Sri Lanka’s Eastern Offensive Against LTTE

Sri Lanka endured decades of violent conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),

a separatist group that repeatedly disrupted peace efforts. In July 2006,

tensions escalated dramatically when the LTTE closed the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru

reservoir, depriving 15,000 civilians of water and damaging farmlands in the Eastern Province.

The LTTE’s refusal to reopen the gates despite repeated warnings compelled the Government of

Sri Lanka to initiate a Humanitarian Operation to restore water supply, marking the beginning

of sustained military action against the LTTE. Following the Mavil Aru operation,

the Sri Lankan military carried out coordinated attacks combining infantry, artillery,