KAMALIKA PIERIS
The Rajapaksa government did not sit back after winning Eelam War IV in May 2009. They knew the LTTE was waiting to come back. After defeating the LTTE, the army continued to mop up LTTE cells. One group was operating in the eastern jungles at the end of 2009 supported by 50 armed cadres. There are sleeper LTTE cadres elsewhere in Sri Lanka, said the army in 2009. They are in the cities, doing odd jobs in different parts of the country and waiting till the time comes to activate themselves. They had hidden explosives and weapons in abandoned houses, bare lands, and unused boutiques.
Police had recovered several such stocks of explosives during the last few months, some after tip off by the public. Guns, explosives, and suicide jackets were recovered from abandoned lands in Mount Lavinia and Wattala. People should be concerned about houses which see a lot of activity at night but remain close during the day, warned the authorities. People should be vigilant about abandoned houses, small boutiques which have been closed for long and bare lands.
Huge caches of buried arms have been regularly unearthed from 2009 onwards. A separate LTTE group has been appointed to hide things, while another lot did the fighting. In 2009, STF unearthed a large quantity of explosives in Iranamadu, also claymore mines and 87 other varieties of bombs and ammunition.
In 2010 Arms cache was found in Alanchipotha, Welikanda inside a sanctuary located 15 km away from Mahaweli River. It was buried by fleeing LTTE cadres. Assault rifles, T 56, mortar bombs, mortar weapons, RPG bombs, pressure mines, drums, walkie talkies chargers, walkie talkie parts, remote control devices, anti aircraft ammunition, claymore mines and more were found there.
Sri Lanka Air Force recovered two caches of arms from Pudukuduirippu, in 2010, with the assistance of LTTE cadres. They included ammunition, mortar bombs, mortar smoke bombs, air craft bombs, RPG bombs, hand grenades, fuses, mortars, pressure witches, pressure releases, instantiation fuses, explosives, claymore mines, anti tank mines, smoke bombs, rocket bombs and gunpowder. Arms and weapons were also found in Adampan, Alampil, Vishvamadu, and Oddusudan areas.
Weapons were found at Wellamulliwaikai beach, Vavuniya, including guns, magazines, and three rifles. Bullets were found in Karadippooval river bank, Batticaloa district. Explosives were found at Weli Oya in 2013. Army recovered an arms cache in Kumana National Park, including detonators, outboard motor, oil cans, and outboard motor RPG rounds.
In 2010, acting on information received from ex LTTE cadres in custody, Navy had recovered 1004 kg of C4 plastic explosives buried at Molikulam, Silavathurai. Three army personnel were injured in a blast while defusing bombs in Vilasikulam in Mannar in 2015. These bombs were detected by an NGO who informed the security forces.
There is no war on now, but war preparedness is necessary and the armed forces must continue as they are, said Gotabhaya Rajapakse, then Secretary, Defence in 2012. Maintaining a sizeable army and establishing army camps in strategic locations throughout Sri Lanka is essential. Especially in the jungle areas in which the LTTE established camps and conducted operations. Defeating the LTTE was not an easy task. It took an integrated land, sea and air offensive to do so.
Army camps in the north will not be removed under any circumstances, said President Rajapaksa in 2014. The army will not be withdrawn from the Northern Province. ‘If all the Provincial Councils ask me to remove the army then where am I to keep the army?’
In 2009, immediately after the war, the government announced that it would strengthen the military presence in the north with permanent army bases and additional headquarters at Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi army camps were upgraded to the status of “Security Forces Headquarters” commanded by Major Generals, similar to the existing SFHQs in Vavuniya and Jaffna. Lands taken over for Eelam War IV will be progressively vacated but certain army camps, including Acchuveli and Mirusuvil camps will remain, said the army.
Military camps have been established in all districts, said the army in 2014. Officers and men would now reside in these camps. Permanent army bases would be established on either side of the A9 road. Land close to Ports and airports have been taken over. Private lands would be taken over, where necessary, paying compensation. However, land in the Jaffna High security Zone is mostly government land. Domestic security was not forgotten.Police stations would be set up in over 50 locations in the north and east with headquarters at Kilinochchi, said the government in 2009.
One of the greatest strengths of the LTTE was that it was able to smuggle weapons through the sea. They smuggled light aircraft, surface to air missiles, surface to surface missiles, artillery guns, heavy and medium mortar, armored vehicles, and enormous amounts of ammunitions and explosives through the sea. LTTE had extensively used their bases along the north western regions to bring in supplies from India across the Gulf of Manner.
