The Hindu : International : Fissure in LTTE's top leadership?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 13, 2004

International

International

Fissure in LTTE's top leadership?

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, OCT. 12. Six months after the most serious split in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), rumours of yet another fissure at the top leadership level are spreading in sections of the Sri Lankan media. According to reports, differences of opinion have crept between the LTTE's leadership and the head of the Sea Tigers, Soosai.

The rumours, which started over the weekend, were denied by the LTTE as "psy-ops tactics," but the issue became more complicated after `Col.' Soosai's absence at a function organised by the LTTE to mark its Women's Resurgence Day in Kilinochchi on Sunday.

According to sources close to the LTTE, `Col.' Soosai's absencewas explained as "due to security risks," as the function was held in the Kilinochchi public playground and "none entering the premises was subject to checks." Military and police sources say there is no confirmation of any serious clash as reported in sections of the media.

There are also varying reasons cited for the "difference of opinion." While one version says that the recent replacement of the LTTE's former special commander for Batticaloa and Amparai, Ramesh — who succeeded V. Muralitharan (`Col.' Karuna) — by Bhanu, who hails from the north, another reason cited is that sections of Sea Tigers had expressed support to Mr. Muralitharan. Sources close to `Col.' Karuna were also unable to confirm if the rumoured "difference of views" were true.

"There could be something, but we don't know its magnitude," a former Tamil militant said. The repeated reports of fissure within the LTTE are against the backdrop of a spell of extended non-fighting since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan Government in 2002. The reports of instability within the LTTE also raise the possibility of a return to violence.

Meanwhile, commenting on the current Sri Lankan situation, the visiting Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey, today expressed caution that the "lack of confidence" between the Government and the LTTE could "endanger the ceasefire agreement."

Ms. Calmy-Rey met the President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, the Foreign Minster, Lakshman Kadirgamar and the Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

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