This report on the state of displaced persons in the North and East of Sri Lanka analyses the security condition and concerns of those who live in makeshifts and camps in conflict affected areas. It provides an overview of the current ground situation, i.e. the altered displacement landscape, and the dynamics which shape the distribution of aid and resettlement.

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The last eighteen months has seen increased fighting between the armed forces of the government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The last year, in particular, has been marked by intense fighting including aerial bombardments in the East of the country leading to massive displacements of civilians in the area. Concerns regarding the manner in which civilians were originally displaced, their treatment and safety while displaced and, more vitally in the long term, the conditions of their return have all been controversial.

The full length report can be downloaded in pdf format. 

Beginning with the bombardments of the Sampur area in April 2006, we have observed massive shifts in population.[1] The situation worsened in late July/ early August last year when fighting led to a mass exodus of people from Muttur. The impact of this particular displacement was further exacerbated by allegations of the killing of fleeing Muslims by the LTTE,[2] the death of several Muslims in a multi barrel attack by government forces and the massacre of 17 aid workers from the French Relief Agency, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) who stayed behind in Muttur and the difference in the amount of compensation paid out by the government of Sri Lanka immediately after the cessation of fighting in mid August to Sinhalese farmers for crops ruined due to closure of the Mavil Aru dam by the LTTE and those displaced (mainly Tamil and Muslim) in Muttur due to the fighting.

Despite the fact that many moved after receiving notices from the government regarding potential fighting, preparedness to deal with displacement was inadequate. More disturbing however, were reports, both of forced return of the displaced to their home areas, (mainly in order to establish the government claims that particular areas were now totally within its control), and the compulsion (mainly by the LTTE) that people remain in their home areas despite fighting. Both attitudes showed absolute disregard for the material and physical safety of civilians.

The politics of the Eastern part of Sri Lanka, always controversial, has now been further complicated with the split within the LTTE. The breakaway Karuna group which assists the government forces in their security efforts in the East is also involved in establishing its own hegemony upon the people of the East. The people of the east seem to be stuck between parties in a contestation for power and control of their lands.

It is in this context, especially following reports that humanitarian agencies and even inter-governmental bodies are unable to visit the areas most affected by the conflict in order to guarantee security safety and the decent treatment of the displaced, that SAHR decided to undertake a fact-finding mission to the North and East of Sri Lanka. When it was planned, our intention was to ascertain the situation of civilians, especially in the East. Since then, there is a general sense that the fighting will now shift to the North of the country, probably leading to more pressure on civilians. It is hoped that this report will thus, not only address the immediate issues highlighted in it but also lead to better co-ordination of humanitarian aid and a general sense of preparedness for displacement in this continued war.

Methodology

The 5 day long fact finding mission, from June 8^th-13^th, 2007 was carried out by 3 groups consisting of 4 members each, 2 Sri Lankans and 2 South Asians. South Asian mission members were Sahba Husain, Radhika Mukerji, Dr. Aruna Upretty, Nuzhath Kidvai, Aishath Velizinee and Lubna Marium. The Sri Lankan team consisted of Rukshana Nanayakkara, Ambika Satkunanathan, Kumudini Samuel, Anberiya Hanifa, Dhanukshi Jayawickreme, Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai and Shreen Saroor.

The geographical areas covered are Batticaloa, Kalmunai and Akkaraipattu, Vavuniya, Puttlam and Mannar as well as Trincomalee, Muttur and the ‘border’ area of Kabetigollawa and Morawawe in the contiguous district of Anuradhapura. The mission met with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), government officials, community groups, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations and UN agencies.

For reasons of security the identities of the persons/groups the mission met have been withheld. The structure of each field report varies as they were shaped by the issues at the sites visited and the narratives of the interviewees.  

Summary

The SAHR mission focused on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), since the process of displacement creates a climate which is conducive to the perpetration of all forms of rights violations, and particularly because minorities constitute the majority of displaced persons. Although the mission’s brief was to concentrate on the larger, political aspect of displacement rather than the day-to-day life of the displaced, as the narratives highlight, it was difficult to separate the two. In the case of displacement, the every- day, ordinary, personal life of the displaced and the political dynamics of displacement are enmeshed and interlinked. Also of particular relevance were the gendered consequences of displacement.

The element of fear has had a major impact on the people and their lives. Most people said that the multiplicity of actors -GOSL, LTTE, TMVP, EPDP- made it difficult for them to negotiate the simplest activities on a day to day basis. The mission found that despite such a high element of fear leading to the radicalization of some sections of all communities, whereby they resort to extreme forms of responses as they believe no just solutions can be obtained, there were also individuals who had a nuanced and in-depth understanding of local realities and were firm in their belief that a negotiated settlement was the only way forward.

The findings of the mission reveal the manner in which IDPs are often used as pawns by both state and non-state actors, in clear violation of basic principles of humanitarian law. Various agencies working amongst the IDPs and advocating on their behalf have also been the target of both warranted and unwarranted criticism, and at times intimidation and harassment by both state and non-state actors.

The increase in the presence and activities of the LTTE splinter group Tamil Makkala Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP)/Karuna Group, has also had an impact on displacement, return and resettlement. Further, continued internecine violence within the Tamil armed groups such as the reported split within the TMVP, (where commander Pillayan issued a warning to Karuna to leave the group or face being removed by force), only added to prevailing insecurity in the region and heightened the threat of forced recruitment of adults and children by both factions.