A week earlier, the LTTE killed three policemen in Murunkan, 14 miles south-east of Mannar. On the same day, the Army shot dead five civilians near Uyilankulam alleging that they attempted to smuggle banned goods into LTTE-held areas. LTTE activity in the western sea has increased, observers say. The Sri Lankan Navy intercepted a boat carrying fuel from India, near Nachchikudah, 24 miles north-east of Mannar, on 7 March. Nine people in the boat, including three Indian nationals, were detained. The security forces imposed a ban on fishing in Mannar sea for a week from 8 March. The ban affected 10,000 fishermen in Mannar District.
Mannar Government Agent SM Croos says the issue of dry rations to refugees in Mannar, suspended in November last year, has been resumed. Further south in Chilaw, two bombs on 29 March caused damage to a telecommunication office. Police arrested four suspects.