A Right Path to True Peace

Proper Implementation of the 13^th Amendment

To A  Step Forward

1.     In General, Devolution Promises and the 13^th Amendment

Many have a series of serious questions with regard to the 13^th Amendment (made in 1987 and said to be in compliance with the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord) to the 1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka, since it does already provide legislative arrangements for the establishment and functions of the Provincial level autonomous governing system.  It is meant as a political solution to the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka.  But it is almost defunct or made irrelevant to the existing crisis in the North-East of Sri Lanka and the Provincial Councils in the Sinhala areas too are understood to be the ‘white elephants’ to the country. However, there is a new thinking recently rising among some persons whether the 13^th Amendment can be reviewed for making it as a step towards the political solution to the Tamils’ problem in Sri Lanka; More

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01 June 2006

Tigers stand self-condemned, says Dr Kaarthikeyan
Friday, June 30, 2006

Daily News
By Meenakshi Iyer

It took 15 long years for one of the world's most dreaded terrorist groups - the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to come out with the truth on Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991.

In an interview to a private television channel, chief negotiator of the LTTE Anton Balasingham "deeply regretted the monumental historical tragedy" and pledged never to do anything or act anything inimical to the geopolitical interests of India.

For DR Kaarthikeyan, former CBI Director and head of the Special Investigation Team that probed the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, it amounts to clear and definite confession on behalf of LTTE, thus confirming that his findings in the case were/are absolutely correct.

In an exclusive interview to Meenakshi Iyer of HindustanTimes.com, the former Special Director General of Central Reserve Police Force says the Tigers stand self-condemned for rashly and inadvisably assassinating India's most charismatic leader.

Excerpts: Q. What was your reaction to the LTTE's latest apology as regards the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case ?

A. I am not surprised at the confession of the LTTE. I know from the beginning that was the truth and that was the only truth.

After the endorsement of the entire investigation by three eminent judges of the Supreme Court of India, the highest court of the largest democracy in the world, I was not waiting for any further endorsement from anyone, much less from the LTTE.

But after all the miserably failed attempts by some self-seeking politicians in our own country to derail and disrupt the investigation and trial, admission of the guilt by the unarguably deadliest terrorist group in the world gives me immense professional satisfaction.

What has happened is poetic justice. They stand self- condemned for rashly and inadvisably assassinating the bright and noble leader of the country.

It was Rajiv Gandhi who took enormous interest and went out of the way to help solve the Sri Lankan ethnic crisis. To kill such a man brutally and treacherously is the peak of ingratitude and shortsightedness on part of the LTTE.

By killing Rajiv Gandhi, they lost the best opportunity of achieving a homeland for Sri Lankan Tamils, with autonomy and with dignity within the united Sri Lankan nation.

Even today, more than ever before, implementation of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord conceived by Rajiv Gandhi is the only possible solution, to prevent further killings in a country which is in shambles after more than 65 thousand people have been killed in the ethnic violence since the last quarter of a century.

It is of course the failure of Sri Lankan government to sincerely implement the Indo-Sri Lanka accord of 1987 that further precipitated the crisis.

As I have described in my book, "Triumph of Truth - The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination - The Investigation", the sincere and total implementation of the Indo-Sri Lanka accord, by giving effect to it by suitable constitutional amendment to the unitary constitution of Sri Lanka would have enabled the Tamil province with Trincomalee as capital, to function with adequate autonomy within united Sri Lanka. That would have very likely resulted in durable peace in Sri Lanka, as that would have enabled the Tamil minority to live with dignity and necessary autonomy.

Q. Why has the LTTE suddenly come up with an apology - something, which they were unwilling to do since years? There can be many reasons for the LTTE coming up with such an open confession and apology.

a) After my investigation convincingly established the hand of LTTE in the assassination, in the most transparent investigation held anywhere in the world, people throughout the World were convinced that it was the LTTE and LTTE alone that was responsible for the dastardly assassination.

Some obstacles were attempted to be created only by a few politicians, who were disgruntled due to their failure in bullying me and pressurising me to somehow implicate in the case, their rivals in other political parties or their rivals within their own party within their own party.

