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Sri Lanka

Last Updated: 25 November 2013

Casualties and Victim Assistance

Casualties

Casualties Overview

All known casualties by end 2012

21,993

Casualties in 2012

47 (2011: 24)

2012 casualties by outcome

5 killed; 42 injured (2011: 1 killed; 23 injured)

2012 casualties by device type

7 antipersonnel mines; 37 ERW; 3 unknown devices (2011: 4 antipersonnel mines; 20 ERW)

In 2012, 47 civilian mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties in 28 incidents were recorded in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, compared to 24 casualties in 17 incidents in 2011. Five people were killed and 42 injured in 2012, a significant increase compared to one killed and 23 injured the previous year. Seven of the casualties in 2012 and four in 2011 were caused by mines, with three caused by unknown devices and the remainder by ERW.[1]

In April 2010 it was reported that, since the 1980s, there were a total of 21,993 mine casualties, including 1,419 civilian returnees; 3,770 recorded amputees among the armed forces, police, and civil defense forces; and 16,804 mine casualties among the non-state armed group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).[2] The Monitor identified 1,429 casualties in Sri Lanka from 1999 to the end of 2012 (139 killed; 556 injured; 734 unknown).[3]

Victim assistance since 1999

There has been an overall increase is availability and accessibility of healthcare and social services in Sri Lanka for mine/ERW survivors and persons with disabilities in general, particularly with regards to government-provided services.[4] In the north and east of Sri Lanka, a number of primary care hospitals have been opened while roads have been re-built and maintained, increasing availability and accessibility of services since 2010.[5] In 2012, UNDP support for victim-assistance service providers ended following the conclusion of the socio-economic support UNDP provided to the north and east through its Transition Recovery Program the previous year. Since 2010, the government provision of victim assistance services has increased.[6]

Hundreds of thousands of displaced persons were resettled after the end of the conflict in late 2009, including persons with disabilities and injuries, creating a need for services in new areas. The public health system provided medical treatment to mine/ERW survivors, while post-operative care, including psychosocial support, counseling, and mobility aids were provided on an increasing scale by the government and national NGOs supported by international organizations.[7] Access and availability of physical rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in Sri Lanka, including mine/ERW survivors, continued to increase through initiatives by the government, international organizations, and NGOs.[8] However, access remained difficult for some, with a significant waiting list for physical therapy services in Batticaloa due to a lack of qualified staff in the country.[9] There was a critical need for a comprehensive referral system, more specialized aftercare services, and initiatives to support and monitor the rehabilitation of survivors.[10]

Victim Assistance

The total number of survivors in Sri Lanka, both civilian and military, was estimated to be in the thousands.[11] The National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) reported 1,460 registered civilian mine survivors injured in Sri Lanka between 1985 and the end of 2010.[12]

Assessing victim assistance needs

In 2012, there was no comprehensive data on the number or the needs of mine/ERW survivors, victims of war, or other persons with disabilities.[13] Details of mine/ERW incidents were recorded in the national Information Management System for Mine Action database. By the end of 2012, the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare (MoSS) maintained a database of persons with disabilities for the north and east of the country; however, a national database was still lacking.[14] Starting in 2009, mine action actors began planning to establish a fully functional data collection mechanism on persons with disabilities, including mine survivors, and on available services.[15] It was proposed that by December 2011, data could be managed by adapting the Cambodia Mine Victim Information System (CMVIS) to Sri Lanka’s needs.[16] Throughout 2010, discussions with the MoSS were ongoing and by June 2011 a UNICEF consultant had visited Sri Lanka regarding the establishment of a Victim Assistance Surveillance System.[17]

NGOs providing risk education (RE) collected data on mine/ERW survivors through house-to-house visits and provided information to the NMAC. RE providers also maintained separate records on persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW survivors and war victims, while identifying the needs of survivors and referring them to available services.[18] Government Social Service Officers also collected data on people with disabilities during field visits.[19] Victim assistance providers including Handicap International (HI), Motivation, and Caritas Valvuthyam maintained their own databases on services provided to mine/ERW survivors. The Department of Social Services also maintained records on their beneficiaries at district-level. Data was shared with service providers during monthly district-level disability coordination meetings. Mapping of disability service providers in Vavuniya and Mannars district was done in 2010 and updated during 2011 and 2012.[20]

Victim assistance coordination[21]

Government coordinating body/focal point

None; the MoSS is responsible for coordinating the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities

Coordinating mechanism

UNICEF acted as the coordination point for victim assistance activities; TWG meetings included government ministries and NGOs

