been displaced being forced to resettle in the north of the country. Over the weekend displaced people were asked to leave Batticaloa to go to the north-eastern town of Muthur. Around 40 buses transported them away; some of the people apparently did not wish to go.
In a welcome move, the Sri Lankan government invited the UN Secretary General’s Representative on internally displaced people to visit at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council earlier this week. Given the humanitarian crisis, Amnesty International urges the government to allow the visit to take place as soon as possible.”.
Meanwhile the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator called on both sides in strife-torn Sri Lanka to allow humanitarian assistance to get through to those civilians trapped on the frontlines, while also highlighting the plight of over 130,000 people in the east of the island forced to flee their homes because of the recent upsurge in fighting.
“I am extremely concerned that tens of thousands of civilians have had to flee their homes once again in eastern Sri Lanka due to the new escalation in violence. I appeal to both parties in the conflict to respect the lives of the civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law,” said Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes.
“My main worry at the moment is for the civilians who have been unable to leave the conflict zones. The UN agencies are unable to operate in frontline areas and therefore cannot help the civilians living there,” he said. “All parties to the Sri Lanka conflict must grant access to humanitarian agencies so that they can help those trapped in the crossfire.”
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March 16th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Displaced persons staying at five refugee camps in Batticaloa district were forcibly removed to Trincomalee district in a sudden “operation” masterminded by an Assistant Superintendent of Police around noon on Thursday March 15th. Though exact figures are not known NGO sources said that nearly a thousand people were taken against their will in thirty buses to Trincomalee district.
The Batticaloa district Government Agent or divisional secretaries were not informed of this action by the authorities concerned. An NGO official said that civil administration officials in B’caloa were totally in the dark when informed of the incident.
A Sinhala speaking ASP had come down from Trincomalee to supervise the entire forced re- location. He was acting on authority provided by the Trincomalee Government Agent who is a retired major – general of the Sri Lankan army.
According to informed sources 30 buses were used in the operation. Five camps for Internally displaced persons (IDP’s) staying at refugee camps known as welfare centers were the targets. The five camps were located at Savukkadi,Aiyankerni, Palaacholai, Kirimutti and Kiran in the Eravoorpattru (Chenkalladdy) and Koralaipattru West )Kiran) AGA or Pradeshiya divisions.
Six buses were parked near each IDP camp at five places. Police officers brought from Trincomalee along with Security personnel deployed in B’caloa district swooped down on the five camps suddenly and began forcibly removing people to the buses. While hundreds of people fled the camps to avoid being taken to the buses many others particularly those senior in age were “caught”.
People were forced to bring their meagre belongings along and packed into buses. The belongings were put in one bus while the human cargo was packed into the other five buses parked at each of the five camps. Some people were cooking at the time but had to leave food and utensils behind. Others had to leave their drying clothes which they had washed earlier.
It is also alleged that family units were ruptured as some children were away in temporary “school” and other members were away at the time or had fled.
In an operation conducted with military precision and brute force the roughly 25 – 35 people were hered into the 25 buses with Policemen guarding them. Their belongings “tavelled” separately in five buses. The name of the ASP from Trincomalee who “commanded” the operation is not known.
All peeople forcibly removed were from nine Grama Sevakha or Village Services divisions in Muthur and Eechilampatru in Trinco dist. . The nine GS divisions were Mallikaitheevu,Periyavely, Pattithidal, Kiliveddy, Bharathypuram, Menkaamam, Kanguveli, Iruthayapuram and Paalathadicenai.
The people are being taken to a transit camp in Kiliveddy first. They will be re- settled in their own villages in due course.
With displacement on a massive scale being underway in B’ caloa district due to military action the Govt is now planning to re- locate IDP’s from Trincomalee dist to their own places and fill the “vacancies” with new B’caloa IDP”s.
While the Tamil inhabitants of certain places considered militarily “strategic” like Sampoor, Koonitheevu, Ilankaithuraimuhathuvaaram, Nallur, Pattalipuram etc are not being allowed to return the Govt is applying force to re- settle others from places .
The people however are unwilling to be re- settled as the security situation is fragile and large – scale hostilities could break out at any time. This could result in further displacement.
