Sri Lanka

Violence round up – week ending 15 April

Apr 24

Summary of incidents – apart from major clashes – since 9 April

Arrested youth seeks release, compensation

A Tamil has filed a fundamental rights application with Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

M. G. L. Vass states that he was arrested on March 13, at his residence in Kaduwela, by Gampaha Police on suspicion that he had been an important leader of the Liberation Tigers.

Eleven killed in SLA Vavuniya advance

Some of the weapons recovered by the LTTE following the Sri Lankan soldiers hasty retreat.

The LTTE said

Karuna Group terrorizes eastern Muslims, Tamils

Sri Lanka Army backed paramilitaries are running amok in government controlled Muslim village of Pottuvil, terrorizing residents and extorting money, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.

Gunmen from the Karuna Group are roaming freely with weapons, threatening and extorting money from people in Pottuvil, a predominantly Muslim village in Ampara, the paper said.

“They go around with weapons on motorbikes and are said to be threatening

Sinhala colonisation in Muslim areas

The de-merger of Northeast has aggravated the state sponsored colonisation and Muslims in particular are getting prepared for a showdown.

Life in embattled Batticaloa

There was not a town in the government-held areas which was not dotted with Karuna's offices or camps, which significantly, were almost always close to the camps of the government forces.

No going back until peace is restored, refugees say

The attacker can't be seen. There is no warning that he is going to come. There is no escape!'

LTTE airstrike: human capital, gathered against the odds

Make no mistake about it, if every LTTE aircraft, runway and hanger is destroyed but the skilled personnel remain, then the battle has only just begun - Prof. Kumar David.

US, India unruffled by LTTE airstrike

Asked for the United States’ reaction to the LTTE airstrike on the military airbase at Katunayake last Monday, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert O’ Blake said: “The LTTE’s successful deployment of an offensive air capability is a matter of great concern.”

Asked by Sri Lanka’s state-owned Daily News if the LTTE attack changed the US view about the conflict, he said: “We do not believe there can be a military solution to this conflict.

Aid flows despite abuses, violence

Some donors have linked aid to improved human rights and de-escalation of violence but there is no reduction in fund flow.

Oil exploration to step up

Sri Lanka seeks bids for rights to drill for an estimated contain 1 billion barrels of oil.

SLFP proposals in May, but so what?

With the publishing of the ruling party proposals the President would be in better position to deflect international pressure for his government to pursue a political solution.