“Definitely, we have an alliance with the government. That's how we can progress. My aim is trifold – firstly, economic development, secondly, educational and lastly, preserving a culture. We shall concentrate on these three. For more than 20 years, our people were not developed either economically or culturally. They literally lived in total darkness.”
by Anil. S. Anilan
(August 23, Kochi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Colonel Karuna Amman, former special commander of LTTE and the founder of TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), is one of the most discussed names in Sri Lankan politics currently. Once the right hand of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, he broke away from the outfit in 2004 alleging that they were ignoring the eastern Tamil people. Later he floated TMVP. He was arrested by the British for illegal entry in 2007 November, and was released and deported to Sri Lanka on July 3, 2008.
Colonel Karuna is said to be the number one in LTTE hitlist currently. In an exclusive telephonic interview with the New Indian Express of , he clarifies on his stand as TMVP leader, allegations on in-party conflicts and why he broke away from LTTE.
Your party - the TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP )- has won a major victory in the recent elections in Sri Lanka. What is the current political significance of TMVP and what are your future plans?
Yes. We won two elections recently – the local government elections and the provincial elections. Now we are in the provincial councils. I'm now in the midst of reorganising the party. Talks with civilians are on in this regard and their views are also being considered. Certain future plans are in the offing, keeping in mind the public elections, which we will definitely contest.
Will you stand for elections? If so, from where?
Yeah, I will also be contesting the public elections from my native district of Batticaloa. It is essential that we have adequate representation at the national level. Only then can development be easy. Now our presence is felt only in the provincial governments, which is definitely a constraining factor. If we form part of the Central Government, our scope of action naturally widens up.
There are allegations of certain differences of opinion between you and Pillaiyan.
I do admit there is an aberration. But you must keep in mind that we are a political party, and every political party does have its share of problems. We function in a democratic manner. But we don't have any major problems. I'm the party leader. He's the Chief Minister of an Eastern province whereas I look after the party affairs not only in the east, but also in other areas. In future, we have to build up our political party among the Tamil people and not just in the Eastern sector only.
But grapevine has it that those internal conflicts between Pillaiyan and you had taken such a serious turn, that led you going to London?
I too read about it in some media. But as you know, we have many political enemies. Sometimes they create problems. Discipline is mandatory in our party, which leads to its own set of problems, but nothing unmanageable. I allow them to have their arguments…any kind of arguments, because we are a political party and not a military movement or military organisation.
What about the erstwhile Karuna faction of LTTE? Is it still there? The media claims so. Is it true?
After I broke away from the LTTE, they lost total fighting ability. Coz our cadres were veteran fighters and soldiers of that period. Now they can't do anything. You should realise that the Sri Lankan Army has launched their operations in Jaffna and are planning to open an MHR. But they can't fight against them. That's a problem.
Is LTTE relevant now or can its reason for existence be considered outdated?
You know, the older world recognises LTTE as a terrorist organisation. They know everything. But the current Sri Lankan President has made a firm decision to destroy the LTTE. In the past, government fighting was only to reap political benefits. Eliminating the LTTE is not just a political gimmick for the present government. But they can't do that in one or two years. But if they open the MSR (main supply route) in Jaffna, definitely LTTE people will have to go to the jungles.
Is it true that the Sri Lankan government supports you with arms to fight the LTTE?
Supports me? That's not true. When I broke away from the LTTE, I came with 6000 cadres. At that time, I had lots of weapons. I didn't want to use them. Yet, the LTTE came to our area and killed scores of innocent people and armed force personnel. That's why we had to take up arms again for self-defence. But now, we don't want arms. Now we have some cadres, who are currently trying to join the Army or the police force.
This implies that your cadres are going to join the Army?
Yes. If they would like to do so, then they can join. Some people don't like. Then they can be part of our political work.
What about the government? Has the government shown any interest in this change of heart?
They are interested in recruiting. But if our cadres join the Army, they won't go to the North or they won't fight the LTTE. They stay only in border villages. We don't like to fight against the LTTE.
Why so? You have already reiterated you are against the LTTE?
Earlier, we had weapons for our self defence. Now the government gives protection to us. Our members are there in province and local government. The government provides us security. Now we don't want any weapons or cadres. We have the government to fight against the LTTE. Now we don't want to fight. That's why I made a decision to totally disband our cadres.
So you are planning to disband the entire cadre?
Yes, definitely. I don't want weapons or anything to do with mass destruction. The government provides us with the needed security.
So have you already conveyed the same to your cadres?
We have already told them. If they would like to join the Army or police, they can.
So you will continue only as a political outfit?
