Interpol “Red Notice” issued for new LTTE leader Vinayakam

Sri Lankan defence authorities moved quickly last week to target the self-styled new leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization who is operating in Europe under the nom de guerre Vinayakam. A team of Police and intelligence officials sought and obtained on November 24th, a warrant for the arrest of Sekarapillai Vinayakamoorthy alias Vinayakam from the Chief Magistrates Courts in Colombo.

Since the person concerned is operating in areas beyond national jurisdiction, Sri Lankan officials have sought and obtained the services of the International Criminal Police Organization –INTERPOL – to issue an “INTERPOL Red Notice” regarding Vinayakamoorthy alias Vinayakam for the alleged offence of terrorism.An Interpol Red Notice is not an international arrest warrant. They are issued when the persons concerned are wanted by national jurisdictions (or the International Criminal Tribunals, where appropriate) .

Interpol’s role is to assist the national police forces in identifying or locating those persons with a view to their arrest and extradition. The red notices allow the warrant to be circulated worldwide with the request that the wanted person be arrested with a view to extradition.

According to documentation submitted by Sri Lankan officials Vinayakam is 46 years old and was born on November 10th 1964. He is 1.53 metres in height and speaks English and Tamil. The colour of his eyes and hair are black.

Given the importance of the man known as Vinayakam there is little doubt that Sri Lanka will seek the active cooperation of INTERPOL as well as the law enforcement agencies of several Western nations to apprehend the new LTTE leader.

According to informed sources in Colombo a detailed dossier has been compiled about Vinayakam and will be sent to relevant law enforcement authorities worldwide.

Confusion

Special care will be taken to remove any lingering confusion about the actual identity of the man known as Vinayakam. This is due to attempts by sections of the LTTE in Europe to portray Vinayakam as the senior sea tiger commander.

Thangavelu Vinayagam of Maruthankerni alias Mike Four had been earlier the deputy sea tiger commander and ranked third in the “Kadal puli” hierarchy next to Soosai and Chezhiyan.

Thangavelu Vinayagam alias Vinayagam ~ a.k.a “Mike Four” – Senior Sea Tiger Commander

Segarapaillai Vinayagamoorthy alais ~ Vinayagam ~ a.k.a Kathirgamathamby Arivalagan – Senior Intelligence Leader

Vinayagam whose vision in the left eye was impaired, lost his life in the fighting on February 4th 2009. Vinayagam was killed while defending the sea tiger base in Challai against an offensive launched by the 55 division then commanded by Brig.Prasanna Silva (Prasanna was later promoted as general)

Although Vinayagam’s body was not recovered troops from Gemunu Watch retrieved his identity card.

Sekarampillai Vinayakamoorthy alias Vinayakam who surfaced in Europe in the latter part of 2009 identified himself earlier to LTTE and pro-LTTE circles as being from the tiger intelligence division.

However there was a tactical shift in 2010 when Vinayakam commenced the pretence of being the sea tiger commander reported dead. He claimed that he had been sent on an important assignment to India by LTTE intelligence chief Pottu Amman and that reports of his death were false.

Some LTTE activists in Europe also began projecting the wrong impression that Vinayakam was indeed the sea tiger senior commander reported dead. Since the sea tiger commander had impaired vision the “pretender” was seen wearing dark glasses at certain times to cover his eyes.

According to informed Tamil circles in Europe some sections of LTTE and pro-LTTE elements were fully aware that the Vinayakam who had emerged in Europe was not the senior sea tiger commander but a key leader of the LTTE intelligence wing.

Masquerade

Nevertheless these elements sanctioned the masquerade for certain reasons. The main reason was to sow seeds of confusion among people about the real identity of “intelligence” Vinayakam. Portraying him as the “resurrected” Vinayakam helped achieve that.

Another important reason was that circulating a story of a person being reported dead as being alive helped boost the morale of many de-moralized tiger activists. It cast the Sri Lankan authorities in a negative light for making false claims.

