
Civilians trapped, displacing during SLA attacks
JaffnaAbout 2,000 families from Thenmaradchchi were trying to move to safer areas in Vadamaradchchi when the Sri Lankan army (SLA) prevented them from leaving their villages. Some of the villages are located close to SLA camps, putting civilians in danger as fighting continues in Jaffna.
Fifty families were able to move to safer areas in Vadamaradchchi and said the families that could not escape from Varanai, Vatralai, Thaavalai, Idaikurichchi and Karambaikurichchi are experiencing a shortage of water and other basic food items. A curfew was enforced throughout Jaffna on Saturday. Electricity has been cut off, with very few phone lines working. Batticaloa The SLA began attacks on LTTE forward defense lines in Vellaveli on Sunday, 13 August. Civilians from surrounding villages of Thumpankerni, Thikkodai and Ganthipuram displaced toward LTTE areas to escape the SLA attacks. The Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation was providing relief to about 180 families who took refuge in the Thumpankerni Tamil school.
14 August 2006
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