LRRP: D.B.S. Jeyaraj Responds to Brigadier V.U.B. Nanayakkara
March 25th, 2008
Sri Lanka Army Headquarters
P.O. Box 553, Colombo.
Editor, The Bottom Line
Rivira Media Publications (Pvt) Ltd.,
742, Maradana Road ,
Colombo 10.
March 12, 2008.
Clarification on feature ‘LRRP Infiltration Demolishes Impregnable Tiger Terrain Myth’ in your March 12, 2008 issue:
1. Your kind attention is drawn to the above article written by Mr. D.B.S Jeyaraj, in which he has compiled a catalogue of killings and retaliatory attacks that have been attributed to a so-called ‘Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol of the Army.’
2. More importantly, the writer, since the beginning of the report, has strongly implied that the TNA Parliamentarian K. Sivanesan’s death was caused by this alleged wing of the Army, which was repeatedly denied earlier by the Army and rejected outright.
3. Most of the contents in the article were largely based on assumptions and hypotheses, in some instances even going to the extent of blaming the Army for attacks on school buses and ambulances.
4. The Army categorically denies having to do anything with the TNA Parliamentarian’s untimely death in the un-cleared Kanagarayakulam area and also the presumed LRRP operations, as stated in the report.
5. The Army also wishes to request the journalist or any other party to keep the Army informed of existence of any such wing in anywhere of the island under the Army, as stated in the report, supported by substantial evidence or eye-witnesses.
6. You are kindly requested to give this clarification also its due prominence in your next Wednesday’s issue.
Signed,
V.U.B. Nanayakkara USP
Brigadier
Director, Media.
__________________________________________
D.B.S. Jeyaraj responds
The heading and general thrust of the article outlined Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) activities of the Army in general and pointed out in particular that the impregnable LTTE terrain myth had been exploded as a result.
In such a situation, Army directors of media would usually be happy but Brig. Nanayakkara seems to be an exception. He refers to my having compiled a catalogue of attacks ‘attributed to a so-called Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol.’
I would like Brig. Nanayakkara to clarify what he means by ’so-called’ LRRP? Is he denying the existence of the LRRP or is he unaware of the existence of the LRRP?
I wish to point out that one of his predecessors, Brig. Sanath Karunaratne, used to deny the existence of the LRRP and blamed killings of LTTE leaders inside Tiger-controlled territory to internal rivalry until events blew up in his face. The result was that the Army Spokesman of the day cut a sorry figure as far as credibility was concerned.
The LRRP, described as deep penetration unit by the LTTE, was officially acknowledged by the Ceasefire Agreement of February 22, 2002.
Article 1.2 of the CFA debarred offensive military action by either side and included certain acts specifically. Among those mentioned were the deep penetration units.
Consequent to the arrest of some members of the LRRP at Athurugiriya, the entire LRRP story became known to the country. Sections of the media went to town about the fact that an injustice had been done to members of the then LRRP. Some even went to courts admitting that they were members of the LRRP and that their rights were violated.
Subsequently, the then Defence Minister Mr. Tilak Marapone ordered an inquiry through then Army Commander Gen. Lionel Balagalle. Another inquiry was ordered by then Prime Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe through the Defence Secretary of the time, Mr. Austin Fernando. Former President Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga also appointed retired Appeals Court Judge D. Jayawickrema to inquire into the matter.
All three inquiries confirmed beyond doubt the existence and functioning of an Army unit known as LRRP. I am therefore puzzled as to why Brig. Nanayakkara is denying the obvious by referring to a ’so-called LRRP.’
If the name of the LRRP has been changed, then it is Brig. Nanayakkara’s duty as media director to reveal it.
The media director also refers to my ‘catalogue’ of attacks. May I ask him whether he feels these incidents also fall under the “so-called” label?
Brig. Nanayakkara also refers to ‘assumptions and hypotheses’ by me. My analysis is based on the incidents that occurred.
Many people including both LTTE members and innocent civilians have lost their lives. These are undisputable facts.
I also wish to point out that there were glowing media reports about the LRRP and even its modus operandi when LTTE Military Intelligence Chief ‘Col.’ Charles was killed on January 5 this year. I do not recall Brig. Nanayakkara protesting against such media references to the LRRP or issuing clarifications then. Why did he not do so and deny the existence of the ’so-called’ LRRP then?
In my article I have clearly explained the dilemma faced by authorities with regard to unorthodox outfits like the LRRP and the fact that many of their successes are un-claimable. I also called LRRP operatives unrecognised heroes.
It is a pity that these nuances have escaped Brig. Nanayakkara, who tries to invoke sarcasm by referring to ’so-called’ LRRP.
I would also like to ask Brig. Nanayakkara whether he admits to LTTE leaders like Shankar, Kangai Amaran, Charles, Nizam, Mano, etc., being killed. If so, will he let us know who killed them?
Brig. Nanayakkara categorically denies that the Army did not kill the TNA Parliamentarian Mr. Kiddinan Sivanesan. I state categorically that the LRRP was responsible for Mr. Sivanesan’s death.
I also understand that there are certain acts that cannot be officially acknowledged.
Brig. Nanayakkara also calls upon the media to keep the Army informed of the existence of any such wing (LRRP) supported by substantial evidence or eyewitnesses.
The Army Media Director must understand that it is not the role of the media to keep the Army informed privately. Whatever is known will be reported publicly by the media.
But the question that arises is, how will the Army respond to such reports? If Brig. Nanayakkara’s clarification is any indication, only ‘hurrah’ stories will be responded to positively, it seems.
