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Karuna
and destabilisation of the east
Army
Commander Lionel Balagalle
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By
Vimukthi Yapa
The
recent allegations and counter allegations surrounding the
defection of former LTTE eastern commander Karuna has once
again brought the focus on to the eastern theatre. The
involvement of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in helping Karuna
operate after he fled the area has now made senior LTTE
commanders like Col. Ramesh, who replaced him say that they
would take necessary action to bring the east under the firm
grip of Kilinochchi.
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Karuna
Amman
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When
he fled, Karuna disbanded the command under him and asked the
cadres to go back to their parents. The mass firing of cadres, as
high as 5000 according to some estimates, created a massive
manpower hole in the LTTE. The LTTE was keen to waste no time when
the east finally came back under the command of Kilinochchi to
initiate a new recruitment drive.
However,
senior LTTE cadres last week charged that the army was using some
of the former cadres and other Tamil groups operating in the east
to hamper these LTTE plans. The LTTE is loathe to induct cadres of
northern origin to the east as it would create animosity among the
public.
In
order to exploit a weakened LTTE the army has been carrying out
intermittent attacks in the east. The LTTE however has also
retaliated as is to be expected. Ramesh has indicated that the
LTTE would be launching an offensive to reclaim total control of
the east. He intimated the same to a TNA parliamentarian and
several journalists who had fled the East when the reprisal
killings commenced. Ramesh's promise is that the LTTE would bring
the East back under its thumb within two months. The LTTE command
has said that it would not be all out war, but they would be
taking out targets in the east.
On
June 23, the LTTE's Batticaloa-Ampara Military Commander Ramanan
said that the government should first decide whether it wanted war
or peace. LTTE Intelligence Wing Head Pottu Amman too had visited
the east recently to assess the situation.
Soon
after the first attacks against the LTTE took place, the reprisals
also followed. They killed two associates of Karuna- intelligence
officer Colombage Kannangara on May 9 and followed up with the
murder of police counter subversive officer S. Dissanayake on May
19.
The
LTTE had warned that if the military offensive in the east
continued it would seriously hamper progress at the negotiations.
On April 26, the day after the first attack took place at
Aithyamalai, Batticaloa-Amapara Political Wing Leader, Kaushalyan,
said that he blamed the attack on Tamil forces operating with the
army and warned that it should be the last such attack.
On
May 7, soon after two intelligence wing cadres were killed in
Batticaloa, head of the LTTE's Political Wing, S. P. Tamilselvan
said " we have to reconsider the peace talks if this type of
attacks continue. It is apparent that the killers have all the
assistance from the SLA and if the SLA continues to act in this
manner the entire peace process and the cease-fire agreement are
in serious danger."
The
attacks on the LTTE continued however and the rebels announced
last week that it would not participate in meetings with the SLA
facilitated by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). A meeting
set for last Friday was postponed.
Nilavini,
the women's wing commander, who was with Karuna in Colombo for two
months before she returned to the LTTE fold last week, said that
Karuna intends to destabilise the east and prevent the LTTE from
achieving total control. With this aim, according to Nilavini, he
has also enlisted the help of the Sri Lankan army intelligence
wing. According to Ramanan, Karuna had contacted the head of the
army's intelligence wing Kapila Hendavithana and asked for Rs 5.5
million a month and requested that his armed cadres be allowed to
move freely in the east. He also informed the army of strategic
locations to erect camps.The military intelligence operates
directly under Army Commander, Lionel Balagalle's command.
He
had been given permission to let his cadres move around armed, but
had been informed that the other decisions had been referred
further up the command chain and all the way up to the President,
Ramanan said during a speech on June 21.
EPDP
Leader Douglas Devananda too has made attempts to get in touch
with Karuna. He had made his first attempts to talk to Karuna
while the latter was staying at the JAIC Hilton soon after fleeing
the east. But Karuna declined to join hands with the EPDP leader
on that occassion. The EPDP continues to be financed by the
government.
