Arbitrary killings are an increasing concern in the east, where death squads freely roam. Local people say that in the first ten days of December, 15 civilians were killed and 13 wounded. The Army shot dead Chenkalady teacher S Nesasundaram in early December. The LTTE attacked soldiers in a tractor at Mylambaveli in Eravur on 10 December and two civilians in a bus nearby were injured. Prison officer T Sivarasa was shot dead at Karaitivu on 12 December by unidentified persons. Five days later K Gunaratnam was shot and injured in Karuvakerni.
Student A Rajkumar, 17, was killed in a grenade attack at Valaichenai on 20 December. A soldier accused of the attack after Rajkumar’s family failed to supply him liquor, has been arrested. The Tigers shelled Karuthapalam Army camp on Batticaloa-Chenkalady road on 26 December wounding two soldiers. Ten civilians, including six children, were injured when the Army retaliated by firing shells at Koduvamadu.
The LTTE assaulted a police post in Mancholai near Oddamavady on 14 December. The security forces launched a military operation on 31 December and 400 troops advanced west from Kiran towards jungles in Thoppigala aimed at capturing LTTE’s Beirut camp. The Tigers intercepted the troops at Pulipainthakal. The Defence Ministry says six soldiers were killed and ten wounded. The LTTE claim that two Tigers died and large quantity of arms were captured.
In mid-December, Akkaraipatru area was searched a number of times and a man was detained. The security forces found a bomb in a bus stand at Mannampitiya, north-west of Batticaloa, on 14 December. Following the incident, 14 people were arrested and seven taken to Colombo for further enquiries.
Government restrictions on LTTE-controlled areas in north and west Batticaloa remain. Civilian suffering in these areas continues without proper transport and communication facilities. Posts minister MLAM Hisbullah says that schools in northern Vaharai area lack even the basic facilities.
President Chandrika is reported to have ordered that the Norwegian development agency NORAD-assisted development plan for the period 1999-2001, should be implemented under the direct supervision of the new North-East Governor Maj. Gen. Asoka Jayawardena. Reports also say that LTTE-held areas will not be included in the programme. Batticaloa MPs have protested, accusing the government of discrimination.