If Brig. Nanayakkara is truly in the dark about the LRRP, it is inappropriate for him to seek media assistance in this matter. He should go through proper channels and seek enlightenment from the Directorate of Military Intelligence about the LRRP.
Brig. Nanayakkara can also read the proceedings and reports of the three inquiries to find out all about the LRRP.
I thank Brig. Nanayakkara for issuing this clarification and request him as Director Media to keep the media informed regularly with authentic information to enhance the quality of reporting on military matters without endangering national security.
Link to DBSJ articles in The Bottomline:
DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com
Entry Filed under: transCurrents NewsFeatures
61 Comments Add your own
1. Ranjit | March 25th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Jayaraj
When a dog barks you need not repeat or you need not bark again. Let V.U.B. Nanayakkara USP, bark as much as possible. The whole world knows why this is all happenning.
The second point is that all are taking place after the 1983 riots. Well we call them as MOOTU SINHALAYA. If only they had not touched the Tamils in Colombo in July 1983, they would have been supported by the educated and wealthly Tamils now. But unfortunatelly the MOOTU SINHALAYA did the wrong thing by attacking the Tamils in Colombo and is facing the back lash now. Well the Tamils all over the world are supporting the LITE to revenge.
Jeyaraj, I went to the same school as you but a year senior and never discreminated against the Tamils or Sinhalese until July 1983. Today I embark and enjoy distruction in Srilanka.
2. Reasonable Man | March 25th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
A nice and fitting rebuttal from DBS Jayaraj !
Brig Nayanakkara has got more holes in his complaint than a truckload of Swiss cheese. No wonder he ended up with egg-on-the-face.
This is nothing but a bare-faced denial on the Brigadier’s part. Not that he would mind for he never had any credibility in the first place. It would been much simpler for him to acknowledge the truth since it takes a lot more intelligence to lie and deny.
Perfect example of a man pretending to sleep - impossible to wake him up.
3. Dingiri | March 25th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
There is an impressive modern building on the South Bank of the Thames in Vauxhaul, London which everyone knows is the MI6 Building and has appeared in a number of James Bond movies. But try to get any politician in Westminister or a General in the British military to admit that there is such an organisation and you’ll get a flat denial. Its the same with the SAS.
Both MI6 and the SAS use unorthodox (and often illegal)methods to achieve their objectives. Which is why they do not exist -officially. But everyone knows they are there.
So is it a surprise that such organisations exist in Sri Lanka too where there is a much more virulent war being waged?
The establishment will deny the existence of these bodies but everyone knows they exist.
4. Karupiah | March 25th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
DBS,
You need to rise above this type of petty rumour mongering and innuendo and write the facts in unbiased manner, that’s always how you have operated in the past and why you are respected by both sides.
When you stoop to gutter journalism and spreading of unfounded rumours you will soon have no credibility.
5. Raj | March 25th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
“I state categorically that the LRRP was responsible for Mr. Sivanesan’s death. ”
Wow, what an undeniable statement of fact, this must be correct because DBS categorically states it to be true. Where is your journalistic integrity DBS when you make such grave and unfounded allegations against a government with out even attempting to provide evidence.
When you write in a widely read forum you have a responsibility to base your articles on facts not mere hunches, If you made such unfounded allegation against your host country of Canada you would no doubt be charged with slander or defamation and be forced to issue a apology or produce the requisite evidence.:
DBSJ RESPONDS - Thank you for teaching me how to do my job. No one is making unfounded allegations or writing from hunches. I believe in speaking truth to power be it the GOSL or LTTE.
6. David Blacker | March 26th, 2008 at 2:06 am
DBS, come off it. You’re being intentionally naive. Just as Brig Nanayakkara is being intentionally obtuse.
Internationally, governments take three courses where special ops forces are concerned. (a) Celebrate their achievements (b) Deny their existence (c) Ignore all allegations, positive or negative. The MoD has chosen (b) as their course.
Since the exposure of the original LRRP unit at Athurugiriya and the subsequent media attention, the MoD and the Army has never officially acknowledged the existence of the new LRRP unit. Therefore it’s unrealistic to expect the MoD to now own up to it. In fact, I would suggest that no such unit exists on paper; its members appearing on the role of their parent units, and operational expenses being covered by ’special projects’ budgets.
Do you think for a moment that the MoD is going to sacrifice deniability for a few short moments of celebrity in your column? I think not.
It is now obvious to everyone that such a unit exists, and it is hero-worshipped on one side and feared on the other. There is more than enough positive media focus on the LRRPs outside your piece, DBS. However, your allegations of war crimes cannot be ignored by the MoD, which feels duty-bound to refute them.
If you look closely at MoD comments on LRRP ops, you will see that it ignores all positive comments and denies all accusations. Therefore brig Nanayakkara’s letter to the editor is consistent with MoD policy on the LRRPs.
It is in fact, a game. As by rote the MoD response to all accusations of assassination is “there are no Army units operating in that area”. We know they are lying and they know we know. It’s like the LTTE denying the killing of Kadirgama or attacking the Central Bank. You are spoiling the game by asking the good brigadier rhetorical questions which you know he will not answer.
7. JVP | March 26th, 2008 at 5:00 am
DBS you are a traitor……you are giving wrong signals about “Lanka” to international community.
