Following the capture of Thoppigala in the East, the Police and more largely the Special Task Force (STF), is taking over responsibilities from the Security Forces. Thus, the Army will be relieved for deployment in areas in the Wanni. Contrary to Government claims that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters have been driven away, groups do operate in the East.

As the international community eased off the limited constraints it had placed on Sri Lanka over its human rights abuses, analysts speculate that this, especially in the light of the government’s recent military successes, is an indication of not so covert support for the ongoing military effort.

 

Acknowledging the increasing human rights violations in Sri Lanka, the US Human Rights, Democracy and Labour Assistant Secretary nevertheless merely urged both sides to

Following the Sri Lankan government’s announcement of the ‘liberation’ of the east from the LTTE, the military activity and violence have intensified in the north.

 

The Sri Lankan military stepped up its operations, with direct offensives and Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) missions into LTTE controlled territory along the Mannar-Vavuniya border.

Soccer spectators roar with excitement as a goal is scored, children play in a nearby park as adults drink tea and an old man cycles slowly along the road.