Food supply to the Vanni was disrupted on 18 March when Madhu road was closed for military operation Rana Gosha II (Battle Cry), but resumed on 5 April on a new route from Uyilankulam through Iluppaikadavai. In mid-April, the ICRC agreed to escort food convoys on three days a week.
The Vanni Government Agents say there is acute shortage of food and have informed Colombo’s Essential Services Commissioner that the people will face starvation if food supply is not resumed early. The Defence Ministry says that 1,950 tonnes of food is lying in Vavuniya to be transported to the Vanni.
Vanni Army Commander Maj. Gen. Lionel Balagalla has declared that there will be no food supply until the Tigers guarantee that no more attacks will be launched on the cross-loading checkpoint. At the end of April no agreement had been reached.
Over 2,000 people in Vavuniya from the Vanni are unable to return home. Ambulance services between hospitals in the Vanni and Vavuniya were allowed only on 28 April. In a letter to the President, TULF leader Anandasangary says nine patients died when ambulance services were disrupted. Reports say 25 people died of disease in Kilinochchi hospital in the last two months.
The Army arrested Sri Lanka Red Cross coordinator Sivanathan Kishore in Vavuniya on 26 April, alleging LTTE links. Mr Kishore was involved in humanitarian work in the Tiger-held Vanni. The Vanni Citizens Committee has complained to the ICRC that 14 people are missing since Operation Rana Gosha I in March.