8. Devinda Fernando | March 26th, 2008 at 5:42 am
There seems to be some sort of cross communication here. I don’t think anyone disputes the existence of LRRP units. After all as DBS rightly pointed out the SL armed forces have admitted to previous successful targets like that of LTTE Military Intelligence Chief Colonel Charles.
What seems to be in dispute is the de facto acceptance in the majority of the Media that MP Kiddinan Sivanesan was killed by the Government. I concur with Brig. Nanayakkara that there is not a single eye witness or shred of proof to suggest this. The only thing driving this conclusion of Fact is the LTTE accusation itself.
Now I can expect the LTTE’s Diaspora supporters to automatically nod their heads in acceptance of whatever the LTTE says without question, but it seems that no one really looks beyond the face value of an incident to even simply question why the LTTE would say this and why the Government would even be motivated to be behind this?
Why kill a political nobody? Type in the name ‘Sivanesan’ in a Google Search and you get virtually nothing. Who was he ‘nobody,’ what has he done? relatively little… In the TNA circle of politicians who frequent Colombo no one seems to be very vocal about his death, nor taking extra precautions themselves. More vocal and active TNA politicians like Suresh Premachandran’s office does not body search anyone who seeks an appointment or interview?. quite different from EPDP’s Douglas Devananda, whose security detail?s full body cavity searches put Airport security to shame. Seems that remaining members of TNA don’t seem to be too fearful that they may be next? Why could that be unless they knew that the Government was not behind it but their very own Master and Commander himself?
It makes no sense for the Government to have taken Sivanesan out. If they wanted to, they could have taken ALL the TNA people out,.. in one day. Most of them don’t have bodyguards; like Sivanesan, they ride around with a driver at the most. Why wait till he crossed into LTTE controlled territory? From Colombo to Anuradhapura they could have made this guy disappear in a heart beat. If he disappeared or was killed in the South anyone could be blamed, like the EPDP or TMVP paramilitaries; whereas in LTTE controlled areas the only two possible culprits are the GoSL or the LTTE,.. and we all know what the LTTE is going to say don’t we?
Lets also question the timing of his death? Coincidentally (and I personally don’t believe in coincidences) the UN meeting in Switzerland discussing the need for a Permanent UN presence in Sri Lanka to monitor the Human Rights violations. Basically the attempt to create the much needed buffer to stop the onslaught of the SL armed forces into the LTTE’s last remaining strongholds is going on. It seems that this Tamil Politician?s death seems to have come at a perfect time to re-energize and infrenzy the dying support of Diaspora Tamils and their sympathetic bleeding-heart white friends.
Also, why Four claymore mines? Seems that the Modus Operandi of a LRRP unit is to use one or maybe two claymore mines, or even just a single pressure AP or AT mine. Again this seems to be pointing to something other than the GoSL.
After all that being said let me tell you what really happened?
Sivanesan was summoned to the North the day he died for a ‘Secret meeting’ by the LTTE, because he was selected to be the LTTE?s much needed ?Sacrificial Lamb?. Prabharkaran needed someone dead to cater to the Diaspora for them to be able to claim Tamil suffering and oppression. What better than a Tamil Politician to show the level of brutality towards Tamils. And also the rumor that Prabharkaran was injured was able to be dispelled by his Photo-Op garlanding of the dead body. But Prabharkaran could not take out his more vocal, and visible TNA minions, no sir, that would be counter productive, so the guy that got picked was the least useful of them all. Notice how the other TNA MPs don’t seem that bothered? As long as they perform they won’t be culled, which is something they are already used to. And why four claymore mines? Well simply to make sure they kill this guy. It would be a damn shame for the LTTE if he survived the blast and was able to point the finger back at the LTTE. That would just be tragically embarrassing. So Sivanesan’s death was a blessing for the LTTE in many ways. The Diaspora have their ammunition for the UN, VP had his publicity appearance to show he?s alive and kicking, the TNA lost some dead weight from their ranks, and the GoSL looks like the villain once again. Not bad for a phone call and four claymore mines. :
DBSJ RESPONDS - Sivanesan was not summoned to Wanni. He was living in Mallavi with family.The idea was to kill a pro - tiger Tamil MP in LTTE heartland to prove a point.
9. varakuna-switzerland | March 26th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Mr.DBS Bri.nanayakkara never tell the truth to meadia.and the same time he have no answer to your
questions.when he said 52 LTTE caders killed and one soldier sustaind small injury..the singala volk will beleive
and happy.if a tiger was killed he take creditible ,when a cat killed he will say that was killed by rat
10. Rohana Arambewala | March 26th, 2008 at 8:16 am
As I have pointed out times in the past about MR. Jeyaraj articles where he has stated many instances on assumptions and I have challenged him to pruduce evidence for which I am still waiting for. A person living overseas and writing articles should know that when you state something you should have concrete evidence to produce when challenged.
Mr. Jeyaraj states ‘I state categorically that the LRRP was responsible for Mr. Sivanesana’s death’ but is he asking us to believe and trust his word as Gospel truth just he categorically states? This utter rubbish unless he can produce evidence that can be proven. It is easy to accuse anyone but if you can’t prove it you become the joker as in Mr. Jeyaraj’s case.
DBSJ RESPONDS - When I write about LTTE atrocities it is “gospel” truth to some and when I say LRRP killed “Col”Charles also it is accepted. But when I say LRRP killed the MP it is unacceptable to some.The “jokers” in this case are those who refuse to accept the truth
11. ilaya seran senguttuvan | March 26th, 2008 at 9:13 am
“When you are double-tongued you are bound to be
condemned as an ass”
- Sinhala saying -
12. samuel | March 26th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Well sad !
