Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers continued heavy bombardment on Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal in five sorties unloading bombs 23 times, completely disregarding the announcement by the Colombo government that its armed forces were instructed to halt the deployment of heavy weapons. Latest reports indicate heavy barrage by the SLA targeted Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal area since 7:00 p.m., when the SLA started firing artillery shells fitted with cluster munitions, Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire and heavy mortar fire from many directions on the northern side of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal in the so-called safety zone, signalling a ground offensive. Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) gunboats have also started firing in the evening, the reports further said.
Civilians in the so-called safety zone were relieved for a while as the annoncement by Colombo reached them through radio news broadcast Monday noon. But, their expectation was short lived as SLAF bombers flew over the safety zone carrying out air attacks hitting the southern part of the zone 4 times around 12:40 p.m., 2 times around 1:10 p.m. and 3 times around 3:45 p.m.
SLAF bombers had carried out air attacks in two sorties in the morning, unloading 6 times around 9:00 a.m. and 8 times around 10:00 a.m.
Heavy exchange of gunfire was reported in Valaignarmadam, 2 km north of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal and in Vadduvaakal in the south.
Medical sources verified Monday evening that 139 patients were registered as admitted at the hospital as some patients left after bandaging their injuries. 19 of the victims have succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The dead were not brought to the hospital. Medical staff complained that they had no medicines and that they were only bandaging the wounded and seriously wounded patients were staying in the premises of the makeshift hospital.
Starvation prevails in the safety zone. Babies have no milk powder. Most of the people are dependent on gruel supplies and dhal. Nobody was able to fish.
Many elders would die if they are not provided with food within 3-4 days, doctors at the hospital said. Many of them had no food for the last 3 - 4 days.
The humanitarian supply ship, which was supposed to reach the safety zone, was diverted to Jaffna by the Colombo government. Although the reason provided was that there was no security guarantees to unload food items, the ship was allowed to pass through the Mullaiththeevu seas as civilians were starving inside the safety zone.
Chronology:
A wounded child at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal hospital on 27 April, 2009
Civilians in the so-called safety zone were relieved for a while as the annoncement by Colombo reached them through radio news broadcast Monday noon. But, their expectation was short lived as SLAF bombers flew over the safety zone carrying out air attacks hitting the southern part of the zone 4 times around 12:40 p.m., 2 times around 1:10 p.m. and 3 times around 3:45 p.m.
SLAF bombers had carried out air attacks in two sorties in the morning, unloading 6 times around 9:00 a.m. and 8 times around 10:00 a.m.
Heavy exchange of gunfire was reported in Valaignarmadam, 2 km north of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal and in Vadduvaakal in the south.
Medical sources verified Monday evening that 139 patients were registered as admitted at the hospital as some patients left after bandaging their injuries. 19 of the victims have succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The dead were not brought to the hospital. Medical staff complained that they had no medicines and that they were only bandaging the wounded and seriously wounded patients were staying in the premises of the makeshift hospital.
Starvation prevails in the safety zone. Babies have no milk powder. Most of the people are dependent on gruel supplies and dhal. Nobody was able to fish.
Many elders would die if they are not provided with food within 3-4 days, doctors at the hospital said. Many of them had no food for the last 3 - 4 days.
The humanitarian supply ship, which was supposed to reach the safety zone, was diverted to Jaffna by the Colombo government. Although the reason provided was that there was no security guarantees to unload food items, the ship was allowed to pass through the Mullaiththeevu seas as civilians were starving inside the safety zone.
SLAF airstrike at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal at 12:40 p.m. on Monday (27 April, 2009)
Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal hospital on 27 Aprail, 2009
People waiting for Kagnchi
Civilians moving from Valaignarmadam towards Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal
Another elderly woman with visible signs of starvation
An elderly woman in Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal on Monday
All civilians are dependent on gruel to survive
Children on way to their hut with gruel
The OPD of the makeshift hospital in Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal
There is a high risk of starvation deaths among elders
People manage eating only dhal and depend gruel supplied by the TRO
People waiting in long queue to receive humanitarian supplies
Children receiving gruel
Children having gruel
People in queue for gruel (kagnchi) on 27 April, 2009
Indiscriminate bombardment by the SLAF at 1:10 p.m., after Colombo announced it would cease using heavy weapons.
Chronology:
26.04.09 SLA poised for all-out-carnage
26.04.09 LTTE announces unilateral ceasefire
16.04.09 UN and IC signal civilian carnage
12.04.09 Plight of babies born and unborn
09.04.09 Carnage continues in Vanni
06.03.09 Acid test for international actors
04.03.09 ICRC worker killed in SLA shelling
02.03.09 Hunger claims lives in Vanni
01.02.09 Shelling hits hospital, ICRC shocked
27.01.09 Norway breaks silence, condemns war
18.01.09 Vanni civilians under deadly siege