News

News

VVIP security for LTTE Trinco leader Elilan
President Chandrika Kumaratunga has ordered the armed forces to provide the fullest security to Tiger guerrilla cadres passing through government -controlled areas during travel from North to East and vice versa.

Acting on this directive the armed forces gave a security cover fit enough for a visiting head of state or dignitary to LTTE Political Wing leader S. Elilan on July 23.

This is whilst the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) is working out a formula to break the deadlock that has arisen over military escorts for Tiger guerrillas transiting through government -controlled areas.

The deadlock followed the LTTE rejection of an offer by Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat that there would be only one round trip provided a month from Kilinochchi to Batticaloa and Kilinochchi to Trincomalee under stipulated conditions. Mr. Dhanapala said “providing of military escort for LTTE’s movements through government -controlled territory is a confidence- building measure and not a right under the Ceasefire Agreement.”

But, how the military was told to respond to an LTTE request this time shows the VVIP treatment Mr. Elilan received. These arrangements were ordered to be in force by the Army’s 22 Division in Trincomalee. The orders went out to the 221 Brigade also in Trincomalee. An escort party consisting of two officers in the rank of Captain or Lieutenant and 34 other ranks; one Sri Lanka Corps Military Police officer, one radio operator to escort them from Kattaiparichchan to Habarana;

One Sri Lanka Corps Military Police and one Radio Operator along with two light vehicles and a Unicorn (an armoured truck) for the escort will be provided by 22 Division Headquarters; A platoon from 221 Brigade in Trincomalee will provide security along Kantalai-Habarana Road main supply route ; Ensure road security with additional pickets and patrols with a Unicorn/Buffel (armoured vehicles);Commanding Officers, Company Commanders and Platoon Commanders to be at their respective locations;

Two escorts to travel inside the vehicle of the LTTE member;Ensure proper take over of the escort parties at Kattaiparichchan and hand over of LTTE member at Habarana in liaison with escort party from Security Force Headquarters (West);SLMM to accompany the movement. Government sources said that the security measures in force for Mr. Elilan’s movement from Trincomalee (Kattaiparichchan) to Kilinochchi were a departure from the position taken up by the Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat.

This was because the LTTE had rejected his offer. The new arrangement involved the deployment of hundreds of troops.

Top

Back to News