Archive for September, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Sampoor has fallen!
The triumph of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) soldiers is being celebrated in the power corridors of Colombo and Sri Jaywardenapura.An orchestrated campaign to project Sampoor as a famous victory to the “Sinhala” South is on. This campaign obviously has not taken some salient factors into account.
There is some confusion about Sampoor. The small town by that name was vacated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on Sunday September 3rd night. The soldiers moved in cautiously on the morning of Monday Sep 4th and by noon had brought it under full control.
The LTTE had its Trincomalee district headquarters, military head camp, Political office iin Sampoor. There were also other tiger institutions like a Police station, courthouse, bank, tax office etc. By these standards the armed forces have certainly succeeded in delivering a powerful blow to the LTTE.But it is not a knock out punch. The tigers are down but not out.
[Sampur in pictures: BBC Sandeshaya]
The Sampoor region of more than 19 square miles is not fully under army control yet. The LTTE in its missive to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission(SLMM) states that 75% of Sampoor region has been taken over by the army. This means that 25% of the area is dominated by the LTTE still or has not been brought under the control of the army yet.
While most of the media accepted GOSL version of Sampoor being conquered and projected an impression that the LTTE was defeated the tiger political commissar for Trincomalee , S. Elilan said that the tigers were present in Sampoor region and that the fighting had not ended.
What has happened is that the armed forces have brought some seven places in the region under control. They are Sampoor town, Kattaiparichan, Senaiyoor, Kadatkaraichenai, Koonitheevu, Ambalnagar and Ganeshapuram. Most of these areas are in the littoral of Muthur East. Apart from remaining areas of Sampoor region (25%) most of the hinterland areas of the Muthur East division in Trincomalee district are still dominated by the LTTE.
The armed forces are still engaged in bringing the rest of Sampoor under control. They also have to take over much more territory in Muthur East and secure the region.
The tigers may have transported their artillery to the Verugal – Vaaharai region and also pulled out cadres and military assets from Sampoor region. But they have certainly not quit the place entirely. The LTTE has certainly not “fled” the area as the state media would have us believe.
The armed forces realised this when they went about the task of consolidating and securing the captured areas and outlying areas.Tranquility in the war ravaged Muthur East region was shattered on Tuesday September 5th as fierce fighting erupted again in three places including Sampoor .
GOSL troops and LTTE cadres were engaged in artillery and field – artillery fire intermittently for several hours. Sri Lankan navy personnel who landed at Foul Point and hoisted the Sword bearing Lion flag at the lighthouse were also involved in further operations to take over Ilakkanthai and Soodaikkuda. It is not known whether the tigers resisted these coastal landing attempts or not.
Even earlier on Monday Sep 4th when the LTTE vacated Sampoor and GOSL soldiers moved in to Sampooor town and outlying areas the tigers fired artillery at the Selvanagar camp and killed two security personnel and injured a few others.
On Tuesday Sep 5th morning at about 7. am troops from Selvanagar camp moved out but faced intense artillery fire from the LTTE . Soldiers fired back with field artillery and from battle tanks and armoured cars.
After heavy exchanges of fire the soldiers returned to base at about 8.30 am. They had suffered four deaths and thirteen injuries. The amount of LTTE casualties were not knowm
After a few hours of “lull” artillery firing commenced again in the afternoon at Selvanagar. This continued late into the night.
Meanwhile GOSL troops also commenced two ground based drives at about 8 am from Sampoor and Pallikkudiyiruppu. Troops from Pallikkudiyoruppu tried to move into Pattalipuram from one direction.
. Troops from Sampoor tried to move forwad in two directions. One formation tried to go around the coastal bend towards Ilakkanthai. The other formation thrust itself through Senaiyoor to Pattalipuram from another direction.
LTTE cadres who had supposedly vacated the region sprung a surprise when they commenced retaliatory artillery fire. Troops also fired back and returned to previous positions after a while. Both sides however engaged in sporadic artillery fire till evening.
The casualty rates of fighting in Sampoor and Pallikkudiyiruppu are not known. Fighting in these areas was restricted to artillery firing. There was no direct fighting.
On Wednesday Sep 6th both sides were engaged in sporadic artillery fire at Selvanagar and Pallikkudiyiruppu. According to Army sources about 30 to 35 soldiers were injured on both days. The condition of three was critical.
An entry in the official Sri Lanka Army website had this to say –
” AS SIXTEEN MORE BUSES with a few hundreds of displaced Muslims and Tamils in MUTTUR and its suburbs left for their original homesteads this morning (06) after they volunteered to return and resettle following entry of troops into liberated areas, troops were still actively engaged in clearing SAMPOOR and the east of SELVANAGAR areas in TRINCOMALEE
At the break of the dusk on Tuesday (05) terrorists operating from PALLUKUDIYARUPPU area began to fire shells on troops clearing the areas in SAMPOOR.
Terrorist fire struck soldiers in the area claiming the life of a soldier.
At least 31 members of the Armed Forces received injuries in LTTE direct and indirect fire in hostilities on Tuesday (05) but troops repulsed the enemy attacks with retaliatory fire. “.
What the euphoria (both spontaneous and engineered) surrounding Sampoor’s fall has failed to realise is the actual ground condition in Muthur East.
The security forces need to bring a swathe of territory ranging from Kattaiparichan to Ilakkanthai under full control. Thereafter a high security zone (HSZ)has to be established. This is the only way for the security forces to retain control of the Muthur – Sampoor – Foul Point – Ilakkanthai coastline.
If safeguarding Trincomalee and China Bay from LTTE long range artillery attacks is the objective of the Sampoor operation then setting up a HSZ becomes essential. Otherwise LTTE infiltration would be possible. The negative aspect of this highly militarised perspective is that the displaced 17.000 Tamils from the area have little chance of returning home.
Like the original and rightful inhabitants of lands coming under HSZ areas in the North – East these people too would be “permanently” displaced persons. Their traditional homeland would be usurped by interlopers in uniform. State sponsored “ethnic cleansing” continues in the name of security.
Interestingly the GOSL troops were engaged in fighting with the tigers on three fronts including Sampoor when cabinet spokesperson on Defence Affairs Keheliya Rambukwella was stating in Colombo that there would be no war in Sampoor. He said that there would be no more offensives and that the Government was only interested in peace. Rambukwella however seems to have stated a bitter truth when he said at the press briefing that taking control of Sampoor was not a “Victory”.
Given the recent past where GOSL troops managed to drive the LTTE away through superior manpower and firepower there seems little doubt that they will at some point succeed in clearing target areas of tigers and Tamils and set up a high security zone. The moot question however is whether that “success” would bring peace and normalcy back.
In the first place normalcy can never be achieved until the displaced people are back in their habitat. This seems impossible as setting up a HSZ means the displaced can never return. With an increase in security camps being very likely perpetual conflict is very much on the cards.
Lasting peace can be achieved only when the Tamil National question is resolved on the basis of justice and equality. The inalienable Tamil right to self – determination, nationhood and historic homeland has to recognized . Likewise the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka has to be recognized.Sovereignty could be “shared”.
The structure of the Sri Lankan state has to be altered where Federalism is enshrined. . Democracy, pluralism and Human Rights have to be guaranteed .The Muslims have to be granted equal statusUnless this “distant dream” is achieved there can never ever be lasting peace on the Island.Until then strife is certain with interspersed phases of “no war no peace”.
As for the current reality of the East the “conquest” of Sampoor does not guarantee peace or tranquility. The clearing and consolidation of captured areas as well as attempts to acquire fresh adjacent areas will be resisted by the tigers. Since the LTTE vacated Sampoor with almost all its personnel and military assets intact the tigers launching fresh assaults or infiltration attacks cannot be ruled out.
If this is the micro – situation there is the macro – situation too. This column has on previous occasions referred to the hidden agenda of the Rajapakse regime. That agenda envisages greater control of the East. Therefore prolonged war is a definite prospect.The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has called for the expulsion of the LTTE from the Eastern Province
Though President Mahinda Rajapakse assured the four co – chairs that Sampoor was a limited operation intended to remove the security threat to Trincomalee subsequent events are proving that Colombo is on a military push in Muthur East.Despite taking control of LTTE vacated Sampoor the GOSL seems determined to continue the war until more areas are captured and consolidated.
Signs of spreading conflict can be seen in other areas of the Seruwila and Eechilampattru divisions. Both the GOSL and LTTE are firing long range artillery at each other in the Maavilaaru – Kallaaru and Verugal – Vaaharai regions.
Forces from the Kallaru camp in Seruwila division of Trincomalee district commenced Multi – Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire at noon on Tuesday September 6th killing three and injuring eleven Tamil civilians.Kallaru is the premier army installation in the region with Deputy military commander Maj. Gen Nanda Mallawaratchy being stationed at Kallaru to oversee the Sampoor military campaign.
Troops fired MBRL barrages at 12. 30 pm towards the Trincomalee – Batticaloa border areas.Firing continued for about 40 minutes.Rocket shells hit the Verugal area in Trincomalee district and Kathiraveli, Paalsenai and Vaaharai areas in Batticaloa district.
The region is full of people displaced from other areas in Trincomalee who fled here in search of refuge due to intense bombardment and artillery attacks.More than 50,000 displaced persons have sought refuge in Batticaloa district and Verugal.
Two women were killed and seven other displaced civilians injured when shells fell on a makeshift refugee camp in Verugal.The names of affected persons were not known.One person was killed and four injured when MBRL fire hit another makeshift refigee camp in Kathiraweli in Batticaloa district. Fortunately a team of ICRC Red Cross was nearby and provided prompt assistance.
The ICRC took the injured Internally displaced persons to Vaalaichenai hospital in their vehicle. Of these three critically injured people were taken by ICRC officials to Batticaloa hospital.One person succumbed to his injuries.
His name was Subramaniam Mahendrarajah. The 45 year old man had worked as a lorry driver at Eechilampattru cooperative before displacement.The injured people receiving treatment at Batticaloa are M. Arulchelvam (38) and S. Inthira (32).
The Government on the other hand has accused the LTTE of firing artillery from Verugal region towards newly established camps in the Maavilaaru region. Two men were killed and 18 injured in two days of shelling by the tigers.It appears that some of the artillery shifted from Sampoor to Verugal – Vaaharai are being used by the LTTE.
The shelling from Kallaru camp came as a shock because the fighting was expected to subside after Sampoor was retaken by the GOSL. The shelling makes people fear that some more military offensives seem to be on the cards. The Government may intend clearing the Verugal – Vaaharai region of tigers in the days to come.
As in the case of Maavilaaru where shelling and bombing continued even after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had opened the sluice gates GOSL attacks on civilian targets are likely to continue despite Sampoor being retaken. The raison d’etre would be that of “neutralising’ the LTTE artillery in the Verugal – Vaaharai region. Advances could be made from the Batticaloa side too.
More than 50,000 displaced are living in the region. A major humanitarian tragedy is on the cards if the GOSL continues with its genocidal war against the Tamil people under the pretext of combatting the LTTE. The JVP has called for the expulsion of tigers from the Eastern Province cannot be treated lightly.
Another indication that all is not quiet on the Eastern front came when a combined operation was launched against the LTTE in Amparai district. On Tuesday 5th evening security personnel from the Army, Special Task Force (STF) and the Karuna faction moved through jungle areas to attack the Paavattai LTTE camp. This is the chief tiger camp in Kanchikudichaaru region.
Clashes continued till 10. 30 pm as the tigers reportedly resisted. The LTTE says that about 25 “enemy” personnel were killed and/or injured. Ruthra alias “Thooyavan” of the Karuna faction speaking to media on a cellular phone from an army camp claimed that the operation was a success and that the LTTE had been chased away from the region. “Col” Karunas TEMVP was in full control of the area he boasted.
Sections of the media have as usual reported the clashes as being among rival factions of the LTTE. Karuna’s men have hammered the LTTE it is believed. Security Force involvement is not reported. Interestingly enough the Kanchikudicharu and Rufuskulam areas dominated by the LTTE were shelled intensely from the STF camps at Kanchirankudah and Thandiaddy camps and also the Army camp at Aranthalawa before, during and after the so called “Karuna” operation.
It is indeed “puzzling” as to why the SLA and STF are getting involved in what is supposed to be an internal affair of the LTTE. After all the GOSL has denied the LTTE charges that the Karuna faction is being supported by Colombo. If only the Karuna faction was involved in the attack the question that arises is has the TEMVP acquired artillery?When will Ruthra aka Thooyavan escort media personnel from Colombo on a guided tour of areas captured from the LTTE?
Whatever the claims and counter claims one sure reality about the Kanchikudichaaru clashes is that injured persons were admitted to Akkaraipattru hospital and the Ashraff memorial hospital in Kalmunai. Some were also taken to Amparai and also Colombo National hospital it is reported. Who were these injured persons? is another interesting question.
The International community (IF) was “blind, deaf and dumb” while the GOSL conducted savage operations in the Muthur East, Eechilampattru and Seruwila divisions. These operations were ostensibly directed at the LTTE but in practice affected innocent civilians drastically. Large scale deaths, destruction and displacement occurred.
The IC felt perhaps that the GOSL had a point in trying to retake Maavilaaru and Sampoor. One was a” humanitarian” war to restore blocked water. The other was a “strategic ” war to ensure protection of the International harbour at Trincomalee. Besides the LTTE by its stupid, boorish and faithless conduct had annoyed the IC very much. The tigers deserved a “knock” it was felt. Sadly and unjustly the terrible fate that befell innocent Tamil civilians was ignored or overlooked.
Unfortunately for the IC and even some members of the human rights/ peace activist lobby the true nature of the Rajapakse regime is yet to be comprehended fully. The tacit green light given to “Maavilaaru and Sampoor” operations has been interpreted as a go ahead to launch total war by the Rajapakse brothers. They and their cohorts think carte blanche has been given to do anything they like in the Tamil areas and to Tamils.
The LTTE is not going to pluck flowers for Mahinda’s Malthattu while this happens. They will fight back. Also the tiger is deeply wounded by Sampoor. Political Commissar SP thamilselvan has informed Norway that peace talks cannot be a possibility unless status quo is restored at Sampoor. Given the “jayawewa”s around Sampoor Colombo will not oblige. The LTTE also needs to prove a point that they are not powerless without Karuna. So they will hit hard too.
Against this backdrop the conflict is certain to spread and escalate across the Country in general and the Eastern province in particular. Under these circumstances all cannot be quiet on the Eastern Front at present and the whole country in the future.Only the IC including India can reverse this. Will they act forcefully and decisively?
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September 9th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Tranquility in the war ravaged Muthur East region was shattered on Tuesday September 5th as fierce fighting erupted again in three places including Sampoor.
Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL)troops and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres were engaged in artillery and field artillery fire intermittently for several hours.
Although the GOSL announced that it had brought Sampoor under control on Monday Sep 4th about 25% of Sampoor region and much of other areas in the Muthur East division of Trincomalee district were dominated by the LTTE.
Even as the LTTE vacated Sampoor and GOSL soldiers moved in to Sampooor town and outlying areas the tigers fired artillery at the Selvanagar camp and killed two security personnel and injured a few others.
While most of the media accepted GOSL version of Sampoor being conquered and projected an impression that the LTTE was defeated the tiger political commissar for Trincomalee , S. Elilan said that the tigers were present in Sampoor region and that the fighting had not ended.
On Tuesday Sep 6th morning at about 7. am troops from Selvanagar camp moved out but faced intense artillery fire from the LTTE . Soldiers fired back with field artillery and from battle tanks and armoured cars.
After heavy exchanges of fire the soldiers returned to base at about 8.30 am. They had suffered four deaths and thirteen injuries. The amount of LTTE casualties were not known.
After a few hours of lull artillery firing commenced again in the afternoon at Selvanagar. This continued late into the night.
Meanwhile GOSL troops also commenced two ground based drives at about 8 am from Sampoor and Pallikkudiyiruppu. Troops from Pallikkudiyoruppu tried to move into Pattalipuram from one direction.
Troops from Sampoor tried to move forwad in two directions. One formation tried to go around the coastal bend towards Ilakkanthai. The other formation thrust itself through Senaiyoor to Pattalipuram from another direction.
LTTE cadres who had supposedly vacated the region sprung a surprise when they commenced retaliatory artillery fire. Troops also fired back and returned to previous positions after a while. Both sides however engaged in sporadic artillery fire till evening.
The casualty rates of fighting in Sampoor and Pallikkudiyiruppu are not known. Fighting in these areas was restricted to artillery firing. There was no direct fighting.
The GOSL did not reveal any details about the fighting in Sampoor or Pallikkudiyiruppu or the fact that troops had tried to advance on three fronts. Officially it was stated that tigers had fired on the Selvanagar camp killing two and injuring some others.
