Tigers, SLA discuss security of LTTE political workers

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 November 2004, 13:37 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers met Sri Lankan armed forces representatives Friday at the truce monitoring mission office in Batticaloa for discussions on the security of their political activists who are working in the eastern town. At the meeting, the Tigers pointed out that LTTE members are, contrary to the spirit of the cease fire agreement, harassed by Sri Lankan armed forces when they show their official identity cards. This hinders the LTTE's political work in areas controlled by the Sri Lankan government in Batticaloa, the Liberation Tigers told Sri Lankan armed forces delegation.

Many aspects of security were discussed specifically in connection with the work of LTTE's political division cadres in Batticaloa town. The Tiger delegation urged the Sri Lankan armed forces representatives to co-operate in order to ensure that the week long functions to commemorate LTTE's war dead and preparations for the Great Heroes' Day are trouble free in Batticaloa town and its environs later this month. Sri Lankan security forces representatives told the Tigers that there wouldn't be any hindrance to their political work as long as there is no breach of the law.

Liberation Tigers say paramilitary groups operating clandestinely with the Sri Lankan armed forces in Batticaloa are targeting their political workers in the eastern district. Head of the LTTE's political division for Batticaloa town and its environs was shot dead in the heart of the town by gunmen suspected to be members of the paramilitary Karuna Group on 5 July this year. Well known Tamil journalist Mr. Aiyathurai Nadesan was also shot dead by gunmen from this paramilitary, which is believed to be operating with Sri Lanka army intelligence and the EPDP in Batticaloa.

Truce monitoring mission sources said the meeting was cordial.

The Sri Lankan armed forces delegation was led by the Sri Lanka army's 23-3 Brigade commander, Col. Laksiri Amaratunga. The LTTE team was led by Mr. Thayamohan, head of Thamil Eelam Administration Service for the Batticaloa-Amparai District.