New Satellite Images Show Bombardment of Sri Lankan "Safety Zone"

Suspected site of multiple shelling craters within Civilian Safe Zone (c) Digital Globe 2009 / UNOSAT

Suspected site of multiple shelling craters within Civilian Safe Zone (c) Digital Globe 2009 / UNOSAT

UNOSAT released new satellite images of the Sri Lanka war zone. Conclusion:

Within the northern and southern sections of the Civilian Safe Zone (CSZ), there are new indications of building destruction and damages resulting from shelling and possible air strikes. (…) An additional 5 permanent buildings within the CSZ have been destroyed between 29 March & 19 April bringing the total estimate within the CSZ to approximately 60 main buildings destroyed. This count does not include potential damages to or destruction of IDP tent shelters. (…) Over five thousand of IDP shelters were relocated within the CSZ during April under pressure from increased shelling and military operations along the western sections of the CSZ. The approximate area of IDP settlement has further shifted eastward towards the coastline and south into the areas of heavy shelling between the villages of Karaiyamullivaikal and Vellamullivaikal.

While Franceso Pisano, manager of the UNOSAT program, declined to assign responsibility for the bombardments, Human Rights Watch’s Peter Bouckaert makes clear that the Sri Lankan Government is to blame: “This is incontrovertible evidence that the Government has been lying for months.”

Over the last few months, both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government have been violating the laws of war. The Tamil Tigers have used civilians trapped in the conflict zone as a buffer against government forces. The Sri Lankan military has reportedly used heavy artillery despite the presence of a large civilian population in the conflict zone.

Despite a pledge by the government to stop using heavy weaponry, there was continued shelling on 28 April with 204 injured civilians admitted to a health facility in the hamlet of Mullivakkal, according to medical staff. Of these, 29 patients subsequently died.

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22 thoughts on “New Satellite Images Show Bombardment of Sri Lankan "Safety Zone"

  1. Srilankan Goverment has been LYING to the world since 1948. they have been kiiling Tamils since 1948, the reason why TAMILS took up arms. I agree along the time tigers too had made mistakes.

    However 1977 GENERAL election and Tamils democratic mandate for creation of independant state is peoples mandate. whether Tigers made mistakes or not DEMOCRATIC MANDATE ( 86% APPROVAL) FOR TAMIL EELAM STANDS VALID AT ALL TIME.

    the world has seen true face of Srilanka it is Time to SUPPORT creation of Tamil Eelam.

  2. In 1977 GENERAL ELECTION Tamil people gave mandate for creation of TAMIL EELAM. more than 86% approval.

    SL has been killing and discriminating Tamils since 1948.

  3. It is just inconceivable that world powers and the press are choosing to look the other way when evidence after evidence points to a mass atrocity perpetrated on the Tamils of Sri Lanka. Under the cover of media ban and the denial of NGO access, war crimes are being committed by the Sri Lanka government. When the truth finally comes out, I am certain there are plenty of apologizes to come written from the same template used in all previous apologies. George Clooney may have done more to bring awareness to this type of atrocity than any of the world leaders and press put together. It is sad that remembering Genocide is more fashionable than preventing one.

  4. Imagine you are the head of family,

    a ferocious LION is chasing your family with killing spree,

    and what would you do?

    Will you allow your family to take refuge in LIONS CAVE?

    If one of your family member (who has little knowledge about LIONS INTENTIONS ) decide to take to refuge in lions cave what would you do?

  5. When British arrived in Srilanka following was the comment by
    Sir Hugh Cleghorn wrote in his minutes to his majesty's government in 1796 that "Two different nations from a very ancient period have divided between them in possession of the island (Ceylon). First the Sinhalese, inhabiting the interior of the country in the Southern and Western parts… and the Malabars (Tamils) who possess the Northern and Eastern Districts. These two nations differ entirely in their religion, language and manners…".
    When british left Ceylon in 1948, Tamils should have been given right to self determination like Pakistan.
    Lord Sol bury who created unified Srilanka regretted about unifying Tamils and Sinhalese under one state.
    Lord solbury wrote in the following book it was a great mistake unifying the two nations.

    Ceylon: A divided nation (Institute of Race Relations. Publications)
    Written by B. H Farmer.Published by Issued under the auspices of the Institute of Race Relations by Oxford U.P.74 pages Unknown Binding.ISBN: B0000CLSKZ

    On the 20th April 1964 Mr nelson Mandela said the following in the dock I quote “ ….I do not, however, deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness, nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation, and oppression of my people”-Mandela 20April1964
    Like Mr Nelson Mandela
    Tamil leadership too had long years ( 1948 to 1976 ) of democratic struggle, and reflection before deciding to achieve Tamil Eelam as separate state.

    Whether tigers are right or wrong is irrelevant here the question is about fate of Tamil Nation in Srilanka

    I therefore request democratic forces to work towards remedying this great mistake committed by British in 1948 by unifying Tamils and Sinhalese under one state.
    · Srilanka has rejected calls by UN, US, EU, UK, France, India for a ceasefire .
    · Also recently leaked UN satellite pictures confirm the attitude of Sinhala state.
    · Independent state of Tamil Eelam is the only solution now more than ever before 1948

  6. Srilankan Goverment has been LYING to the world since 1948. they have been kiiling Tamils since 1948, the reason why TAMILS took up arms. I agree along the time tigers too had made mistakes.

