People say that payments under the government’s poverty alleviation programme Samurthi have also been cut by 25% in Army-controlled areas. Nearly 5,000 families will not receive any assistance in the future. Despite the ceasefire, the Samurthi programme has not been extended to LTTE-held areas.
Over 5,000 people participated in a demonstration in Batticaloa town on 16 August against Navy's attacks on fishermen and restrictions on fishing. The fishermen are also demanding the return of the fishing boats and equipment confiscated by the Navy. The protesters handed over a petition to the additional Government Agent (GA) V Shanmugam.
Civilian protests against military restrictions continued throughout August in Batticaloa District. People say that the Army is occupying a number of public buildings, including the Town Hall and the public library, even though the security forces were required to vacate all buildings within 160 days from the signing of the ceasefire agreement. Some schools are unable to function even after the Army had left the buildings, either because of restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement or the Army is camped just outside the school.
The Kommathurai main road in Valaichenai was opened on 22 August. The road had been closed to the public for the past 12 years and the Army camp in the area includes schools, houses and temples. The road will be opened only between 6am and 7pm. A demonstration on 12 August demanding the opening of the Thirukonamadu A15 main road in front of the Murakottanchenai Army camp was abandoned after Army officers promised to keep the road open between 6am and 6pm. The road had also been closed for the past 12 years.
The new atmosphere following the ceasefire agreement has hardly changed old rivalries. On 14 August, Varathan Group members allegedly attacked LTTE cadre at their political office in Arayampathy, injuring two of them. The Varathan Group is a breakaway unit from the political party TELO and currently operating under Army control. The Varathan Group has also threatened civilians who have contact with the LTTE office. The police have arrested three members of the group.
Unidentified persons attacked the office of the journal Thinakathir (Daily Ray) in Batticaloa town on 9 August. The editor and staff were assaulted and blindfolded. The assailants also burned documents and furniture and robbed computer equipment. The office lies in a military high security zone and has come under attack on several occasions.