IntelligenceReports

Even as these antics by the overseas LTTE continued, the Defence establishment in Sri Lanka continued to be vigilant. There were intelligence reports of attempts by Tiger elements in the Diaspora to foment violence in Tamil areas of the North –East. The overseas Tigers needed some kind of violent incident or incidents to occur to be portrayed abroad as the harbinger of armed resistance. After all there is still a sizable number of numbskulls who believe that 12,000 LTTE cadres are undergoing arms training in Eritrea and that Prabhakaran is alive.

Defence authorities in Sri Lanka were aware that the LTTE was no longer a viable entity in Sri Lanka. There was however concern about the ongoing efforts by the diaspora Tiger elements and the money power they possessed. It was possible to pay cash to some exTigers or former supporters of the LTTE and encourage them to engage in violence. This would affect the prevailing situation in the North and East. It is this anticipation of a potential resurgence of political violence that is cited as justification of the stance to maintain an extra-ordinarily large military presence in the North. Though this excessive militarisation has been criticised by many quarters the Rajapaksa regime has steadfastly refused to minimise the presence of military personnel fearing a potential LTTE resurgence. Against the backdrop of a possible LTTE re-emergence it appears that future calls for reduction of troops in the North would be disregarded.

For a better understanding of the current crisis, recent related developments in the North are worth delving into. According to informed sources it all began with the security forces in the north being alerted over controversial leaflets in January this year. These leaflets in Tamil had been found in front of several dwellings in the Wanni. Some youths had also distributed these by hand to people travelling in buses and vans. Stacks of leaflets had been left in public places including temples, schools and eating houses. A few were found nailed to trees or pasted on walls.