Erik Solheim condemns Sri Lanka Army for unprovoked shelling at Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in Pooneryn

Tracking the Norwegian Conflict Resolution Initiative

Erik Solheim condemns Sri Lanka Army for unprovoked shelling
at Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in Pooneryn
[TamilNet, Thursday, 09 November 2006, 08:49 GMT]

"...There was clear sight....it was impossible to misunderstand the situation. The army was in advance informed of the meeting which was about inspecting the pathway that has been damaged. SLA fired artillery shells started to hit the ground first at 100 meter distance, but gradually the shells began approaching the delegation, at closest 50 meter from the Head of Mission. One of the vehicles was pushed off the path due to the air pressure caused by the artillery shelling..." Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim

Norwegian International Development Minister Erik Solheim, after talking to the Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission Major General Lars Johan Sølvberg, who narrowly escaped from the Sri Lanka Army shelling while inspecting the Pooneryn jetty Wednesday, told the online edition of VG, the largest national paper in Norway, that the shelling was launched after the former Norwegian Army Commander, had arrived at the site and it was gradually directed towards the delegation. "The most serious [act] is that the army fired at this level towards an unprovoking target," Mr. Erik Solheim told the paper describing the episode as a highly dangerous situation.

There was clear sight, Erik Solheim told the paper adding that it was impossible to misunderstand the situation. The army was in advance informed of the meeting which was about inspecting the pathway that has been damaged. SLA fired artillery shells started to hit the ground first at 100 meter distance, but gradually the shells began approaching the delegation, at closest 50 meter from the Head of Mission. One of the vehicles was pushed off the path due to the air pressure caused by the artillery shelling, the paper said.

Solheim, describing the experienced 54-years-old Norwegian Major General as a "quiet and calm" person said the Head of Mission feared for his life while he came under artillery fire. Meanwhile, in an interview to the Norwegian state owned NRK Radio, Erik Solheim said: "there is no doubt that shells were aimed gradually to kill those who were there. Probably those who fired did not know that they were shelling at the Norwegian observers." "However, it is a very, very serious situation, where the Sri Lankan government soldiers have fired to kill unarmed people," the minister told NRK.

Commenting on the attack on refugee camp in Vaaharai Solheim said it was a violation of what parties promised in Geneva ten days ago. Attacking unarmed people who were not provoking and attacking internally displaced people in which many women and children are reported to have been killed, is a violation of the cease fire agreement which both sides claim that they are observing, he told the radio.

Paul-Erik Bjerke, 34, who was together with Sølvberg at Pooneryn Wednesday was the youngest man in SLMM when he was sent on mission for the first time to Sri Lanka in 2002, according to VG Nett.

SLMM Head, visiting Pooneryn, comes under artillery fire
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 08 November 2006, 10:04 GMT]

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells crossed over the Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Major General Lars Johan Sølvberg and his delegation who were visiting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) controlled Pooneryn jetty Wednesday evening to undertake a feasibiity study on Colombo's latest suggestion in opening Pooneryin Sangupitty Road as an alternative to A9. SLA fired artillery shells exploded 200 meters behind in Pooneryn jetty area while the delegation was visiting the site for inspection around 3:15 p.m. The Norwegian Major General returned safely, LTTE officials told TamilNet. While returning, artillery shells exploded at 20 meter distance. The visit took place after informing the Sri Lankan defence authorities.

The LTTE Peace Secretariat officials in Kilinocchi said they wanted the Head of SLMM to inspect and verify himself that the Sangupitty - Pooneryn - Mannar Road is not fit as a landroute alternative to A9. Director of LTTE's Peace Secretariat, S. Puleedevan, told TamilNet that 500 meters of road in the jetty area had been wiped out as SLA artillery and MBRL rocket launchers have been pounding the narrow strip during the last weeks. In addition, there was no land route for 800 meters where ferry service was required. Maj. Gen. Lars Johan Sølvberg also inspected the Pooneryn - Mannar Road, Mr. Puleedevan said. He further said that the road was not a usable alternative to A9. "It would require months, if not an year to get the the pathway usable, he said, denouncing the route as an alternative to A9. Johan Sølvberg visited LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi Wednesday with the Sri Lankan suggestion forwarded by the Sri Lankan Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP).