In Sri Lanka, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says government security forces continue operations in the conflict zone. Intense fighting has been reported over the weekend with a heavy toll on civilians, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives and more injuries.
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon is appalled at the killing of hundreds of civilians in Sri Lanka over the weekend. He has called on both sides, in the strongest terms possible, to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and to stop using heavy-calibre weaponry, including mortars, in the areas with high civilian concentrations. Thousands of Sri Lankans have already died in the past several months due to the conflict, and more still remain in grave danger.

HRW report that Sri Lankan armed forces have repeatedly struck hospitals in the northern Vanni region in indiscriminate artillery and aerial attacks and warn that commanders responsible for ordering or conducting such attacks may be prosecuted for war crimes.

One medic in the war zone has reported that 370 bodies were delivered to his hospital over the weekend.

Last week a UK Channel 4 News crew were expelled from the country by the government for reporting on the conditions of war refugees and alleged sexual abuse in displacement camps for those who fled the northern war zone.

The expulsions are the latest incident in a long list of serious press freedom violations connected with reporting of the war, including murders of journalists, arbitrary or abusive imprisonment, torture, ill-treatment, censorship and expulsions.

“Reporters Without Borders considers the decision to expel these journalists was unfounded and unacceptable. Freedom of the press and of investigation is all the more vital when the situation is far from clear in the combat zone and surrounding areas. We ask that these journalists should be authorised to continue their investigation in complete independence” said Jean-François Julliard, secretary General of Reporters Without Borders.