For them their limited, short- sighted, self-seeking, personal political vendetta and agenda were far more important than re-establishing the nation's honour, dignity, integrity and sovereignty by identifying and establishing the guilt of those who are actually responsible for the brutal killing of the tallest leader of the nation at that time.

b) Even earlier on many occasions, the LTTE had almost conceded their hand in the assassination, though not as explicitly as they have done now.

c) As their responsibility in the assassination is an established fact as far as the world is concerned, they must have now thought it better to own it at this stage, hoping that would elicit some appreciation from some quarters.

d) The conspiracy to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi was a secret decision taken at the highest level and was not known even to some top leaders like Mathaiah. The LTTE wanted to take revenge for the damage suffered by them due to IPKF operations. They held Rajiv Gandhi squarely responsible for the same, though the facts that emerged later showed that the man of good intentions was led to take certain decisions guided by wrong advice.

The decisions he took were right on the facts presented to him by his advisors, but the later events proved those facts to be wrong. On the eve of the elections, Rajiv Gandhi told two emissaries of LTTE that while he was prepared to forget the past, he stood firmly against division of Sri Lanka. It was the assessment of the LTTE, that once Rajiv Gandhi was not on the political scene, India would not have a strong leader for a long time to come. If the hand of LTTE had not been convincingly established and proved by the SIT-CBI headed by me, the LTTE leadership, perhaps, would have achieved its objective.

e) Given that India has commuted the death sentence of one of the key accused to life imprisonment, and has done nothing for over eight years to implement the death sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court on three of the other accused, the LTTE perhaps thought there is a softening of the attitude of the Indian government in this matter.

f) It is also likely that the LTTE is convinced that unless India is involved actively now, there cannot be a solution satisfactory to the Tamils. They might have calculated that admitting a fact, which is already universally established and expressing regret could soften India's attitude to some extent. It is far better to regret a "monumental historic" blunder than keep on justifying it or claiming innocence, which no one would believe.

Q. Do you think Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi could have played a role in it?

A. I do not think any politician in India could have played a key role in the LTTE coming out with a confession at this stage. It is well-known to experts on Terrorism and LTTE that the group takes decisions on its own and on the basis of its own judgment and perception of its interests.

Q. What should India do now as regards the Sri Lankan peace bid? A. To the best of my knowledge, India has done nothing so far and India will continue to do nothing to delay, derail or disrupt the peace process in Sri Lanka.

Any civilised individual or a nation should do everything possible to bring about peace and harmony everywhere.

Solving the ethnic crisis and putting an end to the killing in Sri Lanka is in the interests of India, in fact that of the entire world.

The large influx of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees into Tamil Nadu has not done any good to the country. The Sri Lankan ethnic crisis brought in the evils of IED and landmines to south India. The warring ethnic Tamil groups which came as refugees to Tamil Nadu also brought with them the gun culture.

It is in India's interests that peace, harmony and stability prevails in its neighbourhood including Nepal and Sri Lanka. So India should do everything that is possible and legally and diplomatically permissible to help solve the ethnic crisis.

Q. Now that LTTE has in a way confessed to its dastardly act, should it be taken to the court of law? A. The latest statement of Anton Balasingham does not in any way alter the legal situation. The charge-sheeted case against the absconding accused is still pending before the court of law.

 

30 June 2006

 

Send Commandos to bring Prabakaran

Dr. Subramaniya Swamy

 

Indias Jantha Party president Dr. Subramaiya Swamy has uged the congress Government-led Central Government to send a commando unit to hunt for LTTE leader Prabakaran and his associates and bring them to trial in India for the assassination.of Rajiv Gandhi. The Hindu reported yesterday.

 

Dr. Swamy ridiculed Anton Balasingam remarks on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi as “incredibly stupid and an insult to the nation”

 

He said Balasingam’s description of the assassination as a monumental historical tragedy was silly and might be due to the “almost complete international isolation of his murderous organisation”.

 

“If Balasingam wants to do something constructive, let him advice Pirabakaran and Pottu Amman in the largest interest of Tamils surrender before the Indian embassy in Colombo. If they do, India will be obliged to protect the Tamils in the Island. Dr.Swamy is reported by The Hindu as saying.          

 

 

 

29 June 2006

 

India rejects LTTE request 

The Island-June 29, 2006

  The Indian government Tuesday said forgiving Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers for the 1991killing of former prime minister Rajiv Gandi would amount to endorsing their ideology of terror.

 

Minister of State for external affairs Anand Sharma told NDTV in respond to Tiger ideologue Anton Balasingam’s comments “ The people of India cannot forget the dastardly criminal that committed by the LTTE Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam.

 

Balasingam had earlier told NDTV that the LTTE, considered that May 21.1991 killing of Gandhi was ‘a monumental historical tragedy’ and that the Tigers ‘deeply regretted’ the assassination.