Another problem is that all infra – structure in Muthur and Eechilampattru divisions are destroyed. Most dwellings too are destroyed. Besides their belongings left behind have been looted. Also the re- located people are being forced to live amidst poor surroundings in makeshift shelters akin to an IDP camp.Most people feel it would be better to remain in B’caloa and re- locate only after a permanent peace is assured.
This is the reason for their reluctance to move out. The UNHCR has emphasised that no one should be forces to return against their will. But the Rajapakse regime well – known for flouting civilised norms is bent on removing this segment of the IDP”s while creating more IDP”s through shelling and bombing.
One reason for the Governments strong show of force in re-locating IDP”s is the incident on March 12th. On that day 2803 people from 771 families from Trincomalee district were officially scheduled to be removed from the IDP camps in B’caloa. But when 35 buses moved in most people ran away and escaped forcible removal. Only 781 people from 228 families were taken away.
Authorities were miffed over this incident and Thursday’s operation was a sequel to the earlier one. Most people taken ere those who avoided re- location on March 12th.
Meanwhile three Ministers from the North – East Riyaz Badiuddeen, Basheer Segu Dawood and Ameer Ali were attending a meeting at the Sithandy camp to discuss matters of IDP re- settlement. They were inaccessible to the media and it is not known whether they were aware of this forcible removal incident or not.
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March 15th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Catholic Bishop of Mannar most Rev. Joseph Rayappu met Gotabhaya Rajapakse on Thursday March 15th and cautioned the Defence secretary about the need to avoid civilian casualties during military operations.
Bishop Rayappu also pointed out to the defence secretary who is also President Mahinda Rajapakse’s sibling that more than 10, 000 displaced persons had taken refuge at the well – known Madhu Church premises and outlying precincts. As such it was necessary to maintain the area as a “conflict free zone” and avoid military actions that could harm the Church or people the Bishop requested.
Bishop Rayappu was in Colombo on the eve of his departure to Jaffna on a peacebuilding goodwill mission. Three Catholic Bishops from dioceses in the South were scheduled to accompany him on this mission.
“Thousands of people have been gathering at the Church over the past months. They are fearful of escalating military hostilities on both sides. They feel that Madhu Church and its environs would provide them safety and refuge.The number now exceeds 10, 000 ” Bishop Rayappu said.
“The Mannar diocese is looking after them with the help of Catholic agencies like SEDEC and CARITAS” said the Bishop. “We also get some limited assistance from UNHCR, ICRC and WFP” he said.
“The people are mainly from villages in the LTTE controlled areas in Mannar and Vavuniya districts” said the Bishop. ” They worry about bombing and shelling by the armed forces. They can also see that both sides are making military preparations and are concerned that they would be affected in the hostilities.” explained the Bishop .
The Chutch is offering refuge not only to Catholics but to Protestants and to people of all faiths including Hindus” he added.
“It is important for military authorities to adopt caution and be careful in taking military action that may affect innocent civilians”, Bishop Rayappu said. “If Madhu Church gets caught up in the middle of militay action thousands of people could be harmed” he further said.
“That is why I met the defence secretary who listened carefully to what I had to say and stated that my cautionary views will be taken full note of ” the Mannar Bishop said.
Bishop Rayappu said that Church leaders had cautioned the LTTE also of the need to avoid harm to civilians and also to treat Madhu Church and environs as a no – war zone” he said.
“While unarmed LTTE cadres were allowed to visit Madhu precincts no armed persons were allowed in now” The Mannar Bishop said.
The Madhu Church was shelled some years ago and there was much controversy about who was responsible as both the GOSL and LTTE blamed each other.
Bishop Rayappu’s meeting with the Defence secretary comes in the wake of reports that military activities have escalated in Mannar.
LTTE spokesman on military affairs Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan claimed that a military offensive was resisted on THursday )Mar 15th) at Mullikulam village on the Mannar – Vavuniya border. “More than 600 soldiers were involved in the push and were beaten back” he claimed.
The military drive was preceded by intensive shelling of places like Mullikulam, Keerisuddaan and Periyapandivirichaan.Many civilians were injured and dwellings destroyed in the shelling.
Artillery fire from Peyaadikoolaankulam was also directed against the villages of Pandrikkeithakulam, Mariyadichakulam and Puliyankulam. Likewise the villages of Paalamottai and Semamadhu were shelled from Omanthai.
