Eelam War IV
Encyclopedia
Eelam War IV is the name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
, which is currently proscribed
as a terrorist organisation by 32 countries (see list). Renewed hostilities began on the July 26, 2006 when Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed several LTTE camps around Mavil Aru
anicut. The government's casus belli
was that the LTTE had cut-off the water supply to surrounding paddy field
s in the area. The fighting resumed after a four-year ceasefire, between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and LTTE. Continued fighting lead to several territorial gains for the Sri Lankan Army, including the capture of Sampur, Vakarai and other parts of the east. The war took on an added dimension when the LTTE Air Tigers
bombed Katunayake
airbase on March 26, 2007, the first rebel air attack without external assistance in history.
saw a sweeping victory for the United National Front
, led by Ranil Wickremasinghe
, who campaigned on a pro-peace platform and pledged to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
On 19 December, amidst efforts by Norway to bring the government and the Tamil Tigers to the negotiating table, the LTTE announced a 30 day ceasefire with the Sri Lankan government and pledged to halt all attacks against government forces. The new government welcomed the move, and reciprocated it 2 days later, announcing a month long ceasefire and agreeing to lift a long standing economic embargo
on rebel-held territory.
, and it was decided that they, together with the other Nordic countries, monitor the ceasefire through a committee of experts named the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission
. In August, the government agreed to lift the ban on the LTTE and paved the way for the resumption of direct negotiations with the LTTE.
Following the signing of the ceasefire agreement, commercial air flights to Jaffna began and the LTTE opened the key A9 highway, which linked government controlled area in the south with Jaffna and ran through LTTE territory, allowing civilian traffic through the Vanni region for the first time in many years. Many foreign countries also offered substantial financial support if peace was achieved and optimism grew that an end to the decades long conflict was in sight.
The much anticipated peace talks began in Phuket
, Thailand
on the September 16 and 5 further rounds followed in Phuket, Norway and Berlin
, Germany
. During the talks, both sides agreed to the principle of a federal solution and the Tigers dropped their long standing demand for separate state. This was a key compromise from the LTTE, which had always insisted on an independent Tamil state and it also represented a compromise from the government, which had seldom agreed to more than minimal devolution. Both sides also exchanged prisoners of war for first time.
reservoir
on July 21 and cut the water supply
to 15,000 villages in government controlled areas. After initial negotiations and efforts by the SLMM to open the gates failed, the Air Force attacked LTTE positions on July 26, and ground troops began an operation to open the gate. Palitha Kohona
, a government spokesman, stated that the government remained committed to the cease-fire. Likewise, the LTTE also claimed that they were committed to the ceasefire
The sluice gates were eventually reopened on August 8, with conflicting reports as to who actually opened them. Initially, the SLMM claimed that they managed to persuade the LTTE to lift the waterway blockade conditionally. However a government spokesman said that "utilities could not be used as bargaining tools" by the rebels and government forces launched fresh attacks on LTTE positions around the reservoir. These attacks prompted condemnation from SLMM Chief of Staff, who stated "(The government) have the information that the LTTE has made this offer." "It is quite obvious they are not interested in water. They are interested in something else." The LTTE then claimed they opened the sluice gates "on humanitarian grounds". Eventually, following heavy fighting with the rebels, government troops gained full control of the Mavil Aru reservoir on August 15.
The TMVP contested Batticaloa district local council election on March 10, 2008 and won all 9 councils with a high majority 70% of votes. The party also contested in Eastern Provincial Council election May 10, 2008 under the ruling UPFA banner and UPFA won the election. TMVP's current leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan
sworn as the Chief Minister of Eastern Provincial Council on May 16, 2008.
for refuge. He was later arrested by British authorities for illegal entry
and is being probed for war crimes.
This was amidst the demands of the defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
on December 29, 2007. Donor countries such as the United States, Canada, and Norway have shown deep regrets on this decision by the Sri Lankan government. Neighboring India has also shown is dismay of Sri Lanka's abrogation of the ceasefire
. Initially, the Tigers broke through army defense lines around Muhamalai, and advanced further north, but they were halted after 10 hours of fierce fighting. Isolated battles continued over the next few days, but the LTTE was forced to give up its offensive due to heavy casualties.
Sporadic fighting in the North has been going on for months, but the intensity of the clashes has increased since September 2007. During clashes in the Forward Defence Lines, separating their forces, both sides exchange heavy artillery fire, after which military incursions follow. By December 22, 2007 the LTTE defences at Uyilankulama and Thampanai were lost to advancing troops of the Sri Lanka Army. On December 29, 2007 the Army overran the LTTE stronghold at Parappakandal, Mannar.
In an interview with the 'Sunday Observer' the Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said that the Army had occupied the LTTE's Forward Defence Lines and surrounded the Wanni LTTE bases from all directions. He also said that there are around 3,000 Tigers remaining and that the military targets to annihilate them within the first six months of 2008. A day later there were less optimistic statements by Army, Air Force and Navy Commanders. Lt. Gen. Fonseka's believed it was possible to defeat the LTTE in 2008.
The military of Sri Lanka claims that the leader of the LTTE Velupillai Prabhakaran was seriously injured during air strikes carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force on a bunker complex in Jayanthinagar on November 26, 2007. Earlier, on November 2, 2007 S. P. Thamilselvan, who was the head of the rebels' political wing, was killed during another government air raid. The Sri Lanka Air Force has openly vowed to destroy the entire leadership of the LTTE. On January 5, 2008 Col. Charles, Head of LTTE Military Intelligence, was killed in claymore ambush by a suspected Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit according to a Pro-LTTE website.
Before the government offensive, the war in the Northern front was in a stalemate due to the unique topology of the two major Forward Defence Lines, The Nagarcoil FDL
and The Muhamalai FDL
.
. This marked the capture of the entire Mannar district by the Army which took eight months.
used its attack aircraft to carry out a bombing campaign against identified LTTE targets. The LTTE Air Tigers also used its light aircraft to carry out bombing on the Sri Lankan military.
