Top Tiger leaders in security forces net

Some top Tiger guerrillas are now in the military net after they were located in camps housing internally displaced people. Among those are Karikalan (former eastern province political wing leader and subsequently in charge of the economic disivion), Yogaratnam Yogi (former spokesman of the LTTE), V. Balakumar (former EROS MP turned advisor to the LTTE), Lawrence Tilagar (a former spokesman of the LTTE, a one time head of LTTE office in Paris and later in charge of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation), Thangan (former Deputy political section leader), Ilamparithi (former head of the political section for Jaffna district), Elilan (former Trincomalee political wing leader), Papa (former head of the LTTE sports division), Puvannan (former head of the administrative division of the LTTE), Gannam (deputy international head).

Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said he could not confirm or deny reports about the presence of the senior LTTE members in the camps, saying that the process of identification was still continuing.He said he could confirm that Thamlini, head of the (Women’s) political wing was in custody.

“All former LTTE members will go through the process of questioning by the army before being handed over to the police for legal action,” Brigadier Nanayakkara said. Thamilini has been brought to Colombo for further questioning, he said.

Officials involved in relief and administrative work in the camps speaking on conditions of anonymity said they had spoken to some of the former LTTE members. Meanwhile Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan this week visited the Menik Farm and met with the wife of former LTTE political wing leader S.P. Thamilselvan.

The Sunday Times learns that Mr. Muralitharan, a former LTTE leader himself, had offered to make arrangements for Ms. Thamilselvan and her child to travel to Canada where the rest of her family members live.

Mr. Muralitharan has also appealed to the remaining LTTE cadres in the Eastern Province to surrender before the security forces apprehended them. Three LTTE cadres surrendered to the army this week.

(Chris Kamalendran)