Fighting in the Vanni has continued. The LTTE launched an attack on an Army post near Kokkuthoduvai on 16 July. The government say that naval craft destroyed Sea Tiger boats on 18 July east of Mullaitivu. The security forces believe that the the boats were involved in transporting weapons.
In Vavuniya, security forces arrested Sri Lanka Red Cross driver P Sudharsan on 17 July at a checkpoint, accusing him of attempting to smuggle batteries into LTTE-held Vanni. They say batteries are used by the LTTE for making bombs. Reports say that the police have also taken a vehicle belonging to French medical agency MSF into custody. Two soldiers were wounded in a Tiger ambush at Varikutiyur on 18 July.
Troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE camp near Uyilankulam in Mannar District on 5 July. Fishermen in Mannar are under increasing pressure from the security forces. On 7 July, the Sri Lankan Navy prohibited fishermen using 15hp motors for their boats and reduced fishing time to six hours.
Silavathurai fishermen Rajah Siluvai and Sothy Cruz went missing on 2 July. They were later found in Vavuniya Army camp. The local citizens committee has received complaints that five others, including student S Kumanan, have disappeared. According to reports, the Navy shot dead C Joseph while he was fishing near Silavathurai on 12 July.
Reports say that Pesalai refugee Kumaravelu Perinpanayagam was arrested by the Navy on 25 June and beaten up. He was then taken to Erukkalampiddy police station, hung by the legs and severely tortured.