International   

Sri Lanka situation grim: NGOs’ panel

COLOMBO: The report on the ground situation in the north and east by the Sri Lanka Inter-Agency Standing Committee Country Team, a consortium of international and national NGOs, paints a grim picture of the security situation and status of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The report came amid air raids on “LTTE targets” and claims by the military that at least 22 LTTE cadre were killed and 21 injured in fighting.

The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which functions under the aegis of the UN, in its report released on Monday, said the situation in the Jaffna Peninsula remained tense during the week, with shelling of LTTE positions around Muhumalai, Nagarkovil and Pooneryn.

Given the situation in Wanni, security forces in Jaffna remain on high alert. It said following a court decision on the IDPs’ return to the High Security Zones, the government started registering those who wish to return to their places of origin within the zone.

“Mine clearance in the areas to be released in the buffer zone south of the HSZ in Tellipalai Division has, however, yet to start,” said the report.

Given the intensified conflict in Wanni, the Jaffna inter-agency contingency plan, last updated in March 2008, is under review, said the committee.

“The sector working groups will identify scenarios as well as responses to a possible influx of IDPs into Jaffna,” it added.

The situation in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts remained unpredictable due to military operations and exchanges of mortar and artillery fire around the northern and southern FDL areas, claymore mine attacks and air attacks inside Wanni.

As per the report, the number of displaced families and individuals, respectively, are 6,129 and 20,736 in Jaffna; 35,353 and 1,34,868 in Kilinochchi; 8,917 and 31,080 in Mullaitivu; 5,205 and 18,429 in Vavuniya; 2,740 and 8,574 in Mannar; 1,571 and 5,254 in Trincomalee; 4,111 and 15,612 in Batticaloa; and 1,162 and 4,278 in Ampara.

The office of the Zonal Director of Education of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu reported district schools would open for the third term on September 4, while Madu reported that all schools, which are to run in Kilinochchi district, would start on September 8.

Separately, fighter jets carried out three raids “targeting gatherings of LTTE reinforcement cadre” in the north of Nachchikudha on Monday, said Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

EU accepts Russia’s stand on Georgia
14 die in U.S. drone attack
Russia’s mobile n-plant to drop anchor
“Raise Kosi Treaty with India”
Sri Lanka situation grim: NGOs’ panel
Russia welcomes NSG waiver for India
Havana braces itself for Hurricane Ike’s onslaught

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu