Velupillai Tharmalingam was arrested on 10 August at a checkpoint in Kovilkulam. His wife Yalini has informed the Human Rights Commission (HRC) that she made enquiries at the checkpoint, the Army headquarters and the police Counter Subversive Unit, but the security forces have denied arrest. Three days later, P Sivakumar was arrested at the Sastrikoolankulam refugee camp and he has disappeared. On 30 August, police arrested two people at the Poonthottam refugee camp. The following day, two others from Santhasolai and Thonikal were detained. Six youths, including a student, were taken into custody at Mathavuvythakulam on 3 August.
The LTTE carries out attacks on the military in and around Vavuniya town. Army search operations are conducted to identify Tiger infiltrators and arrests often follow. K Jegatheeswaran, 20, and Mylvaganam, 21, arrested on 14 August at Sastrikoolankulam, are currently being held at the Vavuniya Army headquarters. The information was provided to relatives by the HRC. The status of the Presidential Directives requiring issue of arrest receipts and information to relatives is unclear.