 

Sarma said Balasingam’s statement was a ‘confession on their part of their complicity in the assassination of our former prime minister. This has been a well -known fact for the last 15 years. LTTE leaders have been charged, sheeted and declared proclaimed offenders.

 

Responding to Balasingam’s plea to India to show ‘magnanimity’ the minister said. That would be tantamount to endorsing the philosophy of terror, violence and political assassination. People of India cannot forget the dastardly crime that was committed by the LTTE.

 

‘ It is easy for them to say… India is for peace, stability and unity of Sri Lanka. We have been supportive of the peace process. We hope better sense will prevail and all issues in Sri Lanka will be resolved in a democratic manner.

 

Sharma also ruled out any direct role for India in Sri Lanka’s peace process.

 

“ The LTTE is a band organization in India and it is also a band organization in many countries. It is for the LTTE to renounce violence and return to the negotiation table.

 

26 June 2006

 

Offer Indian model as a Solution   V.Ananandasangaree  

 

The Island-June 26

TULF leader V. Anandasangaree has reiterated his call to offer the Indian model as a solution to the ethnic problem.

 

The veteran politician, in a letter dated June 19 to President Mahinda Rajapakse emphasized that this should be done without any further delay. He said that the LTTE resisted, the group would automatically get isolated.

 

The TULF leader made his call in the run up to the last presidential poll in November.

 

In a lengthy letter to the President, the former MP explain that the two major parties and the left parties have agreed to offer a Federal solution and he should go ahead with the process.

 

26 June 2006

Suicide bomb attack on Major General in Pannipitiya

 

The LTTE suicide bomber attacked on the vehicle of Major General Paramy Kulthunge in pannipitiya, Colombo at 7.45 am today (26) killing four including Major General Kulathunge and injuring nine.

The LTTE suicide bomber who was riding a motorbike attacked blasting himself  The vehicle, in which the Major General Kulathunge, who was to attend his duty, was traveling along with some other officers.

 

25 June 2006

LTTE taxation burden on masses 

 

Sunday Observer June 25

The LTTE’s taxation extortion and illegal tax has resulted in the cost-of-living sky rocketing in the Jaffna peninsula

 

The ceasefire agreement does not have a clause forbidding the collecting by the LTTE. Added to the high transport and payments for loading and unloading at entry-exit points on both sides of the boarder, the cost-of-living in the Jaffna is 25 percent higher than the rest of the country. This is despite the fact that a great  part of the country’s poor live in the Noth-East, as underline by the UNDP Millennium Development Goal report. LTTE is extorting an estimated Rs. 200 to Rs. 300million every month from Jaffna bound cargo passing from its entry-exit point in Pallai.

The estimated illegal tax revenue for the LTTE from the goods sent to Jaffna through the Alpha nine road from June 1 to 19 is Rs.65,721,821, according to intelligence reports.

 

The LTTE earned Rs.285 million from goods bound for Jaffna during March on the festive eve of the Sinhala Tamil new year.

 

These figures are based on well substantiated intelligence reports.

 

LTTE tax rates vary to fifteen percent depending on the items infant milk powders are not taxed.

 

The LTTE also holds the monopoly in wholesale business in the Wanni through three companies owned by the LTTE and based in Kilinochchi.

These companies, Seran, Pandian and Selan are believe to have earned Rs.175 million revenue from the wholesale business and hospitalities trades.

 

Seran owns rice mills and is involved in wholesale trade of rice. Selan is involved in hardware and building materials business, while Pandian runs the restaurant and bakery trade in the Wanni

 

25 June 2006

 

PLOTE member shot dead

 

Jejunulabdeen (Saiman), a party member of People Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE ), and a former member of Municipal Council for Jaffna, was shot dead by the LTTE pistol group in a cycle park in front of the Government hospital in Jaffna at 12.45 pm today (25). 

 

The father of three children Saiman had been living with his family at Gurunagar in Jaffna for several years. 

 

 

24 June 2006

LTTE fired on army, two soldiers died –

 

LTTE had fired on the soldiers who were engaged on foot patrolling on the road between Mannar to Vavunia.  Two soldiers in this incident, occurred at about 2.15 pm today (24), were critically injured and died after they had been admitted to hospital.  The dead bodies of the two were kept in the mortuary of Vavunia hospital.

 

23 June 2006

We will not tolerate LTTE killings- Media Minister

 

 The government will not sit down and watch while the LTTE carries out its killings of innocent villagers. It will take action against them Cabinet spokesman, Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said yesterday.

