Sri Lanka: Information on the presence of the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) in Omanthai in 1993, including whether the army entered the city and whether there is an army camp in that town
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LKA17449.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sri Lanka: Information on the presence of the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) in Omanthai in 1993, including whether the army entered the city and whether there is an army camp in that town, 1 May 1994, LKA17449.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac5c14.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A post-doctoral fellow specializing in Sri Lankan political issues at Carleton University in Ottawa provided the following information on the above subjects during a telephone interview on 24 May 1994.
The last Sri Lankan government checkpoint in the northern part of Sri Lanka is in Vavuniya. Between this checkpoint and that of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), there is a so-called no man's land. Omanthai, which is about 14 kilometres north of Vavuniya, is located in this no man's land. Because of the geographical position of the town, government forces must go through it for any anti-LTTE military operation beyond Vavuniya.
There were many military operations in the proximity of Omanthai during 1993. For example, there were two operations in January and February of this year. The source is not certain whether there is a military base in Omanthai.
According to the secretary of the Tamil Eelam Society of Toronto, Omanthai is in the northern part of Sri Lanka between Vavuniya and Kilinochchi (24 May 1994). For some land military operations, government forces must pass through this town (ibid.). The source is trying to find information on whether there is a government military camp in Omanthai and whether the Sri lankan army was in the town in 1993. If and when the source provides the DIRB with this information, it will be forwarded to you.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Post-doctoral fellow specializing in Sri Lankan political issues, Carleton University, Ottawa. 24 May 1994. Telephone interview.
Tamil Eelam Society of Toronto. 24 May 1994. Telephone interview with secretary.