“Brigadier” Thamilchelvan, The “Smiling” Face of LTTE
November 3rd, 2007
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The mood amidst cadres and supporters of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Tigers was on the ascendant after the successful attack on the Anuradhapura air base.
Thursday November 1st saw a special ceremony being held in the Wanni where tiger supremo Velupillai Prabakharan awarded four different types of military honours for those involved in various aspects of “Operation Ellalan”.
But this euphoria of victory over the Air force at Saliyapura was short lived. Within 24 hours of the award ceremony the Sri Lankan air force struck back.
The buoyant LTTE mood turned gloomy. The airforce down in the doldrums after the Anuradhapura debacle became chirpy again. Such are the fluctuating fortunes of this fratricidal fighting.
At first light on Friday Nov 2nd , Israeli built K-fir jet bombers and Russian supersonic MiG 27 ’s engaged in aerial bombardment over Iranaimadhu east, South Kilinochchi town and its suburbs like Anandapuram and Thiruvaiyaaru . Two civilians were killed and six injured.
But the biggest casualties were suffered by the LTTE. Suppiah Paramu Thamilchelvan the 40 year old head of the LTTE’s Political division was killed along with five other tigers in the aerial attack.
The others killed along with Thamilchelvan in the Thiruvaiyaaru bombing were Muthukkumaru Soundarakrishnan alias Lt Col Anpumani , Dharmarajah Vijayakumar alias Major Mihuthan, Karunanidhi Vasanthakumar alias Capt. Kalaiyarasan, Panchatcharam Sajeeban alias Lt Aatchivel, and Muthukkumaarakkurukkal Srigayathrinatha Sarma alias Lt Maavaikumaran.
All of them were from villages in Jaffna district.Maavailkumaran is the son of a brahmin priest.
Anpumani also known as Alex and Mihuthan were from the political wing. Kalaiyarasan aka Nethaji , Aatchivel and Maavaikumaran were Thamilchelvan’s bodyguards.
Anpumani or Alex is a skilled photographer and known to many media persons. He is in charge of the strategic communications unit of the LTTE’s political wing. Closely associated with Thamilchelvan, Anpumani has accompanied the political commissar on trips to Europe.
According to Lt. Col Pappa the chief of LTTE sports division Thamilchelvan and others had been killed in their sleep. Senior LTTE leaders do not sleep at the same place each night due to security reasons.
Thamilchelvan used to rotate among three or four different places. On Thursday night the political chief had slept at a bunker in the Thiruvaiyaaru area. The bomber jets had dropped “bunkerbuster” type of powerful bombs and scored “bull’s eye”.
Pappa informed Thamilchelvan’s brother in Canada that the entire structure had crumbled due to the bombing. The target was hit a few minutes after 6 am.
It took LTTE cadres several hours to excavate the bodies from under the debris. Thamilchelvan’s body was the last to be dug out. Though rumours began circulating about Thamilchelvan’s death the LTTE kept it under wraps for a few hours
The bodies of Thamilchelvan and others killed were moved at about 10. 30 am to a safe location . LTTE leader Prabakharan then visited that place around 12 noon and paid his respects.
Prabakharan was very fond of Thamilchelvan and seemed very angry and disturbed over his killing. The LTTE leader also bestowed Brigadier rank posthumously upon Thamilchelvan.
It was at 1 pm that the LTTE officially announced the deaths of Thamilchelvan and others through a press release.
[S.P.Thamilchelvan attends a Reuters interview in Kilinochchi, May 7, 2005. Courtesy: Reuters/Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi - via Yahoo! News]
Thamilchelvan is the first tiger to be made Brigadier. Earlier the highest rank of tiger fighter was Captain. Former LTTE north – eastern commander Ravindran alias Pandithar was only a captain when killed in 1985.
Later the higher ranks became Major. Former Mannar commander Victor was a major when killed in 1986.
Thereafter the highest rank became Lt. Col. Departed Lt. Colonels were posthumously awarded “Col” rank. Former Jaffna commander Kittu was the first to be made “Colonel” Posthumously
Nowadays the highest rank is Colonel. Seniors like Soosai, Bhanu, Sornam, Balraj, Theepan, Jeyam etc are colonels. Even Karuna was a colonel in the LTTE.
Thamilchelvan has become the first Colonel to be killed in battle and so was made Brigadier posthumously. He is now the first Brigadier. If others of colonel rank are killed they too will be given Brigadier rank.
In what seems a crude attempt to humiliate Thamilchelvan some government websites and state controlled media refer to Thamilchelvan being of the “ambattan” or barber caste and that he was a barber before joining the movement.
This reminds one of the “snide” methods used to ridicule Ranasinghe Premadasa on account of his caste.
Those who seek to demean a person on the basis of caste are only demeaning themselves. It also shows the “caste consciousness” in the corridors of power.
Yes, Thamilchelvan belonged to a traditional barber community regarded as “low” in the caste hierarchy of conservative Jaffna.His father ran a saloon in Chavakachcheri. But Thamilchelvan was a student when he joined the LTTE and did not work as a barber. There is no shame even if he did so but that did not happen.
Thamilchelvan’s growth and evolution within the LTTE was meteoric. It was also an illustration of how persons from the underprivileged sections of the Tamil community could rise to positions of authority within the LTTE .
Despite his caste background Thamilchelvan to his credit transcended that barrier and became political commissar of the movement that claims to be the sole representatives of the Tamil people.He was able to head the LTTE political wing and participate in discussions with the national and international elite on equal terms.
Thamilchelvan was born on August 29th 1967 in Madduvil, a sprawling agrarian village in the Thenmaratchy sector of Jaffna district. He was the fifth among six children. There were five boys and a girl in the family. All his brothers are elder to Thamilchelvan.
His eldest brother is Balasubramaniyam alias Moorthy who is also a senior member of the LTTE. Moorthy was a close confidante of former LTTE deputy leader Gopalaswamy Mahendrarajah alias Mahathaya. Moorthy was one of the LTTE delegates who participated in discussions with the Government in Colombo when Ranasinghe Premadasa was president.
Moorthy fell from grace after the Mahattaya downfall and was detained. He was released after a long period of incarceration. Demoted from his earlier positions, Moorthy is now a low rung cadre engaged in clerical work for the LTTE.
One of his daughters is also in the LTTE. According to family members in Canada it was Moorthy who informed them first of Thamilchelvan’s death.
Thamilchelvan’s mother, two brothers and younger sister are living in Canada. Another brother lives in Norway. His father is not among the living.
Thamilchelvan is married and has two children. His wife Sasirekha is a former woman cadre of the LTTE.Her nom de guerre was Isaichelvi. The 8year old daughter is Alaimagal (daughter of waves). The 4 year old son is Oliventhan (King of light).
His wedding was one of the first in a new scheme introduced by the LTTE supremo. Prabakharan evolved a plan whereby women cadres of the LTTE were to be paired off with male cadres through suitable matchmaking. Since arranged marriages are a part of Tamil social practice this scheme was seen as mass scale arranged marriage.
Prabakharan himself selected the bride for Thamilchelvan from an upper caste family in a deliberate bid to erase caste inequalities and bring about an egalitarian society. Sasirekha’s family hailing from Chulipuram in Jaffna once owned a lot of businesses in Bambalapitiya and sold them after July 1983.
Prabakharan and his wife Mathivathany acted as Thamilchelvan’s “parents” while political adviser Anton Balasingham and wife Adele acted as the bride’s parents. Brahminic rituals were dispensed with.
Thamilchelvan’s mother in Canada was not informed of the marriage until the last minute. When she asked the son why he did not inform them earlier Thamilselvan replied “I myself came to know only four days ago”.
Thamilchelvan had his primary education at the Madduvil Maha Vidyalayam and secondary schooling at Chavakachcheri Hindu College. His family was politically conscious and was for long active supporters of Shanmugadasan’s pro – Beijing Communist party.
His father and elder brothers participated in many activities against caste discrimination. They were in the forefront of the protest demanding that the famous Pandrithalaichi Amman temple in Madduvil be throw open for all to worship. This was done in 1970.
With the escalation of the ethnic conflict Thamilchelvan’s family like many other Tamil families shed their marxism and became increasingly Tamil nationalistic.
Thamilchelvan joined the LTTE after the July 1983 violence at the age of sixteen. By international standards he was a child soldier at that time. According to his brother Sivasubramaniam ,Thamilchelvan had gone across to India for arms training by boat on June 13th 1984.
Thamilchelvan was a member of the fourth batch of recruits and received military training in the Thirumalai camp near Dindigul in Tamil Nadu. His nom de guerre was Dinesh.
It was as Dinesh that Thamilchelvan was known for a long time. Later the LTTE started a de- Sanskritisation process of Tamil names. Dinesh was a Sanskritized name but his real name Thamilchelvan was a pure, Tamil name. So Dinesh transformed back into Thamilchelvan, the name given by his parents.
After training Thamilchelvan was posted to Prabakharan’s security detail in India. One of his main duties was to function as bodyguard to Mathivathany Prabakharan.
She was an ardent Hindu devotee and Thamilchelvan accompanied her to several temples. The young lad’s subservience and sense of duty impressed her very much. This in turn led to Prabakharan also becoming fond of him. Soon Thamilchelvan became a trusted lieutnenant.
Before Prabakharan crossed over from India to Jaffna on January 5th 1987 the LTTE leader sent three of his trusted bodyguards first to Jaffna. Their duty was to inform then Jaffna commander “Col” Kittu and make necessary arrangements and then return.
Thereafter the trio accompanied Prabakharan to Jaffna clandestinely. The RAW was furious at his slipping out of their grasp.
The trusted trio were Imran, Pandiyan and Dinesh (Thamilchelvan). All three are dead now.
After returning to Jaffna , Thamilchelvan was assigned to the Thenmaratchy sector. He rose rapidly and soon became Thenmaratchy sectoral commander.
What happened was that “Curdles ” the legendary Thenmaratchy commander was killed in an accidental explosion in Kaithady along with Ponnamman, Vasu and others on Feb 14th 1987.
The LTTE then appointed two cadres known as Kunchan and Daya as acting commanders. They were inefficient and so Naren a native of Jaffna town was appointed Thenmaratchy commander.
This led to dissatisfaction among cadres from the region who wanted a son of the (Thenmaratchy) soil to lead them. The LTTE was thinking of appointing Abdullah , a Thenmaratchy cadre as divisional commander. But Abdullah along with Pulendran, Kumarappa and others consumed cynaide in October 1987.
This incident led to war breaking out with the Indian army stationed in North – East lanka. The Thenmaratchy sector was leaderless.
So Thamilchelvan was made commander in October 1987. Pappa was his deputy. Casteist elements among the people resented this but Prabakharan stood firm.
In 1991 Thamilchelvan was made military commander and later special military commander for Jaffna district. Thamilchelvan’s rise was resented by many cadres who felt he was Prabakharan’s blue eyed boy. Thamilchelvan endeared himself to the leader but aroused resentment among colleagues by sneaking about them to big boss.
The nickname for him among comrades was “Thagadu” meaning sneaker colloquially. Former tiger colleagues say that Thamilchelvan eliminated “competition” by getting potential rivals sidelined through his sneaking to Prabakharan.
He was responsible for the downfall of many colleagues including Dominick a former Jaffna political commissar. Dominick apparently had cracked a joke “critical” of Prabakharan among his comrades. Thamilchelvan secretly recorded it and promptly passed it on to Prabakharan.
Dominck was expelled and is now living abroad with his wife who was a judge in the tiger judiciary. Dominick’s father himself was a district judge in Sri Lanka.
Thamilchelvan played a prominent role in souring relations between Prabakharan and Karuna. If Pottu Aman caused the Karuna rift Thamilchelvan helped widen it.
His proximity to Prabakharan may have led to his being promoted rapidly. Whatever the cause of elevation the man has not been found wanting in the discharge of his duties.
It may be that others could have performed those better but Thamilchelvan was adequately competent.That has to be granted.
Whatever his personal flaws, Thamilchelvan was a brave fighter. But he is not credited with having great military acumen like Balraj, Sornam, Bhanu or Theepan.
He was seriously injured in the Elephant pass battle of 1991 when he was Thenmaratchy commander and in the Pooneryn battle of 1993 when he was Jaffna district commander. Among other major battles he participated were “operation Yarldevi”, and the LTTE attacks in Silavathurai, Karainagar and Thachankaadu.
After the Pooneryn battle Thamilchelvan was on the verge of death and survived miraculously. Most of the flesh on a leg was stripped away.He sustained a permanent limp and had to walk with the aid of a walking stick after that.
With active military duty ruled out due to injury, Thamilchelvan was now utilised on the political wing. Narendran alias Yogi the former political commissar was expelled from the movement after Mahathaya’s downfall.
At one point Prabakharan wanted to appoint Sornalingam alias “Col” Shankar in place of Yogi. But Balasingham who did not like Shankar intervened and persuaded Prabakharan to appoint Thamilchelvan instead.
Prabakharan did so and caused much resentment among the rank and file. Balasingham took Thamilchelvan under his wing and personally guided and coached him.
Thamilchelvan repaid Balasingham’s kindness by betraying him years later. But that’s another story!
In spite of being political commissar Thamilchelvan functioned as “kattalai thalapathy” or commanding officer during “unceasing waves” operations in the Thenmaratchy sector. He was also seen in military fatigues in August last year when the LTTE attempted to penetrate Muhamaalai.
In recent times Thamilchelvan was in charge of LTTE defences in Paranthan, Poonagary and Pallavarayankaddu. Thamilchelvan also used to travel freqently between the frontlines and Prabakharan’s abode during the various phases of Operation Jayasikurui. He conveyed confidential reports and orders orally instead of transmitting through wireless and run the risk of being intercepted.
As political commissar, Thamilselvan received the Government delegations led by Kusumsiri Balapatabendi during the peace talks held from October 13, 1994 to March 28, 1995. He participated in all rounds of peace talks held after the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement on February 22, 2002 in Thailand, Norway, Germany and in Japan. Balasingham and GL Peiris led the respective delegations.Thamilselvan also presided over the LTTE conference in Paris on August 23, 2003. After the Paris conference Thamilselvan left for Switzerland to study the federal system from August 29, 2003 to September 03, 2003.
Once again Thamilselvan presided over discussions held to finalise the proposals for interim administration in the North and East at the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation in Ireland from October 03, 2003 to October 10, 2003. In 2005 Thamilselvan headed a LTTE delegation to Europe and toured Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa and Ireland. Thamilselvan also participated in the Geneva talks between the Government and the LTTE held from February 22 to 23, 2006 and again from October 28 and 29, 2006 in Geneva.
Thamilchelvan would summon the Tamil National Alliance MP’s to Kilinochchi and issue directives. It was hilarious yet sad to see political veterans paying pooja to this Johnny come lately.
He has met with many important personalities in political discussions held abroad and at Kilinochchi.
His inability to express himself in English has resulted in excessive dependence on a translator cum interpreter. Pancharatnam alias George – an ex postmaster – has accompanied Thamilchelvan everywhere and become virtually indispensable to the political commissar.
There is a joke among Tamil circles that George and not Thamilchelvan spells out the LTTE viewpoint publicly.
Thamilchelvan has also given many media interviews and conducted press conferences.
Media circles are aware that he craves publicity. He resents sharing the limelight with others like Daya masterm Pulithevan, Elilan, Ilamparithi or Ilanthiraiyan. Some journalists speak in lighter vein about Thamilchelvan’s machinations to cut out the others and hog it alone.
He also has a penchant to get photographed. The walking stick man with a perpetual grin has become a permanent fixture in tiger photos.
Though inarticulate in English Thamilchelvan understands the language well Diplomats have noted that Thamilchelvan uses George only to interprete what he says in Tamil but responds without translation to what is said in English by the other party.
Thamilchelvan speaks very fluently in Tamil and is never at a loss for words. The content is poor and shallow. His Tamil interviews are relished by certain segments of LTTE supporters. Many however felt that he mechanically repeats things and call him “kilipillai” or parrot. Many Tamils refer to him as “Soonaa Paanaa” derived from his initials in Tamil.
