Tiger build- up amidst govt. halt to offensive operations

A claymore mine hit one of two Double Cabs travelling along a road near Kokkadicholai on Thursday morning. Soon after the explosion, occupants in the damaged vehicle were shifted to the other and they sped away.

News reached the security establishment in Colombo that guerrilla political wing leader for the east, Sivagnanam alias Karikalan and one of his closest aides Sithamparapillai Gopalan alias Vishu were killed. Throughout Thursday and on Friday, the voices of Karikalan whose radio call sign Kilo November and Vishu, Victor Uniform, were not heard on the guerrilla radio net fuelling reports of their deaths.

Even the Tamilnet website, which have been reporting regularly of claymore mine explosions killing guerrilla leaders, was disbelieved. Tamilnet said on Thursday "A civilian was injured in a claymore mine blast in Kadukkamunai, a village in the western hinterland of the Batticaloa district which is under the control of the Liberation Tigers around 11.45 a.m. Thursday. The claymore was hidden in a culvert on the interior and was aimed at a vehicle of the LTTE which had passed the point seconds before the blast, according to residents of Kadukkamunai who came to the eastern town on Thursday evening.

"Two senior members of the LTTE in Batticaloa were killed in claymore mine blasts set off in the interior this year," an informed resident of Kadukkamunai said. That was a reference to two other guerrilla leaders in the east, "Nizam" and "Mano." Leader of Tiger guerrilla political wing for Amparai and Batticaloa districts, "Nizam" was killed on June 14 when a claymore mine blast hit the motorbike he was travelling at Nallathanni Oday, south west of Batticaloa.

Described as a member of the guerrilla communications and video units in Batticaloa, "Mano" was killed in a claymore mine blast near Vavunativu in Batticaloa. Tiger guerrillas accused "deep penetration" teams of the Sri Lanka Army for carrying out the attacks. The Army, however, denied it.

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) repeatedly broadcast that Karikalan had been killed. But, by Friday afternoon, speculation over the death of Karikalan and Vishu, were laid to rest. Kilo November (Karikalan) was heard on air talking to other guerrilla positions. So did Victor Uniform (Vishu). There was no doubt they were relieved by what appears to be a close encounter with death.

They were warning other cadres to be vigilant about infiltration by Army units and claymore mine attacks. Military Spokesman, Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne, a veteran infantry officer, denied the guerrilla accusation. "They keep accusing us but I say again that we have no involvement," he said.

Claymore mine explosions in the past four months, where some top rung guerrilla cadres were killed and others escaped, have jolted the Tiger leadership. So much so, defensive preparations in areas dominated by them has been hectic. Civilians have been co-opted into vigilance committees to keep watch on possible infiltrators. This is in addition to guerrilla observation posts ahead of security forces installations, particularly in the Weli Oya sector.

The hype over the claymore mine deaths, for which the guerrillas accuse the Sri Lanka Army, has been reflected in pro Tiger guerrilla media in the recent weeks. The London based International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), a widely listened to pro LTTE radio station charged in a news programme on October 11 that the Army was utilising the services of a former PLOTE (People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam) cadre, "Mohan" to launch "deep penetration attacks" on guerrilla leaders in the east. It claimed that the PLOTE activist had been paid a fee of Rs 2.5 million.

IBC named a senior Army official in the Batticaloa district as the man responsible for conducting "operations" against guerrilla leaders in the east. The move has led to security precautions for the official in question being strengthened. He has also been warned to curb his movements.

These developments came as security authorities continued to enhance security precautions, particularly at vital installations, both military and economic. Intelligence assessments by various state agencies have discounted the possibility of Tiger guerrilla attacks on economic or civilian targets. This is on the grounds that the guerrillas want to desist from international exposure in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. However, they were emphatic guerrilla attacks on military targets would continue.

It did happen this week underscoring the fact that military installations, particularly in the east, were vulnerable. Last Thursday, attacks on two Police posts in the Trincomalee district, having a combined strength of over 130 men, at Samachativu and Poowarantivu, were repulsed. A Home Guard was killed and, five policemen and two soldiers were wounded. Last Wednesday, guerrillas attacked a Police post near Kalavanchikudi, south of Batticaloa.

