The escalating conflict in Sri Lanka typically fails to make the evening news in the U.S. Nevertheless, the government's renewed campaign against the LTTE is taking its toll against the innocent working people of Sri Lanka. The aerial bombardment of Iluppaikadavai on January 2, 2007 is a prime example of the barbarity of the ongoing campaign, as the death toll includes not only adult civilians, but children as well.from BBCnews.com:
At least 15 civilians have been killed in an air force raid in north-west Sri Lanka, Tamil Tiger rebels say.
Another 25 civilians were wounded in the attack on a fishing village north of Mannar, the rebels say. The military says it bombed a rebel naval position.
Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph visited the scene of the bombing and said he saw no evidence of rebel activity.
Fighting has risen over the past year, with more than 3,000 people killed. A 2002 truce exists now only on paper.
[...]
"I could not find any Tamil Tiger base in that vicinity. It was a small fishing community. The injured and killed were civilians," he said.
Rebel spokesman Rasaiah Ilanthirayan said four fighter jets had destroyed dozens of civilian houses.
"There are 15 dead bodies and 25 wounded from the bombing," he told Reuters news agency. Four of those killed were children, he said. (full story)
Another 25 civilians were wounded in the attack on a fishing village north of Mannar, the rebels say. The military says it bombed a rebel naval position.
Bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph visited the scene of the bombing and said he saw no evidence of rebel activity.
Fighting has risen over the past year, with more than 3,000 people killed. A 2002 truce exists now only on paper.
[...]
"I could not find any Tamil Tiger base in that vicinity. It was a small fishing community. The injured and killed were civilians," he said.
Rebel spokesman Rasaiah Ilanthirayan said four fighter jets had destroyed dozens of civilian houses.
"There are 15 dead bodies and 25 wounded from the bombing," he told Reuters news agency. Four of those killed were children, he said. (full story)
Relations between the government and the LTTE have deteriorated steadily over the course of the last year, due mostly to consistent provocation and and aggression on the part of the Sri Lankan government. The military continues to harass and even murder innocent civilians, justifying their campaign of terror and repression through their own brand of "antiterrorist" rhetoric. The reality of the situation is this: the Sri Lankan government is imposing drastic security measures to control the growing anger amongst the people in regards to both the ongoing war with the LTTE and the declining living standards of the working people of Sri Lanka. With the imposition of the antiterrorism laws under the guise of "national security", the government is imposing police-state measures throughout the country, particularly in the capital city of Colombo. Sri Lanka's mainstream media is confounding matters by praising the current course of government actions. Severe repression and the marginalization of political opposition are now a very common part of everyday life in Sri Lanka.
Thanks to our friend Sameera for contributing to this article.