Palali raid
On April 23, the Air Tigers conducted their second raid. One aircraft flew toward the Palali Air Base near Jaffna, which is the main military complex in the region. Anti‐aircraft fire prevented the aircraft from bombing the runways, but it instead dropped its bombs on a nearby military bunker, killing six soldiers.
Colombo raids
On April 26, Sri Lanka’s air defenses in Colombo fired into the sky following reports that unidentified aircraft had been spotted on radar. No attack was reported.
However, a few days later on the early morning of April 29, while the entire nation was watching the Cricket World Cup Final a Tiger aircraft bombed two fuel storage facilities outside Colombo. Chaos followed and electricity in the capital was shut off for nearly an hour. There were no casualties and minimal damage. The security forces were unable to bring down the aircraft prompting much criticism from the public and opposition political parties.
Although the government played down the attack, Shell's Sri Lankan country director, Hassan Madan, told the AFP "There was big damage to our fire-fighting facility and we estimate it will cost us in excess of 75 m rupees ($700,000) to put things back".
On October 22, 2007, Air Tigers launched a pre-dawn combined arms assault
on a SLAF airbase at Anuradhapura
, about 212 kilometres (131.7 mi) north of the capital, Colombo.
According to the Ministry of Defence
, the assault started at around 3:20 am, with LTTE ground forces attacking the airbase and overrunning key positions, including an anti-aircraft position, before Air Tiger ultralights dropped bombs on government positions. This resulted in the destruction of eight aircraft and damage to several others. The attack only affected the SLAF's training element.
of the Sri Lankan Army led by Brig. Shavendra Silva, 59 Division
led by Brig. Prasanna de Silva and the 53 Division
commanded by Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, after having boxed in the remaining LTTE cadres into a small area of territory near Nandhikkadal lagoon
, linked up and eliminated the remaining cadres. This final battle claimed the lives of several top LTTE leaders, including Jeyam, Bhanu, Lawrence, Pappa, Laxamanan, Balasingham Nadesan, Pottu Amman, Soosai and Velupillai Prabhakaran
who was reported to have attempted to flee. On the morning of the 19th, soldiers of the 4th Vijayabahu infantry regiment led by Lt. Col Rohitha Aluvihare claimed to have found the body of Prabhakaran, and so militarily ending a separatist war that had defined Sri Lanka's history for three decades.
On 22 May 2009, Sri Lankan Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
confirmed that 6,261 personnel of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces had lost their lives and 29,551 were wounded during Eelam War IV since July 2006. Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara added that approximately 22,000 LTTE cadres had died during this time.
Amnesty International has also stated that increasing violence was forcing many Sri Lankans to flee the country and that more than 2,800 people had sought shelter in India this year. The state's failure to provide adequate security and to ensure that attacks against civilians are prosecuted has resulted in widespread fear and panic.
Amnesty international also accused the LTTE of breaking the international law by using civilians as buffers against the army. A researcher for the organisation stated that there were cases where militants had forced people to stay in rebel-held areas to hamper army operations. The United Nations reported more than 20,000 civilians were killed in this recent war. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5405085/Sri-Lankan-army-accused-of-massacring-20000-Tamil-civilians-in-final-assault.html CNN report http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/29/srilanka.death.toll/index.html
After the International Council of Red Cross, doctors and government officials left the war zone, only the Catholic priests remained with people until the end. One of the priests, Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Sarathjeevan
who was leading the refugees to safety, also died in the war zone. The people and the priest did not have food for five days, and exhausted by months of hardship. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the priest was assaulted by soldiers when he approached them for help.
Stephen Rapp, the U.S. ambassador at large for war crimes issues, called for war crimes investigation on October 2009. His department submitted a detailed report to Congress about the incidents happened during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka. On October 25, 2009 The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations called for an independent, international investigation of possible war crimes committed during the last few months of the war in Sri Lanka. Internal Displacement Monitoring Center of the Norwegian Refugee Council reported that the government of Sri Lanka was holding nearly 300,000 displaced people in military-run internment camps under questionable humanitarian conditions.
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was a separatist militant organization formerly based in northern Sri Lanka. Founded in May 1976 by Vellupillai Prabhakaran, it waged a violent secessionist and nationalist campaign to create an independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka for Tamil...
, which is currently proscribed
Proscription
Proscription is a term used for the public identification and official condemnation of enemies of the state. It is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a "decree of condemnation to death or banishment" and is a heavily politically charged word, frequently used to refer to state-approved...
as a terrorist organisation by 32 countries (see list). Renewed hostilities began on the July 26, 2006 when Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets bombed several LTTE camps around Mavil Aru
Mavil Aru
Mavil Aru is a waterway in Sri Lanka that supplies water to some regions of eastern Sri Lanka.The closure by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization, of the sluice-gates of Mavil Aru on July 26, 2006, was a crucial turning point in the Sri Lankan Civil War...
anicut. The government's casus belli
Casus belli
is a Latin expression meaning the justification for acts of war. means "incident", "rupture" or indeed "case", while means bellic...
was that the LTTE had cut-off the water supply to surrounding paddy field
Paddy field
A paddy field is a flooded parcel of arable land used for growing rice and other semiaquatic crops. Paddy fields are a typical feature of rice farming in east, south and southeast Asia. Paddies can be built into steep hillsides as terraces and adjacent to depressed or steeply sloped features such...
s in the area. The fighting resumed after a four-year ceasefire, between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and LTTE. Continued fighting lead to several territorial gains for the Sri Lankan Army, including the capture of Sampur, Vakarai and other parts of the east. The war took on an added dimension when the LTTE Air Tigers
Air Tigers
The Air Tigers was the air-wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , who used it against the Government of Sri Lanka...
bombed Katunayake
Katunayake
Katunayake , is a town situated on the west coast of the island of Sri Lanka near Negombo and close to the commercial capital of Colombo. It is the site of Bandaranaike International Airport, the primary international air gateway to Sri Lanka...
airbase on March 26, 2007, the first rebel air attack without external assistance in history.
