End game in sight
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Prabhakaran’s son Charles wounded
Charles Anthony, eldest son of LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran is said to have been seriously wounded by artillery fire, while he was at Puthukkudiyiruppu. Thereafter, LTTE cadres had taken him to the ‘No Fire’ Zone (NFZ) and presently, Prabhakaran’s doctor, ‘Puri’, is said to be treating Charles Anthony. An LTTE leader, S. Ramachandran (code name within the LTTE and Tamil Diaspora loyal to the LTTE), living in Toronto, Canada, received this information via e-mail. Ramachandran is believed to be collecting funds from the Tamil Diaspora in Canada. He is a relative of Prabhakaran’s wife, Madhivadani. The e-mail had further stated that Prabhakaran is very concerned of his son’s injuries.
Prabhakaran named his eldest son after Charles Anthony, a close and loyal confidante of his, who was killed in confrontations with the Army. Earlier, on a tip-off on the whereabouts of Charles Anthony alias ‘Seelan’, then number two of the LTTE, the Army encircled Meesalai near Chavakachcheri. Alerted of the arrival of the troops, Seelan, along with Aruna, Anand and Ganesh had decamped on bicycles. Soldiers spotted them and opened fire. Seelan, already suffering an injured kneecap from the Chavakachcheri Police Station attack, had to abandon his bicycle and run through a paddy field, in an attempt to give the slip to the troops.
While on the run, it was said that Seelan, further injured by gunshots and unable to run further, requested his men that he be killed, before he fell into the hands of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). When his comrades-in-arms hesitated, Seelan had told them that he could not bear the pain anymore, and could not move fast. Therefore, he ordered Aruna, his childhood friend from Trincomalee, to finish him off.
When Aruna hesitated, he had screamed at him, “Shoot me, I don’t want to fall into their hands alive.” Finally, Aruna is said to have placed his rifle on Seelan’s forehead and shot him. Later, it was said that the LTTE was determined to avenge Seelan’s, a. k. a. Charles Anthony, death, and it meticulously planned, to take revenge on the SLA. ‘Eelam War IV’ enters decisive stage
While the Sri Lankan Security Forces (SF) have successfully cut off all roads leading to the Government declared NFZ, the LTTE too, has not shown any let up in its attempt to end the battles. While still holding the remaining civilians as human shields, the terrorist outfit attempted to infiltrate SF held areas several times during the past week. But the military had the upper hand and thwarted all LTTE infiltration attempts, military sources said. And now, the war is set to take a decisive turn.
Troops of 58 Division on Monday captured an LTTE truck mounted with a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, during operations carried out at the Iranapalai area in Puthukkudiyiruppu East. Battlefield sources said that, infantrymen of 20 Gajaba Regiment (GR), successfully repulsed an LTTE bid to breach the forward boundary in the afternoon, causing heavy casualties to the terrorists. Five bodies of LTTE cadres were recovered along with five T-56 rifles and a communication set. According to the sources, troops have also pushed their forward boundaries further into the remaining LTTE areas, causing the terrorists to lose the support weapon they had brought into battle.
Meanwhile, snipers deployed in the forward areas of Iranapalai East, reported killing 21 Tiger cadres on Monday. Troops of 53 Division and Task Force VIII, operating in the Puthukkudiyiruppu Eastern front, continued their march into LTTE held areas, amid intense resistance. Intercepted radio transmissions have confirmed heavy casualties to the Tigers during the clashes.
Troops move closer to NFZ
There are only five sq. km. more in Puthukkudiyiruppu, with the muddy open land where the Tigers are holed up, said Vavuniya SF Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya. Although it is only a relatively small area to overcome and reach the target, yet, it is no cake walk, as there is heavy resistance from the LTTE. A senior Army officer said that the LTTE cadres are battling the Army by sending forcibly recruited civilians to the front.
The LTTE’s frontline leaders Banu, Vidusha, Soosai and Theepan command the battle from the NFZ, and Pottu Amman is currently coordinating the battle, while informing the latest developments to Prabhakaran. LTTE’s e-mail war
While battles are raging on the ground, the LTTE media unit is sending e-mails to the Tamil Diaspora in the Far East and Europe, urging them to influence their respective host country governments and officials to influence the Sri Lankan Government to stop the war, so as to save their leader Prabhakaran.
