In Mullaitivu District, 339,000 of the 727,000 people attending hospital in 1997 were treated for malaria, doctors often guessing from symptoms as facilities for blood tests are minimal. Some people have contracted malaria several times leading to lack of immunity, brain haemorrhage and an outbreak of tuberculosis. Incidence of septicaemia, typhoid and diarrhoea have also increased and there is an acute shortage of vital drugs. Medicines received in the Vanni are often old or declared ineffective and no more in general use. In Puthukudyiruppu alone 33 people died of malaria and diarrhoea in December and January.
Vavuniya Government Agent K Ganesh says that although there are 400,000 displaced people in the Vanni, dry rations are received only for 270,000. A recent survey of 16,700 children under five years of age reveals that 71% are malnourished and 33% suffer severe malnutrition. Children have developed night blindness through lack of vitamin A and need constant supervision. School principals say many students faint in hunger and schools are sometimes closed early as students cannot cope with lessons without adequate food.
According to Kilinochchi government secretariat records, 73 civilians who went into Army-controlled areas from Tiger-held territory, between July 1996 and May 1997 to inspect their houses are missing. Sinniah Suresh visiting his home in Nedunkerni in mid-January was beaten up by soldiers.
In early January the Army announced that Operation Jayasikurui (Certain Victory) troops advancing on two fronts from east and west took control of Kanagarayankulam, seven miles south of Mankulam, following heavy fighting. The Defence Ministry says six Sea Tiger boats were destroyed by bombers off Mullaitivu on 23 January.
On 1 February the LTTE launched a massive assault south of Kilinochchi and simultaneous attacks on five other targets, including Paranthan, four miles north, and Elephant Pass Army camp. Sri Lankan troops were forced to withdraw a mile from Kilinochchi defences. The Army says a Tiger commando unit attempting to blast an artillery base at Iyakkachchi, three miles north of Elephant Pass, was wiped out.
In two days of intense fighting 103 soldiers were killed and the LTTE say 150 cadre died. According to London’s Financial Times, Operation Jayasikurui, to open a landroute to Jaffna from Vavuniya, now in its ninth month, has cost the Sri Lankan Army 1,800 dead and 5,000 wounded, but has also inflicted losses of 1,000 on the Tigers.