An American Academic on

The Civil Administration in Thamil Eelam

A US Academic, who spent several months in Thamileelam during the last three years (1994 - 1996), has just returned.

In this special report to the Tamil Voice, he outlines his observations on the LTTE administration of the north. I spent a total of 18 months in the northern province of Sri Lanka since early 1994, as a volunteer working with farmers and educators. During this period I came to know the LTTE administrators and their administration of the Northern Province areas under their control.

My observations below are based on that experience.

The Sri Lanka government services are provided through the Government Agent (and the divisions within his responsibility) and by government ministries, such as the departments of Agriculture, Education, Health, Irrigation, etc. Since 1988/89, positions in the north that became vacant due to retirement, resignation or transfer have not been filled in any of the government departments. Equipment, such as machinery, vehicles, etc. for the conduct of government services also have not been replaced since that time. As such, government services are provided by a skeleton staff, with none of the facilities that their counterparts in the rest of the island have. Electricity, transport, water and other such departments of the government do not function at all in the North.

The civil administration in the north, with the exception of the army camps, are under the control of the LTTE. Mr. Prabakaran is the Leader, equivalent to Head of State. The LTTE civil administration is headed by Mr. Thamilchelvam. The two major administrative regions are the Jaffna Peninsula and the Vanni region. Services are provided by "sectors," and each sector is headed by a secretary (Porupalar - literal meaning person responsible) - an LTTE appointee.

The Porupalar for Thamil Eelam Financial Division is Mr. Thamilanthi. Transport and Trade affairs are also the responsibility of the Finance sector. The Secretary of Justice is Mr. Para. The Secretary of the Protection Department (Police) is Mr. Nadesan. Mr. Ravi Champion heads the Economic Development Department (EDD) which is responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, Industry, and Environment. The Education Department is headed by Mr. llangkumar. I have not met the person in charge of the Health Department. Each of the Districts in the Vanni region and the Jaffna peninsula have LTTE offices for each of the Department and sections within the departments such as Finance, Justice, Police and EDD. At the district level there are about 20 divisions functioning through committees, structured on functional as well as on departmental basis. The EDD has a division consisting of 12 persons at the village level for each of their divisions.

The Visa (Pass) office, under the internal security division within the Eelam government, has offices in all towns. Visa or Pass is required to go out of the Northern region. When entering the Northern region visa is issued at the Omanthai LTTE checkpoint. At Thandikulam (Vavuniya) the Sri Lanka government issues a permit to go into Vavuniya town or to other parts of Sri Lanka. People who are fifty and over have no restrictions on leaving or entering the LTTE controlled area. However, those who are under 50 have to get someone to stand surety (bond) before they leave. Those who wish to leave the North for good have to pay an "exit fee". The amount depends on the financial status of the family. It can be up to Rs.300,000 per person.

At the district level, the LTTE staff coordinate their activities with the Government Agent (GA) and his staff. No decisions that concern the welfare of the people or the land is taken by the GA’s office or government officers or committees without consultation with LTTE officers responsible for the sector and/or area. In effect the GA’s office, except for the routine government affairs such as salaries, pensions and other such matters, is used as an arm of the LTTE government.

Transportation
The civilian air link to the northeast was cut off in 1990. The shipping lanes are also closed to traffic other than the army and the international humanitarian agencies such as ICRC, UNHCR. There are no train services in the north. The railway lines in the north were destroyed during and after the Indian occupation. There are no tracks or stations now. Because of the embargo on iron, the railway lines are used as a source of iron. The train service up to the northern border town of Vavuniya is functioning on a regular basis. The journey of about 160km from Vavuniya to Jaffna takes 16 to 36 hours by road and sea. The roads are no longer maintained by the government, though the GA allocates limited funds sporadically to the LTTE operated infrastructure sector. There are foot-deep potholes on the roads, as well as on the gravel and sand tracks, which were once highways. A total ban on tar and road machinery has prevented repair of the roads. The LTTE administration has done limited repairs with locally available materials.

The LTTE administration has prepared blueprints ready to build airports, seaports, town centres and a comprehensive road and railway network, schools and other buildings in the northeast before the current hostilities started in April 1995.

Means of transport

There are no planes, cargo ships, trains, large buses, trucks or new cars in the north, for a population of over 1.2 million. There are approximately 200 pre-1956 Morris minor and Austin cars, 300 trishaws, 400 vans used as buses, and a few hundred motorcycles. In all there are less than 2000 vehicles in operation. This is less than 10% of the vehicles that were in the North prior to 1956. Vehicle population in the north is less than 1% of the total vehicle population of Sri Lanka. This state of affairs was brought about not only by the economic blockade and embargo, but also due to the confiscation and destruction of vehicles by the invading Sri Lankan and Indian armies.

The main mode of passenger and small goods transport is bicycles, which number over 200,000. Most people walk or cycle (2 to 3 people on a bicycle is the norm). The LTTE operates public (road and sea) transport services. Privately run road transportation is also available. The fares, operations and passenger loads are prescribed and enforced by the LTTE administration. In spite of the limited vehicles, fuel, spare parts and tyres, the road and sea transport is efficient, reliable and orderly.

Communications
The north has no telecommunications link with the rest of the island or world. In total about 100 computers were in use before the October 95 offensive. The Sri Lankan radio and television programs are received in certain parts of the north with a tall antenna. International radio stations are the main source of reliable news. The LTTE operates an FM station for a few hours each day.

Electricity
Electricity was cut off to the north in 1990. The power lines and the transformers are now in disrepair. Electricity is produced in small amounts by tiny generators, solar panels and windmills. Biogas is also produced. Kerosene lamps are used at night to study and for housework. Remarkably, research and development is carried out, despite the army embargo and blockade, to produce large scale cheap energy from sources such as wind, waves, solar power and methanol gas. Firewood or kerosene is used for cooking.

Sewage
In the absence of a public sewage system, there are only individual septic tanks. This is now encouraged and regulated by the LTTE to protect the environment and control water pollution. Since the 1990 embargo on chlorine and cement, the latrines and wells are not repaired adequately and, the wells are not disinfected properly. This has lead to dangerous levels of coliforms in the drinking water. There are no pipe water systems for households. Water is drawn from the well by kerosene pumps or humans. Water pumps are a banned item and what is available now are those brought in before the war started. During the past four years some of the reservoirs, ponds and canals which the Sri Lankan government failed to repair, are being repaired. Cement is a banned item and repairs to reservoirs last only an year or two.

Schools and universities

Schools were functioning normally (with a Thamil curriculum, sports, music, dancing and prayers) before the invasion by the Sri Lankan army in October ‘95. University admissions are on a point system. Private tutories were flourishing. University faculties were operating with limited resources and facilities. Repairs to buildings and equipment are not done due to the embargo. The Faculty of Agriculture conducts lectures in wall-less, thatch-roof buildings. Computer education is only at the theoretical level due to the embargo on computers and lack of electricity. Except for the Faculty of Agriculture at Kilinochchi, no other faculties of the University are functioning since the October ‘95 army offensive. The university administration is now in Kilinochchi and Chavakachcheri. The staff and students are scattered in Vadamaratchchi, Thenmarachchi and the Vanni. The schools in the North were also disrupted in October. All schools in the North were closed to accommodate the refugees from Valigamam. In 1990-92 the schools in the islands and the northern coast were closed due to army operation that resulted in displacement of the people from these areas. In March the LTTE administration reopened the schools at the request of the parents and teachers.

Agriculture
This is a success story for the LTTE administrators. In 1994 I reviewed the agriculture policy manual of Thamil Eelam. It is a superb modern document which addressed all environmental concerns and the sustainability of agriculture production. I could not make any improvements on it. Despite the war agricultural production reached a point that, if not for the war, and the embargo on Ammonium sulphate, the north would have been in a position to export rice. This is something the Sinhalese government has tried to do since independence and has failed. LTTE achieved this within four years despite the war and the army embargo and blockade. Various cash crops like potatoes, tobacco, and fruit trees, are being cultivated very successfully. Agricultural research stations and garden centres have been set up by LTTE to ensure that the agricultural revolution is complete and the north can be self-sufficient, once peace returns.

When the government banned ammonium fertilizer to the north around July/August 1995, the LTTE administration established a food production program called "Vilai Poomi" with the advice and assistance of the Faculty of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare Societies and the extension staff working in the area. The government actions and the drought have hampered the program.

The process by which the Vilai Poomi project was established is a good example of the LTTE philosophy on administration and government. With the embargo on Ammonium Sulphate the EDD estimated that the north will not be able to achieve the yields of the previous years. They then brought together farmers, agriculturists, researchers and extension workers to a two-day Seminar/workshop in September 1995, to discuss a plan prepared by the agriculturists and researchers from the University and the Regional Agricultural Research Station on food production with locally available material.

The Seminar was organized by EDD (agriculture section) with Mr. Champion giving the keynote address. It was held at the Faculty of Agriculture in Kilinochchi. The conference was opened and closed by Mr. Karikalan, who was in charge of affairs for the Vanni and Eastern Region. The Government Agent of Kilinochchi took part in the final stages of the workshop. Students of agriculture and the Sri Lankan government agriculture extension officers from the northern districts were actively involved in the preparation of the final project which was approved at the conference. At no point did the members of the LTTE interfere in the deliberations or decisions of the professional groups.

The decisions were approved by the workshop and given to the District Agriculture Committee (DAC) in the Northern Province who adopted it. The DAC consists of all the heads of divisions, the GA’s senior staff, heads of other government departments, University deans and heads, farmers and other key citizens. LTTE members were also present and the GA was the Chairman. In October 1995, the DAC appointed a sub-committee to implement the Vilai Poomi project. The EDD assisted and encouraged the implantation of the project.

All farmers are registered with the EDD. All assistance to the farmers and distribution of scarce inputs are sold through the EDD and the government agrarian services staff.

Fuel
Due to the embargo and economic blockade the fuel supply is limited. Fuel is received by the GA for the Multipurpose Co-operative Societies (MPCS). The distribution is monitored and controlled by the LTTE administration. There are no petrol stations. Instead, road-side stalls sell kerosene in bottles. Most small spare parts for the cars are made in local workshops. Diesel is rationed and is used only to operate the few generators still left in the north. Since April, 1995 diesel is not available, but locally made diesel is available in small quantities. Tractors and other machinery operate on kerosene, and the local craftsmen have developed a unit which is attached to the exhaust manifold of cars that allows kerosene to be used instead of petrol. The University operates their generators for about two hours at night and thereafter the students use the kerosene lamps. During kerosene shortage or when kerosene was required for the boats and lorries to transport displaced persons in November last year, kerosene sale was restricted to one litre per family per week. The trade of kerosene is monitored by the LTTE administration. No one is exempt from the rule.

Industry
I have studied the industrial development policy manual of Thamil Eelam. It is a modern plan of a free-enterprise system, with environmental protection and human safeguards built in. The Industrial Development Organization (IDO) of the EDD is responsible for promoting industrial development with loans and technical assistance. IDO also monitors the quality of the products and their environmental impact, and makes recommendations to the manufacturers.

Industrial development in the north is suffering due to lack of electricity and fuel. This makes it impossible to start any large scale industries. Most of the industries are small cottage industries with power derived from human and animal effort. Some of these industries are sponsored by the LTTE. Despite the killing of several technicians and artisans by the Sri Lankan and the Indian Armies (and migration of others due to fear for their lives and unemployment), the LTTE has managed to train a new generation of workers with technical skills.

Housing
Very few new houses were built during the past 12 years. This is mainly due to the current war. The economic embargo and the blockade have made it difficult to build or repair homes especially those which were damaged by bombings and shelling by the Sri Lankan and Indian occupation forces. Most homes are over 30 years old. Those houses that were abandoned by the fleeing refugees are now maintained by the LTTE civil administration and given back to the owners who returned. House prices have appreciated significantly during the past 5 years. This is due to the shortage of housing created by the Sri Lankan and Indian armies who not only took over some of the residences, but also destroyed over half the residences, offices, shops, factories, cinemas, and warehouses. The government has not replaced them or paid compensation or given permits to purchase building materials for reconstruction. Property rights are now protected by the LTTE.

Hospitals and clinics

The largest hospital in the north, the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, is not functioning. Other hospitals and clinics outside Jaffna city are operating with limited facilities despite the current invasion. This was possible only because of financial aid and human resources assistance to supplement the local doctors and nurses from the Christian missionaries, Red Cross, Care and other international charities. There are still a number of Thamil doctors and nurses working and practicing in the north on the strength of protection given by the LTTE. No new hospitals have been built during the past twenty years and the limited facilities and medicines available are reminiscent of pre World War II conditions in the north, or 19th century Europe. All aid and donations from foreign government and aid bodies have been diverted to the South in an attempt to force the northern residents to poverty and ill health, to pave the way for military, social, political and economic domination from the south.