Meanwhile, troops of Task Force VIII, under Col. G.V. Ravipriya, advanced South to North, troops of 58 Division under Brig. Shavendra Silva advanced West to East and that of 55 Division under Brig. Prasanna Silva advanced southwards from the Palamattalan coastal belt. Brig. Chargi Gallage is manning the entire defence lines with the Commando and Special Forces, hunting, infiltrating LTTE cadres and providing vital advance support to Infantry troops.
On March 30, 58-1 Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Deshapariya Gunawardane instructed his 20 GR commanding officer Maj. Kumar Peiris to capture or destroy the LTTE’s 12.7mm heavy machine guns, which were taking a heavy toll on the advancing SF. Prize catch of 12.7mm gun mounted cab
Maj. Peiris assigned eight soldiers, including a sniper, who proceeded early morning towards the Iranapali area in Puthukkudiyiruppu East. The LTTE guns were mounted on double-cabs and one was packed with ammunition. The soldiers monitored continuously through their binoculars. A 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted double cab was spotted moving closer to them, and when the cab was within firing range, the sniper opened fire. The LTTE cadre operating the 12.7mm gun was killed on the spot and the soldiers opened fire on the second cab packed with ammunition. This cab exploded with the two LTTE cadres. Mission accomplished, the soldiers drove the captured cab with the mounted gun, to their base.
The 55 Division with its 55-3 Brigade under Col. Mahinda Weerasooriya, and 7 VIR under Lt. Col. Deepal Pussalle in the Palamattalan area of Puthukkudiyiruppu North, engaged in heavy fighting with the terrorists and captured several LTTE bunkers. On one occasion, an LTTE suicide bomber exploded himself inside the bunker, as his comrades took to their heels. Sources said that the soldiers were unharmed in the explosion.
On Sunday (29), the military, North of Palamathalan, advancing to rescue the civilians held in the NFZ, breached the LTTE built earth bund and continued their offensive beyond, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, according to the latest military report from the battlefront. The LTTE have fled the area, leaving the bodies of LTTE cadres killed in hours-long fighting in the area, military sources added.
Intercepted LTTE communications have revealed that a senior Sea Tiger leader, Uththaman, who commanded the ground battle, was also killed. During subsequent search operations, troops recovered 13 bodies of LTTE cadres abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.Views of an anti terrorism expert
Professor Dr. Rohan Gunaratne, author of several books on armed conflict, Research Associate of the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK, was here on a brief visit recently. His interview was published in the column last week.
To further obtain his perspective on the future of the LTTE, this column asked Dr. Gunaratne to voice his views to the question of what type of business activities the Tigers are involved in, to strengthen the LTTE financial network? He says, “To minimise the risk to the LTTE’s fund generation activities, it has invested in diverse sources of funds; ranging from criminal activity; legitimate businesses, fundraising through front cover and sympathetic organisations and individual contributions.”
Dr. Gunaratne further says that to generate revenue, the LTTE has formed several companies in the Northeast of Sri Lanka. These companies take the face of innocuous human rights, humanitarian, social, economic, cultural, religious, educational, commercial, community and charity organisations. In the South of Sri Lanka, the LTTE taxes businesses, which is a form of implicit and explicit extortion, where the LTTE reminds reluctant owners and workers of their family, extended family and relatives living in the Northeast. The Tigers’ overseas businesses
Commenting on the LTTE’s overseas activities, he said that most of the LTTE’s businesses outside the Northeast, are based overseas. The LTTE ‘s business empire is diverse, he admits, while saying that they range from the sale of gold, shipping companies, trading companies, travel and transportation companies, security companies, manufacturing industries, printing of newspapers, running radio stations, managing restaurants, sale of phone cards to CD and DVD manufacturing. He named a few of these as Palmax in Thailand, Tamilini in Europe and Eagle Trading.
On the LTTE’s assets in foreign countries, Prof. Gunaratne had this to say. “As the LTTE is a well known terrorist group and banned in some countries, it cannot operate under its own name. The organisation has invested its wealth in the names of Sri Lankans, Tamils of Sri Lankan heritage and more recently, in the names of foreigners. The LTTE owns a number of properties overseas, including temples in the UK, businesses in Switzerland and even ships plying international waters.”
“The LTTE is among the top five wealthiest terrorist groups. Its wealth is estimated at a few hundred million US dollars. Most of the LTTE’s funds are invested in Europe and North America, followed by Asia. The security and intelligence services of the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and a number of Asian countries are mapping LTTE’s wealth. They have been mapping its operatives, offices, businesses, ships, and its accounts. More than ever before, there is excellent cooperation and collaboration between Western and Asian government agencies. They are sharing information on LTTE operatives, financiers and other individuals as well as LTTE businesses and other assets,” adds Dr. Gunaratne.
