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May 14 in Mullivaikkal
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On May 14, the humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate as international calls for access increased, evacuation attempts stalled, and large-scale civilian displacement and military activity persisted.
International actors pressed the Government of Sri Lanka to grant United Nations access to the conflict zone as soon as possible and to facilitate a visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon later that month. Military sources reported that at least 1,200 civilians escaped the conflict area on this day, with indications that larger numbers were attempting to flee. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported continued inability to evacuate patients or offload humanitarian supplies from boats offshore, despite repeated efforts to obtain security guarantees since May 9. Both the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka reportedly acknowledged and welcomed the international attention following the previous day’s statement by U.S. President Barack Obama.
The Government of Sri Lanka also established a special Task Force focused on the return, rehabilitation, and development of internally displaced persons in the northern region over the following year.
Inside the conflict zone, conditions for medical care collapsed further. The last remaining makeshift hospital, located in a school building, ceased functioning due to intensified shelling. The OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) reported that after May 14, medical staff were no longer able to access the facility due to the severity of attacks, leaving dozens of patients behind who could not be evacuated.
The LTTE Peace Secretariat reported continued heavy shelling and claimed that approximately 1,700 civilians had been killed and more than 3,000 injured within a 48-hour period due to sustained artillery and mortar fire. LTTE political head B. Nadesan also issued a statement welcoming President Barack Obama’s call for an end to shelling and expressing appreciation for international attention to the crisis.
At the same time, internal developments within the LTTE indicated significant shifts. According to OISL findings, several senior LTTE political figures began initiating surrender discussions, alongside injured cadres and civilians. Tamil Members of Parliament reportedly communicated with government representatives, indicating that LTTE members had laid down arms and were preparing to surrender. Government official Basil Rajapaksa reportedly responded by noting that military forces were already issuing instructions encouraging civilians to move towards designated crossing points under white flag instructions.
Additional reports highlighted ongoing insecurity outside the conflict zone. A Tamil youth from Maangkea’ni in Vaakarai, Trincomalee District, was reported missing after leaving for a fishing area, with a formal complaint lodged with local police.
In the United Kingdom, the conflict was debated in Parliament. During the discussion, Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn called for increased international pressure on Sri Lanka, including diplomatic isolation, to secure a ceasefire and ensure civilian protection.
Meanwhile, security operations continued across Sri Lanka. Nine Tamil youths were reportedly arrested in Colombo during searches conducted in the Fort and Pettah areas, with detainees identified as originating from northern, eastern, and upcountry regions.
The OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka also reported that LTTE leadership issued instructions on May 14 not to obstruct civilians attempting to flee the conflict zone. From this point, large numbers of civilians reportedly moved toward government-controlled areas along designated routes, while remaining LTTE personnel increasingly blended into civilian populations, with many discarding uniforms and weapons as they attempted to leave the conflict area.
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