US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO543

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Identifier:	04COLOMBO543
Wikileaks:	View 04COLOMBO543 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Colombo
Created:	2004-03-26 05:59:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	AMGT CE MV LTTE
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000543 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OFFICIAL INFORMAL 
 
FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958:  DECL:  03/26/14 
TAGS: AMGT, CE, MV, LTTE - Peace Process, Elections 
SUBJECT:  OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 048 (03/26/04) 
 
Classified by Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reasons 
1.5 (b) and (d). 
 
CONTENTS: CAMPAIGN NUGGETS 
-         LTTE SPLIT 
 
CAMPAIGN NUGGETS 
---------------- 
 
1.  (SBU) FYI.  Here are the latest nuggets of news: 
 
-- President Kumaratunga attended a large rally in the 
southern town of Matara on March 25.  She did not say 
anything dramatic, per se.  The rally was well-attended. 
Based on what we are hearing, the President's SLFP-JVP 
alliance (the "UPFA") appears to be doing quite well in 
Sri Lanka's deep south.  (Poloff Chris Long will be 
visiting Galle and Matara over the weekend and will take 
the temperature of the region before next week's 
election.) 
 
-- The state-run media continues to twist poll results. 
As we mentioned in Colombo 514, the DAILY NEWS and its 
companion Sinhala-language edition fabricated the 
results of a USAID funded poll in their March 20 
edition.  On March 26, the DAILY NEWS had a front-page 
banner headline stating:  "Academy of Educational 
Development of USAID funded study shows:  Kumaratunga 
best suited to run country".  The article was accurate 
re the poll results, but was heavily spun in tone 
towards the UPFA.  We are issuing a clarifying press 
statement.  You may get bleats about the DAILY NEWS 
story from Devinda Subasinghe. 
 
-- In the meantime, PM Wickremesinghe spoke to a large 
rally held near Kandy on March 25.  As he has been 
doing, the PM touted the achievements of the peace 
process. 
(POL) 
 
LTTE SPLIT 
---------- 
 
2.  (C) FYI.  The LTTE issued a harsh warning to 
potential supporters of rebel eastern commander Karuna 
late March 25.  The long statement, which is posted on 
"TamilNet," is not explicit in its threats, but the 
message is clear:  Pull away from Karuna and fast.  Most 
observers believe that the Tigers are waiting until 
after the election to deal with Karuna.  There are 
already unsubstantiated reports that LTTE intelligence 
operatives are infiltrating into Karuna's 
Batticaloa/Ampara sector.  (POL) 
 
LUNSTEAD