Interestingly the GOSL troops were engaged in fighting with the tigers on three fronts including Sampoor when cabinet spokesperson on Defence Affairs Keheliya Rambukwella was stating in Colombo that there would be no war in Sampoor. “He said that there would be no more offensives and that the Government was only interested in peace.
Despite taking control of LTTE vacated Sampoor the GOSL seems determined to continue the war until more areas are captured and consolidated. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has called for the expulsion of the LTTE from the Eastern Province.
Though President Mahinda Rajapakse assured the four co – chairs that Sampoor was a limited operation intended to remove the security threat to Trincomalee subsequent events are proving that Colombo is on a military push in Muthur East.
The LTTE maintaining a presence in the region are resisting these advances.
Rambukwella however seems to have stated a bitter truth when he said at the press briefing that taking control of Sampoor was not a “Victory”.
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September 6th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) armed forces from the Kallaru camp in Seruwila division of Trincomalee district commenced Multi – Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire at noon on Tuesday September 6th killing three and injuring eleven Tamil civilians.
Kallaru is the premier army installation in the region with Deputy military commander Maj. Gen Nanda Mallawaratchy being stationed at Kallaru to oversee the Sampoor military campaign.
Troops fired MBRL barrages at 12. 30 pm towards the Trincomalee – Batticaloa border areas.Firing continued for about 40 minutes.
Rocket shells hit the Verugal area in Trincomalee district and Kathiraveli, Paalsenai and Vaaharai areas in Batticaloa district.
The region is full of people displaced from other areas in Trincomalee who fled here in search of refuge due to intense bombardment and artillery attacks.
More than 50,000 displaced persons have sought refuge in Batticaloa district and Verugal.
Two women were killed and seven other displaced civilians injured when shells fell on a makeshift refugee camp in Verugal.The names of affected persons were not known.
One person was killed and four injured when MBRL fire hit another makeshift refigee camp in Kathiraweli in Batticaloa district. Fortunately a team of ICRC Red Cross was nearby and provided prompt assistance.
The ICRC took the injured Internally displaced persons to Vaalaichenai hospital in their vehicle. Of these three critically injured people were taken by ICRC officials to Batticaloa hospital.
One person succumbed to his injuries. His name was Subramaniam Mahendrarajah. The 45 year old man had worked as a lorry driver at Eechilampattru cooperative before displacement.
The injured people receiving treatment at Batticaloa are M. Arulchelvam (38) and S. Inthira (32).
The shelling from Kallaru camp came as a shock because the fighting was expected to subside after Sampoor was retaken by the GOSL.
Yet some more military offensives seem to be on the cards as the Government intends clearing the Verugal – Vaaharai region of tigers in the days to come.
As in the case of Maavilaaru where shelling and bombing continued even after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil eelam (LLTE) had opened the sluice gates GOSL attacks on civilian targets are likely to continue despite Sampoor being retaken.
A major humanitarian tragedy is on the cards if the GOSL continues with its genocidal war against the Tamil people under the pretext of combatting the LTTE.
The JVP has called for the exppulsion of tigers from the Eastern Province.
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September 6th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The small but strategic township of Sampoor in the Muthur East division of Trincomalee district came under the control of Sri Lankan armed forces around noon on Monday September 4th. There was no resistance as troops advanced cautiously because the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had vacated Sampoor ivernight after having moving out its heavy artillery earlier.
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) commenced a massive operation to retake Sampoor exactly a week ago on Monday August 28th. In a battle of mixed fortunes both GOSL and LTTE fighters inflicted heavy damage on each other and also won and lost territory.
The security forces however pushed relentlessly forward to Sampoor after taking a couple of “breathers’ on two days to rest and consolidate acquired territory.
With the GOSL pumping in more men and materials on the one hand and the beleaguered tigers in Sampoor region not receiving reinforcements from the North the result of the Sampoor battle became obvious. The ground based drive of the army was supported vy intensive artillery fire, aerial bombardment and naval gun boat shelling.
[Map:TamilNet]
The armed forces moved forward along the coastal areas in what was clearly a battle weighed in their favour. As the LTTE began losing ground in Kattaiparichan, Senaiyoor, Ambalnagar and Ganeshapuram it became certain that the LTTE had to move out of Sampoor or face encirclement.
The LTTE began moving out its heavy, long range artillery pieces on Friday and Saturday night while offering resistance to advancing troops. On Sunday Sep 3rd night the LTTE moved out clandestinely from Sampoor township and outlying areas.
Security forces realised that the LTTE had abandoned Sampoor on Monday Sep 4th morning. Fearing a trap the troops did not rush in but moved forward along the coast cautiously while being on the look out for landmines and booby traps.
Soldiers also destroyed the bunkers and artillery positions found along the way. Security forces had taken over the small Sampoor town by noon on the 4th and were proceeding further along the coast slowly.
LTTE vacating Sampoor on the 4th was another stroke of luck for President Mahinda Rajapakse who was presiding over the 55th year party convention of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in Colombo. A beaming Rajapakse broke the news that the army had retaken Sampoor to wildly cheering and applauding gathering. Rajapakse also repeated his familiar chant that the GOSL was fighting a defensive war. [Picture: DailyMirror.lk]
Though Sampoor is a small township with a main street, some buildings and a few lanes the surrounding areas are of strategic importance. The Sampoor region is about 19 square miles in area. The LTTE had fourteen camps and three naval bases in the region and also its Trincomalee district political and military headquarters.
The tigers had reportedly stationed one 130 mm, two 122mm and four 120 mm in the Sampoor regions. A number of well – camouflaged platforms were constructed along the coast. The tigers used to shift the heavy artillery from place to place amid great difficulty.
Despite intensive bombardment and shelling the armed forces were unable to silence or destroy these batteries.They have all been relocated to the Verugal – Vaaharai region on the Trincomalee – Batticaloa district border.
It was the presence of this artillery battery which made Sampoor strategically important as the LTTE could target China Bay and Trincomalee harbour across Kottiyaar bay from here. The LTTE did do so on at least two occasions in August thereby adding a sense of urgency to GOSL plans of retaking Sampoor.
What remains puzzling to many is the conduct of the LTTE hierarchy regarding the Sampoor battle. Though tiger spokespersons stated that they will not give up Sampoor the Wanni leadership did not send any reinforcements. No counter strikes or ocounter offensives were launched.
[SLMM head Ulf Henricsson with Mr.Elilan and representatives of Tamil civilians at Maavil Aaru area to open the sluice gates on Aug 6th. - TamilNet Photo]
The tigers in Sampoor were virtually abandoned by Kilinochchi and it is indeed a manifestation of tiger grit and courage that LTTE cadres were able to resist military advances for seven days.
The GOSL troops are currently moving along the Sampoor coast towards Ilakkanthai. Security forces have now about 75 % of the Sampoor region under control. Most of these are littoral areas.
Though the tigers have vacated Sampoor they are still present in hinterland areas of Muthur East. The LTTE launched a mortar fire blitz against the army camp at Selvanagar on Monday. Two soldiers were killed and several injured.
The GOSL is projecting an impression that a major victory has been achieved and that vanquished tigers are on the run. The South is being told that the tiger “menace” in Sampoor is over. It is also being stated that Trincomalee and China Bay are safe now.
These assumptions could be proven wrong in the long run.
While the army consolidates captured areas of Sampoor the LTTE may very well launch guerilla incursions in the days to come. Though the LTTE vacated Sampoor it has not lost many men or important military assets. The tigers are down but not out in Sampoor.
Also the LTTE has in the past conducted operations in China Bay and Trincomalee without territorial control of Sampoor. It may very well do so even now.
The LTTE has admitted tacitly in a letter to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission that Sampoor has been taken over by the army and that it is a ceasefire violation. The LTTE has inquired as to why the SLMM remains silent so far and has not condemned the action so far.
The tigers had also sent an urgent message to Norwy on Friday Sep 1st warnig the four co – chairs that the LTTE will consider quitting the peace process formally if Sampoor fell to the army. Colombo however did not take this word of caution seriously and went ahead with its plans.
LTTE Defence Affairs spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan has said that the LTTE hierarchy was seriously engaged in reviewing the current status of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile S. Elilan, Trincomalee tiger political Commissar has said that the army is only in possession of the coastal areas of Sampoor. The LTTE according to Elilan is still fighting the army and is re- positioning itself in the interior areas.
The GOSL is also trying to paint a humanitarian picture of its military operation by saying that displaced Muslims from Muthur and Thopoor will be re- settled as a result of Sampoor being retaken.
What is deliberately ignored is the terrible onslaught by the security forces against Tamil civilians in Muthur East from April 25th onwards. Aerial bombardment by the Air Force, Artillery fire by the Army and Gunboat shelling by the navy continued sporadically for months.
The final ground based offensive on Aug 28th was the culmination of a prolonged, cruel campaign where the civilians underwent great destruction, deahs and displacement.
According to LTTE figures 93 Tamil civilans have been killed and 215 injured in LTTE controlled regions of Muthur East and Eechilampattru from April 25th. Over 66, 000 Tamils in the region have been displaced to Batticaloa. 12 villages with a population of about 15, 000 have been totally destroyed while almost all other villages are greatly affected.
The GOSL has use security as an excuse to prevent foof, medicine, aid etc from reaching the affected areas. NGO’s and media are not allowed in while a military campaign of genocidal proportions is conducted.
International Humanitarian law has been defiantly flouted. All sense of proportionality regarding use of force has been disregarded. Moreover the Rajapakse regime has boldly stated that it’s military objectives openly and followed suit.
Even now plans are afoot to de – populate the strategic Sampoor region of Tamils and set up a high security zone for the military extending from Muthur jetty to Ilakkanthai. Muslims will be resettled in Muthur and Thoppoor as a “buffer”.
The Rajapakse regime will orchestrate a jubiliant victory celebration of Sampoor in the days to come. What is not realised is that this “victory” is in reality a great crime against humanity. Organizations like the Amnesty International which issued a critique of Israel in Lebanon should examine what went on in Muthur East critically and condemn both the GOSL and LTTE for their conduct.
Related:
- Tigers hit back at Pattiaddy but move artillery out from Sampoor
- Armed Forces seize four villages around Sampur
- Army advances as Sampur battle enters new phase
- Wretched of the North-East Lanka earth
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September 4th, 2006
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
In the on going battle of see -saw fortunes for control of strategic Sampoor , the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) hit back at the security forces effectively in Pattiaddy. But moved out their long – range artillery from the conflict zone Southwards, to the Verugal – Vaaharai region.
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) commenced ground operations on Monday August 28th to take control of the Sampoor region comprising an area of 19 square miles and its adjacent areas. The region in Muthur East division had been constantly subjected to aerial bombardment, artillery fire and naval gunboat shelling in a bid to drive Tamil civilians away and destroy infra-structure.
Seven days of fighting saw a comparative lull on Aug 31st and Sep 3rd respectively. The days of “lull” saw the GOSL troops trying to consolidate gains achieved while engaging in low intensity artillery fire.
The security forces moving out in different directions from different fronts had advanced to a considerable extent by Friday Sep 1st.
Troops moving out from Pachanoor had advanced about 2 km to reach Santhanavattai near the Malligaitheevu junction. Security personnel moving out from the Thoppoor and Selvanagar camps had moved forward about one KM to reach Pattiaddy.
The main thrust from Kattaiparichan littoral was the most successful having advanced more than three kilometres and entering border areas of the Sampoor Grama Sevakha division. Security forces brought under control the whole of Kattaiparichan in addition to Senaiyoor, Ganeshapuram and Ambalnagar.
Even as the GOSL troops were consolidating gains on the Kattaiparichan – Sampoor front the tigers hit back ferociously at Pattoaddy. This was the first time in the on going battle that the LTTE launched a limited counter- strike. The tigers had been fighting what was mainly a defensive war.
The LTTE on Saturday Sep 2nd counter – attacked GOSL troops at Pattiaddy and compelled them to retreat to earlier positions in Selvanagar and Thoppoor.
LTTE Political Commissar for Trincomalee S. Elilan claimed that 12 soldiers were killed and more than 25 injured in the Pattiaddy fighting. He also said that an Armoured Personnel Carrier and another armoured vehicle were destroyed in the fight.
The LTTE had lost four men at Pattiaddy. They were Capt. Lathangan, (Ganeshamoorthy Balachandran of Sittandy)2nd Lt Olivanan (Meganathan Sibirajan), Kaavalan ( Shanmugam Naveenan of Munaikkaadu) and a woman cadre Thillaimathy (Thangarajah Geetheswary of Kokkatticholai). All four were from Baticaloa district.
While successfully repulsing the army at Paddiaddy the LTTE has commenced moving out its long – range artillery from Sampoor to the Verugal – Vaaharai region further South. This move is seen as a precursor to a complete withdrawal of the LTTE from Sampoor in the days to come.
With the GOSL pumping in more men and materials in addition to constant – bombing and shelling the tigers are not expected to hold out for long unless further reinforcements from the North arrive. While continuing to resist in Sampoor the LTTE is expected to make a strategic withdrawal at an appropriate juncture to avoid full encirclement.
It was the presence of long – range artillery in Sampoor that exacerbated a threat perception to the GOSL. The LTTE was capable of attacking Trincomalee and China Bay from Sampoor. This could have disrupted Trincomalee – China Bay in addition to cutting off supply lines to Jaffna. Also Sampoor was a launching pad to attack Trincomalee.
The LTTE counter – offensive during the Maavilaaru crisis saw the tigers using Sampoor to launch an attack on Muthur and also send out a flotilla to Trincomalee. The LTTE also fired artillery at Trinco harbour on two occasions during the campaign. On one occasion 36 shells fell inside the Naval HQ in Trinco within 30 minutes.
The tigers were reported to stationed one 130 mm, two 122mm and four 120 mm in the Sampoor regions. A number of well – camouflaged platforms were constructed along the coast. The tigers used to shift the heavy artillery from place to place amid great difficulty. Despite intensive bombardment and shelling the armed forces were unable to silence or destroy these batteries.
Now the LTTE had commenced moving out the artillery to Verugal – Vaaharai region on the border of Trincomalee – Vaaharai districts. It is reported that the LTTE already has two long range 120 mm and 122 mm artillery there. The firing range of 120 mm’s are 15 km and 122 mm 20 km respectively.
According to reports from the conflict zone the LTTE is now firing only 60 mm mortars and Rocket propelled Grenades. The GOSL is using a lot of field artillery in addition to deploying many battle tanks and armoured cars. LTTE landmines, Johnny mines and other booby traps have reportedly exacted a heavy toll.
The LTTE had three naval bases at Soodaikkudaa, Ilakkanthai and Kadatkaraichenai in the Sampoor region. In addition there were 14 camps in the interior. The LTTE had Sampoor as its Trincomalee headquarters with its head camp, political office, courts, Police station, bank etc being situated there.
There were about 15,000 people in 12 villages in the Sampoor region prior to the escalation of bombardment and shelling. Sampoor was first targetted on April 25th this year when the army commander Sarath Fonseka was targetted by a suicide bomber.
Gen Sarath Fonseka made an unpublicised trip to Trincomalee district last week. Army deputy chief Gen Nanda Mallawaratchy is already stationed in Kallaru to oversee the Sampoor operation. Fonseka’s visit to the frontline cheered the troops and increased morale it is learnt.
Security personnel numbering 2000 – 2500 are deployed currently on the Sampoor front.They are from the 8th Sinha regiment under Lt. Col. Romesh Fernando, 6th Gajaba regiment commanded by Lt. Col Thalgahawatte and the special forces 2nd brigade led by Major.Ihalage.
The army lost 22 men including two officers in the first three days of fighting. 130 men were injured. It is estimated now that army casualties are about 70 killed and more than 200 wounded. Injured soldiers are receiving treatment at the Polonnaruwa, Kanthalai, Trincomalee , Anuradhapura hospitals . roops are also being treated at Sri Jayawardhenapura, Colombo national and Military hospitals.
The LTTE has lost about 40 to 50 men including Major Parani. The exact number of injured tigers are not known. The LTTE medical unit is attending to them. Trinco Special Commander “Col” Sornam is in charge of Sampoor defences while Batticaloa Special Commander “Col” Bhanu is coordinating logistics from Verugal.
The intense conflict has made the Sampoor region virtually devoid of civilians. At least twelve villages have faced utter destruction while other villages in the Muthur East and Eechilampattru divisions are also affected. The bulk of Tamil civilians in these areas have crossed over to Batticaloa and are in the Koralaipattru North division as refugees.62, 643 peole from 15, 540 families have sought refuge there.
The displacement of Tamils from these regions in Trincomalee district was a deliberate move . It was clearly intended to de – populate the region of Tamils for politico – military reasons. While chasing Tamils away from their traditional homeland the GOSL is announcing that it will re- settle Muslims in their areas.