More importantly it helped propagate the myth that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and intelligence leader Pottu Amman were alive. If Vinayakam reported dead in February 2009 could turn up “alive” in Europe then Prabhakaran and Pottu reported dead in May 2009 could also be alive and emerge at an opportune moment was the “logic”.

Apart from these reasons projecting the new LTTE leader as the senior sea tiger commander also served another practical purpose. The overseas LTTE has been spreading a story that efforts were underway to launch a “naval” invasion of Sri Lanka. This was a fabrication to collect money from gullible.

However it was easier to convince people that such a “naval” feat was possible by saying that an experienced sea tiger commander known for his military exploits was at the helm of affairs rather than a comparatively unknown intelligence operative.

It was against this backdrop that Vinayakam adopted the pretence. It was however not a total masquerade because a lot of key LTTE personnel in Europe knew the real identity of Vinayakam. Thus the man could only mislead some sections that he was the sea tiger commander.

It was hilarious to see the consternation among certain pro-tiger websites when Vinayakam was exposed as a pretender . In a desperate bid to demonstrate that they knew the real identity of Vinayakam beforehand these sites began providing details that firmly exposed the masquerade.

Though Vinayakam of the LTTE intelligence may be less known than Vinayakam of the sea tigers the importance and potential of the former cannot be underestimated. The new leader of the LTTE has had a destructive role in the LTTE in the past and does have the capacity to cause damage in the future. It is perhaps due to this that Sri Lankan authorities are acting fast to get him arrested.

Thenmaratchy

Sekarapillai Vinayakamoorthy alias Vinayakam was born on November 10th 1964. His family hails from Idaikkurichchi in the Varani area of Thenmaratchy region. The family however lived for some years in Chavakachcheri.

Vinayakamoorthy joined the LTTE formally in 1985 at the age of 20. He had been a LTTE “helper” as a schoolboy earlier. He is reported to have obtained local military training in the Soranpatru-Maasaar areas and Puloppalai-Kilaaly areas in the Southern and south-western areas of the Jaffna peninsula.

Vinayakam was initially stationed in the Thenmaratchy sector of the LTTE then referred to as “Los Angeles” within tiger circles. Thileepan alias “Curdles” was in charge of Thenmaratchy.

The Vadamaratchy sector under Soosai was called “California” while the Valigaamam sector under Johnny was known as “Chicago”. Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias Kittu was in overall charge of Jaffna district tigers then.

Curdles under whom Vinayakam initially functioned was later killed in the Kaithady bowser explosion of February 14th 1987.

Thereafter Thenmaratchy was placed under the joint command of Kunjan and Packiyaraj. After awhile a new head Naren was appointed.

Later Naren was replaced by Abdullah during the ceasefire period after the Indo – Lanka accord of July 29th 1987.

The short interlude of peace was rudely shattered after the arrest and subsequent suicide of 12 LTTE cadres including senior leaders Kumarappa and Pulendiran.

Among those who swallowed cyanide at Palaly was Abdulla the newly appointed Thenmaratchy commander.

War erupted between the Indian Army and LTTE after this incident. Former LTTE political Commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan who was then known as Dinesh was appointed head of Thenmaratchy.

He was from Madduvil in the region. Pappa from Manthuvil (also from Thenmaratchy region) was appointed his deputy.

Vinayakamoorthy continued to be attached to the LTTE Thenmaratchy sector during all these changes from Curdles to Thamilselvan. He reportedly worked directly under Pappa and was stationed in the Amban –Kudathanai- Varany area.

After the Indian Army left Sri Lankan shores in 1990 the LTTE acquired control of the greater part of the Northern province including Jaffna peninsula. The LTTE organization was re-vamped and re-structured

“Iyanna”

The new changes saw Vinayakamoorthy being absorbed into the LTTE intelligence wing known as Tiger Organization Security Intelligence Service (TOSIS) headed by Pottu Amman.