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March 15th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
( This article which appeared in “The Morning Leader” of March 14th 2007 is a composite of three separate pieces posted earlier on www.transcurrents.com – www.tamilweek.com.)
A humanitarian tragedy of massive proportions is unfolding in the Batticaloa district of the Eastern Province. Intensive artillery shelling and aerial attacks have resulted in a massive displacement of more than 100,000 Tamil civilians living in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The current conflict is of a military nature but its consequences are cruelly victimising the ordinary , helpless civilians.
What is going on now is a military manouevre that is being played out in accordance with the thoughts of Mao Ze Dong. It was “chairman” Mao who described guerillas as fish swimming in an ocean of people. In classic anti – insuregency strategy the state is now draining the “water of people” out and leave the “guerilla fish” to flounder. This is what was adopted in Sampoor and Vaakarai. It is now being adopted in the areas west of the B’caloa lagoon and in the Karadiyanaaru – Kudumbimalai – Tharavaikulam region.
The current military campaign was hardly unexpected. It was easily predictable. This columnist has been saying this for a long time. An article “The continuing tragedy of Eastern Tamil civilians” written in “The Morning Leader” of January 24th provided an insight of the present crisis.Relevant excerpts are given below –
“Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has pledged that the entire east would be brought under government control by April New Year. Already there is talk of going into the Tharavai-Kudumbimalai region and the Paduvaankarai region. The LTTE complexes in Karadiyanaaru and Kokkatticholai need to be destroyed, according to military circles. A probing mission in Vavunathivu on the western shores of the lagoon were repulsed by the LTTE. Another manoeuvre into Vellavely was also foiled.
It is however a matter of time before the military onslaught begins. What happened in Sampur and Vaharai is likely to be replicated. All entry-exit points will be blocked and food supplies prevented. Constant aerial bombardment and artillery shelling would happen.
The LTTE will be hampered by the fact that return artillery firing across the lagoon would hit Tamil and Muslim civilians this side. About 70,000 civilians living in the LTTE controlled areas would be forced to disperse. The IDPs figure would swell”
Sadly the on going conflict and resultant displacement is taking place as predicted. But the civilian figures are more than double the figure of 70,000 plus mentioned by me. According to figures supplied by military sources the population figures in the five AGA divisions controlled by the LTTE were 76,000. But civilian authorities of the district place it at over 160,000. Of these at least 140,000 had fled the areas into Govt controlled areas by Saturday March 10th. The remainder apparently left on Sunday Mar 11th. Though exact figures are unavailable it seems that the LTTE controlled areas are near totally bereft of Tamil civilians. Total ethnic cleansing!
Batticaloa district is bi- sected to a great extent by the 30 mile long Batticaloa lagoon where the fishes “sang” on moon – lit nights of a by- gone, beautiful era. There is a littoral strip of land between the lagoon and the sea known as “Eluvaankarai” or shore of the rising sun.The hinterland to the west of the lagoon was known as “Paduvaankarai” or shore of the setting sun. While Paduvaankarai is homogenously Tamil Eluvaankarai is heterogenous with adjacent Tamil and Muslim villages dotting the landscape like layers of flour and coconut in a pittu bamboo. Eluvaankarai was under GOSL control but the greater part of Paduvaankarai was under LTTE control.
[Fleeing their homes, Photo Courtesy of Yahoo! News]
Prior to the Vaakarai conflict the LTTE had the greater part of five AGA or Pradeshiya divisions under its control in the Batticaloa district. They were generally known as the Vavunatheevu, Pattipalai, Eravurpattru, Kiran and Vellaveli AGA divisions.The tigers also had areas in the Kanchikudichaaru, Rufuskulam and Saagamam kulam regions of the Amparai district under its control. After the ceasefire of February 23rd 2002 the LTTE established a strong presence in the Government of Sri Lanka controlled areas in the district. Thus the tigers exerted much authority in GOSL areas too.
The revolt led by the LTTE’s erstwhile eastern regional commander Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias “Col” Karuna changed everything. Karuna faction cadres aided and abetted by sections of the armed forces and guided by military intelligence waged a war of terror against the LTTE. The renegades adopted the same tactics pursued by the mainstream tigers against their enemies. As a result the LTTE withdrew from GOSL areas and holed up in areas under their direct control. The Karuna faction known as Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP) is filling the “vacuum” in GOSL areas now.