 

The media Minister presided over the government weekly cabinet briefings at the Information Departments Auditorium yesterday.

 

Answering media queries he said that though the government had made known its observations about the conduct of the Norwegians, it would continue to accept them as facilitators for peace.

 

 

23 June 2006

 

Released boat owner shot dead

 

Unidentified gunmen Wednesday (21)  night shot dead a person believed to have links with the LTTE . The shooting took place near St. Jude’s Church in Negombo.

 

He was identified as the wealthy boat owner taken in for questioning by police. Immediately after the recent abortive bid to attack the Colombo port but was given police bail.

 

 

22 June 2006

Claymore mines discovered

 

Claymore mines, which had been hidden by the LTTE near the Pillayar kovil in Eravoor were discovered by the authority from Maylambavaly army camp, these claymore mines had been hidden into soil near the pillayar kovil in the area of Eravoor between to Batticaloa and Valaichenai road.

 

 

22 June 2006

A businessman shot dead by the LTTE

 

A businessman, who refused levying to the LTTE, was shot dead by its pistol group at Commanthurai in Batticaloa Tuesday night (20). The police said that the LTTE pistol group shot and killed the Tamil businessman for the reason of being refused by him levying to the LTTE.

 

The victim 52 years-old Iyngaran Nirmalakumar, the father of for children, was from Kalviyankadu in Jaffna, the police said.

 

 

22 June 2006

The LTTE uses the SLMM

 

The LTTE would never be allow to disturb the usual behaviors of the people in Jaffna peninsula, the Army Commander of 51 Brigade in Jaffna Brigadier Lanath Mark said.

 

In a press meeting held in the 51 Brigade in Jaffna yesterday (21) the Brigadier said, using the ceasefire agreement the LTTE had been using their guerilla groups, and they had also used the ceasefire agreement for making some groups as people forces, and such all their activities using SLMM had been carried out by the LTTE, the Brigadier said.

 

 

22 June 2006

Tigers don’t want Finns, Swedes, Danes

 

The Tamil Tiger rebels want anyone from Finland, Sweden, or Denmark excluded from Sri Lanka’s Nordic peace monitoring mission because those countries belong to the European Union, which lists the Tigers as a terrorist group. Norway ambassador said yesterday.

 

Ambassador Hans Brasttkar made the comments after meeting with the top Tiger official. The LTTE feels that it is not able to continue cooperating with countries that have listed the LTTE as terrorist, Brasttkar told reportes.

 

21 June 2006

Arms group orders villagers to leave

People are fleeing their homes in the villages of Vavuniya, Madawachchiya and Kebitigollewa at night to return at dawn, due to fear of terrorist attacks whilst they sleep

An armed group stormed Etaambagaskada, a village bordering Madawachchiya and ordered to leave their homes before June 23.

Meanwhile three armed men had stopped a bus plying between Vavuniya and Mahamilankulam and checked all passengers without causing injury to any. They had then gone into the adjoining jungle. On realising the men were not the members of the armed forces villages in the area complained to the police who along with the Army conducted a search operation in the area.   

 

LTTE hands over mutilated bodies of soldiers to ICRC

The Vavuniya Magistrate S. Ilancheliyan yesterday handed over the bodies of two soldiers who had been abducted in the welioya area, tortured and killed by the LTTE. The bodies of the soldiers who were identified as Senaratage Ranjitha Priyantha Herath and Ajith Ashokasena were badly mutilated. The tigers had handed over the bodies to the International Red Cross. 

 

20 June 2006

Undergraduates to protest against LTTE

Undergraduates of all the universities will stage protests countrywide next week against the LTTE’s inhumane killings of innocent civilians. Black flag will be hoisted and placards with anti LTTE slogans will be displayed within university premises. Convener of the Inter University Students Federation, Duminda Nagamuwa told The Island.  

“Over 1000 of school children were abducted after the ceasefire agreement by the LTTE. They killed school- teachers and principals who rejected their order. Now they are killing innocent civilians,” Nagamuwa said.

“The LTTE is begging for a war. The government should take action immediately to accept the LTT’s challenge,” he said.

we are forcing the government to prepare the forces for the counter attack without foreign forces. Some so called foreign peace brokers stated recently the UN peace keeping forces will be deployed here if necessary.

There is no need to bring foreign forces to solve our problems,” Nagamuwa  said.