The be – spectacled Thamilchelvan has an ever smiling face and amiable disposition. He has in recent times become the “smiling” face of the LTTE. His inter – personal skills are good.
This benign countenance does not mean that the political commissar is “soft”. People who tried to override him or overwhelm him have found themselves unsuccessful.
Thamilchelvan reflects Prabakharan’s thinking perfectly. At times diplomats have found him to be uncompromisingly intransigient despite the smiling exterior. He shakes his head from side to side smiling all the time.
This led to a description in the media about him as a “smiling cobra”.
When charges are made about LTTE human rights violations he would deny them with a broad smile. The plastered . permanent grin was resented by many Western journalists and diplomats who perceived it as patently insincere.
In the opinion of this writer Thamilchelvan was a colossal misfit as political commissar during the ceasefire period. Despite his efforts to convince the Europeans of the LTTE’s bonafides the EU went ahead and banned the LTTE. He also mishandled relations with the SLMM
The Geneva talks fiasco was due to Thamilchelvan’s exaggerated vanity when he insisted that he would sit down at the negotiating table with only a senior minister.
When the six rounds of talks with the Government took place Thamilchelvan would describe them as productive and meaningful. But when the LTTE pulled out of talks Thamilchelvan did a volte – face and said all the rounds of talks were meaningless and useless. Only Thamilchelvan could say such things and still hope to retain credibility.
Thamilchelvan like Pottu Amman is an unquestioning acolyte of Prabakharan. His loyalty is immense and is a trusted deputy cum confidante. His relationship with Prabakharan has been Thamilchelvan’s passport to success within the movement.
There have been many attempts on Thamilchelvan’s life including a close call when a claymore mine killed his chief body guard. The political commissar was travelling in another vehicle behind.The army’s deep penetration squad was suspected.
He has also had many narrow shaves during aerial bombardment and artillery shelling.
Being political commissar since 1994 Thamilchelvan has become the political face of the LTTE in recent times. He personifies the political dimension of the tigers.
Because of this , his death is perceived and even depicted as a terrible loss to the LTTE. A larger than life image is being projected of him. The truth is that the death may be a personal blow to Prabakharan but not a great loss to the LTTE. Thamilchelvan did not influence policy on important issues.
He is not an advocate of a peaceful settlement through negotiations. His political role was subordinated to the overall military imperatives of the LTTE.
Anyone with mediocre ability can perform the political tasks Thamilchelvan was doing. His militaristic usefulness was impaired. Only Prabakharan will feel his loss keenly as it would be difficult to procure a trusted minion of Thamilchelvan’s slavish calibre.
Already the LTTE’s Police chief Nadesan has been appointed Political division head.Nadesan a former Police constable is originally from Valvettithurai and speaks all three languages with reasonable fluency .
Nadesan’s wife is a Sinhalese from Matara district. She lives in the Wanni now.
“The Government of Sri Lanka is continuing its genocidal war against the Tamil people. The LTTE is maintaining patience and still restricting itself to a defensive war. “Thamilchelvan said in a recent interview
Now the man who accused Colombo of waging a genocidal war and warned that the LTTE is exercising patience is dead.
The LTTE has declared three days of mourning till November 5th.
[Photo: LTTEPS]
Velupillai Prabakharan will definitely feel the loss and vow vengeance. The triumphant crowing about the killing by Gotabhaya Rajapakse can add fuel to the fire raging in the LTTE supremo’s heart.
Thamilchelvan’s death may vey well lead to a further hardening of tiger attitudes. The undeclared war may become a declared war.
The conflict may intensify. Many political personalities in the South could become targets.
We are in for troubling, turbulent times.
~
DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
81 Comments Add your own
1. Ratna | November 3rd, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Killing of Tamilselvan is a great loss to VP, but not to LTTE. Also timing of this is not good for GOSL.
When Kadirgamar was killed, EU banned LTTE.
Today, Tamilselvan is killed, EU has to do something. Not only EU, even other nations is going to look at this as an anti-peace action. With Pakistan in turmoil, SL situation is improtant for India.
GOSL will see this in the near future.
2. reader | November 3rd, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Reality is that the ltte is just a headless bunch if racist losers who cannot think beyond their impulses. Thousands of innocent tamils have been mislead and brain washed by these bunch of lunatics.
They have no political agenda apart from the dictatorship that they have been practicing in the so-called the ‘captured’ arrears in the NE. (Just in north now)
If you are a tamil civilian parent, beware that your children will be captured and brain washed to be suicide bombers when the leader’s close family and children are enjoying a luxurious life in London UK, with the money robbed from these innocent tamil civilians.
IF you are a ltte supporter, beware that what happened to karuna may happen to you as well. Discrimination. Now the ltte is trying to kill the eastern tamils. Prabhakaran is trying to make his son the leader of ltte. Yes the one in London who hasn’t seen a days fighting among the ltte fighters. So that he can direct and dictate people in the jungles, from a five star hotel where he resides.
IF you are a suicide bomber, beware, you will be blasted into pieces, when prabha and your so called leaders spend nice holidays around the world at the cost of your life and with the money they take as ransom demanded and collected from your parents.
Open your eyes. Try to see beyond the illusion that prabhakaren has created for tamils.
3. Payal | November 3rd, 2007 at 4:14 pm
“Because of this , his death is perceived and even depicted as a terrible loss to the LTTE. A larger than life image is being projected of him. The truth is that the death may be a personal blow to Prabakharan but not a great loss to the LTTE.”
DBS are you saying there is more to LTTE than VP?
4. r.veera | November 3rd, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Hi,
Brilliant article, tell me what next ? do you want me to beleive sinhala modaya leadership going to solve tamil grieviances?
if you think yes, are you living in fantacy world?
tell me one sinhala leader genuine enough to solve this problem? do not blame ltte, Ltte is a by priduct of mad sinhala leaders. I feel tamils must regain their state good, which thay lost due to barbaric british interfearnce in our beloved tamilnation.
5. trueman parker handy | November 3rd, 2007 at 9:00 pm
The rise of SP in the LTTE proves one point clear, there is no place for cast system in the movement.
I agree that the LTTE’s political agenda was not set by SP. It has always be VP who set the LTTE’s agendum, millitary or otherwise.
SP was a Loyal deputy, and like you said a long term comrade of VP. VP will surely feel the pain and want revenge.
so does countless other Tamils.
With bala earlier and SP now the “moderates” in the LTTE are reducing.
What is left is the millitaristic “hawks”.
is this good for the Tamils?
has the Time for peace ellapsed? at least forr the time being?
Is millitary action the only way left open for the Elam Tamils?
i would anser that in the affirmative.
Only time will tell if Iam wrong or not.
RIP Tamilchelvan
RIP Peace in a united SL
6. Thanabal | November 3rd, 2007 at 10:23 pm
His death is certainly a set back for LTTE and to any peace efforts (if there is any). How ever this is a wake up call for LTTE to re-think their defense strategy as some columns claim this as Bunker buster bombs.
I certainly not see any inside information but SLAF was lucky at once. It is said that “it all take one bullet to kill and a soldier needs to be lucky all the time to avoid that one bullet”. It all take one bomb to fall on the target and it seems that one fatal one was made for him.
I also see that there is a high likelihood that this sortie were carried out by FORIEGN Pilots since Srilankan Pilots never on Targets and always end up missing targets by quite a bit of distance and many cases killing Cattle on the field.
As far as DBS’s one info concern (the THAGADU), I certainly agree that some of the set back in the rank and files of LTTE were due to this habits of THAGADU in order to go up on the ladder. I see this in the western corporate world as lower level employees tends to do this with their bosses for promotions and this is not new to any organization. However, an organization like LTTE who comprise cadres who came to fight on their own and nothing else to give up other than their own flesh and blood, this THAGADU is a bad phenomenon.
LTTE should take this incident as a great lessen and need to adjust their strategy to win the war (even loosing few battles should not distract them) as the external climate (though no international community is openly saying it but many factors are going against the GoSL) and internal Climate are in their favor.