The GOSL also intends setting up a high security zone from Muthur Jetty to Ilakanthai. Tamil civilians will be deprived of their habitat as in Jaffna. Muslims will be settled in Muthur and Thoppoor as “buffers”.
The GOSL is projecting an impression through its media that the physical conquest of Sampoor will ensure the security of Muthur and Trincomalee. The LTTE’s Elilan has warned that such an assumption may be wrong. He has pointed out that the LTTE managed to conduct many successful operations in the past when Sampoor was controlled by the armed forces.
The Mahinda Rajapakse regime is relying solely on military force as the solution for the ethnic problem. Such assumptions can be dangerously wrong. Sadly much blood will have to flow before enlightenment dawns. Whatever the ultimate fate there is no doubt that the beleaguered and oppressed Tamil people will continue to suffer.
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September 4th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Sri Lankan armed forces were poised to overrun the strategic Sampoor area after seizing four adjacent villages in six days of fighting with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil eelam (LTTE)
The armed forces have brought under complete control the villages of Kattaiparichan, Senaiyoor, Ganeshapuram and Ambalnagar after fierce fighting it is learnt. These villages are situated around Sampoor.
With all resident having fled in the face of the security forces assault the newly captured areas are virtually devoid of human life other than the LTTE .
The armed forces renewed fighting on Thursday Aug 31st after a lull on the previous day.
Troops moved forward in three directions.
Security personnel advancing from their positions in Pachanoor reached and consolidated a place called Santhanavattai near the Malligaitheevu junction along the A – 15 road.
Troops also broke out from the Thoppoor and Selvanagar camps and reached Pattiaddy on the Ilakkanthai road.
The main advance was from entrenched positions in Kattaiparichan along the Kottiar bay coast. After overrunning Kattaiparichan completely the armed forces also took the Senaiyoor village and also the agricultural settlements of Ganeshapuram and Ambalnagar.
With these adjacent areas coming under full control of the armed forces , troops have entered areas coming under the Sampoor grama Sevaka division.
Casualty figures for both sides were not available.
Among LTTE losses was the death of a key leader Major. Parani. The security forces reportedly lost an armoured personnel carrier and another armoured heavy vehicle.
The security forces seem to have gained an advantageous position and are now poised to retake Sampoor completely.LTTE cadres ion Sampoor are continuing to offer resistance.
Aerial bombardment, Multi barrel and artillery fire, naval gunboat shelling of the Muthur East region continued.
Army Commander Gen Sarath Fonseka has stated that Sampoor would fall in a few days.
LTTE political commissar for Trincomalee S. Elilan has said that the tigers would not allow Sampoor to be captured by the army.
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September 2nd, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Members of the Catholic faith in Jaffna were greatly agitated last week when it became known that the Diocesan hierarchy was actively considering the recalling of priests from parishes in problematic, insecure areas. If the decision was implemented Catholic priests from the Northern Islands, Vadamaratchy East and some parts of Thenmaratchy would have left their churches and taken up residence temporarily at Colombothurai in Jaffna. The “shepherds” would have been absent when their respective “flocks” were undergoing great harship and fear.
Naturally the Catholic laity of those areas were agitated and upset. So too were other parishioners in other areas of Jaffna. There was much anguish and tears. “Do not desert us at our time of peril and need” many sobbed and wailed. Emotional appeals were made to Jaffna Caholic Bishop Rt. Rev Dr.Thomas Soundranayagam. The prelate took the feelings of his flock into consideration and changed his mind. The endangered flocks got their shepherds back.
What made Bishop Soundranayagam contemplate such a drastic measure in the first place? It was out of a sense of concern and anxiety over the safety of Catholic clergymen in Jaffna. Given the uncertain and unsafe conditions prevalent in Jaffna the Bishop felt that his priests should not be exposed to danger unnecessarily. He was particularly worried about the younger priests and those in charge of churches facing insecurity and security force related problems in unsafe areas.
The reason for Bishop Soundranayagam to have even thought of this was due perhaps to an emotional upheaval. He had been deeply troubled and saddened by what had apparently befallen a young priest in his Diocese, 34 year old Fr. Thiruchelvam Nihal Jim Brown.
He had been presumably named Jim Brown by his devout parents after a well known missionary priest who served in Jaffna during the fifties and sixties. The senior Fr. Jim Brown was the livewire behind the Catholic press of Jaffna and the Diocesan flagship journal “Sathiya Vetha Paathukaavalan”.The young Tamil priest was named so in his honour.
Rev. Fr. Jim Brown the parish priest of Allaipiddy in Jaffna had gone “missing” from Sunday Aug 20th. Another lay social worker accompanying him had also gone missing. The Navy stationed in Allaipiddy were suspected of being responsible. But there was no concrete proof. Despite much effort to trace Fr. Jim Brown’s whereabouts there was no success. The incident had upset and saddened the Catholic clergy and laity in Jaffna.
Bishop Soundranayagam was particularly concerned as the young priest grew up in his Diocess and entered priesthood under his benign guidance. He was an active worker with a keen social conscience. According to Church circles Fr. Jim Brown was almost a protegee of the Bishop.He felt the “loss” keenly.
An adoration service was held at St. Johns Church Jaffna on Aug 24th to pray to God for Fr. Jim Brown and the layman Wenceslaus Vimaladhas. Bishop Soundranayagam participated and shared his thoughts and experiences about Fr. Jim Brown. The Bishop had met the priest on Saturday Aug 19th. In a very long conversation the priest had told his superior about what had happened in Allaipiddy the week before when the LTTE has launched an operation in the area and how more than 850 members of his parish were displaced.
When the Bishop had asked the priest to stay on in Jaffna at the Bishops House the latter had replied that he needed to go back to supply drinking water to the displaced people.”Lord, my people are waiting for drinking water, I’ll deliver these water bottles and then I’ll come back”he had said.As the Bishop continued he observed ” When his parents come and ask me, – Lord we gave our son to you to serve God, and where is he now? – how could I answer them”.
An emotionally upset Bishop could not speak further at this point. He was silent for a while and then recovering continued with his address. This _expression of personal trauma may help explain the Bishop’s mindset in opting to recall priests serving under dangerous conditions.
Rev. Fr.Jim Brown born in 1972 had studied for the priesthood at St. Xaviers Seminary and was fully ordained as a priest in 2004. He served his Obedience period in a Mannar Church. He was appointed to the St. Philips Neri’s Church in Allaipiddy only a few months ago. It was a very “difficult” parish to serve due the prevalent security situation. Allaipiddy has been very much in the eye of a storm in recent times.
On May 13th four men went on a shooting spree in Allaipiddy. Nine people including a four year old child and four month infant were butchered in cold blood. The Navy and Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) were implicated. Terrified civiians from the predominantly Catholic locality took refuge at Philip Neri’s church. It was the then parish priest Fr. Amalaraj who first went with villagers to the house where residents had been shot to death.
Thereafter the panic stricken people fled from Allaipiddy. Some went to Kilinochchi. Others took refuge in two churches in Jaffna town and Navanthurai. After a while the people returned with security guarantees being given. Fr. Amalaraj played a constructive role in giving leadership to the fear stricken community at its time of need.
Fr. Amalraj came under threat due to this. EPDP controlled and financed media organs and websites began accusing Fr. Amalraj of being a tiger sympathiser. Several threats were issued. Security personnel in the area were hostile. Fearing for Fr. Amalraj’s life the Church transferred him out of Allaipiddy to Poonagary. Fr. Jim Brown was posted to Allaipiddy. It was a courageous move by Fr. Brown to go to Allaipiddy under such circumstances. It was in the finest Christian tradition of “Here I am; Send me O Lord “.
The new priest with his youthful looks and bubbly charm became a popular priest in a very short time. The parishioners clung to him as people drowning would desperately hang on to a lifeline. Fr. Jim Brown’s great challenge came on Aug 12th this year when the LTTE landed in Mandaitheevu and fought its way up Allaipddy, Mankumban etc.As fighting ensued frightened residents of Allaipiddy converged at the Philip Neri’s Church. Fr. Jim Brown was a tower of strength.
In the early hours of the morning on Aug 13th the Army camps in Jaffna town began using multi – barrel rocket launchers to fire on Allaipiddy – Mandaitheevu areas to dispel the tigers. Both Mandaitheevu and Allaipiddy are situated along the Pannai causeway and are only a short distance away from Jaffna town. Some of the shells fell in the vicinity of Philip Neri’s church and on the church itself. The church was damaged. Tragically 16 people taking refuge inside and 4 outside the church were killed. 54 people were injured.