Tigers believe in war not talks

The statement made by the LTTE after failing to participate in the recent Oslo talks has sent a strong message to the International Community that it believes discussion is not the medium for finding a solution to the ongoing problems. It continues to rely on violence to achieve it political goals, the government peace secretariat said on sunday(18)  

“The defato state of Tamil Eelam, exercising jurisdiction over 75 percent of the Tamil Homeland, with control over the seas appurtenant, with its own laws independent judiciary, police force and full administrative apparatus, remains a myth. Neither the government nor International Community recognizes a de facto State of Ealam. The North of Sri Lanka is as much multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religion and multi-cultural. Further the Tamil people living in the areas out side the North and the East exceed those living in the so-called Tamil- homeland,” the peace secretariat said.

It added that the LTTE’s claim to be the sole representative is not relevant to the peace process and the “ pre-eminent role given to the LTTE in the talks does not stem from the recognition that the LTTE is the sole representative of the Tamil people. In fact statements emanating from the European Union as well as other key international actors after the imposition of the ban on LTTE have clearly emphasized the pint that LTTE and Tamil people are not one and the same, the peace secretariat said.

 

Tiger’s powerful boat engines recover

Two powerful boat engines, each having a 75 horse power capacity, were recovered by the Negombo police from a fisherman’s home. Such powerful engines are not required for fishing craft, police said.

Police also found a pair of powerful binoculars and other sophisticated gadgets there.

police investigators believe that these all were LTTE property to be used in terrorist activity. The house owner, a Sinhalese, was taken into custody and is being grilled on his connections with the LTTE.

 

17 June 2006

SLMC CONDEMNS ATTACK ON PASSENGER BUS

Friday, 16 June 2006

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has strongly condemned yesterday's ( 15) claymore mine attack on a state transport passenger bus at Kebettigollewa near Anuradhapura in  which 64 civilians, including children, were killed and  79 were wounded. In a media release, the party has stated that the dastardly and gruesome act  targeting noncombatant civilians is a disgrace to mankind and cannot be approved by any civilized society.

The current situation where war-mongering has taken the centre stage with total disregard to peace efforts has demonstrated the true nature of  war. Innocent civilians have become the victims in attack. In the North and East too the destruction of  lives of innocent Muslims and Tamils is on the increase, the party has stated in the media release.

It has further been stated in the release that: 

" While the dire need for restoration of peace in the country has been insisted upon by all peace loving people and the international community, an incident so gruesome has occurred posing a threat to peace and signaling the breakout of war.  The SLMC wishes to point out that the peace activists and those voicing for the country's sovereignty, peace and freedom would not be able to achieve their objectives if incidents of this nature are continued. Such incidents  will only help war mongers who want to benefit politically by advocating war."

The SLMC has also conveyed its deep condolences to the families of those who were killed and wounded in the Kebettigollwewa attack.

 

16 June 2006

 

Attacks bears hallmarks of the LTTE – US

The US Stat Department in a strongly warded statement on the Kebithigollewa atrocity yesterday said the “attack bears all the hallmarks of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam”. The statement.

“The United State condemns today’s terrorist attack on a bus in Sri Lanka that killed 60 civilians, including at least 15 children.

“ This vicious attack bears all the hallmarks of the LTTE. It is a clear violation of the Ceasefire Agreement that the Tamil Tigeres claim to uphold

“The United State calls for an end to the violence that causing so much suffering for the people and resumption of negotiations to bring peace to the country. The Tamil Tigers must renounce terror and enter into direct negotiations with the Sri Lanka Government.

Japan, Switzerland condemn attack

The Embassies of Japan an Switzerland in Colombo, in press release yesterday, strongly condemned the attack on the passenger bus in the region of Anurathapura which killed several dozens of civilians including children and expressed condolences to the Sri Lankan people and the authorities.           

 

14 June 2006

Police injured in attacked in Ilavalai

 A Clay mine was exploded towards the police Jeep  at around 10.40 am today (14. 06.06) two constable were injured . This incident has occurred at Vilaan in Elavalai, Jaffna.

 Hand bomb attacks

 In an incident of lobbing grenade on S L security forces, occurred at Urumpirai Juntion at 11.30 am today, (14) one soldier was injured.

 Former Sathosa employee shot dead

 Former employee of Sathosa was shot dead.  Dilip Mariyanayagam (56), was shot and killed at about12 noon today (14) in Koddady Junction, Jaffna. Unidentified men, who were following that man riding a motorbike, shot him to death and escaped, Jaffna sources said.