“Tamils need a Nation with its own Boundary of their own”
7. theeran tamilakam | November 3rd, 2007 at 10:58 pm
the sinhala nation has buried the words’federal’ and ‘unitary state’ with the assasination of brigadier tamilselvan.the tamils should make their decisions now.this incident should unite the tamils for a independent state.even a child would have understood that the present srilankan govt attitude is wipe out ltte n impose whatever dummy power to tamils.
my sincere salute to the fallen ‘dove of peace’
8. Nikhil | November 4th, 2007 at 12:50 am
It seems as if the clapping and cheering among the Tamil diaspora over Anuradhapura has receded and is now replaced with sadness and tears. Tamilchelvam would not be dead if the Anuradhapura attack did not take place. The government wanted to hit back and it hit back hard. I can’t see why the LTTE is complaining. If you can dish it out, you should be prepared to take it.
Where were all these eulogies and tears when Kethesh Loganathan of the Sri Lanka Peace Secretariat was killed by the LTTE?
9. indran | November 4th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Hi DBS
I never expected such an anger and disappointment in your article. In my view I always thought you hated this guy.
It show they got the wrong guy in the wrong time. Bad luck for peace.
10. Saman.J | November 4th, 2007 at 2:34 am
Wonder where DBS stands on this article?
11. chaminda | November 4th, 2007 at 2:46 am
Itz a good day for all srilankans. next is piraba..so srilanka will get permenant peace….well done SLAF
12. Dyan | November 4th, 2007 at 3:18 am
My condolences to Mr Thamil chelvan’s family and the people who love him all over the world.
Tamil Freedom struggle will continue with more determination.
13. Rudy | November 4th, 2007 at 3:26 am
Prabakaharan at last feels the loss of life (or does he?)
What about Premadasa, Rajiv Ghandhi, Ranjan and all other leaders and soldiers? huh!
14. N2 | November 4th, 2007 at 3:40 am
B.Raman has a differnt opinion.
Who is right?
Who really knows?
15. Kumar | November 4th, 2007 at 4:18 am
Well said, Jeya!
There is a danger of meteoric rise of any individual, whether he is Sinhalese or Tamil, purely due to ruthless ambition.
Accoring to what you have said, hisdriving force had been self-promotion whatever his motivation to be an LTTE was.
By this behavior he has been partyl instrumental in accelerating the suffering of the common people of Sri Lanka of all races and brought his own downfall tragically achieving much less than he thought he would do!
16. Sivaji | November 4th, 2007 at 4:42 am
DBS, you may be appointed the ‘Head of intelligence wing’ of the LTTE by VP-he will be impressed by the ‘inside information’ you have provided in this article.
I disagree with you that SP’s loss will have an impact in LTTE’s position. Over the past 30 years, many top LTTE fighters were killed during a battle with SL army or murdered by LTTE themselves, but they seem to find ’somebody’ to ‘fill’ the gaps. Actually, LTTE will exploit SP’s death to kick start their broken campaign. The very last comments you have made are 100% true though. SL people are about to see the bloodiest days as a consequence of SP’s killing. It has always been a ‘tit for tat’ war in SL. Sadly, the show continues in this paradise.
17. Thee | November 4th, 2007 at 5:19 am
Tamilchelvam was never interested in peace. He spoke like a militant because he was a militant. I’m afraid the Tamil press is getting it all wrong in trying to paint a picture of Tamilchelvam as a “peace dove.” He never showed any ounce of moderation in his speeches. They were always full of hate and an invitation to war, or claiming victimhood. He never extended an olive branch or talked about peace being better than war. Peace lovers shouldn’t be upset with his death, because he was the one who walked away from peace talks with the then UNP government. The LTTE is not interested in peace talks or a peace deal, this “political” branch is just an eyewash to fool the international community.
18. Eelam Tamil | November 4th, 2007 at 5:40 am
Its a sad day for Tamils everywhere. The peace dove has died as per Mr. V. Prabaharan. Many media personalities, political figures including in India has expressed their regret, anger and sympathy.
All said, LTTE lost another face to the world with in an year they lost Dr. Anton Balasingam. Lets us all overcome this grief and continue our march and strengthen the path towards to our Tamil eelam homeland.
We salute to Brig. S.P TamilChelvan, and take a firm oath to continue our political struggle towards Eelam War 4.
19. Kurudan | November 4th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Dear DBS,
I could not believe my self. For the first time I agree with you.
Your description of SP is correct.
20. Gayan | November 4th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Thamilchelvan has gone awaY *
His head was blown miles awaY*
Praba this time might have got awaY*
But the hope of peace is now not long awaY*
21. Avid Reader | November 4th, 2007 at 9:45 am
One must not rejoice in the death of a human being. However I must express some satisfaction at his demise. Only when the leadership is hurt will there be an understanding of the common cardres and child soldier conscripted and thrust to the front lines as cannon fodder for the SLA.
I remember Mr Tamilchelvan embracing his child prior to departing to peace talks, but in the next few days attempting to justify child conscription.
He was by no stretch of the imagination a dove of peace, but was always VP’s mouthpiece and the LTTE’s international apologist.
He will not be missed and richly deserved his fate as will Prabakaran one day.
22. CakeBoy | November 4th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Tamilselvan was a terrorist through and through. He always tried to justify the unjustifiable.
Unlike Balasingham, he had no courage of his convictions (however flawed they may have been at times) to attempt to influence Velupillai Prabakaran in a constructive fashion, and instead acted as ‘his masters voice’.
‘Brigadier’ Tamilselvan was a legitimate military target, and my congratulations to the SLAF on this successful hit.
They must now go after the remaining LTTE leadership and attempt to minimise casualties to innocent civillians and the rank and file LTTE cadres (who incidentally do not consist of not even one of the loudmouthed, misguided and cowardly diaspora baying for more blood).
Goodbye Tamilselvan. I thank the gods you are no more.
23. shan | November 4th, 2007 at 11:01 am
ltte attitue is my way or no way.you can see tamils
living colombo and other parts of srilanka freely without the fear of dictator VP.if he keeps killing the teachers,principals and intelectuals like the past tamils
will be better off living under the singleese rather than living under the dictator,it will take only take few bunker buster bombs to take the rest of the gang so that the rest of the tamils who are still living can go home peacefully and enjoy our lives freely and die
in our homeland
24. Ram | November 4th, 2007 at 11:11 am
People are only fooling themselves when they say,”His death is certainly a set back for LTTE and to any peace efforts.”
LTTE is not interested in peace, therefore Thamilselvan was sidelined.
VP will not agree to anything short of seperation. With that regard death of Thamilselvan is not a great loss to LTTE, if Thamilselvan genuinely supported a peaceful solution.
And there are very many in LTTE like him that can spared.
25. A.Rajasingam | November 4th, 2007 at 11:47 am
DBS’s article has given a number of insights of the LTTE’s network. The vital question is will there be a escalation of war? The death of Thamil Chelvan reminds the situation of the Pandavas after Abimanu was killed or the situation of Duryodana’s men after Karnan’s son was killed. Will the vengeance by the LTTE and the Government continue? Though the rise of Thamil Chelvan was remarkable within a space of about 23 years in the LTTE, it also indicates not only the differences prevailing among the cadres but also the priorities granted to trusted cadres by leftist-oriented preachers led by Anton Balasingam. Upon an examination of the divisions within the LTTE that cropped up and ended in bumping up the rivals, the goal set by LTTE has become a question mark given the facts that their kith and kin were sent abroad while local children were conscripted. This was the main reason why TV artist Relangi was shot dead along with her husband for exposing these facts in the TV drama. One ponders whether the LTTE which is similar to Fidel Castro regime will retaliate under these circumstances or will the LTTE have to meet the fate of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge of Cambodia.