Role of Govt. and Foreign Ministry in dismantling Tiger network
Asked about the future of the centralised organisation that is the LTTE, after the death or departure of its leader V. Prabhakaran, Prof. Gunaratne says, “The purpose of the LTTE’s international network is to raise and manage funds, procure weapons and other dual user technologies and move goods to Sri Lanka by sea. It is a lethal terror network that enables the LTTE to kill, maim, and injure both combatants and civilians. Many Western nations have not adequately understood the lethality of the network.”
But he sounded a warning note to the Government and relevant authorities by adding, “The LTTE international network will continue to function, as the Sri Lankan Government has been unsuccessful in developing a comprehensive strategy to disrupt and dismantle it. Even if Prabhakaran is killed, the network will function, unless the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry takes the lead. The Foreign Office should first understand the network. Then its emissaries should engage the Tamil community to dissuade them from supporting violence and government security representatives should work with their counterparts, to dismantle the network. Simply monitoring the network is not sufficient.”
To the question, “Currently, the US, UK, Western, some Far Eastern and South Asian countries and even the UN Security Council are attempting to get resolutions passed in the UN to directly intervene in the Sri Lankan conflict. One such attempt was vetoed by the Permanent Members of the Security Council, Russia and China. According to information received by me, Visvanathan Rudrakumar has a clear link. Your opinion on this piece of information?” the Professor went on to explain thus:
“The primary function of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry is to advance Sri Lanka’s national security and foreign policy interests. If the Sri Lankan foreign missions kept the foreign governments regularly informed, this would not happen. Prabhakaran has taken 100,000 Tamils hostage with the specific intention of creating an international humanitarian crisis. He is a cruel and a cunning man, who has brought untold suffering to the Sri Lankans, especially, to the Tamils and Muslims of the North and East and the Sinhalese of the South. The Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka has not done its utmost in explaining the LTTE’s strategy to artificially engineer a crisis to generate international concern. The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry’s publicity campaign should not only educate foreign governments and NGOs, but the migrant Tamils as well, who are largely exposed to the LTTE’s propaganda.
Charles Anthony, eldest son of LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran is said to have been seriously wounded by artillery fire, while he was at Puthukkudiyiruppu. Thereafter, LTTE cadres had taken him to the ‘No Fire’ Zone (NFZ) and presently, Prabhakaran’s doctor, ‘Puri’, is said to be treating Charles Anthony. An LTTE leader, S. Ramachandran (code name within the LTTE and Tamil Diaspora loyal to the LTTE), living in Toronto, Canada, received this information via e-mail. Ramachandran is believed to be collecting funds from the Tamil Diaspora in Canada. He is a relative of Prabhakaran’s wife, Madhivadani. The e-mail had further stated that Prabhakaran is very concerned of his son’s injuries.
Prabhakaran named his eldest son after Charles Anthony, a close and loyal confidante of his, who was killed in confrontations with the Army. Earlier, on a tip-off on the whereabouts of Charles Anthony alias ‘Seelan’, then number two of the LTTE, the Army encircled Meesalai near Chavakachcheri. Alerted of the arrival of the troops, Seelan, along with Aruna, Anand and Ganesh had decamped on bicycles. Soldiers spotted them and opened fire. Seelan, already suffering an injured kneecap from the Chavakachcheri Police Station attack, had to abandon his bicycle and run through a paddy field, in an attempt to give the slip to the troops.
While on the run, it was said that Seelan, further injured by gunshots and unable to run further, requested his men that he be killed, before he fell into the hands of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). When his comrades-in-arms hesitated, Seelan had told them that he could not bear the pain anymore, and could not move fast. Therefore, he ordered Aruna, his childhood friend from Trincomalee, to finish him off.
When Aruna hesitated, he had screamed at him, “Shoot me, I don’t want to fall into their hands alive.” Finally, Aruna is said to have placed his rifle on Seelan’s forehead and shot him. Later, it was said that the LTTE was determined to avenge Seelan’s, a. k. a. Charles Anthony, death, and it meticulously planned, to take revenge on the SLA. ‘Eelam War IV’ enters decisive stage
While the Sri Lankan Security Forces (SF) have successfully cut off all roads leading to the Government declared NFZ, the LTTE too, has not shown any let up in its attempt to end the battles. While still holding the remaining civilians as human shields, the terrorist outfit attempted to infiltrate SF held areas several times during the past week. But the military had the upper hand and thwarted all LTTE infiltration attempts, military sources said. And now, the war is set to take a decisive turn.
