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12-03-2006

Malice aforethought of the LTTE - D. Sithadthan

Colombo, 12 March, (Asiantribune.com): In a hard-hitting statement, D. Sithadthan, Leader of the People Liberation Organization of Eelam has blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the Tamil rebel outfit for its opportunistic stance and for its contempt and malice towards other rival Tamil groups in the country.

Sithadthan, in his statement has blamed that it has become a habit for LTTE to portray and maliciously blame all other Tamil parties time and again as traitors, fifth columns or collaborators, whenever there is a failure or military defeats on their part or any other organization which refuses to play second fiddle to them.

While describing the advent of the word "Paramilitary", he said, "In the CFA (Cease-fire Agreement) document of Feb 2002, the term "Paramilitary" was tossed in by the Norwegian and LTTE, and endorsed by the then Sri Lankan government."

He clarified that the term "Paramilitary" used in the CFA has been misunderstood and often misinterpreted. Since CFA, pro-LTTE medias use this term with malice aforethought to justify the killings by the LTTE.

The PLOTE Leader pointed out that after 30 years of war the LTTE has not won anything in terms of self rule or the separate state it has promised or had done nothing to reduce the hardship or enhance the basic amenities to alleviate the suffering of the people, but it is only obsessed with pursuing the agenda of factional supremacy.

"LTTE has once again demonstrated, in Geneva, that it will continue to undermine the democratic rights of Tamil people by trading it for its own survival and imposition of its fascist rule over the Tamil people, with the connivance of Srilankan government and Norway, "he alleged.

He said, “A duty is cast on me, as the president of PLOTE, to alleviate any misconceptions created by the propaganda of LTTE to undermine the reputation of our organization, among the international community and to understand our political goals."

When tracing the history of the LTTE and that of the rival militant organization said that in 1976, Tamil New Tigers(TNT) was restructured and renamed as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eealm(LTTE), and late. Mr. Umamaheswaran was elected as the first head of the LTTE.

He went on to add that in early 70's the need for the Tamil armed militant movements arouses as a result of armed oppressions of the state. There were several individuals and groups took up to the armed struggle. Prominent individuals among them were 'Urumparai Sivakumaran’ and ‘Maanavar Peravai Sathiyaseelan'. Small groups of young men organized themselves into militant groups such as TNT, TELO, EROS, EPRLF and ‘Naaga Padai’(Cobra Force).

He described in his statement, "In 1980, due to some difference of opinion between Umamaheswaran and Pirabakaran, there was a split in the LTTE. They parted with the understanding that either of them would not use the name. Mr. Umamaheswaran organized People’s Liberation Organization of Tamileelam(PLOTE). PLOTE involved in mobilizing the Tamil speaking people with the aim of carry forward the struggle with the mass participation, rather than an armed confrontation of an armed militant group. We were unable to implement our work-program, because huge quantities of our weapons were confiscated by the custom officers of a foreign country in Feb 1985."

He said, “With signing of Indo-Lanka accord of in 1987 and the arrival of Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF), all groups had to surrender their weapons. We welcomed the Indo-Lanka accord and surrendered the weapons believing IPKF would guarantee the safety of our members. Since then we have registered our political wing as a recognized political party with the election commission of Sri Lanka and has been continuing our struggle to win the rights of the Tamil people through non-violent means. "

"Unfortunately LTTE, with the collaboration of Srilankan Security Forces, started killings our members not only in the NorthEast but in Colombo as well. In April 1989, with the help of Srilankan Armed Forces LTTE kidnapped three of our members (Mani, Kattayan and Gunaseelan) in Mount-Lavaniya and subsequently dumped their bodies in Wattala” Sithadthan underlined.

He went on to say that with the help of Chilawathurai Army, LTTE attacked one of our bases in Mullikulam(Mannar district) in June 1989. We have eye-witness to the fact that three trucks loads of weapons were supplied from Chilawathurai Army camp to the LTTE at Agathiyarkulam for the purpose of attacking our base in Mullikulam. "A large number of our members including some very senior members were killed in this attack. In the same manner, our Musalkuththi base (Vavuniya district) also attacked and many of our members were killed, the PLOTE leader lamented.

"Since the recognition of our party, we have our political offices in all the districts of NorthEast and an office in Colombo. These offices have been functioning for more than fifteen years, with the exception of Jaffna office which was opened in 1996."

Sithadthan said that in the 1994 March Local Council elections, PLOTE won the Vavuniya Urban Council and several Pradeshiya Sabhas in the eastern province. He further said that in 1994 August General Election three Members of Parliament were elected from Vanni district. Also in 1997 Jaffna district Local Council election, he said that PLOTE obtained 28% of the total votes polled in Jaffna district and won two Urban Councils, two Predeshiya sabhas and we were the opposition in Jaffna Municipal Council.

He pointed out that it was a well known fact that during their tenure as MPs and Chairman of U.C, Vanni district (Govt controlled areas) had the highest development program implemented in whole of NorthEast. "Vavuniya base Hospital, Vavuniya U.C Library, Vavuniya Technical College, several school buildings stand witness for this fact."

"In Geneva, LTTE has claimed that they have found out some top secrets about our dealings with Sri Lankan Forces and incriminate us as paramilitary group and gave names of our party district organizers as paramilitary group leaders. There is nothing secret about our political offices or the organizers. A large number of public visit these offices regularly and discuss their problems with our organizers. And, several foreign diplomats and foreign dignitaries have visited these offices and discuss current political situations and needs of the districts with our district leaders," PLOTE leader explained

He said, "After signing CFA between the Sri Lankan government and LTTE, we have handed over the weapons given to us for our protection, on the guarantee of safety of our cadres by the Sri Lankan government and the Norwegians. Unfortunately they have let us down badly. Our cadres are unarmed and helpless in the face of armed attacks by the LTTE. Several of our unarmed political workers have been killed/abducted by the LTTE during the period of cease-fire. We have complained each and every violation by the LTTE to the Security Forces, the Police and Srilanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM). Unfortunately they have shown little or no interest. I have personally complained to Eric Solhiem about the abduction of our four members including Mr. Sinnathamby Ganeshalingam alias Farook and requested him to secure their release from LTTE. "

He said that the government has assigned police / military personals to our offices for its protection. It’s obvious when Sri Lankan Security Forces give protection, the military officers have to have continuous dialog with our organizers or members to ensure the security of our offices. He added they have never heard of some of the names of the military officers mentioned in the LTTE’s document.

He slammed at the claim of LTTE that we are a Paramilitary group is malice, unfounded and with the intention of getting tacit approval of the international community to continue their killings spree.

The PLOTE leader categorically alleged "The Geneva talks very clearly shows that both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE are not interested in finding a lasting solution for the Tamil problem. It seems both of them are interested only in dragging the talks until they are satisfied that they have achieved the military superiority."

In conclusion Sithadthan has appealed to put adequate pressure on both Sri Lankan government and the LTTE to start talking on the core issues with the aim of finding a permanent solution.