Sea Tigers launch Deep-Sea Ops training to Auxiliary Flotilla
[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 March 2006, 12:33 GMT]
Liberation Tigers Special Commander of Sea Tigers, Col. Soosai, on Friday launched Deep-Sea Operations training for selected naval auxiliarists from the recently trained flotillas of Thamileelam Naval Auxiliary Force, Sea Tiger sources in Mullaithivu said. The auxiliary naval flotilla, named after Lt. Col. Oscar of the Sea Tigers, is the first auxiliary flotilla to be trained in assisting the Tigers in offensive operations in the sea, sources added.

Special Auxiliary Flotilla being trained by the Sea Tigers
"Our enemy is strengthening the naval strength with the intention to beat us in the seas. We have to expand the capability of Sea Tigers to keep stronger in the sea to defend our homeland," said Col. Soosai, inaugurating the training course at Lt. Col. Oscar Naval Base of the Sea Tigers in Mullaithivu, Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The four auxiliary flotillas, named Thiruvady, Navarasan, Johnson and Maravan with hundreds of volunteers, were organised under Thamileelam Coast Guard Auxiliary Force, setup recently by the Tigers. The auxiliary flotillas were named after Sea Tiger Lieutenant Colonels who died in sea battles.
Oscar auxiliarists, also named after a fallen Sea Tiger Lieutenant Colonel, were to be given training in Deep-Sea naval operations, Sea Tiger Special Commander told the gathering attending the inauguration ceremony. The ceremony was also marked the three year rememberance day of 11 Sea Tigers who were killed when Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) sunk a Sea Tiger vessel, 220 nautical miles off Trincomalee, on 10 March 2003 during the Ceasefire.

Sea Tigers Col. Soosai and his senior commanders together with the Auxilary Flotilla trainer
Addressing the gathering at their Oscar Naval Base in Vanni, the Sea Tiger Commander declared that the time had come for the populations along the shores, from whom the "sea riders of the modern Tamils," emerged to defend the "shores of the Tamil nation."
Col. Soosai also made remarks on the current political climate related to the Ceasefire Agreement.
"Our leader has clearly stated our justified stance to the International Community," the Sea Tiger Commander said.

Sea Tigers Commander Mangales hoisting the Sea Tigers flag.
"The enemy has been given a serious opportunity to opt for peace. We are yet to see a clear choice favouring peace from the enemy. If they don't disarm the paramilitaries, they don't desire peace," he said.
Launched in 1984, the Sea Tigers of the LTTE, began to carry out offensive operations in 1990, after the Indian Forces withdrew from Sri Lanka.
"The defining moment of the Sea Tigers was in 1992, when we captured a speed boat from the Sri Lanka Navy in Mandaithivu. Since then, we have developed into a crucial fighting force in defence as well as in the offensive operations," Senior Commander of the Tigers, Col. Soosai told the gathering at the ceremony.
The Sri Lankan Military were able to retain the Elephant Pass (EPS) Base when the Tigers launched an offensive targeting the capture of EPS base in 1991. Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) managed to land support troops to rescue the EPS base that saw the first conventional battle between the GoSL and LTTE forces.

Southern Commander Sri Ram garlanding Martyr Lt. Col. Oscar's photo.
The Sea Tigers Wing, under its Special Commander Soosai, was strengthened, following the first battle for EPS in 1991 by the Tigers. Within two-years, the Sea Tigers gained upperhand in direct clashes in Kilali lagoon.
On 26 March 2000, the Sea Tigers fought their way through a tight sea barrier formed by a large SLA flotilla in rough seas to land 1200 Tiger troops and their supplies at Kudarappu-Maamunai, leading to the Tiger victory of EPS base.