Situation Report

LTTE live firing: Navy finds evidence

The seas off the north-eastern coastal town of Mullaitivu were unusually calm last Monday morning (February 17) when two Fast Attack Craft (FAC) of the Sri Lanka Navy met with an unusual encounter.

School girls wearing black bands during a protest rally in the Jaffna penisula this week.

Three Sea Tiger attack craft were moving closely in what they feared was provocative conduct. They had moved past the Naval vessels, drifted in a north-westerly direction and later begun the return journey towards shore. And suddenly, somewhere near two old shipwrecks, not far off from the shore, the three vessels joined others in training manoeuvres and live firing exercises.

The two Navy patrol craft were on the operational boundaries of two Naval commands, the Northern Naval Area Headquarters in Kankesanthurai and the Eastern Naval Area Headquarters in Trincomalee. Both command headquarters sent additional Naval vessels with members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) on board. They reached the location. From a safe area, SLMM members observed what was going on.

The Deputy Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Haagrup Haukland, reflected their findings. "Our monitors observed the live firing. No one was hurt. It is a clear violation of the (Government-LTTE) Ceasefire Agreement," he told The Sunday Times.

Asked what the SLMM had done, he replied "like in all other instances of ceasefire violations, we have brought this to the attention of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)."

The inability of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), that monitors the Ceasefire Agreement of February 22, last year, to go beyond warnings was clearly reflected when Mr Hauckland said "we have no powers to issue orders or to compel parties to obey us." He added "our 47 members can only point out the violations. That is all we can do… we do not have an Army …. or any equipment… to deal with those violating the ceasefire."

If those were the limitations of the SLMM, the concerns of the Sri Lanka Navy, whose task it is to protect the shores and seas of this island nation, were many. The live firing exercises were being conducted with the use of 23 mm guns mounted on the aft and rear of the Sea Tiger patrol craft. These guns, also used in an anti aircraft role, have been fired by the Sea Tigers during occasional confrontations with the Navy since 1987. The twin barrelled 23 mm guns, suspected to be of Belgian origin, intelligence sources say, are mounted on many larger Sea Tiger attack craft. They were now learning manoeuvres and carrying out live firing exercises using them.

Were these part of the weapons consignments the LTTE has successfully smuggled into Sri Lanka during the period of ceasefire? Was the 23 mm gun, oiled and packed in polythene wrapping, found inside the trawler involved in the Delft incident, also part of this consignment? In the case of the latter, the Navy found some Chinese markings on the barrel but is still trying to ascertain the origin.

Since the ceasefire, the Navy has been reporting to the Ministry of Defence that Sea Tigers were conducting live firing exercises at regular intervals. But this is the first time the Navy came up with unimpeachable evidence. That is by moving to the exercise area off the shores of Mullaitivu with SLMM monitors. As a result, the SLMM has made two significant findings - (1) Sea Tigers were in fact conducting training manoeuvres and live firing exercises (2) that such activity was in direct contravention of the Ceasefire Agreement between the UNF Government and the LTTE.

That is not all. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri has more incontrovertible evidence. The Israeli-built MSIS (Multi Sensor Integrated System) cameras mounted on board the Navy's Fast Attack Craft had filmed the training manoeuvres and the live firing exercise. He has all that on VHS tape.

As a result of these developments, so many matters have now become clearer. Whilst the Sea Tigers were emerging as a potent Naval force in the Indian Ocean region, the operational capability of the Sri Lanka Navy has dwindled to much less than fifty percent since the Ceasefire Agreement. That is with expanded strength and by acquiring new equipment. To enumerate the pathetic plight the Navy has been forced into in respect of operational efficiency for no fault of theirs would be inimical to national interest.

The Sea Tiger training manoeuvres and live firing exercise came just ten days after the incident near Delft Island (Jaffna peninsula). On February 6 Naval craft apprehended a trawler towed by a Sea Tiger boat with 12 cadres on board. The boat with guerrillas on board was released after SLMM found they were not transporting anything incriminating. However, the trawler with three guerrillas on board was detained.

Later after two SLMM monitors boarded it for a search and found a 23 mm gun, ammunition boxes, hand grenades, an assault rifle and other warlike items hidden in the bottom compartment of the trawler. The three guerrillas on board set fire to the boat and committed suicide.

