SLMM

Violations of the Ceasefire Agreement

SLMM Colombo: 9 June 2006

SLMM receives Complaints of possible Violations of the Ceasefire Agreement from the Government of Sri Lanka, the LTTE Leadership and the armed forces of both Parties. However a vast number of complaints come from the General Public in North and East Sri Lanka.

The intention of SLMM is to reduce the tension between the Parties by rapidly inquiring into any alleged Ceasefire violation. SLMM then tries to solve problems and disputes that arise through the SLMM Local Monitoring Committees in the districts and/or through direct contact between SLMM HQ and the top leadership of the Parties.

SLMM informs the Parties on a regular basis about ruled violations. SLMM estimates that received complaints are only a part of the actual Ceasefire violations. It must be underlined that the recent escalation of violence has resulted in nearly 600 people dying this year alone. Over half of these are civilians. The SLMM was set up to monitor the Ceasefire and make inquiries into violations but the mission does not have a mandate or the resources to enforce security in the country or conduct police work. Most of the killings occurring this year have gone unpunished and the perpetrators remain at large. SLMM is therefore unable to rule most of these individual cases due to lack of evidence. The number of ruled violations in recent times does therefore not reflect the real level of committed violations.

The following report was originally intended to be submitted at the second round of Geneva talks. The Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam reached an agreement in their meeting in Geneva in February where they recommitted themselves to adhere to the CFA. The SLMM was to report on the Parties’ performance in the period between the two Geneva meetings.

Unfortunately the second round of Geneva did not take place as scheduled but SLMM has nevertheless kept an updated report which can be seen below. The reporting period is 24 February to 24 May 2006.

Source:

Geneva Report