On 30 January civilians K Rajakumar and K Vallimayil were blown to pieces by Airforce bombs at Udayarkaddu. Sarojadevi was seriously injured. The continued fighting has badly affected education in the Vanni. The North-East Education Secretary says over 30,000 refugee students have not attended school since arrival from Jaffna in December 1995. Vanni Government Agents complain that students have not received school uniforms and books.
Students are unable to concentrate on education without adequate food, reports say.
The Kilinochchi GA says many are malnourished and it is not uncommon for students to faint while attending school. Displacement of large numbers of youths from Jaffna and the lack of educational facilities have boosted the LTTE recruitment drive. Human rights agencies accuse the Tigers of recruiting children and using them in frontline battles. Reports say that in January the LTTE imposed a ban on anyone below the age of 45 leaving the Vanni. Back to Sri Lanka Monitor Index page.