He was promoted as Second Lieutenant and given a new nom de guerre “Iyyanna”. (This is different to the “Aiyanna” nom de guerre of Ponniah Anandarajah the LTTE international arms procurer).

Vinayakamoorthy alias “Iyanna” worked directly under Pottu Amman from 1990 – 93. It is said that he endeared himself to Pottu Amman through slavish devotion.

A former LTTE member now living in the west refers derisively to Vinayakamoorthy’s sycophancy by saying that “Iyanna” was like a peon to Pottu in office and a servant boy to Pottu’s wife at home.

1994 saw Vinayakamoorthy being promoted as Lieutenant and transferred to Vavuniya as intelligence leader for the Vavuniya district. In 1996 he was given the responsibility of conducting reconnaissance or “rekke” in the jungles of the Northern and North Central Province and devising jungle routes to infiltrate govt controlled regions.

Later in 1997 he was assigned to coordinate work with former LTTE military intelligence chief Charles who was in charge of all covert operations and assassinations in Colombo and the Provinces outside the Northern and Eastern provinces. Vavuniya and Batticaloa were the key points from where preparations were planned and executed for such activity.

Ramanan the intelligence leader for Batticaloa-Amparai and Vinayakamoorthy alias Iyanna the Vavuniya district intelligence leader handled logistics at their respective ends.Both had a preparatory role in many of the assassinations perpetrated by the LTTE during this time

In 1999 Vinayakamoorthy was promoted as Captain , assigned fresh duties and sent to the greater Colombo region. He worked together with Charles and was reportedly stationed in the Negombo area. It is said that he used a shorter form of his real name Vinayakamoorthy then. He was called Vinayakam. This incidently was the name by which he was known when he joined the LTTE in 1985.

During his stint in Negombo –Colombo , Vinayakam’s primary “achievement” was apparently the role he played in laying the groundwork for the LTTE assault on the Katunayake international Airport on July 12th 2001. After the successful accomplishment of this task, Vinayakam was recalled to the Wanni and rewarded with promotion as Major.

Intelligence

The Oslo facilitated peace process saw a ceasefire coming into force from February 23rd 2002. This period saw the LTTE focusing to a great extent on activity within the global Tamil Diaspora. The idea was to exploit the ceasefire period and strongly spread tiger tentacles throughout the Diaspora.

An important component of this strategy was to send LTTE cadres with active military experience to various countries to help administer the tiger branches and fronts. The LTTE hierarchy felt that committed tigers with combat experience would exercise greater control over the Diaspora and run things with ruthless precision

Integral to this strategy was the role of the LTTE intelligence division. Several tiger intelligence operatives were sent abroad to India as well as many western nations. Some were mere “moles” expected to observe discreetly and report back on matters. Others were expected to liaise with key operatives of LTTE branches and fronts and engage in tiger activity.

In similar fashion the LTTE also sent out a number of intelligence operatives to various parts of Sri Lanka during this time. While some maintained contact with their headquarters others were reportedly sleepers who were to be “activated” when and if the necessity arose.

The LTTE intelligence division created a special unit to oversee matters concerning these operatives working outside the Wanni in various parts of Sri Lanka as well as those functioning abroad utside Sri Lanka. The special intelligence unit was called “External-Internal Intelligence Affairs”.

Vinayakamoorthy was made the head of this special unit in 2002. Once again his nom de guerre was changed when assigned this new responsibility. Vinayakamoorthy alias Vinayakam alias Iyanna was now called Arivazhaghan.

At one point Major Arivazhaghan travelled to India under a false passport and stayed for a while there setting up a support network. He also accompanied the LTTE delegation going to Europe for “peace talks” under a false passport and travelled through many European countries engaging with the Diaspora quietly.

Vinayakam’s stock was on the rise during this time. His brother Sakthi was appointed as head of the Timber board set up by the LTTE in the Wanni. The timber board controlled all aspects of felling trees for construction and firewood.It levies taxes from woodcutters, sellers and timber merchants. Sakthi was appointed because of the clout wielded by his brother.