The death of Thamil Chelvan is a loss to the LTTE and waves of emotions among the LTTE sympathisers could be clearly seen on account of his dedication to the rebel cause and belief for Thamil Eelam. Emotional feelings should not be allowed to dictate one’s conscience. Would there have been an emotional feeling among people who had felt the true loss of Dr.Neelan Thiruchelvam, Rajiv Gandhi, A.Amirthalingam, Ketheeswaran and many more moderates (who were all denied an opportunity of finding a peaceful solution within a federal framework and without the loss of lives). Are they not fallen heroes? A person with a blood-stained hand cannot be a good negotiator. He was not a person of international repute though he was involved in several rounds of talks at different places. His hypocrisy was brought about especially in relation to conscription of child soldiers. I agree with the writer that Thamil Chelvan was a misfit because of his swollen head especially at Geneva. I personally know Mr.Palitha Kohona (in the Law Faculty with Ranil Wickremasinghe) was good in negotiation with reasonable thought to accommodate the aspirations of the Tamils and there is no reason why he should sit down at the negotiating table with only a senior minister. Perhaps he would have known that Mr.Palitha Kohona would not tolerate dishonesty.
Further there are evidences that he was indirectly behind the scene for number of murders and abductions especially in Colombo. Those who live by the sword will have to die with the sword. There were bags of contradictory statements (another hypocrisy) where he was bluffing on the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and brought utter disgrace to the Tamil community by vehemently opposing the Indian Government at the beginning and subsequently stating that India has a moral obligation to interfere in Sri Lanka. India already knew about his sinister move. He was associated with Anton Balasingam when stating that Rajiv Gandhi and the Indian people were different and that Prabakaran and the Tamil people were the same without knowing the difference between the aspects of a democratically elected leader and a self-proclaimed leader. He was expecting everyone to accept his words as Gospel’s Truth. It is the ego of the LTTErs that was built within themselves led to the frustration of the international community towards them when their leadership became unacceptable on the reasons outlined. Though the death of Thamil Chelvan will lead to disastrous consequences because of the LTTE’s hardline attitude, it is only temporary. My view is that Peace process will not be thwarted given the fact that mounting pressures are already launched on both parties. Otherwise this tit for tat will alter the path of war to an unknown destination leading to tyranny and would constitute war crimes. However, his death will pave way for the moderates to emerge with the passage of time and the Sri Lanka government should not use this opportunity to unleash violence on the innocent Tamil civilians. Now the ball is on the Sri Lanka Government’s court to show its love and compassion towards the Tamils and show its clear vision of marching towards Peace ignoring the JVP. Such measure will be greatly appreciated by the average Sinhalese and Tamils. The international community should apply pressure and preferably dictate terms on both sides for the urgent need of a Mediator only to avoid a blood bath and to solve this burning problem.
26. MyTake | November 4th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
One of the importants things that is overlooked that this incident highlights is the fact that there was an inside power-struglle that led to pin-point whereabout of SP. Like in any present and historical political or military outfits, there is a group of high-rankings who enjoy all the luxuries. Then there is a lower level group who does all the dirty work and sent to the front line. Then there is the out-side supporters whose sentiments are exploited by the hierachy to maintain the status-quo and continue enjoying power and luxury that comes with it. They will make sure thier kids, kith and kin are mighty safe somewhere else. There wil always be a deadly power-struggle to get to the top by the secondary leadership. The history also doesn’t suggest otherwise.
That’s mytake. This phenomenon is not unque to specific race or ethnicity. This vicious cycle of power and greed is sure to continue. That’s I believe is the reality…..
27. Sellam in UK | November 4th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Tamilchelvan’s life is just only one life. How many lives lost in this war. There are many more to be lost.
I am not at all happy in glorifying a terrorist. What is he? What can the Tamils study from Thamilchelvan.
Can we forget, Alfred Thuraiappah, A.Amirthalingam, V.Yogeswaran, A.Thangathurai, Mrs.Sarojinidevi Yogeswaran, Dr.Neelan Thiruchelvam, S.Sivapalan, Luxman kadirgamar and many others who were assasinated by the LTTE.
Hi DBS!
Can you tell us in which bunker Prabaharan is hiding.
28. Ram | November 4th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
Comment#25 has got very many good ideas and statements.
What’s puzzling is below,
Quote,”Sri Lanka government should not use this opportunity to unleash violence on the innocent Tamil civilians. Now the ball is on the Sri Lanka Government’s court to show its love and compassion towards the Tamils and show its clear vision of marching towards Peace ignoring the JVP. ”
Why it is always love and compassion was sought, whenever the LTTE sustains a set back.
When rest of the SL people and gov asstes were attacked( SL airline at Katunayake, Central Banka of Ceylon, Anur-pura air base attack, Killing of Kadirgamar etc…) one can hardly read any critisism of those acts.
Like I said before there are very many in LTTE like Thamilselvan that can be sacrificed.
(Much to the credit to DBS Jayaraj, his artcles had made efforts to be balanced.)
29. anna | November 4th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
story
30. thanabal | November 4th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
The Conspirasy Tehory is so-called “Inside Power Strugle”.
All an all, SLAF droped yet another bomb to “to whom it may concern” and TC was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
SLAF and our Glotaed Gota (who lack any visionary thinking by all means) jump on the boat and claimed it was a pin point target. Guess what, they didn’t have brains to twist this story as RAW agents does and it is too late for anyone to change the story now.
Some Ex-raw agents are still trying to paint this theory but without merit. (the same way as KP was arrested and FBI took him away….yada yada yada..).
It is High time for the Tamils to stay on course and not distracted by these Conspirasy theories.
31. Amirthakaliyan | November 4th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
DBS
I would call this a Carrot and Stick article of yours. You are blowing hot and cold of SP but it is obvious that you were blowing cold be’cos you wanted to blow him hottttt!
It is obvious that SP had used his thattu work against you also. It is another strory, we know, but we like to know that also.
So it means that holding ‘pandam’ really works in the LTTE also and that was the reason that those who refused to hold pandam were expelled, killed, demoted and some are tortured. And this was described by many in the diaspora that the LTTE has one of the best administration in Vanni.
SP did his best of what he knew. What else one could expect from a man like SP. You say that Jaffna man allowed SP’s people into temple only in 1970s. So they would not have given equal basic education also and that was the reason no one went beyond grade 8. Now only in their ancestory his children may gets some education or even higher education. So this man who got admission to a Temple in Jaffna in 1970 started to fight against university standardisation in 1980.
SP you re the biggest Joker forever!!!
32. Gamini | November 5th, 2007 at 12:48 am
Mutton dressed as lamb !
A captain while a live and brigadier in death, one can only imagine at the death and destruction that this “peace dove” was responsible for.
Can any one name one constructive move towards peace that can be attribute to him ?
33. Jane | November 5th, 2007 at 1:38 am
Pls do not think on a mans death as narrow as above…
This is only a one fall of a military employee …. ( but a loss to a srilanken mother bother father like all dead on sri laken soil)
Pls all get to gather “Sinhalese & Tamils” try to live and think
peace fully
If we you all keep helping the LTTE & arm dealers ….Like this we all will end up receiving only this kind to the world.
Pls Stop watching this dream
34. CakeBoy | November 5th, 2007 at 3:39 am
Can somebody kindly explain why Tamilselvan wasn’t nominated as a ‘mahaveer’ by VP?
35. kumar | November 5th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Tamilchelvan was VP’s slave. He was made political chief not because of his ability but because he will obey whatever VP orders like a mindless robot
Such a man is of no use to the tigers or tamil people. such a man is useful only to his master VP
So Tamilchelvan death is not loss to tamil people or ltte. But to Prabakaran it is great loss
36. David Blacker | November 5th, 2007 at 5:10 am
“When Kadirgamar was killed, EU banned LTTE.”
Kadirgama was the outspoken foreign minister of a democratically elected government, and the IC frowns on political assassination. Tamilchelvam was an inarticulate terrorist dressed up like a politician. Looks like even his felllow Tigers like him very much. Don’t hold your breath that there’ll be internationaal condemnation.
“I certainly not see any inside information but SLAF was lucky at once.”
Well, what do you expect, that the DMI will give you the name and address of the informant? Or the route that the DPU took into Kilinochchi? The fact is the DMI has been after Tamilchelvam for years. A DPU narrowly missed him in 2002.