The armed forces adopted a particular military strategy in the Sampoor, Muthur East , Eechilampatru and Verugal areas of the Trincomalee district. This was to cut off all supplies, food, medicine, transport etc to a target area for a considerable period of time. A prolonged campaign of aerial bombardment, strafing, artillery shelling and MBRL rocket fire was directed at the target area. There was virtually no concern showed for the civilians and anything that moved was game at times. This systematic terror campaign achieved results as the people began fleeing the areas. Initially the LTTE tried to prevent it but gave in as terrified people exerted desperate pressure.
The successful strategy adopted in Trincomalee South was followed in Batticaloa North. The Koralaipattru North AGA division under LTTE control was drained of people. The tigers hastily evacuated and the armed forces walked in. Now the same strategy is being adopted in other hinterland areas of the district. What is going on amidst the “militaristic”claims and counter – claims of both sides is a gigantic humanitarian tragedy. Sadly no force on earth seems capable of crying halt to this militaristic jingoism. The International Community makes token noises of sympathy and nothing more. The armed forces have carte blanche to continue a war that targets civilians primarily.
The LTTE has divided the areas into “kottams” or zones. At one time it had four “Kottams” under it in Batticaloa – Amparai.The Amparai district areas were known as Udumbankulam Kottam; The Vaakarai – Verugal areas were known as Aandaankulam Kottam; the areas of Tharavaikulam – Kudumbimalai (Thoppigala) extending down to Karadiyanaaru were known as Kudumbimalai Kottam; The Kokkatticholai – Vellaveli areas in Paduvaankarai were known as Maavadimunmaari Kottam.
Currently the Aandaankulam Kottam has been taken over by the military after a prolonged campaign.. The Udumbankulam Kottam was taken by the Special Task Force (STF) in a few days as the tigers simply abandoned their camps. Now the tigers are left with only two Kottams in Batticaloa namely Kudumbimalai and Maavadimunmaari . Comparatively Maavadimunmaari is more densely populated and supplies much food to tiger cadres. But the Kudumbimalai Kottam is militarily stronger. Within this Kottam amongst other things is the military headquarters “Meenaham” in Tharavai and the political headquarters “Thenagham” in Karadiyanaaru.
The targetting of these LTTE areas began last year but an effective cordon sanitaire on the lines of Sampoor and Vaakarai was not implemented. Yet supplies began to be restricted.Shelling and bombing took place sporadically. This itself resulted in some civilians moving out in a slow trickle over a period of several months. The pressure began mounting in earnest after the fall of Vaakarai.
Supplies going in were completely restricted. Steady and selective shelling of places began. A psychological offensive was launched with people being warned that their villages would be shelled. People were asked to move out. . With each burst of artillery fire the panic increased as the people knew what had happened in Sampoor and Vaakarai. The outflow began increasing It would have been much more but for the tigers .
The LTTE feared a repetition of Vaakarai and Sampoor and began restricting the people from moving out. Initially people defied the LTTE and moved out clandestinely by boat and catamaran. Some days later the tigers said the people could sneak out but not to do it openly and that if anyone is seen punishment would be meted out. After a while the tigers stopped strict enforcement and told the people they could go if they wished but warned them they could not return. In the last few days all controls were lifted and the people simply streamed out. The LTTE apparently made a virtue of necessity as terror stricken people would have fled en masse despite the tiger presence.
The LTTE relaxation of controls also coincided with an apparent change of strategy. Unlike Sampoor or Vaakarai where the LTTE fought it out for a very long time the tigers followed the path of least resistance when it came to Amparai. There the LTTE simply vanished and the STF had a cakewalk. But with cadres from Vaakarai and Amparai holing up in Kudumbimalai and Maavadimunmaari kottams the idea seemed to be that of an entrenched last stand. But that plan seems to have changed.
It appears that almost all the senior leaders like Ram, kutti Praba,Jeyathaan. Janarthan, Intelligence chief Keerthi etc have gone to the Wanni. So too have special commander “Col”.Bhanu and his temporary re-placement “Col” Jeyam.As in the case of Trincomalee where “Col” Sornam and political commissar Elilan re-located to the Wanni almost all the top military leaders and also political commissar Dayamohan have gone to the Wanni. Only Dayamohans deputy Seeralan and Special commander Ramesh and commander Nagesh are left with about 300 cadres at present. The tigers have also been sending much of their military assets to the Wanni.