Communication

The situation changed drastically after Mahinda Rajapaksa became President in November 2005. The fragile peace process collapsed completely and soon full-scale war erupted. Communication between the LTTE overseas structures and the hierarchy in the Wanni came under heavy strain. As the Army kept advancing and the tigers retreating the links with overseas branches and fronts were severely ruptured.

What Vinayakamoorthy’s role was during this period where war escalated in the Wanni is not very clear. It appears that he remained close to Pottu Amman and was one of the ten member inner circle around the National Intelligence chief(TOSIS Had been renamed)

The fall of Kilinochchi on January 2nd 2009 sent alarm bells ringing within LTTE circles. The LTTE began resorting to desperate measures to stave off impending defeat.

One such move was the deployment of a team from the black tiger suicide squad to the South to indulge in mayhem and destruction. The team was led by none other than Vinayakamoorthy ow promoted as Lt. Colonel. Vinayakamoorthy was not expected to engage in a suicide attack himself. He was expected to plan,coordinate and supervise these suicide attacks.

The team of 15 -20 black tigers led by Vinayakamoorthy deployed by the LTTE in January 2009 ran into difficulties when they tried to enter the North Central Province through jungle routes in the Vavuniya-Anuradhapura region. It is said that at least half of the team was wiped out in a skirmish with troops on patrol duty.

Vinayakamoorthy apparently managed to escape with a few of the survivors. Some other members of the team turned back. Vinayakam made his way to the South with the rest of the team . Though the LTTE hierarchy expected a big “bang” nothing of the sort occurred. Vinayakam simply could not deliver as expected. The whole exercise turned into a damp squib.

The failure was in another sense a blessing in disguise for Vinayakam had continued to stay outside the Wanni when the Armed forces were closing in on LTTE positions. Vinayakam of course had the excuse that he was trying to launch a major attack in the South but was finding it difficult to do so because of intensified security

This situation though detrimental to the interests of the LTTE hierarchy was beneficial to Vinayakam. He was comparatively “safe” outside the Wanni when the LTTE put up its last stand in besieged Karaithuriapatru AGA division of Mullaitheevu district. Thus Vinayakam did not perish like other LTTE senior leaders in the Mullivaaikkaal debacle. In fact he made his way to India shortly before the LTTE defeat

Arivazhaghan

Once in India Vinayakam adopted once again the name Arivazhaghan. He added a veneer of respectability to it by using the name Kathirgamathamby also. Utilising the finances and contacts at his disposal Vinayakam arranged the “evacuation” of various LTTE intelligence personnel deployed in various areas outside the Wanni. Many of them were flown out to India,Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. A few boats too were arranged from the Eastern coast

Vinayakam functioning as Kathirgamathamby Arivazhaghan was in the news when a statement was issued under his name shortly after the death of Prabhakaran was announced by Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias KP. Arivazhaghan denied that Prabhakaran was dead. Later a second statement was issued by Arivazhaghan confirming that Prabhakaran was indeed dead. A public apology was issued for the previous statement.

Under Vinayakam or Arivazhaghan’s direction the LTTE intelligence operatives in different parts of the world became a closely-knit unit. Since Arivazhaghan had been in charge of LTTE external intelligence and knew most operatives personally he did not find it difficult to establish his authority.

One of the first tasks accomplished by tiger intelligence wing under Arivazhaghan was that of resolving the leadership crisis.

Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias KP had taken over the reins as the seniormost LTTE leader free and alive. This was resisted by Perinpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyavan who was in charge of overseas LTTE branch administration.

LTTE intelligence wing members abroad conducted an “opinion poll” among stalwart tiger supporters in the Diaspora as to who was best equipped to lead the LTTE. The poll resulted in KP being endorsed by most of those interviewed.

As a result the intelligence wing led by Kathirgamathamby Arivazhaghan threw in its lot with KP. This strengthened KP’s hand in negotiations with Nediyavan thus paving the way for him to assume leadership as “Thalaimai Seyalar” (chief secretary) in a restructured LTTE.

