Ceasefire violation
THE Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), composed of ceasefire monitors from the Nordic countries, accused the LTTE in mid-July of violating the ceasefire agreement of 22 February 2002. Two Sea Tiger trawlers were observed on 13 July near Iranaitivu Islands, 15 miles north of Mannar Island. The LTTE rejected SLMM requests to hand over the trawlers to the Navy and attempted to prevent two SLMM officers from boarding one of the boats. The other trawler meanwhile moved and disappeared from the scene. After the two officers succeeded in boarding the boat to carry out an inspection, whether it was carrying any weapons, the Sea Tiger cadre moved it towards the mainland despite the protests of the monitors. The SLMM officers were allowed to leave for the shore at Devil’s Point, seven miles further north in Kilinochchi District. The LTTE deny that they violated the ceasefire and say that the trawler was within 10 miles from the shore. They accuse the Navy of firing at their trawler. The Tigers also say that the Navy is entering zones under their control and is harassing the fishermen. In a meeting with the head of the SLMM, LTTE’s political leader SP Thamilchelvan expressed concern that the issue of sea travel of LTTE cadre has not been finalised by the government despite several representations.
In an apparently unprovoked incident on 25 July, an armed soldier went into LTTE territory near Muhamalai, 20 miles east of Jaffna town, and fired injuring two Tiger women cadre. He was then shot dead by the LTTE. The Army say that the man was mentally disturbed. This is the first shooting incident involving the Army and the LTTE since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in February. Army commander Lionel Balagalla has ordered an enquiry into the incident.
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