May 06 in Mullivaikkal

On May 6, reports continued to document worsening humanitarian conditions, including ongoing attacks on medical facilities and increasing deaths due to starvation and lack of medical care.

A United States State Department report stated that remaining hospital facilities were repeatedly struck by Sri Lankan Army (SLA) shelling, despite their locations having been clearly communicated to the authorities. The report cited local sources indicating that medical infrastructure within the conflict zone continued to be targeted, severely limiting access to treatment for injured civilians.

The same report also highlighted a sharp rise in civilian deaths caused by starvation and medical shortages. According to organisational sources, there was a belief that the Government of Sri Lanka was deliberately obstructing the delivery of essential medicines to the No Fire Zone. It was reported that at least 20 people had died within a one-week period due to starvation and lack of medical care, with the elderly being particularly affected.

In addition, deaths were reported outside the No Fire Zone in detention settings. At Vavuniya detention centres, ten elderly individuals reportedly died on May 4 due to starvation and inadequate conditions, indicating that the humanitarian crisis extended beyond the immediate conflict area.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/05/08/sri-lanka-repeated-shelling-hospitals-evidence-war-crimes