It is essential that the Navy be strengthened to prevent this happening, said Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in 2012. The government will reposition its naval and air assets to support ground deployment in coastal areas, and thwart any future attempt to open up illegal sea routes to the country, especially in the north eastern seas.
Of the six Naval commands four are in the north and east. Navy has shifted its north western HQ from Puttalam to Mullikulam to exercise naval control from Udappuwa to Arippu. There will be navy cantonments at key locations in the north, east, and northwestern coast,
Sri Lanka Navy has established a cantonment camp at Mollikulam coastal areas. This was to be the first in a series of satellite camps along the coastal belt from Karuwalakuda to Pukkulam and 29 km extension in the Wilpattu National Park. A road will be constructed to run parallel to this. LTTE had used these areas for their activities. These camps will prevent this, reported the media.
NGOs had objected to the reopening of the old Mannar road (Puttalam- Marichchikaddi) NGOs had also objected to other such efforts which were intended to deny LTTE an opportunity to make a comeback.
Air defense was important and the Air force would not revert to its ceremonial role. Air defense cannot be neglected as long as the LTTE remained active overseas. Iranamadu and Mullaitivu airstrips will become air force bases with runways. Iranamadu, the main base, would accommodate fighter jets. A radar station has been set up at Pidurutalagala.
Sri Lanka had decided to drop the purchase of Russian fighter jet, Mikoyan MiG 29 since the war was over, but a veteran fighter pilot said that this jet should be the first choice of Sri Lanka when a replacement was sought for Kfirs and MIGs 27s.
The government of Sri Lanka continued to watch the LTTE after the end of Eelam War IV. The government found that LTTE was trying to revive the movement in Malaysia, using Malaysia as a transit point, hideout and a new base of operation. LTTE had transferred their centre of operations to Malaysia. There is a rapid buildup of the LTTE base in Malaysia. It will function as the major gathering point of top Tiger operatives, said analysts. The navy had destroyed most of the vessels owned by the LTTE, but the group was still operating a few vessels and were on the lookout for fresh arms.
After the death of Prabhakaran, the leadership went into the hands of K. Pathmanathan, known as KP. “KP” was the LTTE chief procurement officer of arms and ammunition. KP has been criss-crossing the world in pursuit of the best weapons. He was also LTTE’s chief negotiator. KP is one of the most wanted men in the world, said the media. Interpol has issued a red notice on him. He is wanted for gun and drug running. He is also wanted for the murder of Rajiv Gandhi.
KP has been busy re-establishing the LTTE reported the media in 2009. Analysts predicted in 2009 that KP will focus on taking control of all financial deposits the LTTE keeps in various secret accounts. He will also secure control of the group’s most important assets, including its shipping operations. The LTTE is a resilient and versatile movement. It is not a spent force, said KP.
Bogollagama said in 2009 that a determined effort was being made to revive the LTTE though the group had lost its fighting capacity. ‘They are planning ahead, may be to take us on in about ten years’. An international operation seemed to be underway in support of the group, added the media. A Colombo based diplomat had been spotted in Thailand talking to KP.
Sri Lanka asked for the extradition of KP”. They want him handed over to Sri Lanka for questioning. KP lived in both Thailand and Malaysia and the cooperation of both countries was needed to nab him. KP was arrested in August 2009. This was due to hard work done for nearly two months with the help of several countries.
It was a brilliant operation masterminded by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, said Rohan Guneratne. The operation had begun even before Eelam War IV had ended. The key to fighting terrorism is firstly, innovative leadership and secondly, obtaining real time intelligence on terrorists, their movements and travel patterns, said Guneratne. Gotabhaya succeeded in both these. Gotabhaya is a master strategist, concluded Guneratne.
‘KP’ thought he would be killed. ‘We never expected the army to welcome us warmly, particularly at Palaly the main airbase in the Jaffna peninsula, said KP in interview. But the government allowed us to meet senior officials including top security forces commanders to exchange views. Yahapalana government however locked him up. He will be charged, said Yahapalana .
In what could be described as the third blow to the LTTE after losing the war, and getting hold of KP, Sri Lanka has seized three LTTE ships owned by KP, reported the media. They are expensive craft used by LTTE for transportation of arms, ammunition and human smuggling. They are coming into Sri Lanka under tight security, in December 2009. The port of embarkation would be kept secret.
The Sri Lanka government designated 424 individuals and sixteen organizations including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1373 of 2011 ( UNSCR 1378) by Gazette Extraordinary No 1856/41 dated March 21st 2014. 424 individuals from 19 countries including Sri Lanka have been listed. Those listed are preponderantly from the Global Tamil Diaspora. They are living in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, India, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, UK and the USA.