It looks as if the LTTE is preparing to abandon Batticaloa district temporarily. The remaining cadres may offer resistance for a while and then fade away. A low – ket guerilla campaign would continue for a while till there is a change in the ground situation or a radical shift in LTTE military strategy. If the tigers wanted to fight on for a while they would have tried to hold on to the civilian population . The state charges the LTTE of using civilians as human shields but now the tigers are “shieldless”. This simply means that they are not ready for combat. Even in Vaakarai the last lot of civilians were allowed to leave when the tigers themselves began withdrawing.
It is against this backdrop that the current escalation of violence and displacement needs to be viewed. On Thursday March 8th morning a combined operation of the army and STF was launched. The A – 5 or Chenkalladdy – Badulla road was the axis in this new theatre of war. Two columns moved from opposite ends. One column from Chenkalladdy moved via the “Karutha Paalam” towards Koduvaamadhu; The other moved from Pulukunawe – Maha Oya – Siyambalanduwa areas towards Periya pullumalai and Aayithiyamalai. The LTTE offered fierce resistance.The Chenkalladdy column withdrew but the second column advanced into the Pullumalai area.
On Friday March 9th the armed forces advanced again from the Pullumalai area. It was officially announced that a military operation codenamed “Operation Human shield” to liberate the people held as human shields in LTTE areas was on. There was no movement from Chenkalladdy. After intense fighting the armed forces consolidated some gains in the Pullumalai and Periya pullumalai areas. There was a lull in fighting during Saturday March 10th. Violence escalated during the night and the conflict raged throughout Sunday March 11th. But by Sunday evening the armed forces withdrew into Mangala Oya and Pulukunawe.
According to LTTE statements fighting had been intense in the general areas of Paavatkodichenai, Ooraandakulam, 8th milepost, Unnichchai and Pansenai. Two bodies of dead STF men were cremated at Illuppaiyadichenai by the lTTE. Four bodies of STF personnel were handed over at Karadiyanaaru. LTTE’s Seeralan claimed that only one woman cadre was killed. The reality of casualty figures could be much more on both sides.
The military moves however were accompanied by prolonged artillery and MBRL barrages from fourteen camps. The 23- 3 headquarters at Weber Stadium in the heart of Batticaloa town as well as the camps at Kalladdy, Manchanthoduvaai, Vavunatheevu, Valaiiravu. Thimilatheevu, Sathurukondaan,Karutha Paalam,Kommathurai,Mayilambaaveli , Vaalaichenai paper factory, Thampitiya, Pulukunawe and Maha Oya junction A steady barrage was maintained at a stretch for 48 hours till Saturday morning. After a lull during day artillery firing began in the night and went on till Sunday evening. At least 1000 shells per day were fired on Thursday and Friday. About 700 – 800 were fired on Saturday – Sunday.
The artillery – MBRL fire was directed against all five AGA divisions under LTTE control. It is reported that all 124 villages and hamlets in these areas were hit. Houses, huts, places of worship, public buildings etc were hit. Around 50 people were injured and one died. Apart from the shelling K-firs and Mig’s bombed the Tharavai – Kudumbimalai region for four days in a row.
The fall – out from this shelling and bombing has been massive destruction, displacement and despair. According to civil administrative authorities about 162, 000 people were living in LTTE controlled areas. Of these 18, 045 had come out into GOSL areas by Wednesday March 7th. The Internally displaced persons figures for B’caloa district on March 7th were 91, 143. Of these 47, 434 were staying outside welfare camps with relatives and friends. The rest were at 58 IDP camps.
After the first two three days of conflict a massive outflow of IDP’s occurred. 30, 025 persons from 7, 846 families were displaced in the Vavunatheevu AGA division; In Vellaveli AGA div it was 41, 590 people from 10, 226 families; 23, 653 persons from 5362 families were displaced in the Eravurpattru AGA division; 25, 644 people from 6651 families were displaced in the Pattipalai AGA division; The Kiran AGA div figures were 20, 074 people from 4290 families.
