Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO435
2009-04-20 12:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

Northern Sri Lanka SitRep 56

Tags:  PREF MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL ASEC CE 
pdf how-to read a cable
O 201232Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9826
INFO AMEMBASSY ATHENS 
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 
AMEMBASSY DHAKA 
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 
AMEMBASSY OSLO 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
AMCONSUL CHENNAI 
AMCONSUL MUMBAI 
AMCONSUL TORONTO 
USEU BRUSSELS
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USMISSION GENEVA 
HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
DIA WASHINGTON DC
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
SECDEF WASHDC
CDRUSARPAC FT SHAFTER HI//APCW/APOP//
CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J3/J332/J52//
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

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