Indian officialdom however began to suspect that a senior LTTE intelligence operative was functioning from Indian soil. The net began to tighten. Vinayakam however managed to leave India for a South East Asian country as the net closed. From there he flew to London on a false passport with the help of relatives in Britain. This was in October/November 2009.

Europe

After a brief sojourn in Britain, Vinayakam crossed over to the Continental mainland. It is suspected that he applied for political asylum under a bogus identity in a liberal European Country and moved to another country shortly afterwards. Vinayakam is apparently shuttling from one European country to another establishing contact with prominent Diaspora personalities

Meanwhile things changed soon when KP was arrested in Malaysia and transported to Sri Lanka. With that development, Nediyavan’s power increased within the LTTE elements in the Diaspora.

Vinayakam who had earlier backed KP also began shifting. He began mending fences with Nediyavan and gradually entered into a strategic partnership with the “tall man”.

There seems to be a clear demarcation of authority between Vinayakam and Nediyavan.

Vinayakam has woven the various tiger intelligence operatives into a closely knit unit and remains in sole charge of that. Nediyavan has no say with the tiger intelligence wing.The intelligence wing does not function overtly as a distinct entity but its members adopting low profiles work in many different tiger structures

Likewise Nediyavan remains in charge of the LTTE branches and fronts.Vinayakam does not interfere in the day to day administration of these structures. If and when Vinayakam wants any branch or front to do anything he has to go through the “good offices” of Nediyavan.

Three Persons

Three persons are reportedly liaising between Vinayakam and Nediyavan. One is Aravinthan alias Irumporai, The other two are Nanthagopan and Anbuchelvan.

Irumporai is said to be a key operative of the LTTE’s military intelligence division. He had been sent to Laos in late 2008 for “purchasing”. After the war ended in May 2009, Irumporai had relocated to Europe.

Anbuchelvan was sent to Norway during the ceasefire period. He is in charge of the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) which controls most activity undertaken by the younger generation within the Tamil Diaspora.

Nanthagopan is a close associate of Manivannan alias Castro who hid his LTTE identity and surrendered to the Army as a “civilian” during the last stages of the war.

He managed to “bribe” a Tamil political party working with the govt and escape from the IDP camp. The party concerned brought Nanthagopan to Colombo and put him safely aboard a flight to Thailand after providing him with a passport under a false name. The “bribe” apparently amounted to millions.

This trio of Irumporai, Anbuchelvan and Nanthagopan are responsible for liaising and coordinating action between nediyavan and Vinayakam. They were to a great extent responsible for bringing both together and helping to evolve a strategic partnership.

Nediyavan

As far as Nediyavan is concerned his interests lie in perpetuating his control of the LTTE structures abroad and keeping intact the businesses and property belonging to the LTTE. He also needs to ensure a steady quantum of fund raising as many of his operatives get paid huge sums of money as “salary”.

Nediyavan’s track record shows that he is a selfish charlatan whose aim is to retain control of the money. Although he propagates the myth that Prabhakaran is alive ,it was Nediyavan who refused to give KP the 3.5 million US dollars necessary to stage a helicopter rescue of the leader and his family.

Thus Nediyavan does not seem to be a man who would risk anything for the cause he believes in. He is in a way symbolic of the hypocrites among pro-LTTE elements in the Diaspora

Vinayakam however may be somewhat different to Nediyavan in the sense that his commitment to the LTTE cause may be stronger and more genuine. He seems to be a man with a mission and there is evidence of methodical dedication in his conduct after Vinayakam escaped from Sri Lanka

Vinayakam

Vinayakam has been telephoning many LTTE supporters in the Diaspora and also meeting a few in person. He tries to restore their spirits by telling them “all is not over” (Ellam mudinju pohavillai) and that “something will happen soon” (Kethiya Etho nadakkap pohuthu).