Fr. Jim Brown endeared himself to his parishioners by giving leadership at a critical juncture. After the artillery firing subsided he gathered the people and marched towards the security barriers pleading that they be allowed to go elsewhere for safety reasons. The Navy and Army refused wanting perhaps to keep the people there as “human shields”. But Fr. Jim Brown’s persistent pleas made the authorities relent. Permission was given to go to Oorkavalthurai or Kayts.
Thereafter with the help of Catholic priests from Kayts vehicles were brought and more than 850 Allaipiddy parishioners were transported and housed at St. Mary’s Church. Some of the injured were treated at the Kayts hospital. But Fr. Brown did not rest. With the security authorities refusing to let the badly injured be taken to Jaffna for treatment Fr. Brown managed to go to Jaffna himself.
He informed Jaffna addl magistrate Srinidhy Nandasekeran of the serious situation and requested her urgent assistance. She promptly obliged. Due to Ms. Nandaseleran’s intervention the transport restrictions were lifted. Fr. Brown accompanied the Magistrate and went along with a convoy of ambulances and vehicles to transport the injured to Jaffna Hospital. Thereafter Fr. Brown shuttled between Allaipiddy, Kayts and Jaffna tending to his dispersed and dejected parish tirelessly.
After providing food and water to the displaced parishioners for two days Fr. Jim Brown along with Fr. James of Kayts came to Jaffna .They obtained the aid of “Caritas” to cater to the needs of the displaced. Many had fled with only the clothes they were wearing. Fr. Brown persuaded the authorities to allow provisions in bulk to be taken to Kayts. He also obtained permission for the people to return to Allaipiddy and take away clothes and essential items.
Signs of positive leadership among the beleaguered Tamil community is frowned upon by the powers that be. Besides Christian priests have been regarded suspiciously as being sympathetic towards the LTTE. As in the case of his predecessor Fr. Amalaraj , several threats were made to Fr Jim Brown too.One accusation levelled against him by the local chief of Navy at Allaipiddy was that he along with other civilians had helped dig bunkers for the LTTE. The priest politely denied these charges and went about with his work fearing only God in heaven and no man on earth.
It was on Saturday Aug 19th that he met his Lord Bishop and related all what befell Allaipiddy. He declined an invitation to stay on at Bishops House saying he had to take drinking water to the displaced parishioners at Allaipiddy.Thereafter Fr. Jim Brown returned to Kayts.
On the following Sunday Aug 20th Fr. Jim Brown assisted in morning mass at Kayts. He then left Kayts at about 12. 30 pm on a red coloured motor cycle NPGO 6486 with a lay social worker riding on the pillion. Fr. Jim Brown’s ill – fated companion was 40 year old Wenceslaus Vimalathas known generally as Vimalan. When Fr. Jim Brown wanted to go to Mandaitheevu he was refused permission by the naval personnel. He then proceeded to Jaffna town to make some quick and urgent telephone calls.
Both then returned and obtained permission to enter Allaipiddy again. Particulars of his “entry” at the Allaipiddy road junction security post was duly recorded at 1. 50 pm. There was also another priest who witnessed this. This was Fr. Peter Thurairatnam of the Naranthanai parish. This was the last time any known person had seen Fr. Jim Brown and Vimalan.Thereafter they simply “disappeared”.
Priests and parishioners became worried at their absence and alerted Church leaderss. The Kayts Police were also informed. Since they had been last seen at Allaipiddy junction inquiries were directed there first. Church authorities as well as the Police were informed that Fr. Jim Brown and his vehicle had been registered “in” at Allaipiddy at 1. 50 pm. They were then registered “out” at the same post at 2. 10 pm. When the Police wanted to chek the records the navy refused to show the particulars.
Inquiries made at all Catholic Churches in the Peninsula failed to reveal any information about the missing priest and pillion rider. It was feared that they had been arrested by the Navy at Allaipiddy. Bishop Soundranayagam contacted Rear Admiral Upali Ranaweera ,Northern region Commander of the Navy.Ranaweera who denied that the two men were arrested and reiterated the navy version that both had left through the Allaipiddy checkpost for Jaffna. 72 hours after they went “missing” it became apparent that both had “disappeared”.
A much worried Jaffna diocesan hierarchy made representations to a wide section of people ranging from the UN Secretary – General in New York to the Papal Nuncio in Colombo. The Human Rights Commission, ICRC,Kayts magistrate, 51st Brigade commander etc have all been notified. The Amnesty International issued a statement. Catholic clergy and laity in Mannar and Kilinochchi staged hunger fasts, silent processions etc and submitted petitions to local and international officials. Church sevices were held widely entreating the almighty.
On Aug 29th Catholic people converged at the Our Lady of Refuge Church on 4th cross street , Jaffna and proceeded to the Cathedral in procession carrying placards with Fr. Jim Brown’s picture. As they reached the water tank checkpost on main street they were stopped by the army who refused to let them citing emergency regulations. No amount of pleading by priests made them relent. Thereafter the people turned back.
Ever since the arrests of Fr, Singarayer and Fr. Sinnarasa in 1982 on charges of maintaining links to the tigers there has been a general suspicion that Tamil Catholic priests are closet supporters of the LTTE. Veteran cartoonist Wijesoma drew a memorable caricature then of a tiger tail jutting out from under the cassock of a priest. The fact that both Singarayar and Sinnarasa were discharged by the courts years later is not remembered. Many Catholic priests were treated with suspicion and constantly harassed.In one instance two priests taking some barbed wire to Jaffna from Colombo were detained.
Some priests paid the supreme price. Fr. Mary Bastian from Vankalai went missing in 1985 with some others. They were never found. A few days later Rev Jeyarajasingham a methodist priest and his wife were found burnt to death in their vehicle at Murunkan.An American Jesuit priest in Batticaloa Fr. Herbiet went missing while travelling through Eravur in 1990. Another priest. Fr. Selvarajah went missing in Sorikalmunai in Amparai district the same year. Fr. Wenceslaus at Tholagatty monastery was killed in 1986 by security forces. Fr. Chandra Fernando of Batticaloa was shot dead in 1988 by EPRLF/ENDLF assassins.
Another Christian priest had also gone missing in Jaffna some days before Fr. Jim Brown’s disappearance.Rev. Vincent Vinodharajah, a priest of the Evangelical Church of the Apostle has been reported missing since Aug 11th. The 35 year old father of one child had left home at Ellaitheru in Meesalai on Aug 11th. It is suspected that he too has “disappeared” and been killed.
There are many recent instances of Catholics in the North – East suffering at the hands of security forces or their henchmen. Civilian Catholics have been killed in places like Vankalai, Allaipiddy and Pesalai.. In Pesalai members of the armed forces fired at and threw grenades at cowering refugees inside a Church. In Batticaloa state – backed gunmen shot Tamil Parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham during Christmas mass at the St. Mary’s Cathedral at the time of holy communion in the presence of Bishop Kingsley Swampillai. Now a young Catholic priest has “disappeared” and the security forces are prime suspects.
Even as Tamil Catholics are deeply disturbed at these developments there seems to be practically no concern evinced by Sinhala Catholic clergy or laity. Even though Sinhala and Tamil Catholics subscribe to the “one, Holy Catholic Church” the ethnic divide has torn even the Church asunder. Regretfully the chasm has grown wider after Rt. Rev Oswald Gomis became Colombo Arch Bishop.
After Bishop Malcolm Ranjith went abroad there has been no Sinhala Catholic Bishop reaching out to the North – Eastern flock. Sadly not one word of empathy has come out publicly from the Catholic South about the plight of their Northern brethren. Getting Mahinda Rajapakse to ban “Da Vinci Code” is deemed more important than trying to repair a fractured Church.
Even as Tamil Christians struggle to cope with their troubles and sorrow they must also remember that they are being victimised not as Christians but as Tamils. In their suffering Christian Tamils are one with their Hindu brethren. By their indifference and lack of concern Sinhala Catholics are demonstrating that they are more “Sinhala” than “Catholic”. Mirror images are flourishing among Tamil Catholics too. Even Our Lady of Madhu seems unable or unwilling to check this growing separateness.
Meanwhile Tamil Catholics will continue to mourn for Fr. Jim Brown as they have done for others before. His disappearance cannot be treated as an isolated incident. It is part of the on going state terror campaign to crush and stifle any sign of Tamil dissidence and defiance. Catholic Priests provide great leadership to their parishioners at times of trouble and distress. Killing them or making them “disappear” intimidates and demoralises the people. The “disappearance” of Rev Fr. Jim Brown can only be viewed from that perspective.
