The food shortage also continues. In March, the government stopped sending rice to the Vanni, but permitted the GAs to buy rice from local farmers in Tiger areas, who are struggling to market their produce. The Vanni needs 1,500 tonnes of rice each month. Mr Ganesh says the monthly dry rations, consisting of rice, flour, sugar and lentils is inadequate for families with more than three members and the current ration of 10 kilos should be increased to 15.
Army restrictions on traders at the Uyilankulam crossing point in Mannar District have led to price rises. Vanni MP Y Balachandran told Parliament in mid-March that people displaced by the current military operations are not receiving any assistance. Estimates say over 70,000 people were displaced by the operation. When the operation began on 13 May last year, there were 310,000 refugees in the Vanni.
On 14 March, the Army resumed its attempt to capture Mankulam in Operation Jayasikurui (Certain Victory), launched to open a landroute to Jaffna. Troops advanced on three fronts from Olumadu on Mankulam-Oddusuddan road, Mannakkulam on the south-west and along Mundrumurippu road. In three days fighting, 34 soldiers were killed and another 110 injured. The Tigers say 18 cadre died.
Army’s 55 Division General Staff Officer Lt. Col. Priyantha Ranasinghe was killed and brigadiers Sarath Fonseka, Thuvan Bohran and Sisira Wijesuriya were injured in LTTE artillery fire. Observers say Tiger resistance forced the Army to halt the advance on 15 March. Bombing and shelling, however, continued. Five civilians were killed and four others injured when Airforce planes bombed Puthukudyiruppu on 26 March.
In Vavuniya, fear of death squads remains. Two unidentified bodies burned on tyres, were found near Rasendrankulam in early March. Police say many killings were carried out by the LTTE and 42 assassins of the Tiger Pistol Group have been arrested in Vavuniya town.
The security officer at Tamil party TELO’s office shot a civilian dead on 16 March fearing he is a Tiger cadre. Tamil party EPRLF says, soldiers went into Puthukulam, south-west of Vavuniya, in the night and threatened the villagers. A young woman was abducted at gunpoint and the villagers fled to nearby Andyapuliyankulam.
Over 1,630 among the 12,000 refugees from the Vanni in Vavuniya are currently registered to go to Jaffna.