US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO1448

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001448 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PTER, CE, LTTE - Peace Process 
SUBJECT: INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE UNDER STATE OF EMERGENCY 
 
REF: A. COLOMBO 1419 
     B. COLOMBO 1374 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: While security forces continue to investigate 
the murder of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Kadirgamar, human 
rights groups urge restraint under the State of Emergency 
(SOE). Meanwhile, Tamil leaders complain the SOE and 
checkpoint inspections are an undue trauma on the Tamil 
people as the leaders try to shift blame for the murder 
elsewhere. In the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 
controlled North, LTTE supporters flexed their muscles by 
storming a UN compound to cut down flags flown at half mast 
out of respect for the slain Foreign Minister, while in the 
east Tigers shot at Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldiers at two 
checkpoints, killing one. END SUMMARY 
 
2.(U) According to Army spokesman BGEN Ratnayake, police have 
detained and questioned 51 persons since the August 12 
shooting of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.  Of the 51 
questioned, 17 were released on bail after appearing before a 
magistrate, 18 others were released without bail, 8 have been 
ordered held by a magistrate, and the remaining 8 are being 
held for further questions.  Police recovered a 40mm grenade 
launcher, Chinese design type 82 hand grenade, rifle 
ammunition, water bottles and food consumed at the sniper's 
perch.  These items have been sent to the government analyst 
for forensic examination. 
 
3.(U) Although the Public Security Ordinance (PSO) gives the 
President wide ranging powers in an SOE,  President 
Kumaratunga is required to have an itemized list of those new 
powers "gazetted" and approved before Parliament within ten 
days. Parliament will begin this emergency debate August 18. 
Under the PSO, once approved by Parliament, the SOE may 
remain in effect for one month, and can be extended month by 
month by Parliament.  For the most part, however, the current 
SOE does not seem to have a visible impact on the lives of 
most Colombo residents.  For example, there does not appear 
to be an appreciable increase of security forces on the 
street; there is little restriction on movement, and no 
suspension of public gatherings.  Most importantly, other 
civil liberties remain unaffected. 
 
4.(SBU) The scenario is predictably somewhat different in the 
North and East. Following the shooting of Kadirgamar, on 
August 13 the SLA closed the crossings between LTTE and 
government controlled areas in the Northeastern province.  In 
the north this caused a back up of traffic for several miles 
along the A-9 highway. The pro-LTTE TamilNet reported that 
Tamils in Ampara and Trincomalee districts were being 
harassed and refused passage to the local hospital, which a 
phone conversation with the USAID field office dispelled as 
propaganda.  The USAID office further indicated that local 
Tamil employees thought the search procedure were more 
professional and less invasive that during the conflict 
period.  All crossings have since re-opened.  In a August 15 
conversation with POLOFF, the Vavuniya Government Agent 
described the SLA as beefing up its bunkers and fence lines. 
The government agent went on to say the mood in the north is 
violent, explaining that civilians could be incited by the 
LTTE as they were in Jaffna on August 5 (Reftel B). 
 
5. (U) This hostility was manifested when LTTE supporters on 
August 15 bullied their way on to UN compounds in the LTTE 
capital Kilinochchi to cut down UN flags that had been flying 
at half mast for the national day of mourning.  This incident 
was followed on August 16 by LTTE cadres firing at two guard 
posts in Trincomalee, killing one SLA soldier.  It is 
reported by an SLA spokesperson that the gunman was hiding 
behind a group of civilians crossing the road, in effect 
using them as human shields. 
 
6. (U) On August 13 LTTE political head Thamilchelvan denied 
LTTE involvement in the Kadirgamar assassination and blamed 
"Sri Lankan armed forces with a hidden agenda."  In a 
televised address to the nation on August 14, President 
Kumaratunga held the LTTE responsible for Kadirgamar murder 
and dismissed their denials.  While she justified several 
security measures, the President affirmed her commitment to 
peace stating that "we need an enlightened vision and policy 
that will seek out the true causes of ethnic conflict in our 
land and address it objectively and effectively."  Most 
significantly she indirectly criticized the Sinhala 
chauvinists in the JVP and JHU parties as "Those extremist 
forces who oppose even minimal concessions towards peace ..." 
 calling them "responsible for the perpetuation of the 
terrorist cause , in as much as the LTTE is for responsible 
for generating it."  She closed her speech by urging Sri 
Lankans not to be provoked to violence and to act with the 
"utmost restraint". 
 
7. (U) Late August 17 the LTTE regained their footing when 
Thamilchelvan released a statement declaring "war is not an 
option" but still claiming a Southern inside job in the 
killing of Kadirgamar. 
 
6. (SBU) COMMENT: To date the actions of the Sri Lanakan 
government and security forces appear to have been 
professional and proportional.  It is very encouraging that 
at every opportunity the GSL has reiterated a commitment to 
the peace process.  In stark contrast, the LTTE wasted four 
days denying their involvement and making no mention of the 
cease fire agreement or the peace process. END COMMENT. 
 
ENTWISTLE