US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1132

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001132 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS 
NSC FOR E.MILLARD 
USAID FOR MARK WARD AND JIM KUNDER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2014 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, PGOV, CASC, CE, PHSAPREL CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: SUICIDE BOMBER HITS POLICE INSTEAD OF TAMIL 
MINISTER AMID AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE IN THE EAST 
 
REF: A. (A) COLOMBO-OPS CENTER 07-07-04 TELCON 
     B. (B) COLOMBO 1120 
     C. (C) COLOMBO 1109 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead.  Reason 1.5 (b,d). 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY.  On July 7, a suspected LTTE suicide bomber 
detonated herself at a local police station in Colombo.  Four 
police officers were killed and at least 11 injured.  The 
police station is located near the Chancery, but no Americans 
were injured, nor was the compound damaged.  There is no 
evidence the bomber was targeting Americans or the Embassy. 
The assumed target of the bomber was anti-LTTE Tamil Minister 
Devananda, who has linked himself publicly to breakaway rebel 
Tiger Karuna in recent weeks.  The bombing follows recent 
attacks on LTTE cadre and the arrest and release of possible 
pro-Karuna cadre apprehended for weapons possession, all in 
the east.   While the Tigers have not claimed responsibility 
for today's bombing, they are the likely suspects.  The 
larger question now is whether the incident is an isolated 
one or the beginning of a concerted military effort by the 
LTTE to break the ceasefire.  Please see Para 7 for suggested 
press guidance.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Potential LTTE Suicide Bombing in Colombo 
----------------------------------------- 
 
2.  (U) A suspected female Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam 
(LTTE) suicide bomber detonated herself at 12:15 pm July 7 at 
the Colpetty (Kollupitiya) Police Station in Colombo (see Ref 
B).  Several sources have confirmed that the bomber was 
headed for the Ministerial offices of Douglas Devananda, 
Minister of Agricultural Marketing Development, Hindu 
Affairs, and Tamil Language Schools and Vocational Training 
(North), and leader of the anti-LTTE Eelam People's 
Democratic Party (EPDP).  Apparently, the police became 
suspicious when the woman set off the metal detectors at the 
entrance to the ministerial office building and they escorted 
her to the police station. (Devananda's office building and 
the Colpetty police station are located several hundred yards 
apart on Galle Road near the chancery and the British High 
Commission.)  In addition to the bomber, four police officers 
were killed when the bomber detonated herself inside the 
police station.  Eleven others, including five police 
officers, were injured.  This is the first suicide bombing in 
over two years and the first since the GSL and LTTE signed 
the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) in February 2002. 
 
No Americans Injured 
-------------------- 
 
3.  (U)  There was no damage to the compound from the blast 
and no Embassy employees were injured.  As far as we know, 
no other Americans were injured or involved.  Sri Lankan 
officials are continuing to investigate the bombing, but 
there is no evidence that the bombing targeted Americans or 
foreigners.  A warden message apprising American citizens in 
Sri Lanka of the July 7 event and warning against travel to 
the eastern town of Batticaloa was disseminated.  A draft 
public announcement was sent to CA via e-mail for clearance 
throughout the Department.  See Septel for readout of Mission 
July 7 EAC meeting. 
 
Recent Attacks Against the LTTE in the East 
------------------------------------------- 
 
4.  (C)  The July 7 suicide bombing in Colombo follows 
attacks on LTTE cadres in the East on July 5, when "Black 
Tiger Day" is observed. (Black Tiger Day commemorates the 
first LTTE suicide bombing in 1987, and is usually marked 
with parades and somber ceremonies.)  In two separate 
incidents, LTTE cadre were attacked in Batticaloa.  One LTTE 
member was shot dead, while three cadre (including the LTTE 
Political Wing Leader for Batticaloa, Senathirajah) were 
wounded.  News reports suggest that groups loyal to breakaway 
eastern LTTE leader Karuna were responsible, while pro-LTTE 
website TamilNet claimed the Sri Lankan military was involved 
in the shootings.  The GSL issued a press release noting its 
concern about the shootings, stating, "These incidents 
jeopardize the law and order situation in the Eastern 
Province." Meanwhile, the newly appointed Army Commander 
dispatched his Chief of Staff to study the security situation 
in the east and prevent further clashes between the LTTE and 
other armed factions.  Press reports also noted that the Army 
will increase the number of troops in the East, but Army 
Spokesman Colonel Sumedha Perera said no decision had been 
made about increasing troop numbers. 
 