Peace process 2002
The elections, held on 5 December 2001Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 2001
Parliamentary elections were held in Sri Lanka on December 6, 2001, just a little over a year after the last elections in October 2000.-Background:The People's Alliance government faced a blow when most of the SLMC MPs left the coalition...
saw a sweeping victory for the United National Front
United National Front
The United National Front is an electoral alliance in Sri Lanka, formed by the United National Party the Ceylon Workers' Congress, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the Western People's Front...
, led by Ranil Wickremasinghe
Ranil Wickremasinghe
Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe , MP, is a Sri Lankan politician and current Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan parliament. He was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka twice, from May 7, 1993 to August 19, 1994 and from December 9, 2001 to April 6, 2004...
, who campaigned on a pro-peace platform and pledged to find a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
On 19 December, amidst efforts by Norway to bring the government and the Tamil Tigers to the negotiating table, the LTTE announced a 30 day ceasefire with the Sri Lankan government and pledged to halt all attacks against government forces. The new government welcomed the move, and reciprocated it 2 days later, announcing a month long ceasefire and agreeing to lift a long standing economic embargo
Embargo
An embargo is the partial or complete prohibition of commerce and trade with a particular country, in order to isolate it. Embargoes are considered strong diplomatic measures imposed in an effort, by the imposing country, to elicit a given national-interest result from the country on which it is...
on rebel-held territory.
Signing of MoU
The two sides formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on February 22, 2002 and signed a permanent ceasefire agreement (CFA). Norway was named mediatorMediation
Mediation, as used in law, is a form of alternative dispute resolution , a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties. A third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate their own settlement...
, and it was decided that they, together with the other Nordic countries, monitor the ceasefire through a committee of experts named the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was established on 22 February 2002 under the terms of a ceasefire agreement signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, as a body that would monitor the ceasefire and enquire into reported violations of the ceasefire agreement...
. In August, the government agreed to lift the ban on the LTTE and paved the way for the resumption of direct negotiations with the LTTE.
The much anticipated peace talks began in Phuket
Phuket Province
Phuket , formerly known as Thalang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon , is one of the southern provinces of Thailand...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
on the September 16 and 5 further rounds followed in Phuket, Norway and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. During the talks, both sides agreed to the principle of a federal solution and the Tigers dropped their long standing demand for separate state. This was a key compromise from the LTTE, which had always insisted on an independent Tamil state and it also represented a compromise from the government, which had seldom agreed to more than minimal devolution. Both sides also exchanged prisoners of war for first time.
Beginning of the war
A new crisis leading to the first large-scale fighting since signing of the ceasefire occurred when the LTTE closed the sluice gates of the Mavil AruMavil Aru
Mavil Aru is a waterway in Sri Lanka that supplies water to some regions of eastern Sri Lanka.The closure by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization, of the sluice-gates of Mavil Aru on July 26, 2006, was a crucial turning point in the Sri Lankan Civil War...
reservoir
Reservoir
A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
on July 21 and cut the water supply
Water supply
Water supply is the provision of water by public utilities, commercial organisations, community endeavours or by individuals, usually via a system of pumps and pipes...
to 15,000 villages in government controlled areas. After initial negotiations and efforts by the SLMM to open the gates failed, the Air Force attacked LTTE positions on July 26, and ground troops began an operation to open the gate. Palitha Kohona
Palitha Kohona
Palitha T. B. Kohona is a Sri Lankan born diplomat. He is the current the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN. Until August 2009 he was the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Sri Lanka and was the former Secretary-General of the Secretariat for...
, a government spokesman, stated that the government remained committed to the cease-fire. Likewise, the LTTE also claimed that they were committed to the ceasefire
The sluice gates were eventually reopened on August 8, with conflicting reports as to who actually opened them. Initially, the SLMM claimed that they managed to persuade the LTTE to lift the waterway blockade conditionally. However a government spokesman said that "utilities could not be used as bargaining tools" by the rebels and government forces launched fresh attacks on LTTE positions around the reservoir. These attacks prompted condemnation from SLMM Chief of Staff, who stated "(The government) have the information that the LTTE has made this offer." "It is quite obvious they are not interested in water. They are interested in something else." The LTTE then claimed they opened the sluice gates "on humanitarian grounds". Eventually, following heavy fighting with the rebels, government troops gained full control of the Mavil Aru reservoir on August 15.
War in east
The war between LTTE and Sri Lankan government started after the failure of Norway brokered cease fire on July 21, 2006, when LTTE cut off the water supply to the rice growing fields in the Mavil aru area in eastern Trincomalee district. The government military claimed the total control of the eastern province after capturing the Thoppigala (Baron's cap) on July 11, 2007 nearly a year of fighting.The TMVP contested Batticaloa district local council election on March 10, 2008 and won all 9 councils with a high majority 70% of votes. The party also contested in Eastern Provincial Council election May 10, 2008 under the ruling UPFA banner and UPFA won the election. TMVP's current leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan
Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan
Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan , is the current Chief Minister of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. He is also the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal , a political party in Sri Lanka...
sworn as the Chief Minister of Eastern Provincial Council on May 16, 2008.
Political situation in North and East
Karuna has also been accused of gross human rights violations such as forming death squads, harassing journalists, extrajudicial killings, abductions, and the use of child soldiers against the LTTE. Apart from that his group has split due to alleged financial corruption issues. Karuna, with the help of the Government of Sri Lanka, was smuggled into Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
for refuge. He was later arrested by British authorities for illegal entry
Illegal entry
Illegal entry is the act of foreign nationals arriving in or crossing the borders into a country in violation of its immigration law.Migrants from nations that do not have automatic visa agreements, or who would not otherwise qualify for a visa, often cross the borders illegally in some areas like...
and is being probed for war crimes.
