Snapped 52: A cluster-bomb deployed by Sri Lanka Air Force in Mullaiththeevu

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Photo is Courtesy of tamilnet.com

SLAF deploys cluster-bombs in Mullaiththeevu
[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 January 2009, 12:36 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers have deployed several cluster bombs in the air attacks last week. After being exposed by TamilNet reports in November and December, 2008, the Russian alphabets on the containers of the cluster munitions, have been masked by paint before deployment by the SLAF.

Snapped 45: Internally STILL DISPLACING Persons, Vanni, January Second week 2009

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Thank to TamilNet.com for the photo and article.

Humanitarian tragedy in Vanni enters deadlier phase[TamilNet, Friday, 16 January 2009, 12:33 GMT]
Indiscriminate artillery, multi-barrel and mortar fire by the Sri Lanka Army from all the corners of shrinking territory centering Puthukkudiyiruppu town, its suburbs and adjoining jungles in the Mullaiththeevu district, which is overcrowded with civilians, has worsened the humanitarian tragedy that has been unfolding in Vanni during the last 4 days. There are deaths and injuries caused to the civilians fleeing the onslaught of the SLA. Medical authorities said the situation was beyond control Friday noon and the hospitals have come under attack and ambulances were not operating. Access route from Vadamaraadchi East has been cut off by the SLA that has entered Chu'ndikku'lam area.


Mullaiththeevu Puthukkudiyiruppu land route also remained blocked due to indiscriminate mortar attacks.

The entire area with civilians has come under artillery range. Gunfire was heard in all the directions.

Unless the shelling is stopped, every shell being fired into the overcrowded area would cause civilian casualties.

The fate of the patients and staff at Kallaa'ru hospital is not known.

The access route for civilians to cross over into Vanni mainland from Vadamaraadchi East has been blocked by the SLA, according to initial reports.

Medical personnel at the hospital in Visuvamadu said the situation was pathetic as SLA-fired shells were exploding in the close vicinity.

SLA shelling has targeted Vallipunam, Chuthanthirapuram.

There are reports of civilian deaths and casualties in Visuvamadu town being vacated by the civilians. Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) attacks targeted Athisaya Vinayakar temple area in Visuvamadu, causing panic among the fleeing civilians.

Detailed reporting and verification of casualties have become difficult under the prevailing circumstances.

Snapped: 42 - Wounded in bombing at kaiveeli, puththukkudiyiruppu on 14th, January 2009 at 12:30 pm local time

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Original photo is from puthinam.com


13 civilians wounded in SLA shelling on Pongkal day
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 14 January 2009, 09:02 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells targeting civilians who have been moving from other areas of Vanni towards Puthukkudiyiruppu, causing injuries to 13 civilians, initial reports from Puthukkudiyiruppu said. The indiscriminate shelling has targeted Kaiveali settlement in Puthukkudiyiruppu division of Mullaiththeevu district. The bombardment comes on civilian settlement comes on Pongkal Day, a common festival of Tamil identity. The Tamil diaspora has called off Pongkal celebrations.

The wounded were rushed to Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital.

The names of the wounded:


S. Manjula, 28, female
K. Laksika, 31, female
K. Monhakumar, 33, male
Gnanam, 34, male
S. Sokkan, 34, male
S. Roxan, 34, male
S. Sivagnanam, 39, male
S. Arulvarathan, 40, male
L. Amaresan, 42, male
T. Thangachchelvan, 42, male
T. Nagaratnam, 46, male
S. Thavamalar, 57, female
K. Elizabeth, 63, female