Padahuthurai bombing

The Padahuthurai bombing or Illuppaikadavai bombing happened on January 2, 2007, when the

Iluppaikkadavai is a small village in the Northwestern district of

Sri Lankan Government

The Government of Sri Lanka initially claimed that Padahuthurai was a LTTE naval base and that those who died were LTTE cadres.

Subsequent to reports from a media about civilian casualties, the government later stated that those who died may have been civilians whom the rebel group were using as human shields and who were forced to work for the LTTE.^[6]

LTTE Naval Base

Following the attack, the Sri Lankan government stated that detailed surveillance carried out over the past few years had identified Illuppaikadavai as a

• On December 22, 2005, a group of Sea Tigers disguised as fishermen attacked two fibreglass dinghies of the Navy, killing three sailors off Pallimunai, Mannar. The sea tiger craft then withdrew to Vedithalathivu after the attack.
• On January 26, 2006, a naval patrol seized an Indian trawler with six Indians aboard near the Kachchathivu islands, when they were transporting 60,000 electric detonators, believed to be intended for the use of the LTTE. The navy believed the destination of the haul of weapons to be Illuppaikadavai.
• On June 17, 2006, a flotilla of about twelve Sea Tiger boats, which were launched from Vedithalathivu, attacked a routine Naval patrol off Pesalai, killing six sailors. The Navy said thirty militants were killed and several Sea Tigers were destroyed in the ensuing battle.
• On November 18, 2006 two Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC) of the Navy on a routine sea patrol intercepted a flotilla of Sea Tiger boats heading towards Vedithalathivu. When the Navy IPC engaged the sea Tiger flotilla, seven more Sea Tiger boats were launched from Vedithalathivu as reinforcement. After the clash, in which two Sea Tiger boats were destroyed, the rest returned to Vedithalathivu.
• On November 27, 2006 a Dvora Fast Attack Craft (FAC) on a routine sea patrol intercepted a trawler, 50 nautical miles (90 km) off Udappu. The Sea Tigers aboard the trawler fired at the Navy patrol when it closed in for an inspection. The trawler which was used as a logistical craft for the LTTE exploded in a ball of fire amidst the subsequent Navy fire, which was a sign that the trawler was carrying explosives. Six Sea Tigers were believed to be killed in the explosion. The Navy identified the destination of the craft as Illuppaikadavai. The Sri Lankan government also released a video of the airstike on the LTTE base. (Video of the aerial attack see here).

Red Cross controversy

The military also stated that the nature of injuries of the people who the LTTE stated were victims were not consistent with an air-strike. None of them had burn injuring which normally occur during air strikes.^[7]

Another discrepancy was that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was delayed giving permission to visit the site. According to the ICRC spokesman Sukumar Rockwood, when the ICRC visited the site, it was already cleared. He was quoted as saying,

"We could not see any casualties. They have been evacuated."^[7]

But, according to a report from BBC.com, the local Red Cross helped transport injured civilians from the scene of the attack to a nearby hospital.^[6]

Mannar Roman Catholic Diocese

"According to reports, this is a clear shift from the often propounded stance of restrained and retaliatory strikes, and amounts to an arbitrary act of war. The Government simply cannot expect to claim credibility as a responsible democratic Government by talking peace and waging war at the same time."[13]

United Nations

While expressing concern over civilian deaths, the United Nations reiterated the need for both parties to protect civilians and uphold international human rights and humanitarian laws, while calling on both parties to cease hostilities and return to negotiations.

"Sri Lankans continue to suffer deeply due to this conflict, while today’s (Tuesday) loss of life is a source of deep concern."

said Margareta Wahlström, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator.

"It is imperative that both sides to the conflict, take all measures to fulfill their obligations under international law, to protect civilians in this conflict; we have too often seen them fall short in this duty."^[14]

Reporters without borders

Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, complained in its report that,

"Padahuthurai bombing tragically showed that the lack of independent information is detrimental to the public interest and allows the two sides to feed their propaganda."

The Press Freedom Organization added,

"It is imperative that the

president

should order the (Sri Lankan ) army to allow journalists access to the theatre of military operations and to the zones controlled by the LTTE, it is important that the LTTE should also ensure that journalists are able to move about freely."

The report concluded that only the presence of the local Roman Catholic bishop that confirmed the death of civilians.^[15]

Notes