Despite warnings that attacks on civilian installations like ports are unlikely, the Ministry of Defence, has ordered the Sri Lanka Navy to ensure security precautions at the ports in Colombo and Trincomalee remain at the highest levels.

Interestingly security measures at the Colombo Port were recently studied by Trident, a private security consultancy firm from the United Kingdom. Though it was originally claimed that the firm in question has been commissioned by Lloyds underwriters in London, shipping circles in Colombo say it is not so. And now, security in Colombo Port has passed the scrutiny of two leading world powers, United States and the Russian Federation.

On October 2, a three member delegation from the United States Navy comprising Commander Tito P. Dua, MAC Robert Seaton and Agent Michael Adams (Naval Criminal Investigations Service) conducted a full study of security measures. Though it was primarily intended for any possible visits by US Navy vessels, The Sunday Times learns that the team was pleased with the security measures in force. The Ministry of Defence learnt they had commended the measures adopted to prevent any possible attacks.

On October 11, a three member delegation from the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, an organisation that functions directly under President Vladimir Putin, was in Colombo. In the words of the Inspector General of Police, Lucky Kodituwakku, the team was in Sri Lanka to "discuss the security at the Bandaranaike International Airport and the Port of Colombo and recommend measures for improvement, where necessary."

The three member team comprised A.D. Syzih, S.A. Brik and S.G. Nalimov. Police Headquarters prepared a four day itinerary for the team which included a courtesy call on Defence Secretary, Chandrananda de Silva. The team visited the Bandaranaike International Airport and the Colombo Port. It had extensive discussions with Government officials, intelligence authorities and later found time to visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Botanical Gardens and Dalada Maligawa.

This week, intelligence authorities also warned of possible attack on the Kankesanthurai Port in the Jaffna peninsula, the nodal point from which some 40,000 troops and policemen are supplied. The Sunday Times learnt guerrilla preparations for such an attack had been going on for several weeks. A flotilla of Sea Tiger boats were planning to storm the port area. The vulnerability of the Kankesanthurai Port was highlighted in these columns (Situation Report – September 9, 2001).

Fears of guerrilla incursions into the Weli Oya sector prompted Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Lionel Balagalle, to visit the defences in the area yesterday. He also chaired a top level conference where the situation in the various sectors were reviewed and security measures strengthened.

The uncertainties of the political situation in the country that resulted in the dissolution of Parliament and a fresh election no doubt has also opened the need for Tiger guerrillas to review their strategic aims and tactical objectives in the conduct of immediate operations. In doing so, they also are compelled to consider the prevailing international swing of opinion against terrorism as a whole.

In this climate, what makes sense is to aim at gaining political advantages and moral high ground through restrained conduct rather than to risk condemnation as terrorists. That is not to say their goal of stepping up attacks on military targets will recede, particularly in the wake of the upcoming "Heroes Week" next month. Such action, moreover, would be tailored to be conducive to post election negotiations should a new government result at the December 5 parliamentary general elections.

There will also be no slow down by the guerrillas in preparative logistics, especially in the stocking and replenishment of military equipment and infra structural logistics. This would mean they would continue to resort to the ongoing arms build up.

On the other hand, the Government has made it quite clear there will be no major offensive operations. Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, declared in an exclusive interview (see box story on this page) that there would be no offensive action. "That would remain unless something happens on the part of the LTTE which disturbs the situation. In such an event there is no question – the government will act resolutely to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nobody should make any mistake about this," he declared.

Govt. renews offer to LTTE to jointly halt hostile military operations 

"As far as the Government is concerned, it definitely wishes to bring the war to a close. It has said over and over again it favours a negotiated settlement to the national question. A mutually agreed ceasefire would be an all important step in that direction but again what can the government do if the LTTE remains intransigent and the UNP seems unwilling to co-operate," he told The Sunday Times in an exclusive interview. 

