Thamilselvan’s funeral tomorrow, Prabha pays respects to his number two

By Asif Fuard

LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran paying his respects to Tamil Tiger political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan in Kilinochchi.

The funeral of LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan who was killed on Friday morning in Killinochchi when Sri Lanka Air Force jets pounded a secret location where he had been present at the time, will take place tomorrow. Sources from rebel-held Killinochchi said LTTE leader Velupillai Prabahkaran visited an undisclosed location to pay his respects to the person considered as his number 2 and placed a garland of flowers on the body.

The LTTE leader had reportedly come to Killinochchi amid tight security and had stayed for nearly an hour. The funeral of the five other LTTE military wing leaders -- Lt. Col. Ampumani (Alex), Maj. Mikuthan, Maj. Kalaiyarasan, Lt. Atchivel and Lt. Mawaikumaran -- who were also killed in the air raid was held yesterday. As part of his final journey, Mr. Thamilselvan’s body is to be taken to several places in the Wanni.

The LTTE posthumously honoured Mr. Thamilselvan with the rank of ‘Brigadier’ – the highest military honour bestowed on an LTTEer. In honour of those killed on Friday the LTTE declared three days of mourning in areas under its control.Born on August 1964 at Chavakachcheri in Jaffna, Mr. Thamilselvan joined the LTTE in 1984 and is reported to have received military training in India during the Indra Ghandhi-administration.

In 1993 he led the attack on Pooneryn where he injured his leg. In the mid 1990s he was appointed LTTE political wing leader and in 2002 took part in the peace talks with successive governments. Mr. Thamilselvan was appointed as LTTE chief negotiator last Decemeber after the death of LTTE theoretician Anton Balasingham.

LTTE police chief P. Nadesan who was also a member of the rebels negotiating team was appointed as its new political head. The government defence establishment was euphoric over the incident claiming that it’s Air Force fighter jets scored a direct hit on a secret venue where rebel leaders had gathered for a meeting.

The incident came in the wake of a major LTTE attack on the Anuradhapura Air Force base inflicting massive losses on the Air Force and with only three weeks to go before LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran's much-awaited "Maveerar ("Great Heroes") Day" address, that is known to reveal the future agenda of the Tigers.

Photo Credit: www.sankathi.net