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May 09 in Mullivaikkal
- 9 mei
- 1 minuten om te lezen
On May 9, reports highlighted intensified military operations, worsening humanitarian conditions, and increased international scrutiny.
Sri Lankan authorities arrested three British journalists from Channel 4 News. The journalists had reportedly been investigating conditions faced by war-affected civilians and allegations of sexual abuse in camps housing displaced persons from the northern conflict zone. Their arrest reflected heightened restrictions on media access and reporting within the country.
In a separate development, the head of the Sri Lankan Army, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, travelled to Vavuniya to meet senior military commanders and review the security situation in the Vanni region. According to military statements, he received briefings from ground commanders and issued further operational instructions regarding ongoing military activities.
Humanitarian conditions within the No Fire Zone continued to deteriorate. Reports indicated severe malnutrition, with newborn infants suffering from conditions such as jaundice due to acute shortages of food and medical supplies.
Military operations also intensified during this period. Heavy weapons fire was reportedly directed into the No Fire Zone as the last International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)-chartered ferry departed the conflict area. The ICRC confirmed that fighting had previously prevented the ferry from approaching the shore. The organisation described the situation of civilians remaining in the area as “desperate” and called for immediate, unhindered humanitarian access to save lives.
Further reports from the United States State Department indicated sustained and widespread shelling of the No Fire Zone. A local source described artillery fire coming from multiple directions over a prolonged period of more than 12 hours, estimating that over 1,000 people were killed and another 1,000 injured during the bombardment.
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