5.  (C) In a separate incident, the police, acting on a 
military tip, arrested 14 possibly pro-Karuna Tamil youth on 
July 5 at a Buddhist temple at Hingurakgoda (outside of 
Polonnaruwa) for possession of a variety of weapons and 
ammunition. The temple, frequently used as a rest stop for 
pilgrims, is run by a Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) monk who 
unsuccessfully contested in Parliamentary elections earlier 
this year. Contrary to usual practice, the Tamil youths were 
arrested, but were not held for the 14 days the law allows. 
Instead, they were released on bail by a local magistrate. 
Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar told the Ambassador that 
there was significant political pressure by "certain Tamil 
groups" to release the youths. 
 
Targeted Minister linked with Karuna 
------------------------------------ 
 
6.  (C)  While the suspected LTTE suicide bomber took 
everyone by surprise, there is little conjecture as to why 
Devananda was targeted.  The Tamil politician has long been 
vocal in his opposition to the LTTE and has been closely 
linked of late with rebel Tiger Karuna.  (Before entering 
politics, Devananda's EPDP was a paramilitary organization 
fighting against the LTTE.)  During the June 21-22 public 
revelations of Karuna's April flight from the east to 
Colombo, numerous press reports noted Devananda was trying to 
facilitate Karuna's debut in the political world.  On several 
occasions, the Minister has also offered to arrange meetings 
or communication between Karuna and Embassy officials, which 
we politely declined. 
 
Suggested Press Guidance 
------------------------ 
 
7.  (U)  Mission suggests the following statements for press 
guidance: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
The United States is saddened by these senseless deaths and 
concerned by the effect that this incident, and recent 
violent incidents in Eastern Sri Lanka, may have on the peace 
process.  It has consistently supported the millions of Sri 
Lankans who believe that the solution to the Island,s ethnic 
problems lie in peace and not in war. 
 
Although no one has claimed responsibility, the attack bears 
all the marking of the LTTE.   As in the past, the United 
States calls on the Tigers to renounce terrorism and cease 
terrorist acts, including political assassination, and to 
comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement that they 
signed.  Violent actions of this sort raise doubts about 
their commitment to a political solution and illustrate why 
the Tamil Tigers remain on the U.S. list of Foreign Terrorist 
Organizations (FTO).  The U.S. calls on both the Government 
of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to take all possible steps to halt 
the recent violence in Eastern Sri Lanka. 
 
(If asked about news reports that the incident appeared in a 
"high security zone" near the American and British embassies, 
and the Prime Minister's office.) 
 
The suicide bomber was picked up by the police outside a 
Government office and taken to a nearby police station. 
Those buildings are located near the American Embassy.  We 
have no reason to believe that the incident was directed 
toward the Embassy. 
 
End Text. 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
8.  (C) Although the LTTE has not claimed responsibility for 
today's suicide bombing, it is almost certainly the work of 
the Tigers.  The larger question now is whether the incident 
is an isolated one or the beginning of a concerted military 
effort by the LTTE to break the ceasefire.  In recent weeks, 
Tiger rhetoric against the government has been increasing, in 
particular because of the GSL's allegedly role aiding Karuna 
and backing his forces in attacks against LTTE cadre in the 
East.  Although the uptick in propaganda is not surprising 
for "Black July," a month which includes Black Tiger Day and 
the anniversary of the 1983 anti-Tamil riots in Colombo, 
their messages have consistently alleged that the government 
is eager to break the ceasefire.  (In a representative 
example of many LTTE statements, LTTE Trincomalee political 
Leader Elilan said "The LTTE is prepared to face another war 
if it is thrust upon us, while the government will be held 
responsible for its outbreak.")  Our assessment is that the 
bombing was probably meant as a warning to the GSL that if it 
continues to support anti-LTTE actions by pro-Karuna groups, 
the LTTE can strike back -- an with a vengeance.  END COMMENT. 
LUNSTEAD