“I also see that there is a high likelihood that this sortie were carried out by FORIEGN Pilots”
Don’t be so silly. DPU trooops can guide jets right in on Tiger bunkers. They’ve done it before and they’ll continue to do it. Face it. They got TS fair and square. Don’t make excuses or try and blame the umpire.
37. Anonymous | November 5th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Whether TS was an ‘ambattan’ or not, he was an assasin responsible for the murder of several EPRLF-supporters during the LTTE-IPKF fighting. Tamilselvan deserve this death. Surgical strikes on LTTE leaders will continue, and hopefully we will see some more of these terrorists hit the dust. The precision strike by the SLAF should be sending shivers up Thalavar’s spine.
38. RTS | November 5th, 2007 at 6:20 am
LTTE First Major was Albert (Rupanithy from Atchuvely – Jaffna) who was killed in suthumali when SriLankan Army and Airforce try to attack Kittu’s camp in Dec 1985.
Former Mannar commander Victor was awarded Lt Col. not Major.
39. Realist | November 5th, 2007 at 8:26 am
What if Prabhakaran killed Tamilchelvam and not the SL Airforce? I ask because in the pictures, Tamilchelvam’s body is well preserved, it doesn’t look like he was the victim of a bomb attack. In my opinion there is a leadership struggle within the LTTE hierarchy and there are several camps secretly battling each other to gain supremacy. They want to be next in line after Prabha and are making their moves to ensure that they have that position should the LTTE leader die. Something sure is fishy here!
40. Thamarai | November 5th, 2007 at 9:37 am
SP is a spent force. In fact he was never a good soldier, in deed. I could imagine how he would gone after Mathivathani acca showing all of his teeth. He would have done the job well.
VP knows very well that SP can be trusted be’cos SP does nt have anything in his head. DBS states that ‘Thamilchelvan reflects Prabakharan’s thinking perfectly’. Of course, those who lack own thinking, like many LTTE hooligans around the world, shall hide behind someone. SP did it perfectly.
Why I do not see Soosai in any of the pictures of SP’s funeral?
41. R.G.Goonetilake | November 5th, 2007 at 11:43 am
you must criticize VP more.
VP who couldn’t contribute anything meaningful to the Tamil Struggle, tried to carve a career out of the conflict.
42. R.G.Goonetilake | November 5th, 2007 at 11:55 am
SP was betrayed by Pottu Amman of LTTE intelligence. Before that SP was given punishment transfer to Mannar/Pooneryn battle fields location. LTTE got a good beating from west of Wanni due to SP organising the LTTE defense badly.
.
This is how he was betrayed and tracked down and killed and SLA hopes that it would make more inroads now.
Time will tell.
LTTE must fight it out of the corner.
LTTE Leaders won’t come out for weeks. Hehehe.
43. shan | November 5th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
God punish the bad. Tamilselvan deserved this. I know how the LTTE plays the cast system and bring the low cast to top. If educated come to the top then there would have been peace long time ago. What UNP is doing now is correct. Why should an opposition go against the government when they are succeeding? If UNP goes against then they should not think of winning.Who helped Mr.Rajapakse to win?
VP is paying for trusting thagadu and trying to kill Karuna. I have very reliable information about Karuna groups dedication to VP but it was forgotten .Now vp is paying the price. Same treatment given to India by LTTE or to Mr.RANIL. Now it is their turn to eat.
44. Ram | November 5th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
To digest what happend further,
Where known perpetrators of crimes cannot be punished through normal judicial remedy (i.e. extradition and prosecution) the criminals have to be punished extra-judicially, and assassination may be the least injurious form of such punishment.
Some International Examples of Assassinations by States against Terrorists;
British Commando raid to assassinate German General Alfred Rommel during World War II(Charles Foleys Legion for the Survival of Freedom. 1992, page 155)
Phoenix Program of US Military assassinated 1800 Viet Kong Leaders per day.
Israel Defence Forces targeting of Hamas Leaders
From 1991 to 2006, Russia assassinated Chechnyan leaders including Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev.
CIA assisted assassination of Rafael Trujillo, dictator of the Dominican Republic 1960 Eisenhower administration ordered assassination of Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba Eight different attempts by the CIA to kill Fidel Castro Assassination of South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and Che Guevara Reagan administration’s air strikes to kill Libya’s Qaddafi killing his baby daughter instead.
Assassination of Fathi Shiqaqi, leader of the terrorist group Islamic Holy War by Israeli Intelligence in Malta on October 26th 1995.
Assassination in March 2005 Haitham al-Yemeni of Al-Qaeda in northwestern Pakistan.
Assassination on 3rd December 2005 of Al Qaedas Abu Hamza Rabia while sleeping in a small village in Northern Pakistan.
Assassination attempt in Damadola village Pakistan of Al Qaedas Number two Ayman al-Zawahiri killing 18 civilians instead.
Assassination on 3rd November 2002 of Qaed Senyan al-Harthi, an al-Qaeda leader responsible for the USS Cole bombing in Yemen.
45. vijay Sappani | November 5th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
a good post! no matter what happens now, Tamil civilians in the northern penninsula are going to suffer. Hope the sri Lankan government would have acted with a little more maturity , but I guess that is too much to ask from a government that is know to betray the international community.
46. A.Rajasingam | November 5th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Ram
A ruler should always expose royal qualities. Unleashing violence is not royal quality. Even Emperor Asoka realized the blunder after the victory of Kalinga war. It is at this battle field a Buddhist priest has made him realized that one’s heart cannot be conquered by war, but through love and compassion. Mahinda Rajapakse being a Buddhist should pay more attention to this philosophy. Even Hinduism says egoism will destroy a man. However, love and compassion cannot be found in LTTE’s dictionary.
As regarding the attack on the Katunayake International Airport and the Central Bank, LTTE could not have done it alone particularly when there were check points at a distance of every 90 feet, without the support of some political elements or from top ranking officials. However there accusing fingers pointing at Premadasa & Co. who have houses in England. Further, there were only 3 to 4 cadres are engaged when the Central Bank and Ceylinco was targeted when about some 60 Navy men and Police were close to the place. Why should they run. Further the atmosphere was different at that time when compared to the recent attack. Similarly some sabotage that has taken place regarding the assassination of Luxman Kadirgamar and the attempt on Chandrika‘s life cannot be ruled out. On Luxman Kadirgamar’s case number of Securities were reduced and there was some delay in arriving. Likewise, different arrangement was done in the stage when Chandrika was to address at the Colombo Municipal Council grounds. Who was in charge of the arrangement. These are unanswered questions. For example, take the case of TV artist Ms.Relangi and Parliamentarian Raviraj. Both are from Thenmaradachy. As regards Raviraj, his driver has at the final hour let him down terribly. He was a rising star in Tamil politics and fluent in all three languages. There were rivalries for Raviraj as to who should be in the forefront. Raviraj was an acceptable person to the Sinhalese. Apparently Thamil Chelvan is too from Thenmaradchy. This is for your guess.
47. Heinrich | November 5th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
May be a balanced account of the individual Thamilchlevan. The article describes his character, behaviours and his “patently insincere†smile.
But evaluting the political backround of this killing the article is insincere.
48. gemunu watch | November 5th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Hai DBS
Who told you that SP has a brother in Norway? Somebody told his children are studying in Norway.
49. Miss Malar | November 5th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
You know nothing Mr A.Rajasingam. For example, your argument – Mr.Palitha Kohona studied in the Law Faculty with Ranil Wickremasinghe, so he was good in negotiation with reasonable thought. My father studied with Tony Blair in Oxford, so he become UK Prime Minister.
50. nathan | November 5th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Every round of “Talks” between the SLGovernment and the LTTE ended with an “Agreement” reached between both sides.
BUT – the SLGovernment did not carry out its part of each agreement.
This is not mentioned by anyone now.
Even after the one but the last round of talks, when the SLGovt. delegation was led by a senior minister assisted by political, legal and constitutional experts, as soon as the delegations returned to sri lanka, a lawyer went on the rampage saying that “the CFA had been altered” ! !
This was the excuse for the Govt. to AGAIN renege on the decision/agreement reached at the talks.
How could an agreement reached with experts present be said to be invalid ?