Yes, we will only be a political organisation.
A lot of organisations including UNICEF and Peoples Watch have accused you of human rights violations, not only in Jaffna, but in the entire eastern provinces, particularly in the 1990s.
A lot of media misinterpretation again. LTTE-support media says that we recruit child soldiers and all. But we don't want cadres or soldiers now, because we don't fight with anybody now. Those are only rumours. When LTTE controlled eastern area, they forcibly recruited a lot of soldiers from the local Tamil people. Now we don't have anything.
But there are lot of incidents happened in the past. Similar incidents by the Army, Navy, police, Air force and LTTE of course have occured. I told the government to stop it. We don't like it. Now in the eastern region, 75 percent is ok. There are people moving everywhere without any harassment. In the time to come, I can change the situation completely, I think.
But what about the allegations that after forming the Karuna faction, you recruited child-soldiers?
We didn't. We don't want any soldiers. Because right now, we are not fighting either the LTTE or the government. But in the past, the LTTE have done that. After recapturing the eastern region, there were lots of bodies to account for the same.
What was the actual reason for you to part ways with the LTTE?
You know, at that time peace talks were going on in Sri Lanka with Scandinavian negotiation. I also participated in many peace talks. We went abroad. We talked about future plans and all. At that time we stood a good chance to get a federal solution, like the one in India and Switzerland. But our leader was not open to the same. He would settle for nothing less than a Tamil ilam – a separate country. That was impossible. I explained that to him, but he didn't like it. He asked me to again go for fighting. I didn't like that. Since I didn't want to fight again, I left.
But LTTE accuses you of corruption and not abiding by their code of conduct.
That's a rumour. When I was in LTTE, I fought for 20 years against the Sri Lankan army. I was a very important leader and won many battles for them. At that time, Prabhakaran eulogised me as a hero who saved our land. Why were the corruption charges not levelled then by him? Why did he wait till the time I broke away? All these are rumours. My fight is only against the discrimination faced by the eastern people and not to resort to physical battle.
But the allegations of corruption cropped up, even after you formed the TMVP?
Those are all rumours generated by the LTTE-support media. Even after TMVP was formed, they came up with lot of allegations. Even now they blame me for lot of things. I know I'm the number one in the hitlist of LTTE. Prabhakaran is always trying to kill me, because I'm the only one against him now.
You said you are planning to contest the Central elections. Are you planning any tie-up with the government?
Definitely, we have an alliance with the government. That's how we can progress. My aim is trifold – firstly, economic development, secondly, educational and lastly, preserving a culture. We shall concentrate on these three. For more than 20 years, our people were not developed either economically or culturally. They literally lived in total darkness.
Let's say if you come to power, what will be your agenda with respect to LTTE?
We don't think too much about the LTTE. The people in the eastern provinces as well as Jaffna have totally rejected them. The people in Sri Lanka don't like the LTTE. The organisation is in its final stage. The LTTE is on its way to automatic annihilation politically, economically and in all other respects.
What I'm asking is, if you come to power what will be your approach to LTTE? Will you try to eliminate them or go for peace talks?
We will explain to the people about LTTE – their attitude, their terrorist mentality et al. I will also have to explain the people across the globe. There are lots of false propaganda about the LTTE among the international diaspora. That's why they are plush with funds.
What will you do about Prabhakaran?
I think he'll never change. He follows a totalitarian policy. He think he's a king. He will never come to the fore, be it politically or socially. We can't change him. We had a good opportunity to get freedom for the Tamil people, but he spoiled it. He killed former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. After that it was a lost cause. I explained to him several times that it was a big mistake in our freedom struggle.
The final question. Are your legal proceedings in Britain over?
I went to London for a personal matter. My family is there, and I went to see my kid and wife. I went under a different name and different documents just for my safety. There were lot of mistakes, not from my side however. Of course I can't reveal everything now, because that may spoil my future political life. The legal procedures are over. I was arrested by the British police. I gave my documents, didn't hide anything. They said 'you have illegally entered our country'. I accepted and pleaded guilty. I appreciate the British law. They sentenced me for nine months, after that I came back to my country. Some people spread rumours that I was arrested for human rights' violations. But the British government said they were concerned about my illegal entry only.
Recently you said if you find a suitable person you are ready to quit as TMVP president.
I told my cadres if there's good leadership, I will stand down. My aim and concern are only about the development of the eastern people.