Bomb hoax in Kollupitiya

A bomb hoax in Kollupitiya last evening forced the closure of a number of roads. Police said the National Saving Bank security received a telephone at around 8.15 p.m. and a female voice said “There is a bomb in the bank and we will detonate it within two hours. The security post had informed the Kollupitiya police who rushed to the spot, sealed of road and summoned the Army Bomb Disposal Squad. A search of the eight-storey building revealed that the warning was a hoax. OIC Kollupitiya Mhesh Perera said.

 

12.06.2006

Soldier injured in firing

The army engaged on duty close to the Hindu College at KKS road in JAFFNA, was shot by the LTTE pistol group today (12.06.06) at noon, one soldier was injured in this incident.

Army sentry point was under LTTE attack

On the sentry point of the S.L army close to the St Posco school in Jaffna, the LTTE attacked lobbing grenades  today (12) morning, no one injured in this incident, Jaffna sources said.

Claymore mince attacks in LTTE controlled area

At the main road between Puliyankulam and Nedunkeny of LTTE controlled area in Nayinamadu, the vehicle of a Divisional Secretary caught in a claymore mine today (12) at 10 am.

In this incident Divisional Secretary Kathiramalainathan Pranthaman  and Nallathamby Balasingam (58) the driver of the vehicle were critically injured and admitted to hospital in Vavuniya. Nallathamby the driver succumbed his injuries when he was taken to Colombo for further treatment.

Meanwhile, the series of attacks in the LTTE controlled area have been going on for a week.

Seddikulam in Vavunia Claymore attacks

Rasendramkulam in Cheddikulam, Vavuniya, a claymore attack targeting troops was conducted by the LTTE in this area about 8 am today (12) morning.

According to army, the claymore killed a soldier and wounded a civilian was fixed to a palm tree, they said, and they added saying, a large number of wires which was used for blasting the claymore were found when they had lounged a search operation in the area.

Meanwhile, a passenger bus, which was traveling along the road in that area, was also damaged in this incident, army said.

 

11 June 2006

LTTE has killed 7,000 Tamils - Thurairatnam

Rasaiyah Thurairatnam, the national organiser of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (Vartharaja Group) is one of the few alternative voices in the Tamil community.

by Ranga Jayasuriya

Thurairatnam, who joined the EPRLF in 1978 as a student is one of the few surviving pioneers of the Tamil armed resistance movement. He was a provincial council member of the now defunct North-East Provincial Council.

In 2000, he, with Varatharaja Perumal led a group of party activists to set up EPRLF (Varatharaja Group) when a group led by Suresh Premachandran decided to join the LTTE proxy Tamil National Alliance.

Thurairatnam, a leading military figure of the EPRLF during the early stage of the Tamil armed resistance is now on top of the LTTE hit list - we agreed at his request not to carry his photograph for personal security reasons. He spoke about the heavily guarded party office in Colombo.

"Tamil liberation movement ended with the Indo- Lanka peace accord, what followed since then is terrorism," says the one-time Batticaloa military leader of the EPRLF.

Q: As a pioneer member of the Tamil armed resistance movement, how do you view the present situation in the peace process?

A: Tamil armed resistance has a long history. In short, in the late 70's, Tamil people were frustrated with the then government's inability to address their grievances. That is why we took to arms.

But, the 13th Amendment brought under the Indo-Lanka Peace accord offered solutions to many a grievance of our people. And we, having agreed with the Provincial Council system, entered the main- stream of politics.

The EPRLF along with a number of Tamil politico-military parties gave up the armed struggle and we (the EPRLF) won the first Provincial Council election in the North-East. But, unfortunately the LTTE, having agreed to the Peace Accord, later backed out.

Unfortunately, the then Premadasa Administration went against us and covertly supported the LTTE. This double standard of the then government and the Tiger manifested reluctance to the peace, led the country to the next stage of the Eelam war.

The Tamil liberation struggle ended with the Indo Lanka peace accord and what followed since then is terrorism perpetrated by the LTTE taking the Tamil people hostage.

You can see, every Sri Lankan is affected by this war and obviously it is the people in the North-East who are the most affected. Tigers do not seek a peaceful solution, that is why the war is dragging on since 1987 to date.

Q: But, even they (LTTE) have said they wanted peace and signed the ceasefire agreement with the then Ranil Wickremesinghe Administration...

A: That is not a peace agreement and that was an agreement formulated to satisfy the dictates of the Tigers. The moderate Tamil parties, which engaged in democratic politics since 1987, were handed on a platter to a "bunch of terrorists".