Troops of 58 Division on Monday captured an LTTE truck mounted with a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, during operations carried out at the Iranapalai area in Puthukkudiyiruppu East. Battlefield sources said that, infantrymen of 20 Gajaba Regiment (GR), successfully repulsed an LTTE bid to breach the forward boundary in the afternoon, causing heavy casualties to the terrorists. Five bodies of LTTE cadres were recovered along with five T-56 rifles and a communication set. According to the sources, troops have also pushed their forward boundaries further into the remaining LTTE areas, causing the terrorists to lose the support weapon they had brought into battle.
Meanwhile, snipers deployed in the forward areas of Iranapalai East, reported killing 21 Tiger cadres on Monday. Troops of 53 Division and Task Force VIII, operating in the Puthukkudiyiruppu Eastern front, continued their march into LTTE held areas, amid intense resistance. Intercepted radio transmissions have confirmed heavy casualties to the Tigers during the clashes.
Troops move closer to NFZ
There are only five sq. km. more in Puthukkudiyiruppu, with the muddy open land where the Tigers are holed up, said Vavuniya SF Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya. Although it is only a relatively small area to overcome and reach the target, yet, it is no cake walk, as there is heavy resistance from the LTTE. A senior Army officer said that the LTTE cadres are battling the Army by sending forcibly recruited civilians to the front.
The LTTE’s frontline leaders Banu, Vidusha, Soosai and Theepan command the battle from the NFZ, and Pottu Amman is currently coordinating the battle, while informing the latest developments to Prabhakaran. LTTE’s e-mail war
While battles are raging on the ground, the LTTE media unit is sending e-mails to the Tamil Diaspora in the Far East and Europe, urging them to influence their respective host country governments and officials to influence the Sri Lankan Government to stop the war, so as to save their leader Prabhakaran.
Meanwhile, troops of Task Force VIII, under Col. G.V. Ravipriya, advanced South to North, troops of 58 Division under Brig. Shavendra Silva advanced West to East and that of 55 Division under Brig. Prasanna Silva advanced southwards from the Palamattalan coastal belt. Brig. Chargi Gallage is manning the entire defence lines with the Commando and Special Forces, hunting, infiltrating LTTE cadres and providing vital advance support to Infantry troops.
On March 30, 58-1 Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Deshapariya Gunawardane instructed his 20 GR commanding officer Maj. Kumar Peiris to capture or destroy the LTTE’s 12.7mm heavy machine guns, which were taking a heavy toll on the advancing SF. Prize catch of 12.7mm gun mounted cab
Maj. Peiris assigned eight soldiers, including a sniper, who proceeded early morning towards the Iranapali area in Puthukkudiyiruppu East. The LTTE guns were mounted on double-cabs and one was packed with ammunition. The soldiers monitored continuously through their binoculars. A 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted double cab was spotted moving closer to them, and when the cab was within firing range, the sniper opened fire. The LTTE cadre operating the 12.7mm gun was killed on the spot and the soldiers opened fire on the second cab packed with ammunition. This cab exploded with the two LTTE cadres. Mission accomplished, the soldiers drove the captured cab with the mounted gun, to their base.
The 55 Division with its 55-3 Brigade under Col. Mahinda Weerasooriya, and 7 VIR under Lt. Col. Deepal Pussalle in the Palamattalan area of Puthukkudiyiruppu North, engaged in heavy fighting with the terrorists and captured several LTTE bunkers. On one occasion, an LTTE suicide bomber exploded himself inside the bunker, as his comrades took to their heels. Sources said that the soldiers were unharmed in the explosion.
On Sunday (29), the military, North of Palamathalan, advancing to rescue the civilians held in the NFZ, breached the LTTE built earth bund and continued their offensive beyond, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy, according to the latest military report from the battlefront. The LTTE have fled the area, leaving the bodies of LTTE cadres killed in hours-long fighting in the area, military sources added.
Intercepted LTTE communications have revealed that a senior Sea Tiger leader, Uththaman, who commanded the ground battle, was also killed. During subsequent search operations, troops recovered 13 bodies of LTTE cadres abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.Views of an anti terrorism expert
Professor Dr. Rohan Gunaratne, author of several books on armed conflict, Research Associate of the Center for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK, was here on a brief visit recently. His interview was published in the column last week.