Now the president and others say that “the door is wide open” for talks ! !
Thamilchelvan was present at these talks – hence he insisted at the last round when a political appointee – who is now sidelined – was head of the Govt. delegation, that a senior minister should be present – but this was not done and the talks were a non-event.
This duplicity of the SLGovernment is not mentioned by anyone ! !
51. Seelan | November 5th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Human right watchers please take into account that during the IPKF- LTTE clashes in 1987-1990 Tamilchelvan is the area leader for Chavakachcheri. This S.P Tamil Chelvan is the one who is responsible for the every murder (of local Tamils) in that region in the name of
“Eliminating Traitors” .
52. Santhi | November 5th, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Do you think you are smart. when everyone respects Tamilchelven why you like to accuse him. Dont ever do this? dont ever write anything about LTTE.
53. Ajith Molotti | November 6th, 2007 at 12:49 am
# 27 Sellang, Good to see your comments again in Tamilweek. You must be a senior citizen camelion who disguise as a Tamilian to comment on Tamilweek,
Are you shame of your name or ethnicity.
Sellang became Sellam but Camelion will always remain Camelion!
54. rajan | November 6th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Tamils would have been better off had Tamilchelvan continued his studies instead being of LTTE member,
55. Kannan | November 6th, 2007 at 4:54 am
Poor fellows!
Keep up your internal battles while SrI Lankan state terrorism will kill all Tamils.
56. A.Rajasingam | November 6th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Ram
I thank you for asking this question. Love and compassion is a powerful weapon. All religions teaches this concept. All lives are been created by God. No one has the right to take other’s life. Even to a worst enemy one must show this love and compassion. Man made laws are for the satisfaction of one’s own mind. No person is perfect in this world. Even I make mistakes and I would like to be corrected. Similarly if anyone says this is my country I think he has not realized the truth that this world belongs to God and we are only God’s creation.
Death is only a mere parting of the soul from the body. Death comes in some form sent by God. The final hour of the death of Karnan (Bharatha war) is a case in point. One has to conquer the animal instinct that is within man (greed for power to do anything) which comes out with crude thinking promoting destruction towards each other. Love and compassion fit within the concept of democracy and especially in federalism when it comes to understanding especially in participating at an Assembly or Council. Even in battlefields when one thinks of their ultimate achievement there is nothing other than love and compassion which is permanent in life. What have the LTTE achieved when assassinating people like Dr.Neelan Thiruchelvam, Rajiv Gandhi, Luxman Kadirgamar, A.Amirthalingam etc. Similarly the same question can be asked from the Political leaders.
57. Ruwani Dehami Gunasekera | November 6th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
The killing of TC was a good thing only because I hated that stupid smile of his. The killing will not bring peace to Sri Lanka.
I have stated in many public forums that the only solution to this menace can be thrusted only if the Govt. adopts a 1989 style crackdown. Extra Ordinary problems always need extra ordinary solutions.
The govt. should impose the death penalty on all LTTE prisoners. When the noose begins to tighten over thier necks and the LTTEs start shouting as if the world is short of noise pollution, it will send the message loud and clear to the rest.
PS: does anybody have the naked pictures of the 21 c-doms? I need a new screensaver for my PC.
58. Peacenik | November 6th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
DBS says: “Thamilchelvan’s growth and evolution within the LTTE was meteoric. It was also an illustration of how persons from the underprivileged sections of the Tamil community could rise to positions of authority within the LTTE .”
Yet, we all know that this does not mean a meritocracy.
In the world of Mr. Prabakaran, only loyalty to Him matters, and in this caste is of course no bar.
59. Alex | November 6th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Goonetilake!
For the funeral Balraj, Theeban, Ramesh, … werer there. Pottu Aman gave a public speech before. Don’t think LTTE commanders like your “chicken” sinhala politicians.
60. Chennai_Analyst | November 6th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
TamilChelvan was the Diplomatic face of the Tigers as their Political head. He was very Charismatic and effective as a negotiator. By bumping TamilChelvan, the racist Sinhalas do not seem to want a Political Solution to the burning Tamil Issues of nearly 50 years. The Rajapakses and the Wickramasinghes are still living in a mirage or fools paradise thinking of a ‘total Sinhala Military Victory’, while taking SriLanka deeper into shit! Very soon Bread will be 100 Rupees a Loaf! As Western Diplomats in Colombo fear, soon all hell will break loose!
What is more appalling is the stupid role being played by theHindians in currently supplying ‘Offensive’ Weapons to the Sinhalas after supplying them ‘Defensive’ Weapons last year!
Seems that Hindia has still not learnt ‘it’s Lessons’!
Meanwhile TamilNadu CM, Karuna aka MK or ‘Muttaal Kazhuthai’
is singing Poems about Ilankai Tamils, like ‘giving Solace’, when they are being wiped out as an Ethnic Race in Sri Lanka. All he cares about is Money! If MK really cares about Tamils, he must Kick Out all the Hindian Navy, AirForce and Army men from TamilNadu at once! What the Hell are they doing in TN, when TN fishermen are being shot at and killed by the SLNavy??? Arent they supposed to protect TN fishermen??? The Hindians are Sinister Buggers, using the wealth and resources of TN Tamils to sustain useless North India aka Hindia!
Meanwhile fat JJ is making a fool of herself by totally insensitive stupid comments about Tamils at a time of Grief! She better go to her Mysore where she belongs, but the funny thing is they don’t want her there!
The case of ‘Thesiya Throhi’ Karuna keeps getting more curious! The guy was surreptitiously smuggled out of Ilankai by the SL Intelligence to Europe on a phony passport. Looks like a total setup! And then tell MI5, who pick him up!
Karuna is of no more ‘Use’ to the Rajapakses! They think they have ‘got’ the East and think they can rule with the puppet ‘Supreme-Commander’ Pillaiyan. But the fireworks has started. Puligal have started their liberation of the East though slowly! Sinnathamby is out of the picture. It will be a cat and mouse game the next few months in the East, with Puligal slowly gaining the upper hand!
Rajapakses have to find a political solution by taking to the Tamils. Else it will be a real hell in Sri Lanka and the economy is soon bound to collapse if it continues on the present course!
61. Doneld | November 6th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Yes ! Smiling Killer!
62. I hate arm chair pundits | November 6th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Who are these Ram and Rajasingham, readers figure out who are these people writing articles when asked to comment about this main article. Ram comments about assassinations are completely fictious, he got wrong about many people , diem is pro Americans why would American would kill these vassals.
63. rasika | November 6th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
Excellent work DBS.I enjoy u r articles.
64. A.Rajasingam | November 7th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Ram
comment # 44. I totally agree with you. Death can come in any form. God knows where to restrict the killings. It applies to everyone.
65. ExSLAcommander | November 7th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Dear Reader of Tamil week,
If you deeply look at the articles and writers in this website are against the permanent peace of the Beautifull Sri Lankan nation. Please exclude Mr. Jeyaraj. As an ex lankan soldier who was force to retire because of “Fonny’s” attitute towards peace loving tamil I am really disturb about the trend our great country is getting into. I have witness so many masacares of Tamils and sinhalese, And I ask god to forgive me for beeing a silenece spetater for those grue some muders we did in Jaffna and , Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Now I am trying to be a true buddist and deeply worried about the grue some and unprofessional muder of Tamilselvan. We should meet our enemy face to face with bullets not with coward attack when he is sitting in the public office. Fonny is the best man in stapping the poeple from back rather than facing them face to face and good in hiding in APC like Praba hide in his banker and he will show up in public in the war front when his body guards inform him about teh arrival if TV crew of Rupavahini.
Why I feel about the death of TC is there will be no more chance of peace talk to my country and LTTE find a good excuse to go away from the International trap of peace. But I do know some sinhalese who cried after TC’s death , The reason is this man really had a genuine sympathy towards the ex caputred soldiers of our SLA and their family and did his maximum to convince Praba to release their love ones. Some extended help this guy did for our captured soldiers cannot be descriped here since Fonny will find them and make them as traitors for our Sinhala nation.
