US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1649

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001649 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PGOV, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA:  NORTHERN MUSLIMS ATTACK LTTE OFFICES, 
DECLARE STRIKE AFTER COMMUNITY MEMBER'S KILLING 
 
REF: COLOMBO 1563 
 
1.  (U)  Muslims in the northern district of Mannar attacked 
three offices of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 
late October 1 after a Muslim was killed in a drive-by 
shooting three kilometers outside of Mannar town.  (Note: 
Mannar is approximately 175 km southwest of Jaffna Peninsula. 
 The area in which the killing took place is under Government 
control.  End note.)  Muslim residents told police they held 
the LTTE responsible for the killing and demanded an inquiry. 
 On October 2 members of the Muslim community in Mannar 
staged a demonstration against the LTTE and declared a strike 
that successfully closed businesses in the town for two days. 
 
 
2.  (SBU)  According to the Assistant Superintendent of 
Police in Mannar, the police chaired a meeting with 
residents, local clergy, an MP from the Sri Lanka Muslim 
Congress (SLMC) and the head of the LTTE's political wing in 
Mannar in an effort to defuse tensions.  As of October 4, 
according to the police source, a few businesses had 
reopened, and the situation was returning to normal.  He 
added that so far the police have been unable to verify LTTE 
involvement in the slaying. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Comment:  Although LTTE aggression against and 
harassment of Muslims are nothing new, the community's 
reaction to this latest incident certainly is.  The 
unprecedented violence against LTTE offices and the 
successful protest reflect both the community's 
long-simmering resentment against habitual LTTE tactics and, 
apparently, a newfound confidence that the ceasefire gives 
them a safe opportunity for dissent.  The Mannar strike 
follows another anti-LTTE "hartal" held by a Janatha Vimukti 
Peramuna (JVP) front in Trincomalee to protest the Tigers' 
abduction of two Sinhalese home guards (Reftel).  Whether 
Muslims in other areas in the North and East will follow 
Mannar's example remains to be seen. 
LUNSTEAD