Interestingly Vinayakam introduces himself as “Colonel” nowadays though it is doubtful whether he was ever made one

Vinayakam was reportedly travelling freely among several countries in Continental Europe. After he came under media spotlight Vinayakam began restricting his movements.

The tiger elements in Europe are spreading a story that Vinayakam has gone to Canada. This however is not true and Vinayakam continues to be a European resident though some say he is in a Scandinavian country at present.

In the long term the LTTE cannot remain viable and strong within the Diaspora on the strenth of the myth that Prabhakaran is alive. It also cannot rely on the lie that 12,000 cadres are being trained at secret locations and that a naval invasion would be launched soon.

Violence

What the LTTE remnants need to perpetuate themselves in the Diaspora is some major incident of violence in Sri Lanka. If that happens the tigers can recharge their batteries abroad and launch massive fund raising campaigns to “finance” the next operation. Incidently it was so amusing to see the frenzy of excitement in tiger circles when the Karadiyanaaru explosion occurred. They ended up as deflated balloons when it became known that it was an accident.

Against that backdrop Vinayakam seems capable of triggering off an “incident” in Sri Lanka.

Given the strength of the security forces and the preparedness of the defence establishment any big military “attack” is a virtual impossibility.

What could be possible is a comparatively minor incident like an assassination or bomb explosion

Hypothetically it is possible for the overseas tigers to use the money power at their disposal and pay off someone or some people in Sri Lanka to toss a grenade, or detonate a bomb in a public place.A prominent person could also be shot to death.

Given their money power the overseas tigers could get a poverty stricken ex-LTTE cadre to engage in such an act. Hypothetically it is also possible to get an ex –serviceman or ex-homeguard also to engage in violence. Even the underworld could be used.

What the LTTE needs is a single grenade, a single bomb or single gun to enact a single incident.

Potential

In such a scenario it is Vinayakam with his track record and experience who has the potential to bring about violence in Colombo or any other part of Sri Lanka.

It must be remembered that Vinayakam in association with Charles had been involved in planning and executing several acts of violence in the South. It is logical therefore to surmise that Vinayakam may still posses the contacts necessary to get someone or some people to engage in violence.

The strategic partnership between nediyavan and Vinayakam is based on the premise that each needs the other. Nediyavan needs Vinayakam to galvanise the overseas structures of the LTTE and boost fund raising.

More importantly Nediyavan knows that only Vinayakam could arrange for a violent incident in Sri Lanka

As for Vinayakam he needs the funds at Nediyavan’s disposal for his intelligence unit to function. He also needs finances to launch any

“Project” he may be having in mind.

More importantly Vinayakam knows that he cannot function effectively if he alienates Nediyavan. The way in which Nediyavan stymied the well-meaning efforts of KP is a striking lesson to Vinayakam.

These then are the reasons for the more senior Vinayakam to toe the relatively junior Nediyavan’s line and enter into a strategic partnership.

Nediyavan has been content for the moment to let Vinayakam don the mantle of LTTE leadership. Vinayakam is currently engaged in approaching various persons with a LTTE background and inviting them to join the LTTE central committee being set up under him. It remains to be seen as to how Vinayakam’s efforts succeed in the future.

Red Notice

Colombo however is not taking the potential of Vinayakam lightly. There is recognition among the upper echelons of the defence establishment that the new leader of the LTTE has the wherewithal in him to be a problem at worst and nuisance at best.

Hence the rapid moves to issue a red notice by INTERPOL. This is expected to compel Vinayakam to go underground and curtail his functional ability. Thereafter Lankan officials will enlist the support of Western law enforcement agencies to trace and apprehend Vinayakam and possibly get him deported.

The founder leader of the LTTE Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed by the shores of Nandhikkadal lagoon in May 2009. His successor Selvarasah Pathmanathan alias KP was seized and brought to Colombo in August 2009. Now there has emerged a new LTTE leader in Europe.

What will the fate of Sekarapillai Vinayakamoorthy alias “Col” Vinayakam be?

 

 

Piers  P Rajapakse