The Army has to deny ‘extra judicial killings’ to preserve its ‘image’ as one fighting a ‘war’ in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.
Will the Army explain how ALL white vans and other vehicles used in abductions all over the country pass through military checkpoints without detection ?
Not a single vehicle has up to now been apprehended or identified ( even those seen near crime scenes ), though this is easy to do this, with the RMV’s records.
The Brigadier is trying to ‘whitewash’ the army.
13. Sirimal | March 26th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Brigi Nana Gooo Kaala waagey!
14. Naga UK | March 26th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Falling face down in his own excrements - this is what happens to people who believe in their own lies! But one who has experience in the going ons in this country can only sympathize with him. He may not be the author of the response for all I know.
15. Ratna | March 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
This is what happens when anyone keeps on lying. They start believing their own lies.
16. raj | March 26th, 2008 at 11:57 am
i would like to see more journilists lile you. i admire you.
17. lakshmi | March 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I partially agree with the SL Army spokesperson that some of the contents in DBSJ articles are based on assumptions, hypotheses, and collection from other news articles. The fact that the author lives far away from SL helps to confirm this observation. :
DBSJ RESPONDS - I have been writing for newspapers published in Sri Lanka. Editors in Colombo want me to write on events in Sri Lanka from Canada because they appreciate what I write. It is also due to my credibility with readers. People sometimes try to undermine me by referring to the fact that I write from Canada but the truth is that I have earned the trust and respect of my fellow journalists in Sri Lanka. By the way Sermour Hersh who uncovered the My Lai massacre in Vietnam did so from the USA
18. invicible92 | March 26th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
All what we see these days is not journalists but politico journalists. They are either pro LTTE or Anti LTTE. The casualty is the truth. It is amazing to see the same incident being reported in Pro government media & Pro LTTE media in an entirely differnt way.
I truely admire your writing. It is unbiased. Keep up your good work.
19. Devinda Fernando | March 26th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
*** He was living in Mallavi with family.The idea was to kill a pro - tiger Tamil MP in LTTE heartland to prove a point. ***
I still don’t see the point to be made by killing a Pro-Tiger MP in a LTTE controlled area,..and then deny it? To whom are they (The SL Government) making this point to? Not to the LTTE, they already know what the DPUs are capable of, no further points need be made to them. And certainly not to the Sri Lankan public who they deny this strike to…?
It simply does not add up DBS.
Surely they could have just taken out his house with a missile strike by the SL Air force (ala SP Thamilchelvam)? His address was no secret either. :
DBSJ RESPONDS - You were saying earlier that the LTTE summoned Sivanesan to the Wanni and now you are saying something else. By the way if you have adding troubles go get a pocket calculator.
20. 2ndClassTamil | March 26th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
A few months back, I remember seeing a few minutes worth footage of an LRRP escapade in a Singhalese TV channel - Neth Sri Lanka (no more uploaded from Italy). The Brig should have then severely condemned such ‘propaganda’ as ‘unpatriotic’, putting at risk ‘our brave soldiers’ lives.
When the whole country knows its existence, I wonder why the Big wants to refute. A very mOda (foolish) move, the whole establishment will regret. Should have known when to shut up.
#8. Devinda Fernando is good at spinning yarns to fool the Singhalese people. But, we all know his limits with logical reasoning, as I have pointed out several times before.
21. Oru Manithan | March 26th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Dear DBS, it may be a misunderstanding, You called LRRP, Sinhalas call it Mahasohon brigade : P .
What ticked off them is the accusation about TNA MP
Sivanesan’s assignation and other Civilian killing in killinotchi which they denied and accused LTTE and explaining it was too far into LTTE territory and it was impossible for them to go such a deep place. That was the lame explanation given as to why it can not be GOSL.
Any way DBS, i hope this intimidation will not subdue you to write articles like this as you call a spade a spade.
Here is an article from Defence.lk which talks about Elite LRRP. Which is their own military site.
http://tinyurl.com/28885w
Check this articles by their defencenet a military aided site which harp about LRRP.
Who are they trying to fool?
http://tinyurl.com/yty7dc
http://tinyurl.com/24wlzz
Oh what a pathological liar and dump Uthaya Nanayakara, How can anyone trust him ?
22. Tears of the Sun | March 26th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Dear Jeyaraj, I always read your postings. You provide facts and good insights. Keep up the good work. Ignore those who criticize you when they cant face up to the truth.
God Bless you
23. Devinda Fernando | March 26th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
*** DBSJ RESPONDS - You were saying earlier that the LTTE summoned Sivanesan to the Wanni and now you are saying something else. By the way if you have adding troubles go get a pocket calculator. ***
Oh, so now we’re going to split hairs on this? Why he was traveling there is really not important in this discussion is it? My mistake if I made it seem that way.
24. Devinda Fernando | March 26th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
*** #8. Devinda Fernando is good at spinning yarns to fool the Singhalese people. But, we all know his limits with logical reasoning, as I have pointed out several times before. ***
Speaking of Logical Reasoning 2nd Class Tamil, anytime you wish to engage me in some, please do so. I have been listening to your Rhetoric so much it is making my ears bleed.
25. Sri | March 27th, 2008 at 12:05 am
DBSJ thanks for your superb article!. Initially I didn’t want to respond, because I agreed totally with you and there was nothing for me to add.
But now the unfair comments from some of your readers made me change my mind. You are not a lawyer before a court of law. A journalist even investigative journalist is only a jounalist. This is not a court of law.A jounalist need not prove anything beyond reasonable doubt!
DBSJ ,Well done! Continue with your good work!
26. David Blacker | March 27th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Devinda, you’re wrong about the MoD admitting that the LRRPs killed Charles. They suggested that he was killed in a firefight with regular Army units. In fact they went as far as to give misleading info about the nature of the ambush, and the location, suggesting that it was an unexpected contact by patrolling infantry forward of the Army FDLs rather than an ambush behind the lines. The MoD and the Army has never officially admitted the existence of the LRRPs — and quite rightly so.
As for your query about why the MoD would deny killing Sivanesan if in fact they did it, all I can say is because that’s the whole point. Deniability. You do what you want, but leave it open to denial. The fact that the GoSL did it is believed by all, so the purpose is served, however, the GoSL cannot be held to account because there is no proof as there would be with an airstrike.
Oru Manithan, while there have been the occasional reference to the LRRPs in MoD publications, I think this more due to negligence than intent. MoD propaganda is in no way perfect. However, you’ll note that there is no official record of such a permanent unit. DefenceNet is not a GoSL site but a privately run blog, and its content is the opinion of its owner/s.
For all of you who somehow consider this a victory over, and embarrassment to, Brig Nanayakkara and the MoD, you couldn’t be further from the truth. This government has proven time and again that it doesn’t give a toss for conjecture that has no evidence behind it. In fact often they’ve proven that they don’t really care if you DO have evidence. So as I said before, it’s a game. The MoD will lie about the LRRPs and we know they are lying and they know we know. As long as these special ops are not hindered, they don’t care. Only egotistical individuals care about such little moral triumphs; governments see the bigger picture.
So while you lot are patting yourselves on the back for calling the brigadier a “modaya” etc, he’s laughing his arse off at you.
For the record, I too think the LRRPs nailed Sivanesan, but that I think so makes no difference.
27. Siva | March 27th, 2008 at 12:59 am
I can categorically say that the GOSL is responsible for the Kennedy assacination , thats right I have whole stack documents that shows this to be the case, I cant however release any of this hard evidence because they are my sectret, but trust me It’s all very clear.
28. Lefty | March 27th, 2008 at 12:59 am
In the past when you right about the internal goings on in the tigers etc the sinhalese read with interest because we beleive DBS indeed has some insights about the outfit and the Northern regions that we dont have.
29. Carlo Kovoor | March 27th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Mr. Jeyaraj
Your article on the LRRP was very clear and comprehensive. Anyone with a modicum of sense would have understood what you writing about.
The Army media director only made an ass of himself intrying to deny the obvious.
Your rebuttal was excellent but I am afraid it would have gone over the Brigadiers head
Many commentators here are also as idiotic and stupid as Brig. Nanayakkara.
I would suggest that you ignore these nincomboops and go on with your writing.
You are unique as the only journalist writing for Sri Lankan media on Sri Lanka from Canada. Furthermore you are regarded and respected as the most credible and trustworthy columnist in Lankan affairs.
Please keep up the good work and dont bother responding to nit - wits and half - wits
30. Seelan | March 27th, 2008 at 3:12 am
There are many facts in what DBSJ has written though SL Army is certain to possess LRRP type capability and some of those incidents may be results of LRRP type operations.
31. Harshana Somapriya | March 27th, 2008 at 4:25 am
The fact that Brig.Nanayakkara took trouble to respond to Mr.DBS Jeyaraj’s article shows the immense popularity & credibility enjoyed by DBS in Sri Lanka, specially among reader’s of English newspapers. So what you report is taken seriously by everybody.
Infact when DBS first revealed that ‘Prabakaran was slightly injured’, defence officials quoted him.
But I really doubt that the killing of MP Sivanesan was done purposely by the military. It must be a mistake anyway. (wrong target or stupid plan to kill the MP if there was any are both dreadful mistakes)
P.S. I thought DBS is in SL. Your articles imply to SL readers that you are living everywhere in SL. Hope you will continue the goodwork for your motherland. (Both LTTE & corrupt/stupid politicians & officials are enemy’s of mother Lanka. May you be blessed with more courage & resources to expose them)
32. Sundaram | March 27th, 2008 at 5:20 am
I commend your writing and your bold reply to Brigadier.
When Ceasefire agreement was in place, for few incidents of civilian killings inside the LTTE controlled area, SLMM blamed the SL Army. I remember that one such incident occued in Nedunkerny. I don’t know if Army has objected that then.
Unfortunately there is no SLMM now.
Even the JHU party members have openly praised the DPU(deep Penetration Unit) when some senior leaders of LTTE were killed inside the LTTE area by DPU.
Please continue your honest work.
33. Sundaram | March 27th, 2008 at 5:27 am
I commend your writing and your bold reply to Brigadier.
When the ceasefire agrement was in place, for few killings of civilians and LTTE inside the LTTE area SLMM has blamed the SL Army. Atleast one SLA soldier was killed during the DPU Operations inside the LTTE area and his body was recovered and handed over to SLA.
There is no SLMM now unfortunately.
JHU party members have openly praised the work of the DPU of SLA.
Your absolutely right and please continue your honest work.
34. Haha | March 27th, 2008 at 6:06 am
The sinhala nation always deny Massacres, tortures, state organized riots and looting against ethnic minorities, burning down libraries creation of diplomatic forgery passports to war crimes, etc etc.. you name it.
They also deny any ethnical problems in SL.
They are good at convincing them selves and IC that many thousands years ago they came to SL from many thousands nautical miles before Tamils from Tamil Nadu came to SL, which is only 20 miles away from Sri Lanka.
Nazists also claim the holocaust never existed it a kind of collective suicide of Jews to blame the great German nation.
Soon they will claim the Tamils has organised 1983 riots in Colombo against “innocent Sinhalease” and so as a result many thousands Sinhalease were killed.
They are very good at changing the history and making propagandas.
Because of the tigers stupidity and their armed culture Tamils are vulnerable in a propaganda level after the 11/9.
So I am not surprised they deny killing of this parliamentarian.
35. anon | March 27th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Very well put DBSJ. Please continue with your articles. It’ s probably the only unbiased journalistic attempt re SL news and politics now.
36. Gayan | March 27th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
DBS
It is only natural for the SLA/Brd Nanayakkara to deny the existance of LRRP/DPU. Most countries which have units like LRRP never admits existance of such .Eg Isreal,USA,Russia ect .Secrecy is the most vital asset of such units.
Im not justifing Brd Nanayakkara’s response to you.(specially with the narratives and conclusion)It was foolish.specially anyone who read your article would understand that the context of your article was a demoralising knokout punch to the LTTE and Ealamists who beleive in LTTE military myth .However it was his duty to do so.
I also however dont agree that LRRP was behind Sivanesan’ death.I have my reasons/assumptions & have pointed out in the main article.But with lack of proper evidence we can agree that it is not conclusive.
I would like to pointout this also.After reading most artcles by many hardline nationalists of bothsides ,local and foreign Human rights war/peace profitiers,experts ect, IMO (though i wont agree with you on some occations/articles) you are a fair reporter.
Good luck
37. Dingiri | March 27th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
DBSJ attemts to tell the truth honestly and sincerely and that is good enough for me. Even the Sinhales would admit that sites like defence.lk are the least credible. Go to that site and read the report on the Anuradhapura attack. It triumphantly proclaims that all the “terrorists†were killed but ‘two helicopters were slightly damaged’
38. Subra S.Massey | March 27th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
And gentlemen,
I omitted the Ladies because they don’t seem to participate in this barking and counter barking.
We all, Singhalese and Tamils must get together and defeat this feudalistic, religious fanatics. It is not a Tamil-Singhalse problem. It is class struggle. so let us all join and defeat these donkeys and monkeys. We have suffered 60 years let us all get together and defeat ignorance.
39. Ram the 2nd | March 27th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Looks like DBS has evidence to the allegations made against SLA.
But we do not deserve to see this evidence.
We enjoy reading his articles though some people seem to take these artcles very seriously.
When the writer Ian Fleming wrote James Bond 007 series, I wonder why the gov of UK or MIA did not serve him with a law suit.
40. Nimal Jayanetti | March 28th, 2008 at 12:57 am
Excellent reply DBS!
Please don’t waste your precious time to respond to idiots in these column. The LTTE sympatheisers want pro LTTE and likewise ignorant Sinhalese want pro GOSL.
Who wants the truth? neither, They want partial news that caters to their belief.
Please continue to write impartially.This is why you stand out among other journalists in Sri-Lanka.
I’m a peace loving man and always saddened by the deaths of LTTE and the S.L. Forces, cause they all are Sri-Lankans. People will realize one day that , there is no glory in killing fellow countrymen.
I long to see the “harmonius” pre-1956 period to prevail again in my country.
God bless you and wishing you a very long life .
41. Devinda Fernando | March 28th, 2008 at 1:12 am
*** Devinda, you’re wrong about the MoD admitting that the LRRPs killed Charles. They suggested that he was killed in a firefight with regular Army units. ***
Blacker,
I think we’re arguing off on a tangent. You are probably right that the MoD’s official position is that they don’t exist (wink wink) - must have been something I heard, and not read here in Colombo… but again the main point I am trying to make is that in this case the Govt has simply No Motive to do this. Sivsanesan was of no value to anyone,..was he? Please correct me if I’m wrong. The guy was better off dead to the LTTE than the Armed Forces. …for the reasons I explained earlier. Every assumes this was a LRRP hit but why Sivanesan, and why during the UN delegation meeting in Switzerland…. ?
42. Devinda Fernando | March 28th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Blacker,
Sorry, forgot to respond to this part earlier:
***As for your query about why the MoD would deny killing Sivanesan if in fact they did it, all I can say is because that’s the whole point. Deniability. You do what you want, but leave it open to denial. The fact that the GoSL did it is believed by all, so the purpose is served, however, the GoSL cannot be held to account because there is no proof as there would be with an airstrike. ***
I mentioned an air strike merely as an example of the ability to easily target this guy… not to do with deniability. As I mentioned before wouldn’t the logical thing the SL forces would do to target this guy (if they wanted) is to do it in the South? thus the ability to leave it open to more possible culprits be there? A hit in LTTE control areas mean only one of 2 Culprits right?, - the GoSL or the LTTE. Each one will deny it (obviously) and blame the other….so for one to engage in this type of attack, it goes back to Motive…. Why kill someone in LTTE controlled territory of all places(especially when he can just as easily be done elsewhere), when you know the LTTE will surely blame you, and why do it when the Heat about Human Rights is on Front and Center in Geneva…?
Personally I could care less if the Govt took this guy out, and the rest of those Sock Puppets in the TNA, but my personal beliefs, like yours, does not necessarily make it so…
43. N2 | March 28th, 2008 at 2:36 am
DBSJ: “If Brig. Nanayakkara is truly in the dark about the LRRP, it is inappropriate for him to seek media assistance in this matter. He should go through proper channels and seek enlightenment from the Directorate of Military Intelligence about the LRRP.”
Excellent!
Devinda Fernando, you seem to be all over the place.
anyway, the point was to demonstrate the capability of the DPU/LRRP and at the same time to intimidate others like Mr. Sivanesan. And are serious about google as an indicator of local political significance?
44. Devinda Fernando | March 28th, 2008 at 2:52 am
*** Your article on the LRRP was very clear and comprehensive. Anyone with a modicum of sense would have understood what you writing about.
The Army media director only made an ass of himself intrying to deny the obvious. ***
Carlo Kovoor,
Without a shred of evidence, or eye witness, and NO MOTIVE, - only the statement by the LTTE, you have drawn the “obvious’ conclusion in your deluded head. Now who is making the ‘ass’ of themselves?
45. Darren | March 28th, 2008 at 5:05 am
DBSJ has created a respectability for his witing on “confilct” related issues,and the inteligent readers in the south always refers to DBSJ when they want to check the credibility of the information flowing from the State sponsored media outfits. In many instances in the past DBSJ’s posting has proved reliable.
46. Dingiri | March 28th, 2008 at 7:13 am
DBS,
You run this website and I guess you have the power to edit out anything.
47. Dingiri | March 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Anyway, back to the question of this assasination. Maybe it was all a mistake. Maybe the Army intelligence is not as good as they have us believe and the LRRP dont have prior information of the precise movements of their victims. They just saw a shiny new Mitsubishi Pajero hurtling down the road. Thought it could only be an LTTE big wig and blew it up. I am reliably informed that the Kabithigollewa bus bombing was a similar mistake this time by the LTTE. There was a Navy vehicle that passed minutes before the explosion. The man with the plunger got the wrong bus.
48. Devinda Fernando | March 28th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
The capabilities of the LRRP are well know to the Enemy, they, after all, have first hand knowledge of what it has done to their ranks. There is nothing to further prove to the enemy, nor to prove to the Sri Lankan public. In fact if it was an LRRP hit then the guy who planned it must be a first rate moron to do it when the Human Rights spotlight is shining on Sri Lanka at the UN?
49. Ram the 2nd | March 28th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Talking about army intelligence?
If we can read this info in the internet news papers, I can assure you these are not army intelligence at all.
The real intelligence become public when that info is declassified.
A good example is how close the world came to a nuclear war during the period of USSR ragarding the crisis close to Cuba.
So do not sweat. Just read and enjoy!
50. Ram the last | March 29th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Mahinda promise commission so pirapakaran have boycott and make ranil loose.Mahinda win but did not pay commission so LTTE have to start anti-sinhala war. now singala army giving hell to tigers and tamils. All because of cash crazy pirapakaran. tamils have peace and happy only after Pirapakaran no more. Then only tiger supporters will cry boo hoo.
yours articles truly good DBSJ. I sallut you
51. aratai | March 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
After reading all these ‘comments’ it’s very clear that the Island is divided into two.
If our ‘dream Sri Lanka’ has 7 provinces (who cares about tha Tamils in North-East provinces) and if we spend all these ‘war’ money to develop these 7 provinces, we’ll be better than Singapore.
52. Political Observer | March 30th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
The issue not about the so called LRRP “that is a perfectly apt way to describe what we hack think is an SLA unit. It existence is or its non-existence is not the issue here.
What is important is that the Brigadier is unhappy with DBS’s guess work that then leads DBS to blame the GOSL for killing someone or other in LTTE held areas.
To afford the SLA such powers as killing pro-LTTE operatives in LTTE areas is a bit too much. If the SLA is that effective, how is that they have not killed so many leaders of the LTTE, who are far more important targets?
DBSJ RESPONDS: There is no guesswork here. The LRRP killed TNA Parliamentarian Kiddinan Sivanesan
53. David Blacker | March 31st, 2008 at 12:59 am
Devinda, I don’t know what motive the GoSL coould have for killing Sivanesan, but just because we can’t see one doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Some have suggested that it might be part of a new eye-for-an-eye policy, and it was retaliation for ‘Damu’.
But if we take it as given that there was a motive, the next question, as you have already said, is ‘Why in LTTE territory and not in GoSL territory?’ I think if it was a politically-motivated hit, then it won’t matter where he was killed. Even if the GoSL blamed the paramilitaries, the blame would ultimately be on the GoSL for failing to protect an opposition MP, and failing to control its auxiliaries. It would be unlikely that any blame would fall on the LTTE ‘cos the buggers would say ‘Hey if we wanted to kill him we could easily do it in the north’, just as you’re saying about the GoSL. On the other hand, killing him in LTTE territory means that no independent investigation can be carried out and all allegations will be tainted by the fact that it was gathered by the Tigers. So the GoSl cannot be proven guilty, nut they win the psychological battle by looking like they can get anyone anytime.
54. Devinda Fernando | March 31st, 2008 at 3:09 pm
*** But if we take it as given that there was a motive, the next question, as you have already said, is ‘Why in LTTE territory and not in GoSL territory?’ I think if it was a politically-motivated hit, then it won’t matter where he was killed. ***
Blacker,
If it was tit-for-tat for Damu, then why so late? Two months later kinda defeats the point of Tit for tat.? Was Damu even killed by the LTTE? If it were a Political hit (which I don’t buy at all) then why not a gun man in Colombo? 4 Claymore mines is either the LTTE or the GoSL not the work of Mervin Silva’s Mafia type goons.