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September 1st, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The latest offensive launched by the Sri Lankan security forces to retake the strategic region of Sampoor in the Muthur division of Trincomalee district entered a new phase after four days of fierce fighting. The Sri Lankan army which advanced three, two and one kilometres respectively on three fronts halted its forward movement after two days and began clearing and consolidating newly acquired territory on the third day.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization fighting a “defensive” war for the past few days withdrew from entrenched positions on at least one front and was keenly strengthening its defences according to re-demarcated positions on the third day. Though the intensity of fighting had decreased on Wednesday 30th in terms of ground skirmishes both sides continued to exchange artillery and mortar fire.
Despite the comparative “lull” on Aug 30th in fighting due to the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) halting forward movement on ground and the LTTE withdrawing from earlier positions the battle had by no means ended. It seemed certain that the security forces would relentlessly continue advancing towards Sampoor after a “breather” and would not stop until the target region was captured and consolidated. The LTTE strategy for now appeared to be offering stiff resistance in spite of moving backward.
Aug 31st or the fourth day of fighting saw hostilities erupting on a major scale as troops began moving out from two points. The LTTE began resisting fiercely. Though full details were not available at the time of writing this article preliminary reports indicated that fighting was intense and long drawn out.
After days of artillery shelling and aerial bombardment a major three – pronged military offensive was launched in the early hours of Monday August 28th morning.The ground based military thrust was accompanied by aerial bombardment, artillery fire and naval gunboat shelling.
Three advances were made within 30 minutes of each from Mahindapuram, Pachanoor and Thoppoor The first which began at 3.30 am from the Mahindapuram army camp was apparently a “dummy” manouevre intending to distract enemy attention. Soldiers proceeded in virtually the opposite direction of Sampoor towards Poomarathaduchenai. Troops returned to base after intermittent exchanges of fire for about 2 hours.
The first major advance began around 4.00 am from the Pachanoor camp. Troops made their way through Kilathimunai and proceeded in the general direction towards Sampoor.The objective seemed to be that of following a less used dirt road that reaches a point between Senaiyoor South and Nallur north. Senaiyoor is adjacent to Sampoor.
The second major advance began at about 4. 30 am from the army camp at Thoppoor. Troops began moving towards Pallimunai enroute to Sampoor.This road would have taken the troops via Pallikkudiyiruppu to Pattalipuram. Another change of direction from there would take the forces to Senaiyoor. As stated before Senaiyoor is adjacent to Sampoor.
Naval gunboats along the coast of Ilakkanthai began shelling the Muthur East littoral region as troops moved out on land.Ilakkanthai is also adjacent to Sampoor along the coast.
Artillery shells were fired regularly from the camps at Kattaiparichan, Selvanagar and Thoppoor towards the Muthur East hinterland region while artillery fire continued from Mahindapuram towards Poomarathadichenai and its environs.
The Naval base at the Trincomalee harbour and army camp at Monkeys Bridge began firing long range artillery as well as Multi – barrel rocket launchers along the Kottiaar bay towards the Sampoor coast.
Aerial bombardment was also on with Kfirs and Migs flying regular bombing sorties . These planes had been bombing the Tamil majority Muthur East and Eechilampattru – Verugal regions on and off from April 25th onwards.Likewise artillery and rocket fire too had been directed towards Muthur East on many occasions in the past. The region had been a target long before the Maavilaaru crisis erupted.The idea was to bomb and shell the civilians into leaving the region.
Tiger cadres engaged advancing troops in the general area of Thoppoor at the crack of dawn. Fierce fighting ensued for several hours and subsided only in the evening. LTTE fighters also blocked the advance of troops from Pachanoor in the Kilathimunai area.
According to agency reports at least 13 soldiers were killed on the first day.. Many were wounded with 79 being hospitalised. 49 were admitted to Trincomalee and 30 to Polonnaruwa hospitals respectively.
LTTE casualties on the first day were unclear but tiger defence spokesman Irasiah Ilanthiraiyan claimed that they had suffered three dead and five injured. Defence officials claimed that at many more tigers were killed.
Ilanthiraiyan also charged that twenty Tamil civilians were killed and twenty – six seriously injured in aerial bombardment and artillery shelling. With the LTTE controlled Muthur East and Eechilampattru areas being cut off from the rest of the Country the LTTE remains the only source of information about the extent of civilian casualties.
The second day of fighting on Tuesday August 29th saw the armed forces break out at first light from three positions again. Apart from Pachanoor and Thoppoor troops began advancing from the Kattaiparichan camp. This is along the Koddiar bay coast like Sampoor.
Only two villages Senaiyoor and Kadatkaraichenai are between Kattaiparichan and Sampoor.While the army and navy have camps in Kattaiparichan not all areas in the east of the area are under Govt Control. A substantial portion of Kattaiparichan is a virtual no man’s land.
The second days assault also saw the armed forces using a large number of tanks and armoured cars. The ground based advances were accompanied by the “usual suspects” – Aerial bombardment, Artillery fire and Naval gunboat shelling.
The second day saw the LTTE suffering some reversals. On the Pachanoor front the LTTE positions were fortified at a point near a jungle stream. After fierce fighting the tigers retreated across the stream and began engaging in mortar fire. On the Thoppoor front the LTTE managed to restrict the troops from advancing too far beyond Forward Defence lines.
On the third front at Kattaiparichan the armed forces moved across no mans land and began fighting the LTTE near its positions along a bridge. After intense warfare the LTTE retreated behind the bridge. Thereafter artillery exchanges commenced.
The second day’s fighting saw the armed forces losing only about six or seven men. Many were wounded Some succumbed to injuries later. The LTTE suffered heavier losses. At least 18 tigers were killed and 28 injured. Mercifully there seemed to be no civilian casualties.
The third day of strife on Aug 30th saw a marked drop in the intensity of fighting. With the armed forces suspending all attempts to advance on ground the LTTE too did not engage the troops. The army began clearing and consolidating the areas they had gained. Troops began clearing landmines,booby traps etc and constructing bunkers and trenches.
The LTTE did not make any attempt to launch counter attacks. Both sides engaged in sporadic artillery and mortar fire. There were some casualties on either side.Heavy artillery fire from camps or long range fire from Trincomalee coast or aerial bombardment did not take place.
Naval gunboats continued to patrol the Sampoor coast and occasionally shelled the coastal areas.. The navy claimed to have destroyed a tiger boat coming from Verugal off Ilakkanthai. The LTTE has denied it.
Aug 31st or the fourth day saw fighting erupt with a vengeance. Security forces moved out of two positions from the Pachanoor and Kattaiparichan fronts. There was no forward movement from the Thoppoor front.The LTTE began resisting. Both sides engaged in incessant artillery and mortar fire.The LTTE claimed to have destroyed a battle tank on the Pachanoor front.
Artillery and aerial attacks also continued. Though no civilian casualties were reported so far the cumulative aerial and artillery attacks seem to have virtually destroyed 12 villages.
At Kattaiparichan the tigers went back another 500 to 600 metres from their earlier position. Kattaiparichan is about 6 km from Sampoor.It is said that Special Force commandoes have been deployed along the Kattaiparichan front.
In terms of casualties the armed forces reportedly suffered severely on the fourth day.Though concrete details are not available it appeared that the security forces suffered more casualties on the fourth day than in three days of earlier fighting.
After four days of fighting the armed forces seemed to have made some territorial gains. At Kattaiparichan they have advanced about three km . At Pachanoor they have advanced about two km while at Thoppoor the security forces have moved about a km forward. They were in the process of consolidating these gains and seem confident of retaining these despite the setbacks on the fourth day.
Both the security forces and tigers seemed to have lost about 20 to 25 each in the first three days of fighting. The Govt said that more than 90 LTTE have been killed while the tigers say around 60 soldiers have been killed. As far as injured persons are concerned the armed forces figure after three days were in the range of 110 – 125 while the LTTE suffered about 50 to 60 wounded.
Yet reports about the fourth day of fighting indicated that the armed forces had incurred a great deal of casualties.Figures however were not available. Likewise LTTE figures too were not available. The fighting continued even into the night with both sides firing barrage after barrage of artillery and mortar fire. Speculatively both sides may have reached a three digit number in terms of deaths it is felt.
The war afflicted region has undergone severe destruction due to aerial and artillery attacks.With these attacks intensifying Tamil civilians in the region got terrified. .Realising that a major onslaught to capture Sampoor was to be launched frightened civilians began fleeing again. The shelling and bombing expedited this fearful flight.