Among those listed as designated individuals are the self-styled Prime minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) Visuvanathan Ruthirakumaran, Global Tamil Forum (GTF)President Rev. Fr. Seemanpillai Joseph Emmanuel, LTTE International secretariat leader Perinbanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyavan” and LTTE Headquarters leader Segarampillai Vinayagamoorthy alias” Vinayagam”. Apart from these four several present and former parliament members” from the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam have been listed.
Government has proscribed 16 organizations functioning as terrorist fronts on foreign soil. They are LTTE , Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC), British Tamil Forum (BTF), World Tamil Movement (WTM), Canadian Tamil Congress, Australian Tamil Congress, Global Tamil Forum, (GTF), National council of Canadian Tamils, Tamil National Council, Tamil Youth Organization , World Tamil Coordinating Committee, Transnational government of Tamil Eelam, Tamil Eelam Peoples Assembly, World Tamil Relief Fund, and Headquarters group.”
Government intends to pursue and dismantle the LTTE overseas network, not allow them to continue to raise funds and have operations overseas and keep them on the run without allowing them to pursue their terrorist goals. They are looking into the possibility of overseas prosecutions. Also the possibility of extradition or having them prosecuted in their countries of domicile. In 2002 the government was able to get the Australian authorities to prosecute the LTTE fundraising cell in Australia which is said to have financed the first Tiger aircraft.
However, that will not be easy. LTTE remains strong overseas. Although LTTE is weakened in Sri Lanka, the LTTE Global remained a very capable and active organization said Rohan Guneratne in 2009. . There is a vast LTTE network in North America, Europe, and Asia. The LTTE offices and assets overseas are largely intact.
The LTTE abroad has now broken into three sections, Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE). Global Tamil Forum (GFT) and ‘Nediyawan faction’ in Norway titled ‘International Council of Eelam Tamils’. The Tamil National Alliance of Sri Lanka (TNA) is the local representative in these three groups.
Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) was inaugurated in May 2010 in the US. It is composed of representatives of Tamil organizations from all over the world and has a 14 member advisory group. However, more than 85% refrained from voting” at the election in 2010, said an analyst, somewhat vaguely. The head of the TGTE is Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran, a lawyer living in New York. Rudrakumaran was formerly the legal adviser to the LTTE. TGTE has established offices in all the European countries where there is a significant number of Tamil Diaspora. It has held three sessions in USA in 2010 and 2011.
TGTE said that that like the Jews, the Tamil community was a transnational population, no longer confined to a single nation, a community like that needs a transnational government to meet its needs. Therefore, a government in exile will be set up. However, an expert on counter terrorism, Shanaka Jayasekera, did not think the world will take the TGTE seriously.
TGTE is also committed to an independent sovereign state of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka’s north and east. ‘Tamil Eelam Freedom Charter’ of the TGTE states ‘the creation of an independent and sovereign state of Tamil Eelam remain the only viable option to lead a life with security, dignity and equality both individually and collectively. For over six decades we have struggled through both non violent means and armed resistance to protect ourselves from state sponsored genocide. The north east of Sri Lanka is our tradition homeland and will be the territory of Tamil Eelam. The maritime and aerial limits of Tamil Eelam will be established according to international laws.”
Global Tamil Forum (GFT) was started in 2010 and is headed by Fr S.J.Emmanuel, former Vicar General of Jaffna, now in Germany. Global Tamil Forum consists of 14 Tamil Diaspora groups, including ATC Australia, BTF UK, DFTA Denmark, NCET Norway, NZTC and WTS New Zealand, STF Sweden, TRF Malaysia, USTPAC US, ETU Europe, TEMP France, CTC Canada, TCF+KV Netherlands, MT Mauritius, STF Switzerland, and GT Italy.
Global Tamil Forum grew out of the British Tamil Forum, (BTF) which had been established in 2006 to influence British opinion. All major British political parties were represented at the inauguration of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) in the House of Commons in February 2010. BTF funded the setting up of the GTF Secretariat in London.
BTF has a strong present in UK and does constituency based lobbying, influencing British politicians. In 2014 The British Tamil Forum organization a two day conference in the UK to censure Sri Lanka. One session was scheduled to take place in the House of Commons and a delegation of the TNA had arrived from Sri Lanka for this conference.
‘International Council of Eelam Tamils’ based in Norway, is known also as the Nediyawan faction. The movement started in 2009 immediately after the war. It is led by Perimpanayagam Sivapalan, known as Nediyawan, a hard core LTTEer. Nediyawan is only a figure head, the matter is controlled by a group of pro LTTE activists said one analyst. This movement controls more than 150 Tamil schools in Europe. These schools are used to inculcate Tamil nationalist sentiments and hatred toward Sinhalese in the mind of the younger generation of Tamils said an analyst.