To further obtain his perspective on the future of the LTTE, this column asked Dr. Gunaratne to voice his views to the question of what type of business activities the Tigers are involved in, to strengthen the LTTE financial network? He says, “To minimise the risk to the LTTE’s fund generation activities, it has invested in diverse sources of funds; ranging from criminal activity; legitimate businesses, fundraising through front cover and sympathetic organisations and individual contributions.”
Dr. Gunaratne further says that to generate revenue, the LTTE has formed several companies in the Northeast of Sri Lanka. These companies take the face of innocuous human rights, humanitarian, social, economic, cultural, religious, educational, commercial, community and charity organisations. In the South of Sri Lanka, the LTTE taxes businesses, which is a form of implicit and explicit extortion, where the LTTE reminds reluctant owners and workers of their family, extended family and relatives living in the Northeast. The Tigers’ overseas businesses
Commenting on the LTTE’s overseas activities, he said that most of the LTTE’s businesses outside the Northeast, are based overseas. The LTTE ‘s business empire is diverse, he admits, while saying that they range from the sale of gold, shipping companies, trading companies, travel and transportation companies, security companies, manufacturing industries, printing of newspapers, running radio stations, managing restaurants, sale of phone cards to CD and DVD manufacturing. He named a few of these as Palmax in Thailand, Tamilini in Europe and Eagle Trading.
On the LTTE’s assets in foreign countries, Prof. Gunaratne had this to say. “As the LTTE is a well known terrorist group and banned in some countries, it cannot operate under its own name. The organisation has invested its wealth in the names of Sri Lankans, Tamils of Sri Lankan heritage and more recently, in the names of foreigners. The LTTE owns a number of properties overseas, including temples in the UK, businesses in Switzerland and even ships plying international waters.”
“The LTTE is among the top five wealthiest terrorist groups. Its wealth is estimated at a few hundred million US dollars. Most of the LTTE’s funds are invested in Europe and North America, followed by Asia. The security and intelligence services of the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and a number of Asian countries are mapping LTTE’s wealth. They have been mapping its operatives, offices, businesses, ships, and its accounts. More than ever before, there is excellent cooperation and collaboration between Western and Asian government agencies. They are sharing information on LTTE operatives, financiers and other individuals as well as LTTE businesses and other assets,” adds Dr. Gunaratne.
Role of Govt. and Foreign Ministry in dismantling Tiger network
Asked about the future of the centralised organisation that is the LTTE, after the death or departure of its leader V. Prabhakaran, Prof. Gunaratne says, “The purpose of the LTTE’s international network is to raise and manage funds, procure weapons and other dual user technologies and move goods to Sri Lanka by sea. It is a lethal terror network that enables the LTTE to kill, maim, and injure both combatants and civilians. Many Western nations have not adequately understood the lethality of the network.”
But he sounded a warning note to the Government and relevant authorities by adding, “The LTTE international network will continue to function, as the Sri Lankan Government has been unsuccessful in developing a comprehensive strategy to disrupt and dismantle it. Even if Prabhakaran is killed, the network will function, unless the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry takes the lead. The Foreign Office should first understand the network. Then its emissaries should engage the Tamil community to dissuade them from supporting violence and government security representatives should work with their counterparts, to dismantle the network. Simply monitoring the network is not sufficient.”
To the question, “Currently, the US, UK, Western, some Far Eastern and South Asian countries and even the UN Security Council are attempting to get resolutions passed in the UN to directly intervene in the Sri Lankan conflict. One such attempt was vetoed by the Permanent Members of the Security Council, Russia and China. According to information received by me, Visvanathan Rudrakumar has a clear link. Your opinion on this piece of information?” the Professor went on to explain thus:
“The primary function of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry is to advance Sri Lanka’s national security and foreign policy interests. If the Sri Lankan foreign missions kept the foreign governments regularly informed, this would not happen. Prabhakaran has taken 100,000 Tamils hostage with the specific intention of creating an international humanitarian crisis. He is a cruel and a cunning man, who has brought untold suffering to the Sri Lankans, especially, to the Tamils and Muslims of the North and East and the Sinhalese of the South. The Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka has not done its utmost in explaining the LTTE’s strategy to artificially engineer a crisis to generate international concern. The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry’s publicity campaign should not only educate foreign governments and NGOs, but the migrant Tamils as well, who are largely exposed to the LTTE’s propaganda.
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