This amounts to 138, 995. When added on to the earlier IDP figure of 18, 045 from these areas the number becomes a mind- boggling 157, 040.This meant more than 95% of population were displaced. An unconfirmed report states that the remaining thousands too had left over the week – end. If this is true the five AGA divisions do not have civilians. It must be emphasised that the civil administration figures are much larger than the military figures.
What is important to note however is the fact that neither the civilian nor military or for that matter the NGO’s are prepared or equipped to handle this massive IDP flood. IDP’s from Paduvaankarai are seeking refuge in areas extending from Kallaru to Vaalaichenai on Eluvaankarai. Places of worship, schools, public buildings are overflowing.People are living under trees and on the roads. Families are packed in compounds of friends and relatives.
A major humanitarian tragedy is in the making. Urgent attention is required. As stated in these columns the Tamils are becoming a homeless people. A nation that wanted a homeland of its own is being deprived of its home in what is regarded as its traditional homeland.
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March 14th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
A humanitarian tragedy of massive proportions is unfolding in the Batticaloa district of the Eastern Province. Intensive artillery shelling and aerial attacks have resulted in a massive displacement of more than 100,000 Tamil civilians living in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The current conflict is of a military nature but its consequences are cruelly victimising the ordinary , helpless civilians.
What is going on now is a military manouevre that is being played out in accordance with the thoughts of Mao Ze Dong. It was “chairman” Mao who described guerillas as fish swimming in an ocean of people. In classic anti – insuregency strategy the state is now draining the “water of people” out and leave the “guerilla fish” to flounder. This is what was adopted in Sampoor and Vaakarai. It is now being adopted in the areas west of the B’caloa lagoon and in the Karadiyanaaru – Kudumbimalai – Tharavaikulam region.
The current military campaign was hardly unexpected. It was easily predictable. This columnist has been saying this for a long time. An article “The continuing tragedy of Eastern Tamil civilians” written in “The Morning Leader” of January 24th provided an insight of the present crisis.Relevant excerpts are given below –
“Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has pledged that the entire east would be brought under government control by April New Year. Already there is talk of going into the Tharavai-Kudumbimalai region and the Paduvaankarai region. The LTTE complexes in Karadiyanaaru and Kokkatticholai need to be destroyed, according to military circles. A probing mission in Vavunathivu on the western shores of the lagoon were repulsed by the LTTE. Another manoeuvre into Vellavely was also foiled.
It is however a matter of time before the military onslaught begins. What happened in Sampur and Vaharai is likely to be replicated. All entry-exit points will be blocked and food supplies prevented. Constant aerial bombardment and artillery shelling would happen.
[Fleeing their homes: Courtesy of Yahoo News]
The LTTE will be hampered by the fact that return artillery firing across the lagoon would hit Tamil and Muslim civilians this side. About 70,000 civilians living in the LTTE controlled areas would be forced to disperse. The IDPs figure would swell”
The on going conflict and resultany displacement is taking place as predicted. But the civilian figures are more than double the figure of 70,000 plus mentioned by me. According to figures supplied by military sources the population figures in the five AGA divisions controlled by the LTTE were 76,000. But civilian authorities of the district place it at over 160,000. Of these at least 140,000 had fled the areas into Govt controlled areas by Saturday March 10th. The remainder apparently left on Sunday Mar 11th. Though exact figures are unavailable it seems that the LTTE controlled areas are near totally bereft of Tamil civilians. Total ethnic cleansing!
The military moves however were accompanied by prolonged artillery and MBRL barrages from fourteen camps. The 23- 3 headquarters at Weber Stadium in the heart of Batticaloa town as well as the camps at Kalladdy, Manchanthoduvaai, Vavunatheevu, Valaiiravu. Thimilatheevu, Sathurukondaan,Karutha Paalam,Kommathurai,Mayilambaaveli , Vaalaichenai paper factory, Thampitiya, Pulukunawe and Maha Oya junction A steady barrage was maintained at a stretch for 48 hours till Saturday morning. After a lull during day artillery firing began in the night and went on till Sunday evening. At least 1000 shells per day were fired on Thursday and Friday. About 700 – 800 were fired on Saturday – Sunday.
The artillery – MBRL fire was directed against all five AGA divisions under LTTE control. It is reported that all 124 villages and hamlets in these areas were hit. Houses, huts, places of worship, public buildings etc were hit. Around 50 people were injured and one died. Apart from the shelling K-firs and Mig’s bombed the Tharavai – Kudumbimalai region for four days in a row.