Licenses and taxes

Licenses and taxes are collected to operate various services including a police force and a justice system. All motor vehicles and bicycles have to take a license and carry number or license plates issued by the LTTE administration. To protect the palmyrah and coconut trees an annual duty is levied. Cutting down these and other trees is by special permission only. There is also a tax on the sale of goods and services, and a duty on property transactions.

Banking system

Banks from the south are still operating in the north, mostly for taking deposits from the thrifty residents and to lend for business, speculation and development in the south. This is at the expense of the northern residents who need financing for agriculture, fishing. business vehicles, machinery, trade, housing and education. Banks from the south continue to earn commissions from foreign remittances by overseas Tamils, which amount to over US$300 million per year. In addition, the banks are charging a tax on these remittances to finance the war. The banks also use very old currency bank notes which are put together with cello-tape or gum. The above were some of the points brought up by the north with the banks and the government, but to date it appears no steps have been taken to rectify the problems faced by the Tamils.

Since October, 1995, The Peoples Bank branch in Kilinochchi and other cities in the north has refused any loans to the farmers or traders, even though 85 to 90% of the loans are paid back. The rate of repayment in the south was 20 to 25%, but there loans are written off and new loans are given. The LTTE administration guarantees the loans and ensures the loans are paid back. In 1994 the repayment rate was 100%.

To meet the shortage of capital to finance small businesses, farmers, fishermen and others in need of capital for economic development, the LTTE has set up a rural development bank and a commercial deposit taking bank. In addition, there is also a finance company operated by north-east entrepreneurs.

Bribery and corruption

The LTTE administration has been successful in virtually wiping out the caste system, bribery, corruption and begging. The age old dowry system is under review. The LTTE, with the assistance of progressive Thamils, is conducting an education campaign to abolish the dowry system. These social evils have not only hampered economic and social progress, but created dishonest politicians, administrators, businessmen and civilians in the whole of Sri Lanka.

Unemployment
Another great achievement of the LTTE administration is the successful reduction in unemployment and the substantial increase in the employment opportunities for women. Following the world trend, a high proportion of women are employed in the medical, judicial, security, police, professional and administrative services. Their performance in terms of professionalism, attitude and politeness gives Tamils hope for greater achievement in economic and social progress in the future. Practically every person who is willing to work and perform well is offered employment at reasonable wages, similar to wages paid by the Sri Lanka government or related businesses. In fact, there were vacancies for skilled workers, teachers and professionals before the current invasion by the Sri Lanka armed forces.

Discipline
Discipline is another area in which the LTTE administration has made progress. In waiting for a bus or a boat, people stand in queues in an orderly fashion. Hire vehicles take their turn.

The safety of all vehicles and especially the boats are rigorously checked. The safety of passengers who travel long distances at night are ensured by the LTTE imposed logistics.

High priority is given to the eradication of poverty. The northern residents, despite the economic embargo and the blockade, are reasonably well dressed, groomed and observe reasonable standards of hygiene. Public places are kept clean.

Police force

The LTTE administration has

(Courtesy : www.sangam.org)

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Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

August 11, 2000

The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright
Secretary of State
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Secretary Albright,

I would like to express my concern over the conflict in Sri Lanka and the worsening humanitarian crisis between the government and its Tamil community.

Despite their financial and military superiority, the government of Sri Lanka has not been able to contain the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). On innumerable occasions, the LTTE has demonstrated the ability to launch hit-and-run attacks from the northern jungles, and have succeeded in reversing government gains on the battlefield. President Chandrika Kumaratunga has stated that the conflict is unwinnable. Attempts at a peaceful settlement have also stalled. President Kumaratunga’s constitutional reforms could not muster a two-thirds majority in the parliament and any hope for a non-violent resolution to the conflict have all but disappeared. The bill will most likely not pass before the parliament dissolves later this month.