    However 1977 GENERAL election and Tamils democratic mandate for creation of independant state is peoples mandate. whether Tigers made mistakes or not DEMOCRATIC MANDATE ( 86% APPROVAL) FOR TAMIL EELAM STANDS VALID AT ALL TIME.

    the world has seen true face of Srilanka it is Time to SUPPORT creation of Tamil Eelam.

  7. In 1977 GENERAL ELECTION Tamil people gave mandate for creation of TAMIL EELAM. more than 86% approval.

    SL has been killing and discriminating Tamils since 1948.

  8. It is just inconceivable that world powers and the press are choosing to look the other way when evidence after evidence points to a mass atrocity perpetrated on the Tamils of Sri Lanka. Under the cover of media ban and the denial of NGO access, war crimes are being committed by the Sri Lanka government. When the truth finally comes out, I am certain there are plenty of apologizes to come written from the same template used in all previous apologies. George Clooney may have done more to bring awareness to this type of atrocity than any of the world leaders and press put together. It is sad that remembering Genocide is more fashionable than preventing one.

  9. Imagine you are the head of family,

    a ferocious LION is chasing your family with killing spree,

    and what would you do?

    Will you allow your family to take refuge in LIONS CAVE?

    If one of your family member (who has little knowledge about LIONS INTENTIONS ) decide to take to refuge in lions cave what would you do?

  10. When British arrived in Srilanka following was the comment by
    Sir Hugh Cleghorn wrote in his minutes to his majesty’s government in 1796 that “Two different nations from a very ancient period have divided between them in possession of the island (Ceylon). First the Sinhalese, inhabiting the interior of the country in the Southern and Western parts… and the Malabars (Tamils) who possess the Northern and Eastern Districts. These two nations differ entirely in their religion, language and manners…”.
    When british left Ceylon in 1948, Tamils should have been given right to self determination like Pakistan.
    Lord Sol bury who created unified Srilanka regretted about unifying Tamils and Sinhalese under one state.
    Lord solbury wrote in the following book it was a great mistake unifying the two nations.

    Ceylon: A divided nation (Institute of Race Relations. Publications)
    Written by B. H Farmer.Published by Issued under the auspices of the Institute of Race Relations by Oxford U.P.74 pages Unknown Binding.ISBN: B0000CLSKZ

    On the 20th April 1964 Mr nelson Mandela said the following in the dock I quote “ ….I do not, however, deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness, nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation, and oppression of my people”-Mandela 20April1964
    Like Mr Nelson Mandela
    Tamil leadership too had long years ( 1948 to 1976 ) of democratic struggle, and reflection before deciding to achieve Tamil Eelam as separate state.

    Whether tigers are right or wrong is irrelevant here the question is about fate of Tamil Nation in Srilanka

    I therefore request democratic forces to work towards remedying this great mistake committed by British in 1948 by unifying Tamils and Sinhalese under one state.
    · Srilanka has rejected calls by UN, US, EU, UK, France, India for a ceasefire .
    · Also recently leaked UN satellite pictures confirm the attitude of Sinhala state.
    · Independent state of Tamil Eelam is the only solution now more than ever before 1948

  11. Chinese billions in Sri Lanka fund battle against Tamil Tigers
    China is building a $1 billion port that it plans to use as a refuelling and docking station for its navy, as it patrols the Indian Ocean and protects China’s supplies of Saudi oil. Ever since Sri Lanka agreed to the plan, in March 2007, China has given it all the aid, arms and diplomatic support it needs to defeat the Tigers, without worrying about the West. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/
    Sri Lanka rejects West 'lectures' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8026639.stm
    Hospital 'hit by Sri Lankan army' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8030605.stm
    The Sri Lankan army has killed 91 people at a makeshift hospital inside a civilian safe zone in the last two days, two doctors have told the BBC.
    SLA massacres patients with targeted shelling, 64 killed in hospital

  12. 'Drop food now if the concern is humanitarian': Vanni civilians
    [TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 May 2009, 01:01 GMT]
    “If the Colombo government is starving us, the world should know who is keeping us hostages. If the world’s concern is ‘purely humanitarian’ it should act this very minute to give us our means to keep the body and soul together”, is the voice of the civilian victims of Colombo’s starvation weapon, reported hospital sources in Vanni. Even the meagre food stock of the hospital staff depleted they said. Last Thursday, UN humanitarian chief, John Holmes, acknowledging the situation, said the food supply was barely enough only for a day. Five days have gone, and none coming with only statements of humanitarian concerns, has acted on it. Meanwhile, no more food shipments to Vanni is said to be the decision in Colombo. http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  13. Chinese billions in Sri Lanka fund battle against Tamil Tigers
    China is building a $1 billion port that it plans to use as a refuelling and docking station for its navy, as it patrols the Indian Ocean and protects China’s supplies of Saudi oil. Ever since Sri Lanka agreed to the plan, in March 2007, China has given it all the aid, arms and diplomatic support it needs to defeat the Tigers, without worrying about the West. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/
    Sri Lanka rejects West 'lectures' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8026639.stm
    Hospital 'hit by Sri Lankan army' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8030605.stm
    The Sri Lankan army has killed 91 people at a makeshift hospital inside a civilian safe zone in the last two days, two doctors have told the BBC.
    SLA massacres patients with targeted shelling, 64 killed in hospital