Many people made it over the river to Batticaloa district. These new arrivals are housed at schools in Kathiraveli and Paatsenai temporarily. .Some other fleeing civilians were not lucky. Even as they tried to cross the Ilankaithurai – Muhathuvaram causeway an aerial attack ensued on Saturday Aug 26th. Two people were killed and five injured. The aerial attack on people at Ilankaithuraimuhathuvaaram made many turn back.
They returned and took up refuge at Pattalipuram. Aerial bombardment on Aug 28th saw a group of civilians being hit at Pattalipuram.. Of the 20 civilians killed and 26 injured on Aug 28th the bulk of casualties was at Pattalipuram.
With hospitals in the area being dysfunctional and transport options restricted it was the LTTE’s medical unit which attended to these victims. Another two wounded civilians died later. It is reported that lack of medical facilities has affected wounded civilians badly.However no further civilan casualties were reported after the first day.
Despite the occasional “lulls” fighting is likely to continue intermittently because the Government intends wresting control of Sampoor on the South of Kottiaar bay from the LTTE.Sampoor is of strategic importance as it affords the LTTE a vantage point to fire long range artillery targetting Trincomalee and China Bay across the Kottiar bay.The tigers have fired artillery quite a few times in the past causing a paralysis of Trincomalee harbour.
Though the fight “formally” commenced on Monday Sampoor has for long remained a prize target of the security forces. Sampoor was consolidated and fortified as a marine base by the LTTE after the ceasefire of Feb 23rd 2002. The opening of new littoral bases and the acquisition of long range artillery by the LTTE added much strategic importance to Sampoor lying on the South of Kottiaar bay.With Trincomalee harbour being only about 13 nautical miles away it is possible to target it effectively from the Sampoor coast. It is also possible to send invading flotillas across.
The new hardline dispensation under Mahinda Rajapakse treated Sampoor as a matter of urgent priority. While Mahinda cooed “peace” like a dove the hawkish clique around him went ahead with plans to retake Sampoor militarily.All pretence was off and the Govt began announcing its intention of retaking Sampoor .Preparations for a military onslaught were underfoot with men and materials being relocated to camps in the Muthur region.
When the four co – chairs of the peace process urged a cessation of conflict President Rajapakse emphasised that Sampoor would have to come under Military control and that a personal guarantee from LTTE chief Velupillai Pirapakaran was necessary.When the LTTE offered to “de – militarise” Sampoor and retain control Rajapakse rejected the proposal. “Do you want me to give Sampoor to the LTTE” he thundered.The days prior to the offensive saw a renewed attack on the Muthur East and Eechilampatru region controlled by the LTTE.
The ceasefire agreement has been observed in the breach by both parties. The Maavilaaru, Muthur, Muhamaalai and Mandaitheevu battles have made a mockery of Sec 1. 2 of the CFA.
1.2 Neither Party shall engage in any offensive military operation. This requires the total cessation of all military action and includes, but is not limited to, such acts as :
a)The firing of direct and indirect weapons, armed raids, ambushes, assassinations, abductions, destruction of civilian or military property, sabotage, suicide missions and activities by deep penetration units;
b) Aerial bombardment:
c) Offensive naval operations
Recent events have proved that this important clause is in tatters now.
If and when the security forces capture and consolidate Sampoor it would be unambiguously clear that Colombo has acted in contravention of the CFA. Already the LTTE is making noises about the consequences of “conquering” Sampoor. But the Rajapakse regime is on a “military” upbeat and will relentlessly push towards Sampoor.The fall of Sampoor could make the LTTE react with a new vehemence. Also a victory at Sampoor could make Colombo go in for more and more operations.
.Sections of the Defence establishment have tried to camouflage the current offensive as a “humanitarian” exercise aimed at re-settling displaced Muslims in Selvanagar and Thoppoor. Others have said that it is a limited strike aiming to spike the LTTE artillery battery at Sampoor.
But Army commander Sarath Fomseka has been frank and forthright. He stated explicitly in an interview that the security forces intended establishing control over Muthur, Kattaiparichan, Thoppoor and Sampoor .When the LTTE launched the Muthur offensive the tigers had for nearly three days dominated the coastal stretch between Muthur and Sampoor on the Southern side of Kottiyaar bay. Now the Govt wants control of the same coastal stretch for security reasons.
Given Sarath Fonseka’s hardline approach there is no doubt that he means what he says. It was Fonseka who refused to dismantle the high security zones in Jaffna as stipulated in the ceasefire. Against that backdrop there is a strong possibility that a high security zone would be established here too.
If everything goes well for Colombo it could bring the entire coastal stretch ranging from Muthur Jetty to Sampoor – Ilakkanthai under its control. Securing the coastline is the only effective way to protect Trincomalee from possible LTTE attacks. In order to retain effective control of the Muthur – Sampoor littoral a substantial portion of its hinterland should be under control too. This means a massive high security zone is needed as in the north.
In Jaffna the Palaly – Myliddy – Kankesanthurai base complex is of key importance to retain control of the peninsula. So a large high security zone encompassing much of Valigamam North AGA division has been created. The people of the area have been expelled and are forbidden to return. LImited access is allowed to attend a few places of worship. For all practical purposes the area has been de-populated of its rightful owners and interlopers in military uniform have taken over in the name of security. It is a brutal form of “ethnic cleansing”.
This is exactly what is likely to happen in Muthur East if and when the army takes over Sampoor. The aerial and artillery attacks have led to most civilians fleeing the coastline. Once the tigers are “routed” there would be no impediment to setting up a high security zone. The Muslim people would be settled in the borders of this high security zone as an effective “buffer”. The Tamil people of the area will have to relocate elsewhere or be permanent refugees.
This conclusion seems inevitable unless the Sinhala people of goodwill and/or the International community is able to restrain “gung ho” Mahinda and his cohorts. If this does not happen the LTTE would try and resist these manouevres. The important question is whether the LTTE will be able to do so successfully notwithstanding pugnacious statements by Trinco political Commissar Elilan and tiger spokesman on defence affairs Ilanthiraiyan.
At present the LTTE is offering stiff resistance with Trincomalee Special commander “Col” Sornam personally overseeing Sampoor defences. Batticaloa special commander “Col” Bhanu is at the Verugal – Vaharai zone attending to logistics and supervising the defence operations there. “Col” Jeyam is in Batticaloa “acting” for Bhanu Supplies to Sampoor are being done through the narrow coastal strip from Verugal to Sampoor. There is also the marine route from Verugal to Sampoor.
The LTTE has not deployed any additional cadres from the North or even used its much feared sea tigers. The tigers have also refrained from using their long range artillery in Sampoor. The LTTE is only fighting with “local” cadres from Trincomalee and Batticaloa. About two brigades of 600 each are in the frontlines. Two other brigades are kept for logistics and as reserves in the Sampoor region.
The security forces are now launching a three – pronged land offensive to secure Sampoor. It appears that only about 1500 – 2000 personnel are involved If they find it difficult to dislodge the tigers in the days to come then Colombo will surely deploy more troops and armaments. This is what happened in Maavilaaru and Muthur. After initial reversals the Govt pumped in more men and materials thereby overwhelming the tigers who were relatively weaker in this respect.
If the pressure increases on any or all of the three fronts opened it could only be a matter of days before the LTTE is compelled to retreat from Sampoor unless additional cadres and armaments are brought in from the North. The chances of getting further reinforcements from Batticaloa – Amparai are slim because the Eastern tigers are not in a position of strength. Besides the Govt can also change track and move in towards Sungankuli – Ilankaithuraimhathuvaaram coastal region from the interior and interdict supply lines from Verugal to Sampoor.
Apart from the non – induction of men and materials from the North another feature of the current fighting is that the LTTE is simply fighting defensively. It has not launched any counter – offensive or even counter – strike . In the early stages of the Maavilaaru confrontation the tigers struck swiftly at Muthur. It would be easy even now for the tigers to launch a counter strike behind enemy lines from places like Iraalkuli, Naavatkudah or Mallikaitheevu. Instead the tigers are fighting only what seems to be a rear guard action.
Sarath Fonseka confidently asserts that Sampoor would fall in the next few days. If the forces pump in more men and materials and continue exerting pressure the Sampoor pappadam may very well crumble. If the LTTE wants to hold on to Sampoor then additional reinforcements from the North are needed. A counter -strike is imperative. Otherwise Sampoor would surely fall in a matter of weeks if not days. A tiger withdrawal would be inevitable.
Related: Armed Forces seize four villages around Sampur
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September 1st, 2006