Government ministers deny that there is an economic embargo on the Vanni, while checkpoints enforce a ban on items ranging from fuel, cement, and plastic sheeting to instant noodles and vegetable oil. Even sanitary towels are not allowed; they can presumably be used to dress wounds. The Vanni region, which covers 2,000 square miles, has no mains electricity or telephone service; its roads have deteriorated to dirt tracks. Most people travel by bicycle because of the fuel shortage. The day following the report, Marie Colvin was shot and injured in the Vanni.
After visiting the Vanni in late April, a delegation of southern Catholic Bishops also expressed concern over the plight of children. In early April, two children died in Mallavi hospital. A total of eight people died in the hospital in the previous month, where 12,192 people were treated, 1,108 for malaria. Reports say that 151 children died between 1997 and 2000 in Kilinochchi hospital.
The Sri Lankan Navy continued to intercept Sea Tiger supply vessels in the north-eastern sea. The Navy and the Sea Tigers clashed off Chalai in Mullaitivu District on 16 April. The Navy’s three attack craft and two Sea Tiger vessels were damaged. Seven sailors were injured. In another clash on 21 April, six Tigers were killed and another eight were captured.
The LTTE’s tough administration and rough justice in the Vanni continue to cause concern. In April, a Tiger court sentenced M Kamalanathan and Xavier Albert to death for murder and rape. LTTE’s radio, the Voice of the Tigers announced that the sentence was carried out on 20 April.
In Jaffna, a number of young people went missing in April. In many earlier instances, missing people have been later found in military custody. The Army say that the LTTE is involved in recruitment of youth within Jaffna, after having suffered heavy casualties. Tamil group EPRLF has accused the LTTE of demanding taxes. The EPRLF says cooperative stores in Chankanai, Thirunelveli and Manipai, which supply food to refugees have been targeted.
The resumption in fighting in Jaffna is causing further misery to the people. Some civilians who returned to Thenmaratchy have been forced to flee north again to Vadamaratchy. Two people were killed by shells fired on Pooneryn from Thenmaratchy.