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Norway blames Govt., LTTE as killings continue
Past weeks have been holiday season for political leaders and top bureaucrats in Sri Lanka. Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickremasinghe, chose the idyllic Indonesian beach resort of Bali, to relax. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is on a private visit to United Kingdom. She left on Saturday (August 21). Summer holidays are in full swing there. Unlike during other years, staffing problems forced British Airways to ground many flights disappointing hundreds of holiday makers taking advantage of the season. There were no such problems for the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), which takes good care of airlifting VIPs and VVIPs. They re-scheduled a flight to Trincomalee, due to leave on Friday (August 20) morning to late afternoon the same day. It was a Harbin Y-12 (the letter Y stands for Yasungi in Chinese for transport aircraft) to accommodate a VIP. Even before President Kumaratunga left, her Defence Secretary, Cyril Herath (also Chairman of the National Savings Bank) took off for Trinco. He spent a weekend at the Navy House inside the Dockyard, home for Sri Lanka Navy's Eastern Command. That stay came handy for him to make informal inquiries about camps the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had established south of Trincomalee. Media interest on the matter was roused after disclosures in these columns last week. But most Sri Lankans are reeling with shocks in the past weeks after the fuel price hikes. Resultant increases in almost all goods and services, now going on, are devastating enough. If that is battering their lifestyles, fears that the 31 month old ceasefire may snap and a return to more violence, if not a full fledged war, has become a devastating thought to many of them. Never before since the ceasefire have such fears been so widespread and so openly manifest. Nowhere are the concerns, arising from such fears, most reflected than with the Norwegian peace facilitators. If their task in the past has been to persuade the UPFA Government and the Tiger guerrillas to return to the negotiating table, it has now taken second place. They first want to make sure the Ceasefire Agreement of February 22, 2002, remains intact. With this in mind, Special Envoy Erik Solheim and Norway's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Hans Brattskar, now on home leave, will fly from Oslo to London next week. They are to meet with LTTE's Chief Negotiator, Anton Balasingham. Norway's message to the LTTE, to be conveyed through Mr. Balasingham is that the Tiger guerrillas should stop the killing of their rivals. Thereafter, Mr. Brattskar will return to Colombo later in the week. He will seek a meeting with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. He is to be accompanied by Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), retired Norwegian Major General Trond Furuhovde. The latter is also due to leave for Oslo to interview more recruits to be posted as ceasefire monitors in Sri Lanka. Norway's message to the UPFA Government, to be conveyed through President Kumaratunga, is to call a halt to security forces helping paramilitary groups to carry out attacks on Tiger guerrilla cadres. They are to raise issue over disarming of these groups by the Government of Sri Lanka in accordance with (Para 1.8) of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA). Officially the LTTE has denied involvement in the killing of members belonging to rival groups. Most killings, they argue, had taken place in Government "controlled" areas. Hence, they say, it is the responsibility of the Government to prevent such incidents. They also claim that the killings were the result of internecine warfare within paramilitary groups. Also officially, the UPFA Government has flatly denied any involvement by the security forces with paramilitary groups that are killing or kidnapping Tiger guerrilla cadres. Such denials by the two sides are nothing new. They have been repeated on many an occasion when one or the other is accused of instigating an incident. What is new, however, is the message the Government of Norway wants to deliver both sides. They have determined that killings by the LTTE were endangering the CFA. In equal measure, they have also determined that the UPFA Government, by helping paramilitary groups (through security forces) was also endangering the CFA. Hence, the UPFA and Tiger guerrillas are both in the dock. The Norwegian facilitators in Oslo have come to these conclusions on the basis of findings by the Scandinavian ceasefire monitors. Unlike the facilitators who visit Sri Lanka every now and then, the monitors have remained on the ground throughout the ceasefire. They have been shuttling between Colombo and Kilinochchi raising issue after issue. They often delivered "verdict" through news releases. In executing their responsibilities, the fact that retired Norwegian Major General Furuhovde, the SLMM head and his men have not won the confidence of the UPFA Government is no secret. Nor is the fact that a sizeable segment in the south does not view them as a "neutral entity" faithfully enforcing the CFA. There is increasing disenchantment. It does not take a soothsayer to forecast the responses of either the UPFA Government or the Tiger guerrillas to the impending Norwegian warnings. They are both bound to roundly dismiss the charges. They have done so in the past. There is no need for either side to take up contradictory positions now. What follows next, therefore, will be more violence as clearly revealed from the cycle of recent incidents. It was only early yesterday morning Tiger hit men shot dead Suresh, an Army informant