As this conflict continues, civilians in LTTE controlled areas are suffering. Sri Lankan authorities have implemented an oppressive press-censorship policy and have not allowed essential supplies, including baby food and medicine, to be distributed in these regions. Such abuses of human rights will not stop until a resolution to the conflict is found.

The United States should take a more active role to resolve this dispute. It is crucial we express our disapproval over the media ban and urge the Sri Lankan government to allow humanitarian aid into LTTE controlled areas. We must do all we can to ease the suffering of innocent people caught in this crisis.

I look forward to hearing your perspective on this situation.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

SHERROD BROWN
Member of Congress

* * * * * *

ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, DC 20515

August 30, 2000

The Honorab1e Madeleine K. Albright
Secretary of State
United States Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Madam Secretary,

On June 29, 2000. 1 wrote to you regarding my concerns over the worsening conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka. Specifically, I noted that serious human rights violations continue to occur in Sri Lanka and that the parties engaged in the conflict in that county have failed to begin meaningful negotiations.

Earlier this month, I authorized Adolfo Franco, Counsel of the House International Relations Committee, to visit Sri Lanka to assess the situation in that country. It is my understanding that humanitarian efforts continue to be impeded by needless government-imposed bureaucratic measures and that vitally needed food, medicine, and relief supplies are not adequate in the north and east of the country.

Moreover, the parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka have not begun serious negotiations but rather appear to be poised to renew the conflict in earnest in the near term. A continued lack of a free press and international media coverage have only contributed to the problems in Sri Lanka. Most disturbingly, violations of human rights and due process of law appear to continue unabated Therefore, I again urge you to express our government’s disp1easure concerning the human rights and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, and to encourage the parties to the conflict to commence genuine negotiations.

In closing, I also wish to express my appreciation for the outstanding work of our U.S. Embassy personnel in Sri Lanka. I am grateful for the valuable assistance and insights provided by Charge d’affaires W. Lewis Amselem, Political Officers Andrew Mann and Kevin McGlothlin, and Economic Officer Ian Sheridan. These exemplary professionals should be commended for their fine service to our country.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding my concerns.

With best wishes,

* * * * * *

Congressman Brad Sherman
24th District, California
SERVING THE SAN FERNANDO AND CONEJO VALLEYS
LAS VIRGENES AND MALIBU

July 25, 2000

The Honorable Madeline K. Albright
Secretary
U.S. Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Madam Secretary,

I am writing to express my concern over the situation in Sri Lanka.

National security and humanitarian concerns should compel us to step up the efforts to guarantee a timely and fair resolution to the conflict between the Tamil insurgents and the Sri Lankan government. The current standstill in the Jaffna Peninsula seems to encourage both sides to a negotiated settlement.

While cooperating with the international community toward this end, we should endeavor to get assurances from both sides that human rights are being protected and basic human needs are being addressed. Furthermore, we should use our good offices to urge the Sri Lankan government to allow the international press to travel to the northern and eastern regions of that country.

I look forward to hearing from you on the course of action the Administration is adopting on this matter.

Sincerely

Brad Sherman
Member of Congress

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ONE HUNDRED SIXTH CONGRESS
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, DC 20515

June 29, 2000

The Honorable Madeline K. Albright

Secretary

Department of State

Washington. D.C. 20520

Dear Madam Secretary:

I am writing to express my concern over the war and worsening humanitarian crises in Sri Lanka. It is time that our government take a more active role in resolving the crises.

The Tamil Tigers are well positioned to soon retake Jaffna. The Indian government has agreed to evacuate the trapped Sri Lankan government soldiers if both the Tigers and Colombo agree. In order for the evacuation to take place, the government will probably have to abandon their military equipment. This will be a decisive political and military victory for the Tigers.

The process of negotiations begun by Norway could begin to move forward due to the Tigers likelihood of taking over Jaffna. Although New Delhi and Colombo publically state that they will not support independence for the Tamils, it is unclear what the parties, including the Tigers, are really willing to accept. The Norwegians have the agreement of all concerned parties to help begin negotiations and Norwegian diplomats have made several visits to both India and Sri Lanka. The U.S. should make it clear that we would support all options including secession to be discussed in the negotiating process. If all preconditions are lifted then all the parties could get on with the process of resolving their differences.

The Sri Lankan government has a long history of repressing the human rights of the Tamil people. In addition, the Sri Lankan government’s embargo on food, medicine and other essentials to the Tamil people has caused a humanitarian crisis. Its ban on access for the media to the war zones could indicate that the Sri Lankan government is concerned that the outside world may learn things that may not reflect well on its image. For these reasons, it is critical that we express our displeasure over the media ban, we ensure that the flow of arms and training by the U.S. end immediately, and we strongly urge the Sri Lanka to permit humanitarian aid to enter Jaffna.

Thank you for your kind attention and I look forward to hearing shortly from you regarding this matter.

With best wishes,

* * * * * *

Congress of the United States
Washington DC 20515

June 29, 2000

Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
President of The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Temple Trees
Colombo 3
Sri Lanka

Dear Madam President,

We are writing to express our concern for the refugees who are trapped within the Jaffna Peninsula amid fighting between government forces and the Tamil guerrillas. We ask that the government of Sri Lanka wake every effort to secure the safety of these refugees.

Since the escalation of the conflict between the Sri Lankan authorities and the Tamil guerrillas in 1995, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced within Sri Lanka. Nearly 75% of persons internally displaced in Sri Lanka are women and children.

Due to the most recent outbreak of violence, we have heard reports that the number of refugees in northern Sri Lanka has doubled to more than 16,000 in the past few weeks. Moreover, International aid workers estimate that the war has driven 150,000 people from their homes. Many residents of the Jaffna peninsula have sought shelter in temples, mosques and churches, but basic necessities like food and medicine are in short supply. Telephone lines to the peninsula have been cut, and journalists are prohibited from traveling to the battle zone, making it difficult to assess how devastating the impact has been on the civilian population. Furthermore, there are reports that civilians have been killed by artillery fire and bombings.

We are particularly impressed with the role the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has played in advocating for the protection of basic rights and the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka, and we hope that these two impartial organizations can play a greater role in securing the safety of the Jaffna refugees.

While we respect your government’s sovereignty to handle internal conflicts and preserve national security, we request that the Sri Lankan government do everything within its power to permit international aid agencies (specifically UNHCR and ICRC) to help innocent civilians in the Jaffna Peninsula trapped between government troops and rebels move to safer areas to be determined by UNHCR and the ICRC.

We thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

* * * * * *

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ON SRI LANKA

(Report dated January 30, 1998)

1 - Impunity remains a serious problem.

2 - Since April 1995 at least 700 persons has been extrajudicially killed by the security forces or disappeared after being taken into security forces custody and are presumed dead.

3 - Almost all senior military officers now serving were med-level officers during the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) uprsing.

4 - In October 1995, 22 members of the STF were arrested and detained under the ER (Emergency Regulations) on suspicion of murdering 23 Tamil youths whose bodies were found floating in Bolgoda Lake. The suspects were released on bail and resumed their police functions in February 1996.

5 - Human Rights Commission (HRC) which replaced the Human Rights Task Force (HRTF) has  being routinely ignored by the security forces.

6 - Although security forces personnel can be fined or jailed for failure to comply with the ER, none were known to have been punished during the year.

7 - Members of the security forces continued to tortued and mistreat detainees and other prisoners, both male and femaleparticularly during interrogation. Progovernment Tamil militants in the east and north, directly responsbile to the security forces, also engaged in torure.

8 - The PTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) permits detention without charge for upto 18 months. In some cases, Tamils have been detained without charge under the PTA for up to 4 years.

9 - There are approximately 1,100 people now remanded under the PTA.

10 - Over 400,000 people remain displaced by the past 2 years of fighting.

11 - A military offensive in the Vanni that began in May created over 70,000 newly displaced people.

12 - No army or other security forces personnel were prosecuted or disciplined for executing prisoners.

13 - 64,000 Tamil refugees were alredy estimated to live in camps there. Another 100,000 refugees are believed to have been integrated into Tamil society in southern India.

14 - On February 20, a boat carrying ethnic Tamils fleeing the fighting reportedly overturned. Authorities believe that approximately 165 persons were killed.

15 - The government estimates that there are more than 2,000 active child prostitutes in the country.

16 - 19,123 children between the ages of 10 and 14 were fully employed. This included 15,495 males and 3,628 females. Addtional thousands of children (estimates range from 50,000 to 100,000) are believed to be employed in domestic servce.

(Extract)