Sri Lanka pulls out of ceasefire
On January 2, 2008, The Sri Lankan government unanimously decided to formally withdraw from the ceasefire with the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, which had existed only on paper over the past two years. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake had proposed that the cabinet annul the truce after yet another bomb blast went off on January 2 in the capital, Colombo, killing five and injuring over 28."The Government of Sri Lanka yesterday (3rd January 2008) formally notified the Norwegian Government of its decision to terminate the Agreement on a “Ceasefire (CFA) between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam” concluded on 22nd February 2002. This notification was in terms of Article 4:4 of this Agreement and will take effect 14 days from the date of this notice i.e. 16th January 2008.
Accordingly, the Status of Mission Agreement (SOMA) on the Establishment and the Management of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) dated 18th March 2002 between the Royal Norwegian Government and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will also stand terminated with effect from 16th January 2008."
This was amidst the demands of the defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, RWP, RSP, psc, GR is a retired officer of the Sri Lanka Army and the current Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka. After serving through the early parts of the country's civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels, he retired from the Army in 1992...
on December 29, 2007. Donor countries such as the United States, Canada, and Norway have shown deep regrets on this decision by the Sri Lankan government. Neighboring India has also shown is dismay of Sri Lanka's abrogation of the ceasefire
War in north
Meanwhile, in the north of the country, some of the bloodiest fighting since 2001 took place after the LTTE launched massive attacks on Sri Lanka Army defence lines in the Jaffna peninsula on August 11. The LTTE used a force of 400 to 500 fighters in the attacks which consisted of land and amphibious assaults, and also fired a barrage of artillery at government positions, including the key military airbase at PalaliPalali
Palali is a small town in the North Sri Lankan city of Jaffna. It has an important airport. Both military and small civilian aircraft land there...
. Initially, the Tigers broke through army defense lines around Muhamalai, and advanced further north, but they were halted after 10 hours of fierce fighting. Isolated battles continued over the next few days, but the LTTE was forced to give up its offensive due to heavy casualties.
Sporadic fighting in the North has been going on for months, but the intensity of the clashes has increased since September 2007. During clashes in the Forward Defence Lines, separating their forces, both sides exchange heavy artillery fire, after which military incursions follow. By December 22, 2007 the LTTE defences at Uyilankulama and Thampanai were lost to advancing troops of the Sri Lanka Army. On December 29, 2007 the Army overran the LTTE stronghold at Parappakandal, Mannar.
In an interview with the 'Sunday Observer' the Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said that the Army had occupied the LTTE's Forward Defence Lines and surrounded the Wanni LTTE bases from all directions. He also said that there are around 3,000 Tigers remaining and that the military targets to annihilate them within the first six months of 2008. A day later there were less optimistic statements by Army, Air Force and Navy Commanders. Lt. Gen. Fonseka's believed it was possible to defeat the LTTE in 2008.
The military of Sri Lanka claims that the leader of the LTTE Velupillai Prabhakaran was seriously injured during air strikes carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force on a bunker complex in Jayanthinagar on November 26, 2007. Earlier, on November 2, 2007 S. P. Thamilselvan, who was the head of the rebels' political wing, was killed during another government air raid. The Sri Lanka Air Force has openly vowed to destroy the entire leadership of the LTTE. On January 5, 2008 Col. Charles, Head of LTTE Military Intelligence, was killed in claymore ambush by a suspected Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit according to a Pro-LTTE website.
Before the government offensive, the war in the Northern front was in a stalemate due to the unique topology of the two major Forward Defence Lines, The Nagarcoil FDL
Nagarcoil Forward Defence Line
The Nagarcoil Forward Defence Line was an Army Defence Line that separated Sri Lankan Army and LTTE militia in Northeastern Kilinochchi - Southestern Jaffna border. The unique topography of the area was believed to make it almost impossible for either of the two sides to push for a military...
and The Muhamalai FDL
Muhamalai Forward Defence Line
The Muhamalai Forward Defence Line was the Army Defence Line separating the Sri Lankan Army and LTTE militia in North Central Kilinochchi from South Central Jaffna. The distance between the first line of defences ranges from 200 to 600 meters...
.
Capture of Mannar District
On 2 August 2008 the Sri Lankan army captured the town of Vellankulam which was the last bastion of Tigers in the Mannar districtMannar District
Mannar district is one of the 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka. The district is administered by a District Secretariat headed by a District Secretary appointed by the central government of Sri Lanka. The headquarters is located in Mannar, Sri Lanka...
. This marked the capture of the entire Mannar district by the Army which took eight months.
Battles at sea
On March 22, 2008, a Navy fast attack boat was destroyed after it hit a suspected sea mine laid by Tamil Tiger rebels off the country's north-east coast.The air war
The battle in air is significant for both sides (GoSL and LTTE) in this phase of war. The Sri Lankan Air ForceSri Lankan Air Force
The Sri Lanka Air Force is the air arm and the youngest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force with the assistance of the Royal Air Force . The SLAF played a major role throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War...
used its attack aircraft to carry out a bombing campaign against identified LTTE targets. The LTTE Air Tigers also used its light aircraft to carry out bombing on the Sri Lankan military.
Major air strikes of SLAF
- On August 14, 2006 the SLAF bombed a facility in the rebel-held Mullaitivu area. The LTTE claimed 61 girls were killed, the SLMM stated they were able to count just 19 bodies. The government claimed that it was an LTTE training facility and that the children were LTTE child soldiers, although the LTTE claimed the victims were schoolgirls attending a course on first aid at an orphanage. A team from UNICEF and the Swedish-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) visited the bombed site and said they had found no evidence to support claims the rebels had been using the facility as a military training centre.
