Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 56

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000435 SENSITIVE STATE FOR SCA (BOUCHER),SCA/INS AND PRM STATE ALSO PASS USAID AID/W FOR ANE/SCA, DCHA/FFP (DWORKEN, KSHEIN) AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA (MORRISP, ACONVERY, RTHAYER, RKERR) ATHENS FOR PCARTER BANGKOK FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA (WBERGER) KATHMANDU FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA AND POL (SBERRY) GENEVA FOR RMA (NKYLOH, NHILGERT, MPITOTTI) USUN NEW YORK FOR ECOSOC (D MERCADO) SECDEF FOR OSD - POLICY PACOM ALSO FOR J-5 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE SUBJECT: Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 56 Ref: A) Colombo 432 B) Colombo 425 C) Colombo 418 D) Colombo 414 E) Colombo 413 F) Colombo 412 G) Colombo 411 H) Colombo 402 I) Colombo 401 J) Colombo 400 K) Colombo 396 L) Colombo 393 and previous ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The situation in the "safe zone" has taken a dramatic turn today, with a strong push by the Sri Lankan military. Reports indicate that early this morning Sri Lankan troops attacked LTTE positions near and in Putumattalan. High numbers of civilians appear to have crossed over into government control. President Rajapaksa announced that 35,000 civilians had crossed over. Ambassador told Foreign Minister Bogollagama the U.S. was pleased large numbers of civilians were able to escape, but noted that this may have come at a high cost in civilian casualties that could have been averted had the GSL waited to allow diplomacy. The Sri Lankan Defense Ministry is also reporting some 92 small boats with about 1,500 civilians on board have escaped the safe zone as well and were picked up by Sri Lankan naval forces. There are unconfirmed reports of 3 suicide bombing attacks by the LTTE causing 55-60 casualties among these civilians. No good estimates are available yet on the number of civilian casualties due to today's attack by the government forces. In strong statements by President Rajapaksa and Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan Government has rejected calls for a further humanitarian pause. A Defense Ministry spokesman announced at noon today Colombo time that the LTTE leader Prabhakaran had 24 hours to surrender. The food shipment into the "safe zone" scheduled to leave tonight with approximately 1,000 metric tons of food is loaded, but has not yet received clearance from the Ministry of Defense, and today's military actions may otherwise prevent that departure. UN Resident Representative Buhne has written the GSL seeking security assurances for a UN security advance team to visit the safe zone ahead of the working level UN team negotiated by Vijay Nambiar. The GSL has not responded yet to Buhne's letter. End summary. GOVERNMENT FORCES ENTER THE "SAFE ZONE" -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In a fairly large-scale operation, government forces penetrated into the safe zone in the night from April 19 to 20. UN sources reported a heavy offensive in which the government took Matalan junction and at least briefly reached the hospital in Putumattalan. According to multiple reports, large numbers of civilians were able to escape across government lines. The UN resident coordinator added that the World Food Program shipment that was to depart Trincomalee for the safe zone at 1900 had yet received security clearance to leave. It was not clear whether it would receive clearance to depart on the evening of April 21, or whether the intensive fighting might make this impossible. PRESIDENT: 35,000 CIVILIANS ESCAPED TODAY -------------- ¶3. (U) President Rajapaksa announced that 35,000 civilians had been liberated from LTTE control. In an interview, he claimed that the rebels' "complete defeat" was imminent. "The process of the complete defeat of the LTTE has just begun," he told AFP. "It is now all over for the Tigers." Showing aerial video from an unmanned aerial vehicle, he said 35,000 non-combatants had crossed the lines into government-held territory since early Monday morning. ¶4. (SBU) According to Sri Lankan Army sources, 19,000 civilians had been processed by the 58th Division, with 15,000 more waiting. Aerial surveillance showed that 5,000-7,000 more had tried to flee north through the 55th Division lines, but that the LTTE was able to force them back. The Army claims the LTTE has been firing small arms and mortars at fleeing civilians, and attacked the Army's breach of the LTTE's fighting positions near Putumattalan with three separate suicide blasts. The Army claimed to have evacuated 140 civilian casualties so far. Figures for the Army's own casualties were quite low (8 killed and 9 wounded),but "the numbers are expected to climb." ¶5. (SBU) Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad told Ambassador earlier that his government believed 16,000 had crossed already, with another 15-20,000 ready to cross. Consistent with GSL claims, he added that at least three suicide bombers had caused 55-60 civilian casualties. India sees this as a clear sign LTTE is still trying to deter civilians from leaving, he note. He said that the GoI does not have good casualty estimates but agreed that the GSL clearlyis ignoring the advice of the UN and the international community not to enter the safe zone. CIVILIAN CASUALTIES EXPECTED TO BE HIGH -------------- ¶6. (SBU) No reliable estimates of civilian casualties have emerged yet. Military sources said they had evacuated some 140 civilian casualties. Sources close to the LTTE suggested by mid-morning that some 988 civilians had been killed and 1,215 were injured. Numbers from these sources are often subject to exaggeration. GOVERNMENT REJECTS REQUEST FOR FURTHER CEASEFIRE -------------- --- ¶7. (SBU) The Sri Lankan Government rejected calls by the UN, the US and other international actors for a continuation of last week's humanitarian cease fire. Various Government officials including Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa stated that the Government had given the LTTE the chance to show good faith with last week's two day pause in the fighting. Because very few civilians crossed over from the safe zone during those two days, the government now feels justified in continuing military action against the LTTE. ¶8. (SBU) With local and regional elections in the Western Province - including Colombo - this coming Saturday, President Rajapaksa is using political rallies to push the argument that the Government will not bow to international pressure. At a rally with members of the SFLP youth league on Sunday, April 19, President Rajapaksa said he would not allow himself to be pressured by any nation, and was firmly committed to liberate Sri Lanka from terrorists. That same day at another rally with a group of physicians and farmer association representatives he stated that the LTTE was forcing civilians to stay inside the safe zone. ¶9. (SBU) Ambassador contacted Foreign Minister Bogollagama, who reiterated what the President had announced: 35,000 civilian had escaped, but some fell victim to attacks by suicide bombers. Ambassador said the U.S. is certainly glad large numbers were able to get out, but noted that this may have come at a high cost in civilian casualties that could have been averted had the GSL waited to use diplomacy. Bogollagama said he did not have casualty figure but said he had not heard casualty figures but said he would get back to us. Ambassador suggested he organize a briefing, including MoD reps, for the Co-Chairs, India the UN and other key missions on April 21 to explain the Government's actions and plan. Bogollagama undertook to do so. CO-CHAIR CONFERENCE CALL -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Donor Co-Chair members held a conference call on April 18 to focus on coordination of next steps. UN Resident Representative Buhne has written the GSL seeking security assurances for a UN security advance team to visit the safe zone ahead of the working level UN team negotiated by Nambiar. The GSL has not responded yet to Buhne's letter. SEVERE SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES -------------- ¶11. (SBU) A briefing by ICRC and MSF on April 17 highlighted the severe shortage of medical supplies inside the safe zone. These organizations said the international community needs to advocate for medical supplies to be allowed into the safe zone, including anesthesia, dressings and injectable pain relief medication. Estimates say only 5% of supplies needed is being received, and unnecessary deaths are occurring as a result. MILITARY TELLS UNHCR TO PREPARE FOR 40,000 -------------- ¶12. (SBU) UNHCR reports they were contacted today by the Sri Lankan military and told to prepare for an additional 40,000 evacuees from the safe zone over the next 2-3 days. Current facilities in Zones 1, 2 and 3 of the main IDP camp, Manik Farms, will only barely hold these, while water and sanitation will shortly become pressing matters. UNHCR BRIEFS ON PROGRESS IN CAMPS -------------- ¶13. (U) In a briefing in Geneva by on April 17, the UNHCR spokesman welcomed positive steps by the government to address protection concerns at IDP sites in Vavuniya. The spokesman noted that short visits by friends and relatives to the sites are now allowed visits. Telephone, telegram and mail services were now operating in almost all sites. About 1,800 IDPs with special needs (particularly the elderly) had been released, and some 1,345 separated families had been reunited, according to GSL sources. ¶14. (U) UNHCR called on the government to accelerate progress on other protection concerns, including maintaining the civilian character of the IDP sites and the separation of ex-combatants from the civilian population; expediting the screening process; and then allowing freedom of movement. UNHCR committed to work with the government to ensure that minimum international standards are met at all sites. UNHCR underlined that the ultimate objective of the government should be to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of the displaced to their villages of origin by removing obstacles to return; in particular, demining. UNHCR urged the international community to provide the government with technical and financial support to carry out mine clearance in areas of return. ¶15. (SBU) Political Officer Ben Barry, who drafted many of these situation reports, has completed his tour of duty in Colombo. We thank him for his outstanding work and are pleased to welcome his successor, Nathan Jones, who will take over drafting of the sitrep, among other duties. BLAKE