Heavy losses incurred at Anuradhapura air base in 22 October LTTE combined air and ground raid; 20 rebel suicide cadres and 13 soldiers killed; at least 8 aircraft damaged or destroyed. 3 unusual LTTE attacks in south east, including ambush near Yala wildlife park, left 7 soldiers dead. Heavy fighting continued in north, especially near Vavuniya. UN human rights commissioner Louise Arbour called for monitoring mission after 5-day visit 15 October; government rejected. UN torture rapporteur raised alarm that torture “prone to become routine” in government’s counter-terrorism operations.

Fighting continued in north and intensified, as defence secretary announced government determination to defeat LTTE militarily before any political solution. Casualty figures varied, but heavy losses on both sides reported in Jaffna, Mannar and near Vavuniya. IIGEP team of international observers issued report blasting government commission inquiry into human rights violations; said it would likely fail to complete any cases before November mandate expiry.

Mid-month report by Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission noted shift in military operations from east to north, where violence increased near Jaffna peninsula. Heavy casualties reported in clashes between army and LTTE in north west end August, after weeks of steady fighting in Mannar. 3 suspected LTTE bombs defused near Buddhist pageant in central city Kandy 26 August. At tribute to 17 French aid workers shot 1 year ago in uninvestigated attack, UN humanitarian chief John Holmes called country worst in world for humanitarian workers; government condemned claims.

Fall of former LTTE stronghold Thoppigala 11 July marked government forces’ dominance over eastern part of country. LTTE forces continue to hold large parts of north, where new attacks on army forces continued in Mannar district and Jaffna. Apparent close of eastern front may prompt increased use of guerrilla attacks by LTTE on strategic targets. Karuna faction announced it had no intention to disarm, despite plans to compete in local government elections scheduled for eastern province in coming months.

Fighting continued in north and east - dozens killed, primarily in continued government assault on rebel positions. LTTE rebels attacked naval base on Jaffna peninsula 24 May, killing at least 10 sailors. Maldives military sank Indian vessel reportedly hijacked by LTTE and took 5 prisoners south of Maldives archipelago 17 May in first direct involvement in conflict. LTTE suspected of 24 and 28 May bomb attacks in Colombo killing 9. Sri Lankan air force reportedly ordered 5 Russian Mig 29 fighter jets to combat new air threat from LTTE; Colombo’s civilian airport announced suspension of all further night flights. ICRC announced pullback 23 May from front line in Vavuniya district, citing increased safety concerns for staff. UK declared will withhold half of promised debt relief until human rights and military spending concerns are addressed; U.S. also suspended some aid and urged Colombo to control paramilitaries.

Scores of LTTE fighters and government troops killed in clashes in north and east throughout month. Fierce fighting reported on new Mannar front in north west. Further aerial attacks by LTTE increased fears of undetected attacks: 6 troops killed in attack on northern Palili air base 24 April, and though little damage reported after attack on oil facility near Colombo 29 April, airport closed briefly and some airlines withdrew flights. Defence Sec. Gotabhaya Rajapakse vowed to continue military offensive saying ceasefire had “no meaning”. Rebels maintained agreement only basis for future talks but current climate precluded negotiations. More than 30 killings reported in northern town of Vavuniya. Local and international rights groups said hundreds disappeared since January, expressed alarm at deteriorating press freedom including forced closure of newspapers. Colombo said unnamed diplomats interfering in local politics, threatened action. International Commission of Jurists criticised government investigation into killing of 17 aid workers August 2006 for bias and lack of transparency.

Fighting continued to spread in east and new front opened in north west (Mannar district) as government seized more rebel-controlled territory. Several dozen killed and hundreds wounded in gun battles and artillery fire. Tigers bombed military base adjacent to Colombo civilian airport 26 March in first-ever rebel air attack, and launched suicide attack on army camp in east. UNHCR warned of deepening crisis as massive displacement continued in east, where 40,000 fled from Batticaloa district in single week; 160,000 reported displaced in district in late March. Ruling SLFP party delayed submission of its proposals on political solution until April.

5-year anniversary of severely compromised LTTE-Colombo ceasefire passed 22 February; government claimed commitment to negotiations despite ongoing military action while Sinhalese nationalists increased pressure to revoke agreement. Fighting reduced in east but included naval attacks that killed 23 rebels and LTTE mortar attack on high-level foreign delegation that injured Italian ambassador. Army claimed largest-ever haul of LTTE arms. Tamil priest who had blessed President Rajapakse shot dead 8 February, likely retribution by LTTE; rebels also reportedly intensified forced conscription in areas they control. UK Foreign Office secured Colombo approval for talks with LTTE as part of greater British mediation role.

Fighting intensified in east, where government forces made major advances including capture of strategic town Vakarai 19 January, held by LTTE for 11 years. Over 30,000 fled region in month; UNHCR estimated 213,000 new IDPs since April 2006. 2 deadly LTTE bus bombings near Colombo killed over 20; attacks increasingly targeting civilians in apparent return to pre-ceasefire tactics. Police in Tamil Nadu (India) made large seizures of bomb materials believed bound for LTTE. Rebel bombing of police bus 31 January killed 12. Army offered amnesty to 17,000 deserters in attempt to boost forces. 18 opposition UNP parliamentarians joined government, undermining hopes of a government-opposition accord on the ethnic conflict. Donors warned Colombo continued military escalation would jeopardise aid.

Heavy fighting continued in east, displacing growing number of civilians. Army launched coordinated campaign against LTTE rebels near eastern port of Vaharai, seeking to seize wedge between LTTE strongholds in Batticaloa and Trincomalee. UN representative noted that indiscriminate fighting there by both sides violated "all fundamental rights" as attacks on civilians continued. Colombo stopped short of banning LTTE but reintroduced strict anti- terror measures dropped in 2002 peace talks, including detention without trial for up to 6 months and sharp curbs on press and assembly freedoms. Chief LTTE negotiator Anton Balasingham, perceived moderate with close links to rebel leader Prabhakaran, died of cancer 14 December in new blow to prospects for successful negotiation.