The
British Refugee Council Sri Lanka reported in
May 2003:"Reports say that some soldiers from Palaly
military base entered several houses in the Ketpali Housing Scheme
at Mirusuvil in southern Thenmaratchy area on 17 May and attacked
civilians, damaged doors and windows and smashed household goods. S
Yogarasa and P Prabhakaran suffered injuries and were admitted to
hospital. Soldiers are also accused of attempting to rape a woman.
Jaffna Fishermen Associations say fishermen are being harassed by
the security forces. Two fishermen were admitted to hospital in
early May after an attack by the Navy off Mathagal, north-east of
the peninsula. Some fishermen in Gurunagar near Jaffna town were
also assaulted and arrested. The Army has constructed barbed wire
fences along the sea coast in some areas, making movement of
fishermen difficult. They have also ordered the removal of shops
supplying food to fishermen on the coast.
While civilians faced problems from the security forces, the LTTE
continued to target other militant groups. Tamil group EPDP member
and former local councillor D Jeyarasa, 45, was shot dead on 3 May
at Point Pedro, while returning home after distributing EPDP�s
newspaper Makkal Kural (People�s Voice).
The LTTE office in Vadamaratchy was searched on 1 June by the
Army for radio equipment. Tiger Jaffna leader S Ilamparithy accused
the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) of joining the search in
breach of its neutral role. Press reports say that the SLMM has
agreed that future inspections will be carried out by the SLMM
alone.
Hundreds of people demonstrated before the Jaffna government
secretariat on 5 May against a new military camp in the heart of the
town. Following demands to vacate Subash and Gnanam hotels in the
town, the Defence Ministry chose the location for the new base. NGOs
say a military base close to the public library, market and
government offices will affect civilian movement. Army officers have
called on the SLMM to intervene. A protest was also staged in
north-eastern Valvettithurai on 2 May against a proposed Army camp
near the playground of Chithampara College.
Concern has been expressed over continuing discrimination in
resettlement payments to returning internal refugees. Those
returning from the Vanni are paid Rs 25,000 for temporary shelters,
but returnees from southern Sri Lanka are denied this payment. After
the Vavuniya-Jaffna A9 road was opened on 15 February last year,
44,181 families have returned to Jaffna but only 4,225 families have
received assistance for shelter.
Some 22,000 war widows in Jaffna peninsula are also suffering
without proper assistance. Most of them lack food, clothing and
medicines for their children. Reports say only 10% of the widows
receive assistance from NGOs or government agencies. S Pradeepan,
22, was wounded by a landmine in late May at Panichchady near
Iyakachchi when he went to inspect his house.