Plan

None; victim assistance is included in the National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition’s Division of Rehabilitation for Youth, Elderly, Disabled and Displaced and the MoSS are the lead government agencies for disability. The former is responsible for medical concerns and the latter for social.[22] Other ministries, particularly the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defense, also address important issues relevant to persons with injuries and disabilities.[23] The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) under the MoSS met once a month in 2012. The NCPD discussed matters related to persons with disabilities and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD) implemented decisions from the NCPD meetings.[24] The NSPD developed a national action plan for the period 2011–2015 to implement national policies concerning persons with disabilities.[25]

Victim assistance was discussed with relevant stakeholders, including UNICEF and the MoSS, during Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings. The meetings were used to analyze needs, plan activities, and find agreement on common approaches. The NMAC conducted a national TWG meeting for all mine action stakeholders in July 2012.[26] Victim assistance was included in discussion at the monthly district-level disability coordination meetings held in both Vavuniya and Jaffna districts. In some districts, coordination required improvement; however, district-level disability coordination was effective in many.[27]

The 2011 National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka includes victim assistance objectives.[28]

Survivor inclusion

Disabled persons’ organizations are included in the various coordination mechanisms. Survivor representatives and persons with disabilities also participated in TWG meetings and played key roles in drafting the victim assistance strategy.[29]

Service accessibility and effectiveness

Victim assistance activities[30]

Name of organization

Type of organization

Type of activity

MoSS

Government

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) including self-help groups, medical care, assistive devices, income-generation projects, and assistance with housing, self-employment

Ranaviru Sevana Rehabilitation Centre

Government

Provided physical rehabilitation, social support, economic inclusion, and other assistance to disabled veterans

Jaffna Jaipur Center for Disability Rehabilitation

National NGO

The only center providing physical rehabilitation on the Jaffna peninsula; produced prostheses for amputees, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices, and provided micro-credit for persons with disabilities and financial support for students with disabilities; operated an outreach program for those unable to travel to the center

Sarvodaya

National NGO

Psychological assistance

Social Organizations Networking for Development

National NGO

Provided mobility devices, psychosocial support, referrals, support for medical assistance, economic inclusion

Valvuthayam Caritas

National NGO

Providing prosthetics and mobility devices through Mannar Rehabilitation Center

Leonard Cheshire Disability Resource Centre

National NGO branch of international NGO

Providing economic inclusion opportunities including skill development, self employment, and social protection; promoting inclusive education and medical interventions in Trincomalee

Meththa Foundation

National NGO branch of international NGO

Providing prosthetic and mobility devices

Motivation

International NGO

Supporting provision of prosthetics and wheelchairs to mine/ERW survivors in Vavuniya, Jaffna, and Mannar

 

HI

International NGO

Supported physical rehabilitation; rehabilitation treatment, assistive devices, referral and training support for medical staff

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-Holland

International NGO

Medical and rehabilitation services including orthopedic surgery, physiotherapy, psychosocial support to patients with spinal cord injuries in cooperation with the Ministry of Health

UNICEF

UN

Support to MoSS and NGO rehabilitation services; provided financial support to implementing NGOs and referrals through a victim assistance network

ICRC

International organization

Support to the Jaffna Jaipur Center for Disability Rehabilitation with materials; trained and reimbursed some patients for the cost of treatment

The Ministry of Health Care and Nutrition continued to implement the national long-term plan for physical rehabilitation that aims to support the development of services in 40 district hospitals. Such activities have significantly increased access and availability of physical rehabilitation services throughout the country, particularly in the north.[31] Nine district hospitals including Vavuniya and Anuradhapura were classified as high priorities and, with the support of international organizations the plan was implemented in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, and Vavuniya.[32] While UNICEF support for victim assistance overall reduced in 2012 due to lack of funding, support continued for Caritas Valvuthayam to provide physical rehabilitation services.[33] The MoSS provided some support to persons with disabilities, including covering the cost of prosthetics and orthoticsservices.

The ICRC continued technical and material support to the Jaffna Jaipur Center for Disability Rehabilitation (JJCDR), the only center providing physical rehabilitation on the Jaffna peninsula. In 2012, 1,228 patients received services through JJCDR with ICRC support, including 102 mine/ERW survivors. The ICRC continued to gradually reduce financial support to JJCDR, with a cut of 15% in the amount reimbursed per appliance by the ICRC in 2010, 30% for 2011, and 50% for 2012, and support will amount to 25% for 2013. Concurrently, ICRC provided support to JJCDR to diversify their funding base that resulted in funding agreements reached between JJDRC and two other donor organizations.[34]