The fall – out from this shelling and bombing has been massive destruction, displacement and despair. According to civil administrative authorities about 162, 000 people were living in LTTE controlled areas. Of these 18, 045 had come out into GOSL areas by Wednesday March 7th. The Internally displaced persons figures for B’caloa district on March 7th were 91, 143. Of these 47, 434 were staying outside welfare camps with relatives and friends. The rest were at 58 IDP camps.
After the first two three days of conflict a massive outflow of IDP’s occurred. 30, 025 persons from 7, 846 families were displaced in the Vavunatheevu AGA division; In Vellaveli AGA div it was 41, 590 people from 10, 226 families; 23, 653 persons from 5362 families were displaced in the Eravurpattru AGA division; 25, 644 people from 6651 families were displaced in the Pattipalai AGA division; The Kiran AGA div figures were 20, 074 people from 4290 families.
This amounts to 138, 995. When added on to the earlier IDP figure of 18, 045 from these areas the number becomes a mind- boggling 157, 040.This meant more than 95% of population were displaced. An unconfirmed report states that the remaining thousands too had left over the week – end. If this is true the five AGA divisions do not have civilians. It must be emphasised that the civil administration figures are much larger than the military figures.
What is important to note however is the fact that neither the civilian nor military or for that matter the NGO’s are prepared or equipped to handle this massive IDP flood. Most temples, Churches , schools and public buildings are overflowing with the displaced.People are living under trees and on the roads. A major humanitarian tragedy is in the making. Urgent attention is required. As stated in these columns the Tamils are becoming a homeless people. A nation that wanted a homeland of its own is being deprived of its home in what is regarded as its traditional homeland.
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March 13th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Batticaloa district is bi- sected to a great extent by the 30 mile long Batticaloa lagoon where the fishes “sang” on moon – lit nights of a by- gone, beautiful era. There is a littoral strip of land between the lagoon and the sea known as “Eluvaankarai” or shore of the rising sun.The hinterland to the west of the lagoon was known as “Paduvaankarai” or shore of the setting sun. While Paduvaankarai is homogenously Tamil Eluvaankarai is heterogenous with adjacent Tamil and Muslim villages dotting the landscape like layers of flour and coconut in a pittu bamboo. Eluvaankarai was under GOSL control but the greater part of Paduvaankarai was under LTTE control.
Prior to the Vaakarai conflict the LTTE had the greater part of five AGA or Pradeshiya divisions under its control in the Batticaloa district. They were generally known as the Vavunatheevu, Pattipalai, Eravurpattru, Kiran and Vellaveli AGA divisions.The tigers also had areas in the Kanchikudichaaru, Rufuskulam and Saagamam kulam regions of the Amparai district under its control. After the ceasefire of February 23rd 2002 the LTTE established a strong presence in the Government of Sri Lanka controlled areas in the district. Thus the tigers exerted much authority in GOSL areas too.
The revolt led by the LTTE’s erstwhile eastern regional commander Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias “Col” Karuna changed everything. Karuna faction cadres aided and abetted by sections of the armed forces and guided by military intelligence waged a war of terror against the LTTE. The renegades adopted the same tactics pursued by the mainstream tigers against their enemies. As a result the LTTE withdrew from GOSL areas and holed up in areas under their direct control. The Karuna faction known as Tamil Makkal Viduthalaip Puligal (TMVP) is filling the “vacuum” in GOSL areas now.
The armed forces adopted a particular military strategy in the Sampoor, Muthur East , Eechilampatru and Verugal areas of the Trincomalee district. This was to cut off all supplies, food, medicine, transport etc to a target area for a considerable period of time. A prolonged campaign of aerial bombardment, strafing, artillery shelling and MBRL rocket fire was directed at the target area. There was virtually no concern showed for the civilians and anything that moved was game at times. This systematic terror campaign achieved results as the people began fleeing the areas. Initially the LTTE tried to prevent it but gave in as terrified people exerted desperate pressure.