- On May 7, 2007 at about 0725 supersonic fighter jets of the SLAF bombed a strategic LTTE base and a large fuel storage at Ramanatpuram East of IranamaduIranamaduIranamadu is a village in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka. It consist a lake that provides water to the paddy fields in the region. Sri Lankan Army claimed in early 2009 that they captured an Air Tiger Airstrip in the area.- External links :...
. - In November 2007, Thamilselvan, along with five other high ranking Tamil rebels were killed by a precision air strike carried out by the SLAF on an undisclosed location near the rebels's stronghold town of Kilinochchi.
LTTE air strikes
- LTTE air strikes occurred for the first time in history on March 26, 2007 on a SLAF base at KatunayakeKatunayakeKatunayake , is a town situated on the west coast of the island of Sri Lanka near Negombo and close to the commercial capital of Colombo. It is the site of Bandaranaike International Airport, the primary international air gateway to Sri Lanka...
, killing three Air Force personnel and wounding several. - LTTE aircraft attacked PalaliPalaliPalali is a small town in the North Sri Lankan city of Jaffna. It has an important airport. Both military and small civilian aircraft land there...
military complex by dropping bombs on April 23, 2007, killing six soldiers and wounding 13. - The LTTE attacked Katunayake air base for the second time on April 26, 2007, one month after their first attack on the same location.
- in the early hours of April 29, 2007, LTTE aircraft bombed two fuel tanks at KolonnawaKolonnawaKolonnawa is a town in Colombo District in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The town has a clock tower.-References:...
and Muthurajawela close to ColomboColomboColombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
.
Palali raid
On April 23, the Air Tigers conducted their second raid. One aircraft flew toward the Palali Air Base near Jaffna, which is the main military complex in the region. Anti‐aircraft fire prevented the aircraft from bombing the runways, but it instead dropped its bombs on a nearby military bunker, killing six soldiers.
Colombo raids
On April 26, Sri Lanka’s air defenses in Colombo fired into the sky following reports that unidentified aircraft had been spotted on radar. No attack was reported.
However, a few days later on the early morning of April 29, while the entire nation was watching the Cricket World Cup Final a Tiger aircraft bombed two fuel storage facilities outside Colombo. Chaos followed and electricity in the capital was shut off for nearly an hour. There were no casualties and minimal damage. The security forces were unable to bring down the aircraft prompting much criticism from the public and opposition political parties.
Although the government played down the attack, Shell's Sri Lankan country director, Hassan Madan, told the AFP "There was big damage to our fire-fighting facility and we estimate it will cost us in excess of 75 m rupees ($700,000) to put things back".
On October 22, 2007, Air Tigers launched a pre-dawn combined arms assault
Raid on Anuradhapura Air Force Base
The Raid on Anuradhapura Air Force Base, code-named Operation Ellaalan, was a successful commando raid conducted on SLAF Anuradhapura an Air Force Base in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam...
on a SLAF airbase at Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, , is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic...
, about 212 kilometres (131.7 mi) north of the capital, Colombo.
According to the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)
The Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law & Order is the Sri Lankan government ministry responsible for implementation of government defence policy and the headquarters of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces....
, the assault started at around 3:20 am, with LTTE ground forces attacking the airbase and overrunning key positions, including an anti-aircraft position, before Air Tiger ultralights dropped bombs on government positions. This resulted in the destruction of eight aircraft and damage to several others. The attack only affected the SLAF's training element.
The conclusion of the war
On 19 May 2009, the Sri Lankan military effectively concluded its 26 year operation against the LTTE. The 58 Division58 Division (Sri Lanka)
The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region...
of the Sri Lankan Army led by Brig. Shavendra Silva, 59 Division
59 Division (Sri Lanka)
The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:...
led by Brig. Prasanna de Silva and the 53 Division
53 Division (Sri Lanka)
The 53 Division is an elite division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula and is under the command of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna....
commanded by Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, after having boxed in the remaining LTTE cadres into a small area of territory near Nandhikkadal lagoon
Nanthi Kadal
Nanthi Kadal is a lagoon in Mullaitivu District, north-east Sri Lanka. The English translation of Nanthi Kadal is "the sea of conches".The lagoon is fed by a number of small rivers, including Per Aru....
, linked up and eliminated the remaining cadres. This final battle claimed the lives of several top LTTE leaders, including Jeyam, Bhanu, Lawrence, Pappa, Laxamanan, Balasingham Nadesan, Pottu Amman, Soosai and Velupillai Prabhakaran
Velupillai Prabhakaran
Thiruvenkadam Velupillai Prabhakaran was the founder and leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a militant organization that sought to create an independent Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka...
who was reported to have attempted to flee. On the morning of the 19th, soldiers of the 4th Vijayabahu infantry regiment led by Lt. Col Rohitha Aluvihare claimed to have found the body of Prabhakaran, and so militarily ending a separatist war that had defined Sri Lanka's history for three decades.
On 22 May 2009, Sri Lankan Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa
Lieutenant Colonel Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, RWP, RSP, psc, GR is a retired officer of the Sri Lanka Army and the current Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka. After serving through the early parts of the country's civil war with Tamil Tiger rebels, he retired from the Army in 1992...
confirmed that 6,261 personnel of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces had lost their lives and 29,551 were wounded during Eelam War IV since July 2006. Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara added that approximately 22,000 LTTE cadres had died during this time.