(Situation Report - February 9). The incident came as a UNF Government and LTTE delegation sat for peace talks in the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Berlin. It later transpired that the trawler was one of two headed for a mid sea transfer of military hardware from a cargo ship (located some 150 nautical miles north east of Sri Lanka) but had developed engine trouble.

The LTTE was to use the Delft incident to instigate large-scale public protests in the north and east. Just six days after the events off Delft island, an incident at Manipay over female guerrilla cadres wearing web belts, considered part of uniform and thus banned in Government controlled areas by the SLMM. (Situation Report - February 14). The incident prompted LTTE Chief Negotiator, Anton Balasingham, (due in Colombo on March 2) to publicly warn that the guerrillas would abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement if similar incidents occurred. His warning came after reported attacks on civilians by Police riot squads and Army Special Forces teams deployed to quell protests outside the headquarters of the 2nd battalion of the Military Intelligence Corps in Manipay- a matter that is now being probed by a three member Army Court of Inquiry.

Yesterday, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Ceasefire Agreement, the LTTE observed a hartal in the north and east. Besides the Delft and Manipay incidents, handbills distributed by the LTTE claimed that even a year after the ceasefire, the public have not received any relief. It also said the Security Forces were continuing to occupy High Security Zones. The UNF Government, however, sought to make capital of the event. They appealed to the public to light a lamp in their homes to mark one year of peace as a result of the ceasefire. Many did. Television networks in Colombo, both State and private, displayed a white dove on their screens to symbolise peace.

In marked contrast, the LTTE appears to have launched a campaign, just days ahead of the ceasefire anniversary, in Government controlled areas. They were aimed at encouraging the public to join in various protests to protest the Delft and Manipay incidents.

The study of a collection of them from a large volume of reports reaching Army, Navy and Police Headquarters (from their provincial commands in the north and east) raises the question whether the campaigns were intended to undermine the writ of the Government in those areas. See box story for some of these reports.

When examining the many violations of the cease-fire and other provocative incidents short of breaching the agreement, it is clear that there is a dichotomy in the approach to the peace process by the UNF government and the LTTE.

Whereas the government is searching an end to the conflict in all its dimensions, military, political, social and economic, the LTTE is unwaveringly committed to its political goal of Eelam. Its Chief Negotiator Anton Balasingham says it all in his address to the Tamil expatriates in Dusseldorf, Germany when he asserts that "the present peace talks is a diplomatic move to obtain international legitimacy and to achieve our goal".

Whether LTTE manoeuvring is aimed at international diplomacy or at their overseas diaspora or at domestic politico-military consolidation, their strategies are firmly tuned towards their final goal.

It is precisely because of this division that the government should exercise its writ in the larger interests of the country so that there is no misunderstanding between the legal rights of the of a devolved authority and the Central Government whether as now spelt in the Government-LTTE agreement or whatever any future political structure may evolve presuming of course that it is within a united Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, violations of the peace agreement in most cases impinge on the law and order situation and in some cases more seriously on the sovereignty of the country, as in both the Delft and Manipay incidents. These therefore are matters that cannot be dismissed lightly. The LTTE on the other hand seem to exercise their writ in areas controlled by them as seen by their flagrant violation of the cease-fire agreement and the law of the land.

The increasingly lukewarm response of the United National Front against violations by the LTTE does not inspire public confidence in them. Neither do these incidents contribute to impress the public of the sincerity of the LTTE to peace. Without public support it is questionable whether a political process can achieve a durable peace.

Heightened Tiger activity raises serious questions

Since the Delft (February 6) and Manipay incidents (February 12), the LTTE has been triggering off a string of incidents in the north and east raising questions whether attempts were being made to undermine the writ of the government in these areas.

Here are few among a large number of reports Army, Navy and Police Headquarters have been receiving from their area commands in the north and east, just days ahead of yesterday's first anniversary of the Ceasefire Agreement. Interesting enough, apart from preventive measures, both the Police and the Military did not take any precipitate action over these incidents:

Jaffna Peninsula
February 14:
NALLUR - Approximately 1500 civilians including students instigated by the LTTE participated in a protest march displaying banners, effigies and placards. Campaign started from Jaffna library and ended at the SLMM office. Later protesters burnt effigies of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Major General Sarath Fonseka opposite Naga Vihare Junction at Vannarapannai.

