Six civilians died and 33 got injured on the 23^rd April 2007 attack on a public bus going from Mannar to Colombo. Eight injured persons are in critical condition. This is the third such attack on a passenger bus within this month and the second attack that targeted Mannar public transport service.

On April 2^nd, 17 civilians died in a bus bomb explosion in Ampara; and on 7^th April, passengers of a Mannar -Vavunia bus were victims of a Claymore mine blast and six civilians died instantly. Altogether 29 civilians have been killed and over 100 injured in these attacks on passenger buses.

According to eye witnesses and injured passengers of the attack on the 23^rd, the claymore mine exploded just 100 yards away from a military check point in Cheddikulum; and immediately after the explosion the military personnel at the checkpoint opened fire. Four civilians including the driver and the bus conductor died on the spot.

Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy condemn any form of attack on civilians and would like to call attention to the recent rapid escalation of incidents of violence against Mannar citizens. Aerial bombardment, displacement, involuntary disappearance and abduction are on the increase. Civilians' mobility in Mannar is very much restricted and people live in absolute fear. The two important livelihood activities of Mannar citizens: fishing and agriculture are almost becoming impossible due to the activities of both parties to the conflict. This includes restrictions of farmers' and fishermen's movements, enforcement of time limits on their livelihood activities, confiscation of their capital assets (boats, engines, tractors and water pumps), forced abductions, killings and the demanding of compulsory military service.

Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy reiterate that the current situation is the direct result of the ongoing war. Both the Sri Lankan government and LTTE have been using the present climate of impunity and lawlessness as an excuse for their blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of the civilians.

Mannar Women for Human Rights and Democracy appeal to the Sri Lankan government and LTTE to stop glorifying the war and immediately get back to the negotiating table to begin a serious and meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict. We also demand that the parties to the conflict should adhere to international humanitarian and human rights norms and allow an independent international body to monitor and investigate the abuses by all parties to the conflict.

Meanwhile, the Mannar Citizens' Committee is pleading with the government to end Claymore mine attacks on buses. They have presented the following press note to plead with the government and raise international awareness of the situation in Sri Lanka.

MANNAR CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE

Main Street, Mannar, Sri Lanka. T.P & Fax No.023-2232038, E-mail:citizenmn@yahoo.com.

My No.Mn/Cit/Com/21                                                                                 30.04.2007.

To.

Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse,

His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sri Lanka,

Presidential Secretariat,

Colombo

Your Excellency,

Frequent Claymore Attacks on Long Distance Buses From Mannar.

We the members of the Mannar Citizens’ Committee are compelled by circumstances beyond our control to appeal to your Honor in particular and the conscience of the world community in general about the recent brutal killings perpetrated on the helpless and defenseless bus passengers traveling from Mannar to Vavuniya on 7th of April as well as Mannar to Colombo on 23^rd April 2007.

It is an accepted axiom among the civilized nations of the world that any government worthy of its name should take all measures to protect the lives and properties of its subjects.

Under such desperate and dangerous circumstances the innocent and defenseless citizens of Sri Lanka are left with no alternative, but to appeal to your Excellency for timely intervention and assistance.

May we take the liberty of spotlighting the two recent merciless attacks on the buses packed with passengers by unknown persons within the fully tight security areas of the Sri Lankan security forces.

The attack was perpetrated  at 7.45am on the CTB bus which left for Vavuniya from Mannar at 6.00am on 7^th of April 2007 in the broad daylight. The claymore explosive fitted on to a tree was detonated by some unknown persons in the absolutely controlled area along Kannaty – Piramanalankulam road in the broad daylight.

In this dastardly act of brutality, seven innocent civilians including the driver of the bus and an army soldier were killed on the spot. In addition 25 passengers were wounded and taken to Vavuniya and Anuradhapura hospitals for treatment.

On the 23^rd of April 2007 at about 11.30 pm a gruesome attack was perpetrated on a private bus named “Kabilan” which left Mannar at 9.00 pm fully packed with passengers. The incident took place along Mannar – Madawachchiya road near Manik-Farm. The bus which was hit by a claymore explosion dragged on for a short distance and came to an abrupt halt. According to some survived passengers some unknown armed persons got in to the bus and immediately started firing at random on the passengers who were pitiably crying for help. In this merciless firing 6 persons inclusive of the driver and the conductor of the bus were killed and 37 passengers were wounded.

Both these gruesome incidents had taken place in the controlled areas of the Security Forces.

The people who undertake long night bus journeys rely on the protection of the security forces.

In the above the circumstances our categorical demands are:-

1. To appoint a commission of inquiry into the killings concerned with the two above attacks. The culprits whoever they may be should be identified and brought before law and meted with due punishment.

1. To bring an immediate end to these types of human rights violations, extra judicial killings and extortions which also have raised their ugly heads in the district in the recent past.

1. To take action to see that the government in power in Sri Lanka takes adequate measures to safe-guard the lives of the innocent passengers who solely rely on the protection at the government for their safety and security.  

Thanking You,

Yours faithfully,

……………………………….

N.Jeyabalasingam MA, JP.

Secretary.

Copy to:-

1. Maj. Gen. D.U.Munasinghe – G.O.C, Army Camp, Thallady.
2. Government Agent, Mannar.
3. His Lordship – Bishop of Mannar.

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