The Hindu : International : Eastern Sri Lanka on the boil

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 27, 2004

International

International

Eastern Sri Lanka on the boil

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, SEPT 26. With reports of internecine killing in parts of Batticaloa, which are under the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's control, eastern Sri Lanka continues to simmer.

According to unconfirmed reports, at least three LTTE cadres were killed after last week's killing of Reggie, elder brother of the former LTTE military commander, V. Muralitharan (Col. Karuna). "The number of those killed could be higher, but we don't have confirmed reports," a military source told The Hindu .

"The threat to the LTTE appears to be increasing," the military source said. The LTTE has claimed responsibility for the killing of Reggie, and said it was an "operation" by its "special forces." After Reggie's death, supporters of Karuna had said the murder would "be avenged."

Resistance to go on

Supporters of Karuna say that the "eastern resistance will continue" despite the killing of Reggie. "It is a setback, but we are not affected very much by it. There is no change in our goal," a Karuna supporter said. The former LTTE military commander's supporters also see the recent appointment of the LTTE's head of the heavy mortar division, Bhanu, as the Special Commander of the rebel's Batticaloa-Amparai district, as "a continuation of the efforts to bring in the Jaffna leadership over the east."

According to sources close to the LTTE, the change was treated as "an internal matter, based on requests from the Batticaloa cadres," and is part of the efforts "to put the eastern situation in order, particularly the allegations of misconduct." According to media reports, the change in the eastern leadership, by replacing Karuna's successor, Ramesh with `Col.' Bhanu, was to "bring the eastern situation under effective control."

The whereabouts of Karuna, who led a 40-day resistance against the LTTE after he was expelled this March, are unknown.

According to political and defence analysts, "though weakened in the east," after `Col.' Karuna's rebellion, the LTTE "still has the potential to strike anywhere at will."

LTTE team for Europe

A high-level LTTE delegation, led by its political wing leader, S.P. Tamilchelvan, is scheduled to leave for Europe shortly. According to sources, the 15-member LTTE team would visit "Switzerland and other European countries to hold international discussions and consultations."

According to a report in the State-run Sunday Observer, the members of the team include B. Nadesan, head of the "Tamil Eelam Police Force," S. Pararajasingham, head of the LTTE's legal division, and the head of the LTTE's peace secretariat, S. Pulithevan.

In addition to the LTTE's chief negotiator, Anton S. Balasingham, who would join the team in Europe, "some eminent European legal luminaries too are expected to participate as observers," the newspaper said.

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