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Monday, 8 July, 2002, 16:59 GMT 17:59 UK

Sri Lanka truce violations recorded

By Anna Horsbrough Porter
BBC correspondent in Sri Lanka

The Norwegian-led peace monitoring mission in Sri Lanka has issued a statement recording the number of cease fire violations it has received since the signing of the agreement in February.

The Sri Lankan monitoring mission records a total of 380 complaints of cease fire violations since the agreement was signed over five months ago.

Of these they say 270 complaints have been made against the Tamil Tigers and 110 against the government side.

So far the Norwegian led monitoring team have investigated and upheld over 50 Tamil Tiger violations and 20 are ruled to be valid complaints against the government.

The most common Tamil Tiger violation is kidnapping and abduction.

They are also blamed for cases of harassment and extortion.

Rights' violation

The government is also found guilty of harassment and of restrictions on movement and restrictions on fishing.

Further complaints which the monitoring mission are still investigating include forced recruitment and recruitment of child soldiers by the Tamil Tigers, and harassment and occupation of civilian land by government forces.

The most frequent complaints of infringements of the cease fire come from the eastern district around the town of Batticaloa, where 182 complaints have been recorded.

This is the same area where last week communal violence between Muslim and Tamil mobs erupted, causing scores of injuries and 11deaths.

In contrast the northern town of Jaffna recorded far fewer cease fire violations, totalling 54.

The head of the Sri Lankan monitoring mission, Major General Trond Furuhoude, also said his team had received reports of intimidation and threats of violence against individuals who report cease fire violations.

He urged Sri Lankan leaders from all sides to assist their people in implementing the terms of the cease fire, to stop criticising one another, and work towards creating a lasting peace after 20 years of war in this country.


Related to this story:
Curfew after Sri Lanka unrest (28 Jun 02 | South Asia) Analysis: Sri Lanka's hopes for unity (07 Dec 01 | South Asia) Sri Lanka riots 'threat to peace' (29 Jun 02 | South Asia)


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