The Tigers began killing us two decades ago and the ceasefire agreement is a licence for further killings.

I will reiterate what I said twenty years ago. The LTTE will never agree for peace. In the past, present or even in the Future, only thing the LTTE is accustomed to is killings.

Q: But, didn't they agree to a federal solution under the Oslo Declaration?

A: But, the Tigers themselves say now that there was no such agreement. Only thing the Tigers want is a separate state. That position has never been changed and will not change. It is the government that should decide on a solution and bring it to the public domain. That is the practical way of doing business.

Q: You also fought for a separate state two decades ago. Isn't it through negotiations that this conflict can be resolved?

A: Of course, we also fought for a separate state. But, after the Indo-Lanka peace accord we, embraced the mainstream of politics. It was the LTTE which destroyed the whole process. And they evaded every opportunity for a peaceful settlement. Do you think a movement truly committed to the wellbeing of their people will drag a war for so long.

And now, they respond to the Rajapaksa Administration's invitation to talk peace with terrorism. It is only a day dream to seek peace with the Tigers.

Q: The Tigers say the Indo-Lanka peace accord was forced upon them by the Indians and accuse your party and many others of betraying the Tamil people...

A: We should come to grips with the reality. India is a regional power and India in 1978 told us that it did not want a separate state in the North-East. Having known the Indian position, it is futile to fight further for a separate state.

Q: Now it is a "no war - no peace" situation. How can we proceed from this point?

A: There is a war today. Where is peace? If there is peace, how can the Tigers kill their opponents with impunity?

I repeat the Ceasefire Agreement did not end the war. Instead it became a cover for the Tigers to continue killings. No political party was consulted before formulating the CFA. We have worked with the LTTE for years and no one knows better than us about the mind set of Prabhakaran.

We know how he thinks. Had we been consulted, this sad situation would not have befallen. Only thing, this agreement did, was to push the Tamil people into the jaws of the LTTE.

If the CFA continues in the same form for two more years, no single moderate Tamil voice would be heard.

Don't' forget, I warned of this impending catastrophe on the very day the CFA was signed.

Q: The LTTE accused that you (EPRLF) is a para-military group?

A: The greatest betrayal done to us by the then governing UNP under the CFA was to take back weapons we had for our protection. They were licensed weapons issued by the Defence Ministry. No longer do we have weapons.

The CFA was no protection for us either. Para-military by definition is a group which works under the umbrella of the security forces. Even the ceasefire monitors, have albeit their manifested incompetency failed to deal with the LTTE, say that there are no para military groups functioning in Sri Lanka.

Our lives are under threat and any government is bound to give security for its citizens whose lives are at risk, especially for groups like ours, which are on the top of the hit list of the LTTE. The truce agreement did not contain a single clause guaranteeing our security.

Q: The LTTE says recent violence in the North-East are acts of civilians disillusioned with the slow progress of the peace process.

A: Do you believe this kind of fantasy talk? Ninety nine per cent of Tamil people do not want the LTTE, but they have been kept under the grip of the Tigers by the barrel of the gun. What can civilians gain from killing security force personnel?

Three thousand of our cadres have been killed by the LTTE and as a whole seven thousand democratic Tamil political activists have been killed by the LTTE. Who did kill Pathmanabha, Uma Maheswaran, Kadirgamar, Thiruchelvan, Amirthalingam? The list is long.

Q: Of course, there are short- falls of the CFA and the LTTE's track record is well known. But, don't you think a full scale war has been averted by the truce agreement?

A: On the surface, it looks like that. But the LTTE's killing machine is in action.

I can say for sure that the Tigers will not leave the ceasefire agreement, because this provides a cover for all their atrocities.

They know very well that they would be defeated in the battle front if they go for a full scale war. But, they will continue to fight a war under the cover of the ceasefire agreement.

The LTTE has also built the structure for a separate state having set up separate banks, courts, police etc.

What is left to do it to give life to this structure. The best option to do so is through the ceasefire agreement.

At the same time, I must tell the government it must avoid incidents that can result in Tamil people going towards the LTTE.

Q: Could you please elaborate?

A: LTTE's strategy is to flare up racial unrest. We should understand that racial relations in the East is not the best at this point.

The LTTE is exploiting this situation. The Government should not make way for the LTTE. Secondly, all political parties should agree on a solution to the Tamil peoples' genuine grievances.

There is a difference between the concerns of Tamil people and those of the Tigers. The government should take into account the concerns of Tamil people.

Every political party in the South admit that Tamils have legitimate grievances. It makes the process easier.

