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Sri Lanka's Genocidal War - '95 to '01
The British Refugee Council, Sri Lanka Monitor reported in its June 2000 issue:
"In a petition to the Indian Prime Minister, the Kilinochchi NGO consortium says that the 500,000 population in the Vanni is suffering due to the economic blockade of the Sri Lankan government. The petition came in the wake of the Indian governments announcement of a $100 million loan facility to Sri Lanka for humanitarian assistance. The petition says that the total amount of medicines for the first quarter of 2000 have still not been sent to the Vanni and hospitals are in danger of closing.
The Kilinochchi hospital treated 15,970 patients in May for malaria, diarrhoea and other diseases but ten people died because of lack of medicines. A seriously ill 18 month-old child, died on the way, while being taken from Mallavi hospital to Vavuniya hospital on 14 June. S Sasikala, 3, died of septicaemia in Puthukudyiruppu hospital on 23 June. M Sinthuja, 9, died of pneumonia on 25 June in Mallavi hospital. Mullaitivu District medical officer Dr Sivamohan says that the children could have been saved if medicines were available.
The Vanni is facing additional pressure by the arrival of people fleeing the fighting in Jaffna. Kilinochchis Government Agent says over 3,200 people have arrived. Some 50 people wounded in the bombing and shelling in Jaffna are being treated in Vanni hospitals and 25 in Vavuniya hospital. Reports say Iyampillai Vamadevan, 65, who was injured at Kaithady in Jaffna, died in Kilinochchi hospital in early June..."
Displacement Ordeal in Jaffna Peninsula
"....In Vadamaratchy and Valikamam, more than 16,000 people are accommodated in 138 refugee centres and provided food by the government. Most of these centres lack basic sanitary and water facilities. Thousands of others are living with friends or relatives and most are not receiving any assistance. In late June, Tamil party and government ally, the EPDP, told President Chandrika that dry rations to the refugees and fuel supply were inadequate.
Jaffnas NGOs say that they are unable to assist refugees because the government has severely restricted their activities and funding for the last five years. The ban on local NGO collaboration with international agencies remains in force since 1996. Some 500 students from the Vanni and the east, studying in the Jaffna University, are in great difficulty without sufficient food. As a result of disruption of postal, bank and other public services, money from parents is not reaching them. Following the disruption of telephone services, thousands of people dependent on relatives in other countries, are not receiving money.
In Thenmaratchy Division, 55,000 people, 75% of the population, are displaced. Reports say schools in Vadamaratchy and other areas are unable to accommodate the 19,500 students displaced from Thenmaratchy. Fifty nine schools and 84 nurseries in the region remain closed. Ten churches and 75 Hindu temples are also closed. Eight temples, including the Sivan temple at Chavakachcheri, have been damaged..." (British Refugee Council, Sri Lanka Monitor, June 2000)