Chronology of towns captured by the government of Sri Lanka
| Area Liberated | Division/Task Force | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Silawaturai | 2 September 2007 | |
| Madhu church complex | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
24 April 2008 |
| Adampan town | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
9 May 2008 |
| Palampiddi Palampiddi Palampiddy is town in Mannar District, Sri Lanka. Popular Madhu Church is located close to this town.... Town |
57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
16 May 2008 |
| Mundumurippu Village | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
23 May 2008 |
| Munagam Base | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
30 May 2008 |
| Periyamadhu Village | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
15 June 2008 |
| Mullikkandal, Minnaniranchan and Marattikannaddi Villages | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
24 June 2008 |
| "The Mannar Rice Bowl": Alankulama, Andankulama, Alakaddiveli, Parappakandal, Parappukadatan, Papamoddai, Odupallam, Neduvarampu, Kannaputtukulama and Vannakulama Villages |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
29 June 2008 |
| Uyilankulam Uyilankulam Uyilankulam is a small town in Sri Lanka. It is located within the Mannar District of the Northern Province.-External links:*... |
29 June 2008 | |
| Linked up with 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... - south west of Periyamadhu |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
30 June 2008 |
| Michael Base | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
4 July 2008 |
| Naddankandal Village | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
11 July 2008 |
| Navvi village | Task Force 2 | 11 July 2008 |
| Vidattaltivu Vidattaltivu Vidattaltivu or Vidaththaltheevu is a coastal town in the Mannar District of northwest Sri Lanka. Vidattaltivu is the biggest town situated on Sri Lanka's North-Western coast and was the major base of the Sea Tigers until recently... Town |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
16 July 2008 |
| Iluppaikkadavai | 20 July 2008 | |
| Suganthan camp | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
27 July 2008 |
| Illuppaikkadavai Town | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
2 August 2008 |
| Vellankulam Vellankulam Vellankulam is a small town in Sri Lanka. It is located within Northern Province.-External links:*... Town, Mulankavil and Pallavarayankaddu areas |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
12 August 2008 |
| Kalvilan Village | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
13 August 2008 |
| Jeevan Base | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
16 August 2008 |
| West of Nayaroo lagoon | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
21 August 2008 |
| Nachchikudha | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
21 August 2008 |
| Thunukkai Thunukkai Thunukkai is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 17 km from Mankulam & 4 km from Mallavi.... and Uilankulam Towns |
57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
22 August 2008 |
| Mallavi Mallavi Mallavi is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. It is located about from Mankulam & from Thunukkai. It has a population of about 5,000 and a crude education and heathcare system.... Town |
57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
2 September 2008 |
| Maniyankulama | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
16 October 2008 |
| Vannerikkulama | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
20 October 2008 |
| Gajabapura | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
23 October 2008 |
| Nochchimodai | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
28 October 2008 |
| Jeyapuram and Nachchikuda | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
29 October 2008 |
| Akkarayankulam tank bund | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
29 October 2008 |
| Akkarayankulam built-up | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
5 November 2008 |
| Kiranchi | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
10 November 2008 |
| Kumulamunai village | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
11 November 2008 |
| Palavi | 11 November 2008 | |
| Valaippadu | 13 November 2008 | |
| Devil's Point Devil's Point Devil's Point is located on the eastern side of the mouth of the River Tamar where it meets the English Channel at Plymouth Sound . It is also known as Western Kings Point. The Point marks the southwest extremity of East Stonehouse in Plymouth, England. On the opposite western shore of the... and Vallaipadu |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
13 November 2008 |
| Pooneryn Pooneryn Pooneryn is a strategically important village in the northern province of Sri Lanka situated just below the Jaffna Peninsula. Built in the Pooneryn area of north portion of the island first by the Portuguese to protect its possessions in Jaffna, it was expanded by the Dutch till in 1770 it was... |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
15 November 2008 |
| Mankulama | Task Force 3 | 17 November 2008 |
| Mankulam Mankulam Mankulam is a village in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. The village is geographically located 32 KM from Adimaly, Idukki, Kerala... |
17 November 2008 | |
| Olumadu | Task Force 3 | 25 November 2008 |
| Otiyamalai | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
29 November 2008 |
| Kokavil Kokavil Kokavil is a village in Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka, also called Kokkavil. It is situated along A-9 road.- Massacre on Yal Devi:Troops were located parallel to A-9 Highway and old Murikandi-Kokavil Railway Station where LTTE massacre on "Yal Devi" passenger train was occurred... Town |
57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
1 December 2008 |
| Puliyankulam Puliyankulam Puliyankulam is a town in Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka. A road going through this town connects Mankulam to Vavuniya. Another road going through Puliyankulam connects Nedunkeni, Oddusuddan and Mullaitivu to Vavuniya.-See also:*Thandikulam–Omanthai offensive... |
Task Force 2 | 4 December 2008 |
| Kanakarayankulam Kanakarayankulam Kanakarayankulam is a small town in Sri Lanka. It is located within Northern Province.-External links:*... |
Task Force 2 | 5 December 2008 |
| Terumurikandy junction | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
10 December 2008 |
| Ampakamam | Task Force 3 | 15 December 2008 |
| Nadunkerni | Task Force 4 | 20 December 2008 |
| Sinna-Paranthan | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
23 December 2008 |
| Nalanawakulam Village | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
26 December 2008 |
| Mulliyawalai Mulliyawalai Mulliyawalai or Mulliyavalai is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. Vidyananda College is located in this town.... |
59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
26 December 2008 |
| Iranamadu Iranamadu Iranamadu is a village in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka. It consist a lake that provides water to the paddy fields in the region. Sri Lankan Army claimed in early 2009 that they captured an Air Tiger Airstrip in the area.- External links :... |
1 January 2009 | |
| Paranthan Paranthan Paranthan is a town in Kilinochchi District, Sri Lanka. It is located about 5 km from district capital Kilinochchi.-Creation :The city of Paranthan was established in 1936 as part of a colonization project that sought to ease overpopulation and unemployment in Jaffna..-See... |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
1 January 2009 |
| Kilinochchi Kilinochchi Kilinochchi is a city in the Kilinochchi District, part of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Kilinochchi is situated at the A9 road some south-east of Jaffna... Town |