Political parties should agree on a political solution. The Tigers benefit from any delay. It is the duty of the Southern political parties to rescue Tamil people from the jaws of the Tigers.

Q: Have you got any message for the people in the South?

A: I urge the people in the South to pursue their leaders to join hands to seek a political solution to the grievances of Tamil people.

If people fail to persuade their political leaders to seek a political solution, it would be a grave mistake. Generations would suffer from it.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2006/06/11/fea08.asp

 

Top LTTE leader killed in Mannar

A top LTTE military leader was killed yesterday in a claymore explosion in Mannar. Mahendhy, a Lt Colonel in the Tiger ranks and three other LTTE members were killed when their vehicle was caught in a claymore mine, which is reported to have been exploded  by Karuna factions in Vellankulan, Thunukkai road this morning.

Despite the LTTE had blamed the security forces for their involvement of this incident, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe denied any security forces involvement in the explosion, which took place in the LTTE control areas.

Claymore mines exploded in LTTE controlled area

Two civilians in a claymore attack were killed in the LTTE controlled aria in Vavunia.In this incident occurred at Palaippani in Vavunia district today (11.06.06) the two civiliance who were coming along the road on a motor bike were killed on the spot when they caught in the claymore mine, the LTTE has confirmed this report.

The LTTE has committed another claymore mince attack on the troops in Thirunelvely

The LTTE had triggered a claymore attack in Thirunelvely, Jaffna today (11.06.06) morning injuring one soldier and nine civilians. The civilians who were injured have been getting medical treatment in the Jaffna Government hospital.

Soldier killed in snapper shot in Batticalloa

In the area of army forward defence line in Vavunaithivu, Batticaloa today (11.06.06) evining, the LTTE fired with a snapper gun on a soldier and killed him on the spot. According to security sources, the army believed the LTTE had conducted this attack. 

Attacks on police at Kaithady Jaffna

The LTTE yesterday triggered a grenade attacks and firing on the police who were engaged in their duty at Kaithady in Jaffna.

Four LTTE cadres who had come by motor -bike have launched grenade and gun firing attacks on the police constables and escaped. In this incident occurred around 4.45 yesterday (10.06.06) a police constable was injured and taken to Palali hospital.

 

10 June 2006

Pottu Amman’s man in police custody

Last evening (8^th June 2006) a group of LTTE thugs led by Sethuruban Nadarajah alias  Nitharsanam Sethu ,  Thamotharampillai Anusrikumar alias Rajan and Sutharan Tharmalingam alias Sutha  try to break into the studios of the Thamil Broadcasting Corporation (TBC). They threatened to kill Vivekanandan, who was at the time participating in a weekly current affairs discussion. They also threatened to molest women employees working at the TBC and abused them in filth. After this group of goons repeatedly tried to break into the TBC studios, the police were called. The police arrested and detained Sethu, Rajan and a third person believed to be the brother of Sutha while the most vociferous of the thugs, Suthaharan ran away as fast as his feet could carry.    

Ironically it was not too long ago that the Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) was manipulated by Sethu and his network of terrorist supporters. RSF issue a statement about alleged threats to Sethuruban Nadarajah’s life. RSF tried to portray Sethu as a “journalist” under a death threat from people who were seeking to suppress freedom of _expression. Perhaps, after the disgraceful conduct of Sethu yesterday, when this “heroic defender of free speech” led a group of goons to attack the only independent and impartial Tamil radio station, the RSF may have the honesty to examine the actual role of Sethu. If the RSF is still claiming ignorance let us spell it out. Sethu is the spokesman for the notorious and ruthless terrorist Pottu Amman of the LTTE. His website ‘Nitharsanam’ defends every dastardly crime committed by Pottu Amman’s suicide bombers, child snatch squads and assassins. More importantly there were instances when his website justified such killings even before the crime was committed.

The British police have now arrested and detained Sethu because he Sought to disrupt, threaten, harass and intimidate people who wanted to express their views freely in the TBC Radio and made direct death threat to the TBC staff.

The coward who ran away when the police arrived was Suthaharan. He is officially a man operating a travel agency called Times travel. He has offices in London and in the Twin Towers in Colombo Sri Lanka. In reality he is the Mr. Moneybags of the LTTE. He is one of the key men who collect the money extorted from poor Tamils in London. He is also the chief money launderer of the LTTE. He was one of the most vociferous spokespersons for the LTTE, when it tried to snatch the trusteeship of the Eelapatheeswarar temple fr