US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO701

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000701 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OFFICIAL INFORMAL 
 
FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958:  DECL:  04/27/14 
TAGS: AMGT, CE, MV, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT:  OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 062 (04/27/04) 
 
 
Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 (b) and 
(d). 
 
CONTENTS: LTTE FACTIONAL VIOLENCE 
 
LTTE FACTIONAL VIOLENCE 
----------------------- 
 
(C) FYI.  Despite the recent collapse of Karuna's 
positions in the east, factional infighting in the LTTE 
appears to be on the upswing.  The recent trail of 
violence includes: 
 
-- Seven LTTE cadres were reportedly killed in 
Batticaloa District late April 26.  According to 
contacts in the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and 
the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), the LTTE has alleged that 
several Karuna supporters killed three Tiger sentries at 
a checkpoint.  The assassins then proceeded to a nearby 
general store, where four disabled Tiger cadres were 
killed.  SLMM spokeswoman Agnes Bragadottir told poloff 
on April 27 that Tiger political chief S.P. 
Thamilchelvam had lodged a formal complaint with the 
SLMM, alleging that Karuna supporters had entered into 
Tiger-controlled areas in the east through army- 
controlled areas in order to perpetrate the killings. 
Despite the LTTE claims, Military spokesman Col. Sumeda 
Perera told poloff on April 26 that the military had no 
involvement in the incident.  In an effort to mediate 
the situation, Per Rosendahl, head of the Batticaloa 
SLMM office, told poloff that a meeting between the LTTE 
and the SLA would take place on April 28 with SLMM 
facilitation. 
 
-- In an incident that took place in the early morning 
hours of April 26, a mine exploded, killing a Tamil 
reported to be a Karuna supporter.  Police are 
investigating the  incident, which occurred in a small 
village near the north-central town of Kurunegala. 
 
-- In a third incident, a Tamil was killed in north 
Colombo the evening of April 26.  In the incident, 
assailants shot at two Tamils (identified as Karuna 
supporters by police), killing one of the men and 
critically wounding the other.  Police contacts have 
reported that no group has yet taken responsibility for 
the Colombo killing, but the incident bears all the 
hallmarks of the Tigers' "pistol gangs."  (POL) 
 
-- On a brighter note, UNICEF gave us an encouraging 
briefing on the LTTE child soldier issue today. 
Frontchannel on child soldiers later this week. 
 
LUNSTEAD