To the Cluster Munition Coalition

January 26, 2009

Thomas Nash
Cluster Munition Coalition
2nd Floor
89 Albert Embankment
London
SE1 7TP

Dear Mr. Nash,

The killing of civilians by cluster munitions in Sri Lanka in 2008 and the government’s silence on these allegations is alarming.

On November 29th at 1:30 am the Sri Lankan Air Force dropped 16 cluster bombs on a densely populated Internally Displaced Person (IDP) settlement in Northern Sri Lanka, killing 3 and wounding dozens. The camp which had earlier been declared as a ‘secure zone’ is reported to have been a refuge for Tamil IDPs who had been displaced by the Sri Lankan government’s military actions and by heavy rains and flooding from Cyclone Nisha.

On December 24, there were unconfirmed reports that the Sri Lankan Air Force indiscriminately dropped cluster bombs, leaving civilian establishments, including a local church damaged. Eighty-five cows were simultaneously killed as a result.

At present, independent confirmation cannot be received because journalists and aid workers are prohibited from the conflict areas. This is perhaps the only war in recent times where there is a complete prohibition of independent witnesses to the war. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s well-documented record of failing to conduct impartial investigations and ensuring justice for victims makes it imperative that an independent inquiry be conducted.

I urge the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) to push for an immediate investigation and work with local and international NGOs in Sri Lanka to determine whether recent actions by the Sri Lankan Air Force are consistent with allegations of cluster bombs being used against the civilian population. I also urge the CMC to publish its findings. Thank you.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]