57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
2 January 2009 |
| Oddusuddan Oddusuddan Oddusuddan or Ottisuddan is a town in the Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka. Some say in Tamil Oddu-suddan translates to 'roof-tile-making-place'. It is located nearly halfway between Mankulam and Mullaitivu on highway A34.- See also :... |
Task Force 4 | 4 January 2009 |
| Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram , also known as Ramnad, is a city and a municipality in Ramanathapuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the administrative headquarters of Ramanathapuram district.-Tourism:... |
57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
7 January 2009 |
| Murasumoddai | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
8 January 2009 |
| Elephant Pass Elephant Pass Elephant Pass, Northern Province, Sri Lanka is an important military base and formerly the island's largest salt field, located in the gateway of Jaffna Peninsula. It has thus regularly been the site of battles during the civil war.... |
9 January 2009 | |
| Keridattadu | Task Force 4 | 12 January 2009 |
| Jaffna peninsula Jaffna Peninsula The Jaffna Peninsula is an area in Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It is home to the capital city of the province, Jaffna and comprises much of the former land mass of the ancient Tamil kingdoms of the Nagas and the medieval Jaffna kingdom. The peninsula is mostly surrounded by water, connected to... |
14 January 2009 | |
| Dharmapuram Dharmapuram Dharmapuram is a village near Srikakulam town in Ponduru Mandal Division in Andhra Pradesh, India.... |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
15 January 2009 |
| Udayarkattukulam Tank Bund | Task Force 2 | 2114 January 2009 |
| Mullaittivu Town | 59 Division 59 Division (Sri Lanka) The 59 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2007. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Operations:... |
25 January 2009 |
| Visuamadu Town | 57 Division 57 Division (Sri Lanka) The 57 Division is a newly formed infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region.-Formation:... |
28 January 2009 |
| Visuamadu Town | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
28 January 2009 |
| Chalai | 55 Division 55 Division (Sri Lanka) The 55 Division is an elite division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula and is under the command of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna. -Towns captured by 55 Division:... |
5 February 2009 |
| Thevipuram | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
20 February 2009 |
| Iranapalai Junction | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
17 March 2009 |
| Pachchapulmuddai | 58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
1 April 2009 |
| Puthukkudiyiruppu Puthukkudiyiruppu Puthukkudiyiruppu may refer to:*Puthukkudiyiruppu , town in Mullaitivu District, Sri Lanka*Puthukkudiyiruppu , town in Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka... |
58 Division 58 Division (Sri Lanka) The 58 Division is an infantry division of the Sri Lanka Army formed in 2008, prior to which it was known as Task Force 1 from 2007 to 2009. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Wanni region... |
5 April 2009 |
| Puthukkudiyirippu Hospital | 53 Division 53 Division (Sri Lanka) The 53 Division is an elite division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula and is under the command of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna.... |
12 March 2009 |
| Pachchapulmuddai | 53 Division 53 Division (Sri Lanka) The 53 Division is an elite division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula and is under the command of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna.... |
1 April 2009 |
| Puthukkudiyiruppu Puthukkudiyiruppu (Mullaitivu) Puthukkudiyiruppu is a small town in the Mullaitivu District of Sri Lanka.There are four main roads which lead to Mullaithivu in the east, Paranthan towards west, Iranaipalai towards north and Oddusuddan towards south... |
53 Division 53 Division (Sri Lanka) The 53 Division is an elite division of the Sri Lanka Army. A principal offensive division, it is currently deployed for combat operations in the Jaffna Peninsula and is under the command of Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna.... |
5 April 2009 |
Killings LTTE Leaders
- Velupillai PrabhakaranVelupillai PrabhakaranThiruvenkadam Velupillai Prabhakaran was the founder and leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a militant organization that sought to create an independent Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka...
was killed by government troops. His body was identified through DNA testing on May 19, 2009. - Soosai, leader of the Sea TigersSea TigersThe Sea Tigers was the naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during the Sri Lankan Civil War. It was founded in 1984. The Sea Tigers had a number of small but effective suicide bomber vessels. During its existence it had gained a reputation as a capable adversary for the Sri Lankan Navy...
, and Pottu AmmanPottu AmmanShanmugalingam Sivashankar Shanmugalingam Sivashankar Shanmugalingam Sivashankar (Tamil: சன்முகலிங்கம் சிவசங்கரன், also known as Pottu Amman (Tamil: பொட்டு அம்மான் is a Sri Lankan Tamil militant...
, head of the LTTE intelligence wing, were killed along with Prabhakaran. - Charles Anthony was confirmed dead on May 18, 2009. SL Army has confirmed that the body found in Vellamullivaikkal is that of LTTE chief's son.
- Three bodies recovered by SL troops have been identified as those of Nadesan, Puleethevan and Ramesh on May 18, 2009.
Assassinations
- Then Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman KadirgamarLakshman KadirgamarSri Lankabhimanya Lakshman Kadirgamar PC was a Sri Lankan diplomat, politician and a lawyer. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka from 1994 to 2001 and again from April 2004 until his assassination in August 2005...
, a Tamil who was highly respected by foreign diplomats and who had been sharply critical of the LTTE, was assassinated at his home on August 12, 2005, allegedly by an LTTE sniper. His assassination led to the marginalisation of the LTTE from the international community. - The assassination of well renowned Tamil diplomat the Deputy Peace Secretariat General for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) Mr. Kethesh LoganathanKethesh LoganathanKethesh Loganathan was a Sri Lankan Tamil political activist, a Human Rights advocate and deputy secretary general of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process . He was among the fiercest critics of the ethnic separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and the LTTE are widely blamed...
on August 12, 2006 at Dehiwala by shooting at around 9:30 PM. He has been very keen to bring peace to the country also participated in ThimphuThimphuThimphu also spelt Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961...
peace talks in 1980's. Rajapakse condemned the murder and blamed the LTTE. - The assassination of the head Priest of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil Rev Selliah Parameswaran KurukkalSelliah Parameswaran KurukkalSelliah Parameshwaram Kurukkal was the Chief Pujari of the Santhiveli Pilleyar Kovil. He became famous after blessing Mahinda Rajapakse, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He was murdered four days afterwards. According to the Sri Lankan Army, he was killed by the LTTE...
on February 7, 2007 in his home BatticaloaBatticaloaBatticaloa is a city in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. It is the seat of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. It is on the east coast, south by south east of Trincomalee, and is situated on an island.-Etymology:...
. The LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government blamed each other for this murder. - UNP Parliamentarian T. Maheshwaran
- A roadside bomb killed Non-cabinet Nation Building Minister, D. M. DassanayakeD. M. DassanayakeDassanayake Mudiyanselage Dassanayake was a Sri Lankan politician from the Puttalam District. He was serving as a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and non-cabinet Minister of Nation Building when he was assassinated in a roadside bomb attack on January 8, 2008 in Ja-Ela, twelve miles north of...
on January 8, 2008 at Ja-elaJa-ElaJa-Ela is a major suburb approximately 20 km north of Colombo city center Fort, Sri Lanka.-Etymology:The Term Ja-Ela means Javanese Canal and denotes historical the presence of Sri Lankan Malays in the area...
town located 19 km north of Colombo city. - A suspected LTTE suicide bomber killed cabinet Minister of Highways & Road Development Jeyaraj FernandopulleJeyaraj FernandopulleJeyaraj Fernandopulle was a Sri Lankan politician who served as a cabinet Minister and a Member of Parliament in Sri Lanka. He was a Roman Catholic and hailed from a minority ethnic group Colombo Chetties.-Early life:...
on April 6, 2008 at Weliveriya GampahaGampahaGampaha is an urban city in Sri Lanka and is the capital of the Gampaha District in Western Province, north of Colombo. Gampaha District is separated from Colombo mainly by the Kelani River.-Namesake:...
district.
Impact of war into civilian life
Since the latest upsurge in violence in April, nearly 40,000 people have been displaced in Sri Lanka. This comes amidst the governments air strikes on civilian populated areas of the East. Amnesty International quoted UN figures to say that a total of 39,883 people had been displaced in the north and east since April 7 adding that a total of 314,378 people were displaced by the conflict while around 325,000 people were estimated to have been displaced by the tsunami.Amnesty International has also stated that increasing violence was forcing many Sri Lankans to flee the country and that more than 2,800 people had sought shelter in India this year. The state's failure to provide adequate security and to ensure that attacks against civilians are prosecuted has resulted in widespread fear and panic.
Amnesty international also accused the LTTE of breaking the international law by using civilians as buffers against the army. A researcher for the organisation stated that there were cases where militants had forced people to stay in rebel-held areas to hamper army operations. The United Nations reported more than 20,000 civilians were killed in this recent war. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/5405085/Sri-Lankan-army-accused-of-massacring-20000-Tamil-civilians-in-final-assault.html CNN report http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/29/srilanka.death.toll/index.html
After the International Council of Red Cross, doctors and government officials left the war zone, only the Catholic priests remained with people until the end. One of the priests, Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Sarathjeevan
Rev. Fr. Mariampillai Sarathjeevan
Mariampillai Sarathjeevan was a catholic priest from Jaffna, Sri Lanka.. He was one of the few priests who remained with the refugees until the end of war in northern parts of Sri Lanka. He died while he was leading the last batch of refugees to safety from war zone. He was 41 years old and in...
who was leading the refugees to safety, also died in the war zone. The people and the priest did not have food for five days, and exhausted by months of hardship. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the priest was assaulted by soldiers when he approached them for help.
Stephen Rapp, the U.S. ambassador at large for war crimes issues, called for war crimes investigation on October 2009. His department submitted a detailed report to Congress about the incidents happened during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka. On October 25, 2009 The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations called for an independent, international investigation of possible war crimes committed during the last few months of the war in Sri Lanka. Internal Displacement Monitoring Center of the Norwegian Refugee Council reported that the government of Sri Lanka was holding nearly 300,000 displaced people in military-run internment camps under questionable humanitarian conditions.
See also
- Sri Lankan Civil WarSri Lankan civil warThe Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
- Eelam War IEelam War IEelam War I is the name given to the initial phase of the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. Although tensions between the government and Tamil militant groups had been brewing since the 1970s, full scale war did not break out until an attack by the LTTE on a Sri Lanka...
- Eelam War IIEelam War IIEelam War II is the name given to the second phase of armed conflict between Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The war started after the failure of peace talks between the Premadasa government and the LTTE...
- Eelam War IIIEelam War IIIEelam War III is the name given to the third phase of armed conflict between Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. After the period of 100 days cease-fire the hostilities broke out on the 19th of April 1995. The LTTE - Sea Tigers planted explosives in two gun...
- Eastern Theater of Eelam War IVEastern Theater of Eelam War IVThe Eastern Theater of Eelam War IV, the warfare started in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka on July 21, 2006, when the LTTE cut off the water supply to the rice fields in the Mavil aru area in the eastern Trincomalee district...
- Northern Theater of Eelam War IVNorthern Theater of Eelam War IVThe Northern Theater of Eelam War IV refers to the fighting that took place in the northern province of Sri Lanka between July 2006 and May 18, 2009.-Beginning of the war:...
External links
- Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka
- Interactive Defence Map of Sri Lanka, explains current progress of the battle fronts visually.
- GoSL Peace Secretariat
- LTTE Peace Secretariat
- Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission
- Lanka Academic, news site sponsored by Sri Lankan academics worldwide
- Sangam.org
- Texts of key agreements in the peace process and an analysis of the process by Conciliation Resources
- Report on the Sri Lankan peace process by Asiafoundation
- hWeb - Sri Lanka’s recent history of ethnic conflict and political crisis originates from its colonial legacy
- NorthEast Secretariat report on Human rights 1974-2004
- hWeb - Sri Lanka’s recent history of ethnic conflict originates from its colonial legacy
- Peace&War: Humanity Ashore Pictorial
- Final Conflict Zone Maps