The Human Rights Commission was notified that refugee Sellathamby Anantharajah, 42, was detained by the Army on 20 January. No reasons have been given for the arrest or detention. Mr Anantharajah had been living in Peithalai refugee camp for the last five years with five members of his family.
In early January, the Army denied permission to Social Services officers to enter LTTE-controlled Vaharai area to assist civilians. These areas were badly affected by a cyclone in December. Social Services minister Milroy Fernando has assured equal treatment of flood victims in Army areas and LTTE territory. But local people say discrimination continues. Army restrictions on transport of goods into Tiger areas and on the freedom of movement remain.
In Trincomalee District, agencies told the visiting US ambassador that civilians in LTTE-held areas are suffering due to restrictions on food and medicines. They say medical facilities are minimal and children are affected by malnutrition.
Travellers between Trincomalee and Jaffna continue to face difficulties as a result of irregular ship services and security force restrictions. Regular services were affected after the LTTE began targeting ships in June 1997 alleging that the vessels were also carrying soldiers. Air services between Jaffna and Colombo were suspended after a passenger plane crashed into the sea, following an LTTE threat, in September 1998.
Although air services resumed on 17 November last year, passengers complain about difficulties in obtaining permits. Reports say that planes carrying soldiers fly close behind passenger planes to and from Jaffna. Passengers are extremely nervous and say lives are at risk.
Following reports of food shortages in Jaffna, Northern Rehabilitation minister Douglas Devananda has sought permission from President Chandrika to hire two foreign ships to transport food and construction materials. The minister says that the lack of regular ship services has adversely affected reconstruction and development work in Jaffna.
At a meeting with Trincomalee military officer Gamini Hettiarachchi in mid-January, NGOs complained that people are being harassed at a new Army observation post at Rakkuli, two miles west of Muthur. The post was established after the LTTE infiltrated nearby areas to launch attacks on military bases. NGOs also brought to the notice of the commander that five schools in the district are occupied by soldiers.