KACHCHAI - LTTE cadres burnt few tyres. ALLARAI - LTTE cadres and school children burnt few tyres and launched a protest campaign. KAITADI - LTTE cadres had an effigy in a tractor from Kopai to Kaitadi junction and burnt it. UDUPPIDDY - On instructions of LTTE students of Uduppiddy Ladies College and College of American Mission burnt effigies of the President and Jaffna Security Forces Commander. Point Pedro - Approximately 50 civilians instigated by the LTTE burnt effigies of the President and Jaffna Security Forces Commander.

February 17:

COLOMBUTHURAI - Approximately ten persons conducted a protest carrying black flags opposite State Media Department in Jaffna. It was conducted against the assault of media persons during Manipay incident.
NORTH KOPAI - A tax collection office had been opened in an abandoned house in Irupalai in JAFFNA-POINT PEDRO road by the LTTE. Seven LTTE cadres are assigned to this office.
Wanni

February 15:

PANDARIKULAM - Approximately 225 civilians wearing black armbands held a protest walk from Kurumankadu Amman Kovil to SLMM office in Vavuniya town. They handed over a petition to SLMM officials protesting the incident in Manipay. The civilians who took part in this protest are from Poonthottam, Nalukkulam and Adappankula Internally Displace Persons camps.

February 19:

CHEDDIKULAM - Students of Cheddikulam School wore black armbands. It was revealed that two shops in Cheddikulam town sold these bands. Subsequently the Police had prevented the sale of these armbands. MANNAR - The staff of the Kachcheri and Post Office in Mannar wore black armbands during the working hours on the instructions of the LTTE. Teachers of Sithivinayagar Hindu Vidyalaya and St. Lucia's in Mannar had disallowed students who tried to enter into the school premises wearing black armbands. The LTTE had distributed armbands to three-wheeler society, vehicle society and shops in Mannar. However, the public in Mannar showed displeasure in wearing these bands. Security Forces in coordination with Police had conducted foot and mobile patrol and showed their presence near schools in Mannar area, which affected the LTTE protest activity.

Eastern Province

February 19:

A demonstration was conducted by the LTTE and the Tamil Community in Batticaloa town area as a mark of protest against the Manipay incident. Approximately 300 demonstrators along with school children participated. They wore black armbands, carried placards and flags. The demonstrators marched silently along Hindu College road, Koddamunai Bridge road, Court House road and gathered near the clock tower. Later they handed over a letter to the Assistant Government Agent who arrived at the location. All government offices and shops remained closed. Public transportation in Batticaloa town ceased. Two LTTE political leaders (namely Senadiraj and Tuylpan) along with approximately 20 to 25 LTTE cadres participated in the event. Later they dispersed peacefully.

CHENKALADY - The LTTE and the Tamil Community in Vandaramullai protested against the Manipay incident conducted a demonstration. Approximately 45 to 50 civilians at Vandaramullai and marched up to the Chenkalady Divisional Secretariat Office. Later they dispersed peacefully. All government offices and shops in Chendalady and Sittandy remained closed.

KANTALE - Information received that a LTTE Police Office was opened in the house of Thiruchelvam in Verugal, Mohottuwaram, Ichchalampattu in uncleared area and will be manned by the LTTE members (namely Sergeant Pushpan, Sergeant Sally and Jana).

VALAICHCHENAI - A demonstration was conducted by LTTE and the Tamil Community in Valaichchenai town area to protest against the Manipay incident. Students of Valaichchenai Hindu College, Putukudyiruppu Primary School marched up to the Divisional Secretariat Office Valaichchenai. They proclaimed the incident, which took place in Manipay, was barbaric and inhuman. They wore black armbands and carried placards and flags. Around 700 demonstrators who gathered at the Valaichchenai Divisional Secretariat Office handed over a letter to the Divisional Secretariat. All government offices and shops remained closed and public transport in Valaichchenai town ceased.

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