The three factions cooperate, but they occasionally fight with each other. Nediyawan faction objected to the appointment of Rudrakumaran as head of TGTE. The leaders of these three groups are interested only in building their personal and political power and financial strength, said Rohan Guneratne. These leaders and their children are very well off in Europe.
There are smaller groups too. There is the ‘Tamilnet clique’ led by Jayachandran in Oslo and Sreetharan in Canada. Also Canadian HART launched in 2008 by LTTE front organizations such as the Canadian Tamil Congress and the Tamil Youth Organization of Canada (TYO). LTTE tiger flag flies on the home page of TYO Canada.
Global Tamil Forum is the nosiest and most visible of these organizations. In 2014, the Global Tamil Forum urged the UK to intervene on its behalf at the UN Security Council to prevent Sri Lanka government exploiting UN Security Council Resolution 1373 of 2011 ( UNSCR 1378) to attack 16 Diaspora groups as well as 424 individual. This was its response to Sri Lanka’s action of March 2014. In 2016 a delegation of the GTF, representing US, UK, Canada, Australia and Germany met USA’s Assistant Secretary of State, Nisha Biswal and Assistant Secretary for Human rights, Tom Malinowski at Washington.
In 2013, Global Tamil Forum stated that all concerned Tamil organisations had met in Berlin in January 2013, on Tamil genocide, destruction of Tamil people’s identity, oppression, threat to Tamil claim to north and east, and legitimate aspiration of Tamil people through negotiated political solution. This was a continuation of the discussion that started in Nov 2012. Participants included TGTE, GTF, and International Council of Eelam Tamils. The Sri Lanka component consisted of Tamil National alliance, Tamil National Peoples Forum, and Tamil civil society representatives.
Soon after the end of Eelam War IV, there was a show of violence by the LTTE abroad. These were due to the disbelief, shock and other emotions over the fact that the so-called invincible LTTE had lost, said Shanaka Jayasekera Pro LTTE sympathisers abroad are fast reaching a level of desperation.
There were demonstrations against the government of Sri Lanka in London, Paris, Berlin, Toronto, Washington and Brussels. For the Brussels demo, at the EU, demonstrators were brought in buses from neighboring countries.
LTTE protesters targeted embassies. They attacked the Sri Lanka embassy in Netherlands, and smashed window panes. In Britain, LTTE supporters in London attacked four embassies. They attacked the Sri Lanka and Indian High Commissions as well as the Chinese embassy. They also attacked the Vietnamese embassy. ‘That looks odd,’ said the media, and pointed out that Vietnam had opposed placing Sri Lanka on the Security Council agenda at the time.
In Britain, LTTE supporters had scaled the roof of Westminster Abbey in London and were arrested. Suspected LTTE supporters glass fronts of five ‘Sams Chicken’ outlets owned by Sam Chandrasena. He had donated a large sum to Api wenuwen Api. More seriously, acid had been thrown at two Sinhala youth in Harrow, England. LTTE protesters blocked an express highway in Toronto.
There is new trend of violence initiated by Tamil Tigers in Australia, said H.L.D. Mahindpala in 2009. They have engaged in violent attacks of the Sinhalese there and attacked Sinhalese students who participated in a peace rally held in Victoria. One student was critically injured. Six Sinhala shops in Melbourne were attacked the same night. No arrests were made. The victims were blamed.
LTTE protestors also specially targeted Buddhism. A Buddhist temple in Paris was attacked in 2009. LTTE was suspected to be behind it. In 2009 LTTE attacked Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist centre in Kingsbury, London and smashed seven windows. One of the CCTV cameras had been removed earlier. This was the tenth time this temple had been attacked, reported the media.
In 2013 it was the turn of the Sri Lanka bhikkhus. Ven. Udathalawinne Wageesa was attacked, at Chennai railway station. He was leading a group of pilgrims returning from Buddha Gaya. Also in 2013, Ven. Pathberiya Gnanaloka was assaulted by Tamil groups at Tanjavur where he was on a study tour, with students of the Institute of Archaeology of the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. He had been at the Institute, for the last one and half years.
Surprisingly Catholics were also targeted. In 2013 a group of catholic pilgrims were forced to abandon a pilgrimage to Velankanni and return. The windscreen of their bus was smashed. Smashing up windows is the latest activity of the LTTE supporters, said the media.
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