  14. Chinese billions in Sri Lanka fund battle against Tamil Tigers
    China is building a $1 billion port that it plans to use as a refuelling and docking station for its navy, as it patrols the Indian Ocean and protects China’s supplies of Saudi oil. Ever since Sri Lanka agreed to the plan, in March 2007, China has given it all the aid, arms and diplomatic support it needs to defeat the Tigers, without worrying about the West. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/
    Sri Lanka rejects West 'lectures' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8026639.stm
    Hospital 'hit by Sri Lankan army' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8030605.stm
    The Sri Lankan army has killed 91 people at a makeshift hospital inside a civilian safe zone in the last two days, two doctors have told the BBC.
    SLA massacres patients with targeted shelling, 64 killed in hospital

  15. 'Drop food now if the concern is humanitarian': Vanni civilians
    [TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 May 2009, 01:01 GMT]
    “If the Colombo government is starving us, the world should know who is keeping us hostages. If the world’s concern is ‘purely humanitarian’ it should act this very minute to give us our means to keep the body and soul together”, is the voice of the civilian victims of Colombo’s starvation weapon, reported hospital sources in Vanni. Even the meagre food stock of the hospital staff depleted they said. Last Thursday, UN humanitarian chief, John Holmes, acknowledging the situation, said the food supply was barely enough only for a day. Five days have gone, and none coming with only statements of humanitarian concerns, has acted on it. Meanwhile, no more food shipments to Vanni is said to be the decision in Colombo. http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  16. 'Drop food now if the concern is humanitarian': Vanni civilians
    [TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 May 2009, 01:01 GMT]
    “If the Colombo government is starving us, the world should know who is keeping us hostages. If the world’s concern is ‘purely humanitarian’ it should act this very minute to give us our means to keep the body and soul together”, is the voice of the civilian victims of Colombo’s starvation weapon, reported hospital sources in Vanni. Even the meagre food stock of the hospital staff depleted they said. Last Thursday, UN humanitarian chief, John Holmes, acknowledging the situation, said the food supply was barely enough only for a day. Five days have gone, and none coming with only statements of humanitarian concerns, has acted on it. Meanwhile, no more food shipments to Vanni is said to be the decision in Colombo. http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  17. Chinese billions in Sri Lanka fund battle against Tamil Tigers
    China is building a $1 billion port that it plans to use as a refuelling and docking station for its navy, as it patrols the Indian Ocean and protects China’s supplies of Saudi oil. Ever since Sri Lanka agreed to the plan, in March 2007, China has given it all the aid, arms and diplomatic support it needs to defeat the Tigers, without worrying about the West.
    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6207487.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093
    Sri Lanka rejects West ‘lectures’
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8026639.stm
    Hospital ‘hit by Sri Lankan army’ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8030605.stm
    The Sri Lankan army has killed 91 people at a makeshift hospital inside a civilian safe zone in the last two days, two doctors have told the BBC.
    SLA massacres patients with targeted shelling, 64 killed in hospital

  18. ‘Drop food now if the concern is humanitarian’: Vanni civilians
    [TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 May 2009, 01:01 GMT]
    “If the Colombo government is starving us, the world should know who is keeping us hostages. If the world’s concern is ‘purely humanitarian’ it should act this very minute to give us our means to keep the body and soul together”, is the voice of the civilian victims of Colombo’s starvation weapon, reported hospital sources in Vanni. Even the meagre food stock of the hospital staff depleted they said. Last Thursday, UN humanitarian chief, John Holmes, acknowledging the situation, said the food supply was barely enough only for a day. Five days have gone, and none coming with only statements of humanitarian concerns, has acted on it. Meanwhile, no more food shipments to Vanni is said to be the decision in Colombo.
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=29263

  19. Tamil Tigers are killing innocent tamil people. Open your eyes and help these people. Visit Sri Lanka and see the actual situation. I;m a tamil boy. The killed my family. I hate them forever. Prabakaran must be killed.

  20. Tamil Tigers are killing innocent tamil people. Open your eyes and help these people. Visit Sri Lanka and see the actual situation. I;m a tamil boy. The killed my family. I hate them forever. Prabakaran must be killed.

  21. the word "HUMAN RIGHTS" only for western developed counrties?
    every one knew……
    Srilankan Gov……do
    GENOSIDE….. Ethnic Filtering agains TAMILs.

    Open your eyes ……..History will not excuse

  22. the word “HUMAN RIGHTS” only for western developed counrties?
    every one knew……
    Srilankan Gov……do
    GENOSIDE….. Ethnic Filtering agains TAMILs.

    Open your eyes ……..History will not excuse

Comments are closed.