The
Karuna faction is not the only armed Tamil group that the army is
working with in the east. Others include the Razick Group that
operates in army uniforms and has its own camp along Lake Road in
Batticaloa. The EPRLF (Varthan Wing) that is also housed along
Lake Road, though provided with arms, has refrained from appearing
armed in public since the ceasefire. The EPDP too has its own
office in Batticaloa, but like the EPRLF has refrained from
appearing in public armed. The Mohan group within the PLOTE too is
operating with the army, especially in intelligence operations.
Members of the group were reportedly part of the deep penetration
teams deployed by the army in LTTE controlled areas.
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Moulana
resigns...
23rd
June 2004
Statement
by S. Ali Zahir Moulana - Member of Parliament
"Having
supported and been active in the aftermath of the Ceasefire
Agreement (CFA), I built a working rapport with the 3 K's
namely - M/s Karikalan, Kaushalyan and Karuna and also with
current Batticaloa Commander, Ramesh.
Confidence
bridging resulted in resolving issues relating to the day to
day problems of civilians, and moreover led to development
activities, which included the resumption of the rail-link
from Batticaloa and Colombo, and re-open the A5 Highway. I
am happy to state that the Batticaloa district was a model
concept of peaceful co-existence taking into consideration
its multi ethnicity.
After
the dissolution of parliament and in the interim period, an
unfortunate situation erupted, which estranged the Eastern
Leader - Mr Karuna from the LTTE hierarchy. I received a
call from Mr. Ramesh stating that he was the successor to
Mr. Karuna, and wanted me to prevail upon Mr. Karuna to
leave the country. I told Mr. Ramesh that I have no contact
with Mr. Karuna, other than in the working context, which
had by then halted, and pledged to Mr. Ramesh that should I
have the opportunity to contact Mr. Karuna, I would
certainly pass on the message.
In
the backdrop, Mr. Karuna contacted me, and I advised Mr.
Karuna to leave Sri Lanka, which would permit those involved
with the peace process to continue devoid of embarrassment.
After some days, and the flare-up during the New Year
Holidays, Mr. Karuna requested me to render him assistance
to move to Colombo in order to move out of Sri Lanka. Due to
the closure and not having had access to many during that
particular period in April, I assisted him, to reach
Colombo, to make his exit, as per his request. My action was
based on humanitarian grounds, at the request of the present
LTTE Area Leader and Mr. Karuna's request too. However, I
categorically deny having offered him sanctuary in any
direct or indirect manner at any stage to date.
Soon
thereafter, I informed Mr. Ramesh of my having fulfilled his
request. From recent reports, sadly, I understand that
confusion prevails on the whereabouts of Mr. Karuna, who is
said to be yet within the territory of Sri Lanka.
It
has been reported that a breakaway faction from Mr. Karuna's
entity had revealed my name to the LTTE, which is the cause
of much embarrassment.
My
action which was on the request of the LTTE Area Leader, Mr.
Ramesh, was with good intentions, and I wish to add that I
advised Mr. Karuna, that he should give way, as a direct
confrontation would endanger life and property of the
civilians who have yet to recover from the ravages of war.
I
for one, have always advocated governance to be implemented
devoid of regional, communal and confrontational politics,
least to say mud-slinging.
As
I value and uphold the Temple of Democracy-the parliament,
herewith, I sanctify having decided to tender my resignation
forthwith, as I do not wish to be an obstacle to the process
of peace by embarrassing any individual (s), group, party or
parties, but make way to all those who are sincerely
dedicated to finding and finalising a
lasting and workable peace formula for our nation.
I
wish to reiterate that my intention was good and absolutely
sincere and genuine. I thank my Leader Hon. Mr. Ranil
Wickramasinghe for having rendered guidance at all times,
the office bearers of the United National Party, my worthy
supporters for having stood with me at all times and to all
my colleagues and staff in Parliament, least to say my
personal staff including officials of the security staff,
friends and members of my family." |
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