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SLA steps up attacks, civilian casualties mount amidst starvation, congested life
[TamilNet, Friday, 01 May 2009, 16:37 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stepped up artillery, mortar and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire on Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal, causing panic among civilians in a heavily congested village of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal Friday from 9:30 a.m. Friday. Many civilians were killed as the shelling has continued for hours throughout the evening. Medical staff at the makeshift hospital were only able to report the deaths of those who succumbed to the injuries. 110 wounded civilians were admitted up to 4:30 p.m. at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal hospital which came under attack on previous two days. 27 of the wounded have succumbed to their injuries. Many more, killed in the SLA barrage were buried or burnt by their kith and kin.
 Father and his child died on April 30th in night sleep.
Around 200 civilians were rushed to the hospital on Thursday. 39 of themsuccumbed to their injuries. Heavy exchange of gunfire and intense barrage was reported north of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal where civilians were still seen fleeing towards the congested southern parts of the village within the so-called safety-zone. Civilians had to stay under bunkers most of the night and day within the last 24 hours. Many were killed while they were asleep, medical sources reported. Meanwhile, starvation prevails in the area as Colombo has deliberately limited humanitarian supplies for weeks.  Congested life within the so-called safety zone at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal where more than 100,000 have been forced within 8 square kilometer strip. Photographed on 01 May, 2009.
 Congested road in Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal.
 Close-up view of congested road inMu'l'li-vaaykkal
 Another view of congested life.
 Bunker above ground level inside a tarpaulin shelter. Note the use of bedsheets and other clothings to create sandbag bunkers
 Civilians are busyily constructing bunkers with bedsheets and Sarees to create sandbag bunkers
 Civilians seek shelter under tractor with sand-load
 Shell attack at Mu’l’li-vaayvkkal on April 30th 2009 around 9:00 p.m. Two people were injured.
 Shell attack at Mu’l’li-vaayvkkal on April 30th 2009 around 9:00 p.m. 10 people died on the spot.
 People grab waste paddy husk of the last season heaped in the rice mills, in the hope of getting at least some grains and tiny fragments of rice to make little gruel.
 People grab waste paddy husk of the last season heaped in the rice mills, in the hope of getting at least some grains and tiny fragments of rice to make little gruel.
 A minor tea shop under the shelter of a lorry
 Civilians forced to displace within Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal.
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