Let me tell about another article here in the tamil week by Mr. Hariharan :
The bottom of the introductory colum says
(Col. R Hariharan, a retired Military Intelligence specialist on South Asia, served as the head of intelligence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka 1987-90.)
For an Intelligent reader this words explains everything about his analysis, Poor RAW guy even not capable of finding the true strenth of the LTTE during his tenture in Sri Lankan war, But Our soldier know more than him.
I seriously doubt his analysis ability now.I am pretty sure he may not be un aware of the fact that most serior RAW offiers are bought by a powerfull country intelligent services and ran away when they are suppose to be arrested in India , I have a genuine reason to belive that Rajiv Gandi murder is a handy work of those corrupted RAW guys along with the break away rebels of Ltte’s Mahataya group. They use this break away group to execute the powerfull nation’s agenda using the corrupted RAW officials. I strong beleive analysis has to be done in an intelligent manner along with the historical study. So I am very much convince about the facts above.
So…Now I will let the readers decide, Please note that I am no more a military person, I love to live a Buddist , loving peacefull life in my retirement.
God bless Sri Lanka.
I would as our sinhalese people to consider the separation of Tamils and let both communities live in peace like brothers .
?. Perera
66. Suren Sarathkumara | November 7th, 2007 at 9:27 am
People who bear arms will be destroyed by the arms itself.
67. DBS Critic | November 7th, 2007 at 10:17 am
So many people have said that they appreciate this article very much but none of them has a idea who DBS is.
68. Ram | November 7th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
comment# 62. I hate arm chair pundits .
Agree,
The bottomline is Tamilselvan is no ‘Peace Dove”
I am not sure if he knew what the peace is like.
He is merely a go-between VP and the rest of the world.
He received a well deserved punishment.
Universal love is described as a powerful tool. No dispute.
Most of the real peace doves are killed by these barabarians pretend to be peace lovers.
I wish those real peace doves are still alive if their universal love tool was powerful enough against those terrorists.
69. Priyadharshani | November 7th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Miss.Malar
So your father was a batch-mate of Tony Blair! It is good time for him to go Wanni and take up TC’s vacancy.
70. fernando | November 7th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Mr Dr
your storey is full of holes. there is no taste. absouletly
nothing. may be sri lankan people like your storey.
as a tamil i wish to read some standed storeys.
i hope you make a living with this type storeys.
**** naked pictures
Answer for Ruwani dehami Gunasekara comments
how you can get very easy way
1, go to internet and serch as a porn you can get good stuf u can see with ur family
2 if u goto colombo hospital u can give some bribe
and take death naked mothers,brothers,sisters pictures.
3,or if u wait for a while u get from north very soon
71. Anonymous | November 8th, 2007 at 4:26 am
Sasirekhas family hailing from Chulipuram in Jaffna once owned a lot of businesses in Bambalapitiya and sold them after July 1983.
Sasirekha,s father was government officer in fisherish department
72. nathan | November 8th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Reports by Alan Rock, John Holmes, Louise Arbour and Manfred Nowak – all UN Officials, confirm the terrorist nature of the sri lankan government.
Killing Thamilchelvan was just another strike of State Terrorism against the tamils.
73. Ravi | November 8th, 2007 at 10:57 am
VP will take action very soon…………… all are waiting for that….
74. A.Rajasingam | November 8th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Ram comment # 68
What you said is absolutely correct. I was personally there in the Courts Martial hearing during those ten days pertaining to the assault on Rajiv Gandhi by the Naval rating. One can infer the real barbarians and their contacts who were involved of the real peace doves. How many innocent lives were subject to lamp post killings and point blank shootings by these real barbarians including Thamil Chelvan? They escaped by using the word Traitor, in order to get rid of all their opponents including G.As, Principals, politicians, professionals, etc. Now the time has changed. How long can they deceive the people?
75. Suresh M | November 8th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
D. Fernando where are you?
Are you still in Lanka, or gone to your fatherland? I am really board without any of your comments.
Ref # 65 ExSLAcommander
No need to explain Colonel’s ability as a security analyst. His legacy is known to all Sri Lankans anyway. He was part of the Military intelligence that misled Indian Army.
76. Chennai_Analyst | November 8th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
This in from today’s Daily Mirror of Sri Lanka, regarding MK’s Eulogy of TamilChelvan::
Delhi Distances Itself from Karunanidhi’s Views on Thamilselvam…
” ASSERTING THAT the LTTE, which was behind the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, was a banned outfit in India, the Congress on Monday distanced itself from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi mourning the LTTE leader Thamilselvan.
“We will not support eulogising of terrorism in any form and we will not forget the actions perpetrated by the LTTE,” Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told journalists in India.
Responding to questions on the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) leader expressing grief over the death of the LTTE’s “political division” chief in an attack by the Sri Lanka Air Force last week, Ms. Natarajan said: “It was Mr. Karunanidhi’s personal view and we do not subscribe to it.”
When questioners persisted with the party’s stand on the action of their alliance partner, Ms. Natarajan said there was no meeting point on this issue. “We continue to call for the punishment of the perpetrators of the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. We have our views and we stand by our views,” she said “”….
>>>>>The Congress under Sonia and the Turban guy Singh has become such a lame duck party! They have to kiss MK’s Butt to sustain themselves in power! They have no Shame and Pride! Hindia basically runs on the money poured by Western Companies in TN and Bangalore! What a different time it really is! Gone are the days when the Congress ‘High Command” used to dismiss State Governments under Article 351 using some silly pretext!
Shame on the Useless Hindians(North Indians) and Useless Congress Party!!!
77. A.Rajasingam | November 8th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
Ram comment # 68
What you said is absolutely correct. I have to add some more to your views. I was personally present there in the Court Martial hearing during those ten days pertaining to the assault on Rajiv Gandhi by the Naval rating. I found how the real barbarians and their contacts who were involved of killing the real peace dove, Rajiv Gandhi and later how they developed their contacts. How many innocent lives were subject to lamp post killings and point blank shootings by these real barbarians including Thamil Chelvan? They escaped by using the word ?Traitor?, in order to get rid of all their opponents including G.As, Principals, politicians, professionals, etc. Now the time has changed. How long can they deceive the people?
I think I must thank DBS for exposing the power struggle behind the LTTE’s iron curtain.
78. Tamilan | November 9th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Yes,TC is smiling face [illicha vayan] because he killed by his own boss VP and Pottu.
79. MyTake | November 9th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
I just have quick observation on ExSLACommander’s identity. I am not saying that what he says is true or false. We never would unless and until corroborated by other credible sources. But it is interseting that ExSLACommander keeps saying that he is a true Buddhist. But at the same time keeps repeating “God bless Sri Lanka”. Buddhism is an agnostic phlosophy and a true buddhist wouldn’t refer to ” the God” or “a god” like ExSLACommander. (No offense to other beliefs. I’m just trying to make a point) That itself is enough to suggest that ExSLACommander is not what he says he (or she) is. Readers take note!
80. Jahan | November 10th, 2007 at 8:32 am
The death of Thamilchelvan spread like wildfire in Tamilnadu. People wondered ‘why he’? Leaders opined against the killing saying ‘it was inappropriate to do away with the messenger’, and ‘killing Thamilchelvan was like killing peace’. Subsequently, reams were written about him even in Sri Lanka. Walls were decorated with Thamilchelvan’s obituary posters with his ‘ever smiling face’. All Party condolence meetings were held. Protests against the SL High Commissioner’s office were organized. Even the disciplined Communists didn’t stay quiet but contributed their part.
81. Jayabalan | December 10th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Thamilchelvan was an innocent guy. He and his boss Pribaharan never killed or harmed even an insect.They are total vegetarians. Occasionaly they kill a small turtle of 10 kilos and simply digest its meat for the benefit of other people. GSL killed innocent people like Rajeev Ghandhi, lakshman Kadirgamar, Amirthalimgum, Joseph Pararajasingum , and Raviraj and put the blame on innocent supremo of L.T.T.E. I am two hundred percent sre that Pribaharan is a saint. like Jesus christ or prophet Mohammed.He will win the war in Srilanka and India and one day rule both countries. Mahinda and his Indian and Pakistani supportes will lose at the end.
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