Introduction 

The war within Sri Lanka entering its 17th year has resulted in a severe death toll of civilians, armed forces and the LTTE– properties were destroyed-and above all a mass exodus of Tamils from the war torn North and East to the capital.

Although the government enforced an embargo on the areas under control by the LTTE it is the civilians who are suffering without food supply or medical aid. The ICRC has also brought this to the notice of the government. There were reports to say that the food and medicine sent for civilians were robbed by LTTE.

The LTTE is still actively engaged in bombing to disrupt life in the Western Province. At times the tamil civilians who are living in the army controlled fall victims to their shelling.

During a TV news item, the camera was focused on an elder’s home- for females in Wellawatte Most of them said that they entered the Home for two reasons:

  1. Their children are all abroad and

  2. They could not stand the sound of bombs and shelling in Jaffna.

They said they would have become nervous wrecks had they remained there. A few Elders’ Homes have come up in the city and the inmates feel it is a haven for them away from the sound of bombs.

Human Rights Situation

Due to the on going war Human Rights are violated in more ways than one, by those involved in the fight. According to the information we got such violations have taken place in the North and East and there have been cases of disappearances and deaths.

There have been incidents of torture, arbitrary arrests and detention.

Prison conditions are not satisfactory and we wish to point out some instances of death while in custody.

The government has always insisted on respect for Human Rights-but finds it difficult to enforce the ideal in war torn areas in the North and East. We hope the new millenium will bring in more improvements in the treatment of the arrested and those in custody.