While you make a very valid point about there not being any independent investigation I would say that even Maheswaran’s killers still roam free and probably are very well know to us here, so if someone in the GoSL thought through this the did not do it well at all weighing up the pros and cons.
Also. why do it when the UN Delegation in Geneva is meeting on the reason to establish a Permanent Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Sri Lanka? The last thing they need is an incident like this to provoke the Media and the Diaspora to bring Negative attention to the situation. The implementation of R2P would mean Game Over for the GoSL. And I ask you again….
Who is K. Sivanesan again, that the GoSL would risk all these other far more important factors for?
55. Devinda Fernando | March 31st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
*** DBSJ RESPONDS: There is no guesswork here. The LRRP killed TNA Parliamentarian Kiddinan Sivanesan ***
56. noone | April 1st, 2008 at 12:12 am
Re:51 aratai:
its not about the money. it never was. its all about attitudes. people in there own minds have a scale. they always try to balance it. thats how everything keeps happening.
including the war…
57. David Blacker | April 1st, 2008 at 1:31 am
Devinda, I didn’t say it WAS a tit-for-tat, just that it has been suggested. We don’t know what the motive was. As for timing, the war isn’t conduced by a single commander who’s orders are transmitted in a linear fashion. There are many variables. An order to strike a target of opportunity might have been given and Sivanesan was it. The hit might have been ordered by an int organization with info on Sivanesan we don’t know.
My point is that the location of the hit isn’t evidence of innocence or guilt. However the modus operandi points to the LRRPs. You’re assuming that multiple claymores were never used in other hits, but they might have been. Sivanesan’s vehicle was ambushed on a straight piece of road where timing a command-detonated mine isn’t always an exact science. In such situations, small unit tactics reccommend a kill-zone rather than a point contact. When Charles was killed he was hit at a bend in the road where a vehicle would have to slow down, enabling more pinpoint accuracy.
If the LTTE wanted to conclusively frame the GoSL, I’m sure they’d have come up with planted evidence from the ambush site. Or better still, killed Sivanesan and claim he was killed in a SLAF airstrike. The fact that none of this happened is what leads me to my conclusion.
58. Suresh M | April 1st, 2008 at 9:30 am
U.S. long arm of justice will haunt down Rajapakse brother who are running the Sinhala defence establishment on ‘’ar crime’ soon. It’s not a secret that interested parties have been gathering evidence to prosecute these thugs in a U.S courts.
Among other atrocities against innocent Tamils, killing of AID workers, Journalists, and Parliaments including one from UNP accounted as war crime.
Mahinda (or Mahendra) might escape to a Western country with his loot, as Chadirika did after her time in the Office.
The ordinary person will be carrying the cost plus the loot for generations to come, while their ‘leaders’ enjoy life in the West.
Gothabaya/Basil your days are numbered as you both are proud U.S naturalized citizens. No where to hide, Basil you may want to make another deal with VP to hide in the Vanni jungle!
59. Devinda Fernando | April 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Blacker,
You are right about not knowing the Motive… I told you before I could CARE LESS if it was the GoSL, it might well have been them but I doubt it for the reasons I have stipulated before. I don’t consider TNA members anything less than LTTE sock puppets, although they do not wear uniform or carry a gun they are just as much a part of the Enemy trying to destroy Sri Lanka as the rest of the Militaristic wing of the group.
At the end of the day there are far more reasons to believe the LTTE bumped this guy off than the Armed Forces…even if you think this was an error in judgment or a mistake on the part of the armed forces.
60. Ruwan Ranasinghe | April 2nd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
We can clearly see the sensibilities of the new “media director” via his request for a so-called “clarification” of, among other things, the existence of the LRRP. As D.B.S has pointed out, the evidence is overwhelming.
As regards the second matter, Sivanesans death, if the Brigadier is really interested in an impartial investigation, I suggest he write to President Rajapakse and request that journalists be allowed free access to the said areas, where the latter can glean valuable info from eye-witnesses and the like. However, given the present state of media restrictions, which the whole world knows are partly a cover-up for the human-rights violations going on in the North-East, no objective observer need lend much credibility to Nanayakkara’s objections, rebuttals, and denials. A defendant basing his innocence on the total absence/silencing of any and all witnesses does not PROVE his innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt, even if he, the defendant, is acquitted for lack of evidence. Unfortunately, SL will never learn that “lack of evidence” does not make for a clean human rights record. Furthermore, “lack of evidence” is a poor excuse these days, given that satellite technology can transmit plenty of “evidence”, in some form or another, in mere milliseconds. Of course, the bottom line is that there is almost never a “lack of evidence.” There is an attempt to hide evidence, distort the present evidence, and sideline attempts to dig up new evidence - usually as a means to sabotage any judicial process. The Brigadiers objections, rebuttals, and denials fit this process exactly. The fact that a Brigadier is even the “Media Director”, during a time when censorship of war-reporting has reached its peak, shows the extent to which SL has embraced such methodology wholesale.
61. David Blacker | April 4th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Certainly, anyone who thinks that the Media Director of the MoD is some sort of Purveyor of Truth is naive in the extreme. He is there to direct the media according to the propaganda policies of the MoD, similar to a defence lawyer in a court case. He is doing his job, and to award oneself some sort of moral victory over the brigadier is therefore foolishness.
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