The opening of additional physical rehabilitation centers in Vavuniya and Mannar, the introduction of regular mobile services for Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, and the opening of a center in Trincomalee significantly increased access and availability of physical rehabilitation services in the north since 2010.[35] Graduates from the Sri Lanka School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (SLSPO) contributed to the capacity at the new center opened by the Ministry of Health in Vavuniya Hospital in 2010 and another opened at Trincomalee Hospital in 2011. SLSPO also provided technical support and staff training.[36]

Since 2010, HI expanded its physical rehabilitation services in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts in the north and in Batticaloa district in the east to address the needs resulting from the resettlement process. Due to the size of the area, HI introduced a mobile rehabilitation unit to provide physical rehabilitation services in remote areas. Since 2010, HI increased the number of beneficiaries receiving physical rehabilitation services in Batticaloa in the east by over a quarter due to a higher number of persons with disabilities and injuries resettling in the area and due to beneficiaries being able to travel without restrictions. Some 2,800 patients received services in Batticaloa in 2012 supported by HI, the highest number since the end of the conflict. HI began the handover of the prosthetics and orthotics clinic at the Teaching Hospital in Batticaloa to the Ministry of Health in 2012, drafting a memorandum of understanding and providing capacity-building for management staff. The handover process for the physical rehabilitation services provided in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu to the MoH was almost completed in 2012.[37]

Psychological assistance and social support increased in Sri Lanka through the MoSS program; however, services remain limited and did not meet the needs of survivors.[38] The National Counseling Centre under the MoSS expanded operations after the conflict ended, providing counseling services and psychosocial support workers deployed primarily in areas with high numbers of internally displaced persons and re-settled communities.[39] The MoSS National Program on Community Based Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities expanded to provide a range of services including home-based rehabilitation, peer support groups, and provision of equipment to increase accessibility. By the end of 2012, it was operational in 25 districts with some 9,300 trained volunteers and peer support groups for persons with disabilities established in 18 districts.[40] UNICEF support for the MoSS CBR program was discontinued in 2012 due to lack of funds.[41]

The Department of Social Services and some RE operators provided some livelihood development programs targeting persons with disabilities including conflict victims, through income-generation activities and housing support.[42] The ICRC with the Sri Lankan Red Cross Society expanded micro-economic initiatives project in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts, enabling more returnee households to improve their income-generating capacities.[43] However, these services were insufficient to meet demand.[44]

The 1996 Act on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was amended in 2012 to incorporate the provisions of the Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD). At the end of 2012 the draft law was submitted and was awaiting approval by the Attorney General.[45] However, discrimination continued to occur in employment, education, and the provision of state services.[46]

In April 2011, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka directed that provisions for access by persons with disabilities should be enforced when constructing public buildings and that those not applying the ruling should be penalized.[47] Another important development with regard to accessibility was a Public Interest Litigation Fundamental Rights Application, filed by accessibility activist Dr. Ajith C. S. Perera for physical accessibility of private buildings for persons with disabilities. In June 2013, the Supreme Court directed the Attorney-General to follow-up with the Ministry of Social Services concerning the establishment of accessibility facilities at public buildings, which it found should also cover private sector buildings.[48]

The MoSS conducted workshops with diverse government representatives in Vavuniya and Jaffna in 2012 on the need for accessible public and government buildings. An inter-ministerial committee on accessibility was established to provide advice on such issues.[49] However, few buildings met regulation standards at the end of 2012.[50]

People with disabilities were reported to have been negatively affected by government restrictions on implementing aid projects in the north; a lack of inclusion of people with disabilities in the development initiatives was also reported.[51]

Sri Lanka signed the CRPD in March 2007.

 



[1] Casualty data provided by email by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 26 July 2013.

[2] Statement by Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara, Chief Field Engineer, Sri Lanka Army, in “On landmines and explosive remnants of war: raising awareness and taking Action,” Asian Tribune (Colombo), 30 April 2010, www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/04/30/landmines-and-explosive-remnants-war-raising-awareness-and-taking-action. Although not stated, presumably all these casualties were included in the 30-year total.

[3] See previous Monitor reports on Sri Lanka, www.the-monitor.org.

[4] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013; Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013; and UNDP, “UNDP Support to Mine Action Project (Sri Lanka), Peacebuilding Fund Final Programme Narrative Report,” 20 April 2012, p. 6.

[5] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, Program Manager, Handicap International (HI) Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[6] “The National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka,” Ministry of Economic Development, September 2010, pp. 5–6; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013, p. 273.

[7] Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013.

[8] ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013, p. 273.

[9] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[10] Government of Sri Lanka, UN Nations & Partners “Joint Plan for Assistance Northern Province 2011,” pp. 62–63, docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/CAP/2011_SriLanka_JPfANP_SCREEN.pdf.