at his house in Pepiliyana, a southern suburb of Colombo. The assailants, as has been the case in most instances, went scot free. The mounting incidents, disregarding Norwegian concerns, will no doubt further escalate tensions and precipitate more tit-for-tat confrontations. What follows thereafter, if one side or both do not restrain themselves, is all out war. After 31 long months of ceasefire, what has become the cause for concern is the fact that tensions are escalating and tit-for-tat confrontations are on the rise. An incident on August 20 in Mankerni in the Batticaloa district became the turning point. The official account of this incident from the Army's 23 Division Headquarters in Welikanda gives their story. Four persons, two males and two females, entered the Government controlled area of Mankerni Entry/Exit Point between 3.35 p.m and 3.45 p.m. on Friday, August 20. Troops on duty checked their LTTE identity cards and granted them access to proceed towards Valachenai. The foursome was travelling in two motor cycles - NP GR 3614 and NP HN 6159. They were: S. Manivalan (LTTE ID 015314), Kuyilinpan (LTTE ID 013838), Venuka (LTTE ID 017004) and S. Sarada (LTTE ID 017011). According to the Army, two others purporting to be civilians entered the check-point at the same time in motor cycle EP HH 0783. They were Jeevaratnam alias Vasu Bawa and Yoga. The former's National Identity Card (NIC) has been given in the Army report as 6816533171 V. Whether this is an error or a wrong card was produced is not clear. NICs only bear a nine digit number and not ten. The report dated August 24 adds: "Around 1555 hrs (3.55 pm) a female who was later identified as Sarada, rushed to the Mankerni detachment and informed that they were shot at by an unknown group. Troops went into the scene and found that two personnel were killed due to gun shot injuries and the two motorcycles EP HH 0783 and HN 6159 was on fire. The troops also found a female cadre later identified as Venuka who is the Batticaloa Political Cadre, injured. "The injured was evacuated to Valachchenai hospital in the Sector Commander's vehicle (Commanding Officer 7 SLLI) and was subsequently transferred to Batticaloa hospital in the Valachchenai Police Ambulance organised by HQ 552 Bde. She is undergoing surgery as of now. "The Valachchenai Police was informed and the ASP Valachchenai visited the scene to commence inquiries. The dead and the burnt motorcycle were taken over by the Police for onward action."The SLMM headed by the Batticaloa Head, Ms. Susanne Pedersen, also visited the scene for independent observations. "The location of the incident was on Pirappatyadimadu at the 44 KM post on Trincomalee - Batticaloa Road (A 15) between Mankerni and Kayankerni detachments, which are approximately 6 kms apart. The road was picketed at the time of the incident and the closest picket point was approximately 700 m north of the location where this incident took place. Further the said road stretch is through a jungle patch on the west and dried up lagoon on the east. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the personnel killed were two civilians who entered the controlled area on the motorcycle bearing No EP HH 0783. It was also revealed by the two LTTE cadres who escaped unhurt, that the civilians were also members of the LTTE, who entered the SF controlled area who did not state that they are from the LTTE in the guise of civilians. The deceased were identified as Jeewaratnam alias Vasubava who was the LTTE's ex Ampara Leader and Yoga who is a Wanni Political Cadres." But the LTTE was angered by the incident. They accused the Army of accommodating and encouraging the attackers. Political Wing leader, S.P. Tamilselvan wrote a lengthy letter to the SLMM and posted excerpts in the official website of their Peace Secretariat. Among other matters, the letter dated August 23 said: "Mr. Bawa, the Administrative Head of the Political Division in Batticaloa-Ampara and Mr. Yoga, Batticaloa-Amparai NGO co-ordinator, were returning to Valachchenai, in a motor-bike after attending a UNICEF conference in Vaharai along with Mr. Kuyilinpan, Head of Political Division Amparai, also on a motor-bike and two female LTTE members in another motor-bike. A powerful claymore mine went off followed by firing, closer to the military check point where these members registered their names. "Bawa and Yoga died on the spot, one of the female members was injured and Kuyilinpan escaped unhurt. According to the latter there were three attackers who fled the scene after the explosion. Immediately prior to the victims passing the military check point, the attackers stopped another motor cyclist with helmet and checked the identity. On finding that it was not the person they wanted, they let that rider go and operated the claymore at the right time after the LTTE group registered their names in the military check point, just fifteen meters away from the site. It is relevant to mention here that this incident took place in a location in between two military checkpoints posited cheek by jowl. "From the evidence of Kuyilinpan, it is clear beyond any line of doubt that the attackers got the details of the LTTE members from the military since they gave their names to the SLA personnel as a matter of routine. The female member who escaped without injury reports that the SLA soldiers at the adjacent Kayankerni check point clapped hands and ridiculed her." In what were clearly retaliatory strikes Tiger guerrillas sparked off a string of incidents. On Friday night (August 20), They shot dead Police Sergeant 26175 Jayaratne of the Kalmunai Police. The next day (August 21), Captain Wijeratne and soldier Tennekoon of the 7th battalion of Sri Lanka Light Infantry, the same unit whose men are positioned at the check-point, were attacked. They were travelling in a motorcycle along the Mankerni - Vakarai road. Guerrillas hurled a grenade and opened fire injuring the two of them. Next day, troops moving towards an observation point in the same area were fired at. One was injured. Yesterday, Tissaveerasingham Surendran alias Suresh, an Army informant was shot dead by Tiger guerrilla gunmen. They had forced open the door of his house around 4.40 am and later opened fire at him. Suresh had been moved to the safety of Pepiliyana after Tiger guerrillas had launched a manhunt for him in Batticaloa from where he operated. Tit-for-tat attacks in the City of Colombo and the Batticaloa district also continue. On Thursday night members of the Karuna faction attacked a double cab near Sivaththa Palam in the in the uncontrolled Karadiyanaru area. The driver was killed and the attackers seized an AK 47 assault rifle and a walkie talkie. Though they were targeting Jeyanthan, a one time confidante of Karuna and now a staunch LTTE area leader, he was not in the double cab when the incident occurred. On Friday night, cadres of the Karuna faction seized the weapons of two child soldiers who were travelling in a tractor. They were freed but the tractor was seized. The fighting in Batticaloa and Ampara districts are part of efforts by the LTTE's Wanni leadership to regain full military control. Tiger guerrillas are said to be facing surprise attacks by renegade cadres who are still operating from some strongholds. Although state intelligence agencies earlier reported that more Wanni cadres were concentrating south of Trincomalee to cross the Verugal River into Batticaloa district, they have expressed serious concerns over recent developments. It has now been revealed that these cadres were massing themselves in the Sampur area. This is the area where the LTTE had begun developing fortifications including bunkers since March, this year. There have been reports of large stocks of both cement and timber being moved in. Following representations made by the Sri Lanka Navy about developments in Sampur, an area that faces the entrance to the strategic Trincomalee Harbour, the Ministry of Defence raised issue with the SLMM. The Sunday Times learnt this and several other issues were raised by the Ministry of Defence were discussed by SLMM Head, retired Maj. Gen. Furuhovde when he met Mr Tamilselvan on Wednesday. Whilst an SLMM determination on the Sampur issue is still pending, Maj. Gen. (retd.) Furuhovde is also learnt to have raised issue with the LTTE over the presence of a mystery trawler off the waters of Chailai, north of Mullaitivu. LTTE's "Special Commander" for Sea Tigers Soosai is learnt to have told the SLMM Head that the trawler in question was involved in "exercises" the Sea Tigers were conducting in the area. The SLMM is learnt to have expressed their displeasure over monitors not being allowed to determine the situation. That ends the trawler saga though the craft still remains off the shores of Chalai. Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri confirmed last week's report in The Sunday Times (Situation Report) that no tangible evidence of any weapons smuggling was found as far as the trawler incident was concerned. "Although we first suspected, we later found there was no evidence. There was also no attempt by the LTTE to either attack Naval craft or to rush boats with suicide bombers to collide with our vessels," he told The Sunday Times. He said SLMM monitors were on board one of the Navy vessels and they too were aware of this position. Yesterday's shooting incident at Pepiliyana and the the fighting in Batticaloa and Ampara districts clearly indicate a rising trend in violence. That it comes at a time when the security forces are least prepared for battle is no secret. As has been the popular sport both among ill informed politicians and their incompetent bureaucrats, highlighting these issues will only draw accusations of attempting to advocate war. When they came to power in April, this year, the UPFA Government had held the Ministry of Defence for six long months. It was taken over on the grounds that the national security situation was "deteriorating." But the basic needs of the security forces have not been met leave alone measures to keep them battle ready or to meet a contingency. To the contrary, the LTTE has increased recruitment and acquired state of the art military hardware. They have enhanced their firepower tremendously and learnt the use of high tech equipment. There are reports of at least two Microlight aircraft going through their paces in a makeshift airfield in the Wanni. Politicians and even some military top brass can, like saw dust Caesars, rouse national sentiment and beat war drums. It may sure please a segment of the population. But the truth is that they are placing the lives of ill equipped, ill prepared soldiers in jeopardy. The colossal human and material losses during a multitude of military offensives from 1995 to 1998 - the tenure of the former People's Alliance - seems forgotten. If a record number of troops died and a colossal amount of military hardware was lost, those who profited from the adventures are now millionaires. No one seems to have learnt the lessons from that experience. No one has profited by correcting the mistakes and keeping the military machine in good shape. Politicians continue to prevaricate and grossly incompetent bureaucrats continue to bungle. How their lapses have placed the security interests of a nation in peril will be shown only during a crisis. But who cares when there are so many around to be blamed other than themselves. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
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