It was the first interview since Norwegian backed facilitatory efforts to bring the Government and Tiger guerrillas to the negotiating table slowed down due to general elections in Oslo. Here are excerpts: 

THE STATUS OF THE PEACE INITIATIVES: From about mid June there has been on the table a proposal by the Government for a mutually agreed cessation of hostile military operations which was taken to the LTTE by the Norwegian Government. The LTTE has expressed its disinterest. The significance is that this proposal was there before the July 24 Katunayake incidents. It remained valid even after the Katunayake incidents. Even quite recently the LTTE publicly denounced our proposal accusing the Government of "political gimmickry." 

The proposal remains but how much more can the Government do ? The Government also proposed to UNP that the PA and UNP should issue a joint call to come to negotiations. Even after the collapse of a dialogue between PA and UNP to form a National Government, the People's Alliance urged the UNP to resurrect the joint appeal which was coupled with the same suggestion put to LTTE for a mutually agreed cessation of hostile military operations. 

But the UNP failed to respond to this appeal upto the time of dissolution. I would therefore describe the present situation as a lull in the peace process. 

The Government wishes to continue but the LTTE seems disinclined to engage in talks. This state of affairs leads naturally to questions as to what the LTTE's true intentions are. 

ON REPORTS OF LTTE ARMS BUILD UP: Reports of fresh supplies of weapons being landed on our coast for the LTTE, forcible recruitment campaign of children which is going on in the east, well documented by Amnesty International, UN Special Rapporteur on Children, Reports of the University Teachers for Human Rights (UTHR) bulletins, are very disturbing indeed. 

Are we seeing another LTTE build up of forces ? With what objective ? To destabilise the east and perhaps more importantly to prepare the ground rapidly for another assault on the Jaffna peninsula. The LTTE saying and doing nothing to allay our apprehensions on score and to satisfying the international community that its intentions, whatever they be, is innocent. 

NORWEGIAN PEACE INITIATIVES: The Norwegians remain the facilitators engaged by the Government and the LTTE. A new Norwegian Government was formed yesterday after protracted discussions lasting over a month between various coalition parties after the general elections. 

The new Government headed by Prime Minister Mr. Bondevik was the very Government with which Sri Lanka first had dealings. He was then Prime Minister. Therefore the new Norwegian Government will continue to make its services available if required by the Government and the LTTE. 

But it must be emphasized that the Norwegian Government will only help to the extent the LTTE is willing to allow it to help. If the LTTE does not, at this time, for whatever reasons wants to engage or even accept a cessation of hostile military operations, there is nothing the Norwegian Government can do about that. Nor indeed is there anything the Government of Sri Lanka can do about that. 

UPCOMING DECEMBER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS: It is very unlikely there would be any forward movement (over peace talks) before polls which are just six weeks away. 

OFFENSIVE MILITARY OPERATIONS: There would be no offensive military operations. That would remain unless something happens on the part of the LTTE which disturbs the situation. 

In such an event there is no question. The Government will act resolutely to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty. Nobody should make any mistake about the Government's resolve in that regard. We want to give the prospect of peace every chance to blossom. We will not stand aside in the face of aggression. 

ONGOING CRACKDOWN BY US AND ITS ALLIES ON TERRORISM: We must remember that there is more than a US crack down. The UN Security Council passed mandatory resolution for the first time. This means all member States will have to comply with anti terrorism provisions contained in the resolution and report to Security Council within 90 days. 

Sri Lanka has been in the forefront in the international fight against terrorism. Sri Lanka currently chairs UN Ad Hoc Committee for Elimination of International Terrorism. The current session of the UN General Assembly is considering the adoption of a comprehensive Convention against terrorism to supplement the existing Convention. 

Therefore Sri Lanka will participate fully in all the international efforts to combat terrorism. LTTE has already been designated a terrorist organization by the United States. 

Governments of India, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom have proscribed them. Canada has tabled new legislation two days ago. It is very probable they (the LTTE) would be designated a terrorist organization. Even the European Union is considering anti terrorism legislation. Here again, the LTTE could be designated a terrorist organistion.