[11] Based on casualty figures in statement by Brig. Nanayakkara, in “On landmines and explosive remnants of war: raising awareness and taking Action,” Asian Tribune (Colombo), 30 April 2010, www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/04/30/landmines-and-explosive-remnants-war-raising-awareness-and-taking-action.

[12] Government of Sri Lanka, UN & Partners “Joint Plan for Assistance Northern Province 2011,” p. 62, docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/CAP/2011_SriLanka_JPfANP_SCREEN.pdf.

[13] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013; and by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[14] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013.

[15] UNICEF, “Mine Risk Education, Victim Assistance and Advocacy in Sri Lanka through UNICEF: Interim Progress Report,” 9 October 2009, pp. 33, 36.

[16] Government of Sri Lanka, UN & Partners “Joint Plan for Assistance Northern Province 2011,” p. 63, docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/CAP/2011_SriLanka_JPfANP_SCREEN.pdf.

[17] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 10 May 2011; and UNICEF, “Country Peacebuilding Fund Project Status Report,” 30 June 2011, mdtf.undp.org/document/download/7033.

[18] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013; and by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[19] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013.

[20] Ibid.

[21] Ibid.; ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013; and “The National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka,” Ministry of Economic Development, September 2010, pp. 5–6.

[22] “The National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka,” Ministry of Economic Development, September 2010, pp. 5–6.

[23] NMAC, “Victim Assistance,” slnmac.gov.lk/service-providers, accessed 24 June 2013.

[24] Ministry of Social Services, “Progress Report on National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights 2011–2016 as at 31.12.2012,” updated but 2013, www.socialwelfare.gov.lk/web/images/stories/pdf/progress/nhrap.pdf.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013.

[27] Ibid.

[28] “The National Strategy for Mine Action in Sri Lanka,” Ministry of Economic Development, September 2010, pp. 5–6, 23–44.

[29] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013.

[30] Email from L.S. Dushyandan, Country Manager, Motivation Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013; Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013; response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013; response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013; UNICEF and UNDP, “Project Document: Support to Mine Action Project,” 18 January 2010, p. 10; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013, pp. 273–274. There were approximately 20 rehabilitation centers in Sri Lanka managed by the government, by local NGOs, or by private entities; only those reporting services to mine/ERW survivors are listed here.

[31] ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programme (PRP), “Annual Report 2011,” Geneva, May 2012; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013, p. 274.

[32] ICRC PRP, “Annual Report 2011,” Geneva, May 2012; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[33] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013.

[34] ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013, pp. 273–274.

[35] ICRC PRP, “Annual report 2010,” Geneva, June 2011, p. 55; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[36] Cambodia Trust, “SLSPO Celebrates Graduation 2011,” 8 July 2011; and Cambodia Trust, “SLSPO Supports New Rehab Centre In Trincomalee Sri Lanka,” 9 May 2011.

[37] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[38] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013; and Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013.

[39] Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013.

[40] Ibid., p. 25.

[41] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Mihlar Mohamed, UNICEF, Colombo, 11 July 2013.

[42] Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013.

[43] ICRC, “Annual Report 2012,” Geneva, June 2013, p. 271.

[44] Government of Sri Lanka, UN & Partners “Joint Plan for Assistance Northern Province 2011,” p. 63, docs.unocha.org/sites/dms/CAP/2011_SriLanka_JPfANP_SCREEN.pdf.

[45] Ministry of Social Services, “Progress Report on National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights 2011–2016 as at 31.12.2012,” updated but 2013, www.socialwelfare.gov.lk/web/images/stories/pdf/progress/nhrap.pdf.

[46] United States (US) Department of State, “2012 Human Rights Report: Sri Lanka,” Washington DC, 19 April 2013, www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204411 - wrapper.

[47] “Builders must consider disabled persons,” Daily News, 29 April 2011, archives.dailynews.lk/2011/04/29/news20.asp.

[48] “Private institutions must also have accessibility for disabled,” Daily Mirror, 19 June 2013, www.dailymirror.lk/news/31128-private-institutions-must-also-have-accessibility-for-disabled.html; and “A victory for accessibility,” Celon Today, 25 June 2013, www.ceylontoday.lk/51-35898-news-detail-a-victory-for-accessibility.html. (Public Interest Litigation Fundamental Rights Application SCFR 221/2009.)

[49] Ministry of Social Services, “Performance Report 2012,” Battaramulla, undated but 2013, p. 20.

[50] US Department of State, “2012 Human Rights Report: Sri Lanka,” Washington, DC, 19 April 2013, www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204411 - wrapper; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Yuban Malla, HI Sri Lanka, 15 July 2013.

[51] US Department of State, “2012 Human Rights Report: Sri Lanka,” Washington, DC, 19 April 2013, www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=204411 - wrapper.