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May 04 in Mullivaikkal
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On May 4, multiple reports highlighted continued military operations, worsening humanitarian conditions, and increasing international attention on alleged violations.
A United States State Department report cited an internal source within the No Fire Zone stating that the Sri Lankan military was “engaged in daily shelling and bombing of the NFZ, killing an estimated minimum of 100 people per day.” The report further noted repeated attacks on Mullivaikkal Hospital, which severely disrupted medical services and prevented patients from receiving surgery and other essential treatment.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the organisation Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) submitted a communication to the International Criminal Court (ICC), addressed to then-Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo. The letter called for an investigation into senior Sri Lankan political and military figures, including President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, presidential adviser Basil Rajapaksa, and Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. The communication alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against Tamil civilians and stated that the Sri Lankan government was unwilling to conduct an independent investigation.
On the same day, reports also documented mass arrests of Tamil civilians across the country. In Amparai, 160 Tamils were reportedly arrested by Special Task Force (STF) commandos and taken into police custody. In Colombo, six additional arrests were reported, while 76 detainees from detention centres in the Jaffna peninsula were transferred to the Thellippazhai rehabilitation centre.
Separately, diplomatic developments indicated increasing international concern. A leaked United States cable revealed that the U.S. Embassy in Colombo had instructed officials in Geneva to support a special session at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to address the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. The session was later held on May 26–27 but faced criticism from human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch, for failing to call for an independent international investigation into alleged abuses.
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