The successful strategy adopted in Trincomalee South was followed in Batticaloa North. The Koralaipattru North AGA division under LTTE control was drained of people. The tigers hastily evacuated and the armed forces walked in. Now the same strategy is being adopted in other hinterland areas of the district. What is going on amidst the “militaristic”claims and counter – claims of both sides is a gigantic humanitarian tragedy. Sadly no force on earth seems capable of crying halt to this militaristic jingoism. The International Community makes token noises of sympathy and nothing more. The armed forces have carte blanche to continue a war that targets civilians primarily.
The LTTE has divided the areas into “kottams” or zones. At one time it had four “Kottams” under it in Batticaloa – Amparai.The Amparai district areas were known as Udumbankulam Kottam; The Vaakarai – Verugal areas were known as Aandaankulam Kottam; the areas of Tharavaikulam – Kudumbimalai (Thoppigala) extending down to Karadiyanaaru were known as Kudumbimalai Kottam; The Kokkatticholai – Vellaveli areas in Paduvaankarai were known as Maavadimunmaari Kottam.
Currently the Aandaankulam Kottam has been taken over by the military after a prolonged campaign.. The Udumbankulam Kottam was taken by the Special Task Force (STF) in a few days as the tigers simply abandoned their camps. Now the tigers are left with only two Kottams in Batticaloa namely Kudumbimalai and Maavadimunmaari . Comparatively Maavadimunmaari is more densely populated and supplies much food to tiger cadres. But the Kudumbimalai Kottam is militarily stronger. Within this Kottam amongst other things is the military headquarters “Meenaham” in Tharavai and the political headquarters “Thenagham” in Karadiyanaaru.
The targetting of these LTTE areas began last year but an effective cordon sanitaire on the lines of Sampoor and Vaakarai was not implemented. Yet supplies began to be restricted.Shelling and bombing took place sporadically. This itself resulted in some civilians moving out in a slow trickle over a period of several months. The pressure began mounting in earnest after the fall of Vaakarai.
Supplies going in were completely restricted. Steady and selective shelling of places began. A psychological offensive was launched with people being warned that their villages would be shelled. People were asked to move out. . With each burst of artillery fire the panic increased as the people knew what had happened in Sampoor and Vaakarai. The outflow began increasing It would have been much more but for the tigers .
The LTTE feared a repetition of Vaakarai and Sampoor and began restricting the people from moving out. Initially people defied the LTTE and moved out clandestinely by boat and catamaran. Some days later the tigers said the people could sneak out but not to do it openly and that if anyone is seen punishment would be meted out. After a while the tigers stopped strict enforcement and told the people they could go if they wished but warned them they could not return. In the last few days all controls were lifted and the people simply streamed out. The LTTE apparently made a virtue of necessity as terror stricken people would have fled en masse despite the tiger presence.
The LTTE relaxation of controls also coincided with an apparent change of strategy. Unlike Sampoor or Vaakarai where the LTTE fought it out for a very long time the tigers followed the path of least resistance when it came to Amparai. There the LTTE simply vanished and the STF had a cakewalk. But with cadres from Vaakarai and Amparai holing up in Kudumbimalai and Maavadimunmaari kottams the idea seemed to be that of an entrenched last stand. But that plan seems to have changed.
It appears that almost all the senior leaders like Ram, kutti Praba,Jeyathaan. Janarthan, Intelligence chief Keerthi etc have gone to the Wanni. So too have special commander “Col”.Bhanu and his temporary re-placement “Col” Jeyam.As in the case of Trincomalee where “Col” Sornam and political commissar Elilan re-located to the Wanni almost all the top military leaders and also political commissar Dayamohan have gone to the Wanni. Only Dayamohans deputy Seeralan and Special commander Ramesh and commander Nagesh are left with about 300 cadres at present. The tigers have also been sending much of their military assets to the Wanni.
It looks as if the LTTE is preparing to abandon Batticaloa district temporarily. The remaining cadres may offer resistance for a while and then fade away. A low – ket guerilla campaign would continue for a while till there is a change in the ground situation or a radical shift in LTTE military strategy. If the tigers wanted to fight on for a while they would have tried to hold on to the civilian population . The state charges the LTTE of using civilians as human shields but now the tigers are “shieldless”. This simply means that they are not ready for combat. Even in Vaakarai the last lot of civilians were allowed to leave when the tigers themselves began withdrawing.It is against this backdrop that the current escalation of violence and displacement needs to be viewed.
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March 13th, 2007
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