Courtesy: New Indian Express
- Sri Lanka Guardian
by Anil. S. Anilan
(August 23, Kochi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Colonel Karuna Amman, former special commander of LTTE and the founder of TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), is one of the most discussed names in Sri Lankan politics currently. Once the right hand of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, he broke away from the outfit in 2004 alleging that they were ignoring the eastern Tamil people. Later he floated TMVP. He was arrested by the British for illegal entry in 2007 November, and was released and deported to Sri Lanka on July 3, 2008.
Colonel Karuna is said to be the number one in LTTE hitlist currently. In an exclusive telephonic interview with the New Indian Express of , he clarifies on his stand as TMVP leader, allegations on in-party conflicts and why he broke away from LTTE.
Your party - the TamilEela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP )- has won a major victory in the recent elections in Sri Lanka. What is the current political significance of TMVP and what are your future plans?
Yes. We won two elections recently – the local government elections and the provincial elections. Now we are in the provincial councils. I'm now in the midst of reorganising the party. Talks with civilians are on in this regard and their views are also being considered. Certain future plans are in the offing, keeping in mind the public elections, which we will definitely contest.
Will you stand for elections? If so, from where?
Yeah, I will also be contesting the public elections from my native district of Batticaloa. It is essential that we have adequate representation at the national level. Only then can development be easy. Now our presence is felt only in the provincial governments, which is definitely a constraining factor. If we form part of the Central Government, our scope of action naturally widens up.
There are allegations of certain differences of opinion between you and Pillaiyan.
I do admit there is an aberration. But you must keep in mind that we are a political party, and every political party does have its share of problems. We function in a democratic manner. But we don't have any major problems. I'm the party leader. He's the Chief Minister of an Eastern province whereas I look after the party affairs not only in the east, but also in other areas. In future, we have to build up our political party among the Tamil people and not just in the Eastern sector only.
But grapevine has it that those internal conflicts between Pillaiyan and you had taken such a serious turn, that led you going to London?
I too read about it in some media. But as you know, we have many political enemies. Sometimes they create problems. Discipline is mandatory in our party, which leads to its own set of problems, but nothing unmanageable. I allow them to have their arguments…any kind of arguments, because we are a political party and not a military movement or military organisation.
What about the erstwhile Karuna faction of LTTE? Is it still there? The media claims so. Is it true?
After I broke away from the LTTE, they lost total fighting ability. Coz our cadres were veteran fighters and soldiers of that period. Now they can't do anything. You should realise that the Sri Lankan Army has launched their operations in Jaffna and are planning to open an MHR. But they can't fight against them. That's a problem.
Is LTTE relevant now or can its reason for existence be considered outdated?
You know, the older world recognises LTTE as a terrorist organisation. They know everything. But the current Sri Lankan President has made a firm decision to destroy the LTTE. In the past, government fighting was only to reap political benefits. Eliminating the LTTE is not just a political gimmick for the present government. But they can't do that in one or two years. But if they open the MSR (main supply route) in Jaffna, definitely LTTE people will have to go to the jungles.
Is it true that the Sri Lankan government supports you with arms to fight the LTTE?
Supports me? That's not true. When I broke away from the LTTE, I came with 6000 cadres. At that time, I had lots of weapons. I didn't want to use them. Yet, the LTTE came to our area and killed scores of innocent people and armed force personnel. That's why we had to take up arms again for self-defence. But now, we don't want arms. Now we have some cadres, who are currently trying to join the Army or the police force.
This implies that your cadres are going to join the Army?
Yes. If they would like to do so, then they can join. Some people don't like. Then they can be part of our political work.
What about the government? Has the government shown any interest in this change of heart?
They are interested in recruiting. But if our cadres join the Army, they won't go to the North or they won't fight the LTTE. They stay only in border villages. We don't like to fight against the LTTE.
Why so? You have already reiterated you are against the LTTE?
Earlier, we had weapons for our self defence. Now the government gives protection to us. Our members are there in province and local government. The government provides us security. Now we don't want any weapons or cadres. We have the government to fight against the LTTE. Now we don't want to fight. That's why I made a decision to totally disband our cadres.
So you are planning to disband the entire cadre?
Yes, definitely. I don't want weapons or anything to do with mass destruction. The government provides us with the needed security.
So have you already conveyed the same to your cadres?
We have already told them. If they would like to join the Army or police, they can.
So you will continue only as a political outfit?
Yes, we will only be a political organisation.
A lot of organisations including UNICEF and Peoples Watch have accused you of human rights violations, not only in Jaffna, but in the entire eastern provinces, particularly in the 1990s.
A lot of media misinterpretation again. LTTE-support media says that we recruit child soldiers and all. But we don't want cadres or soldiers now, because we don't fight with anybody now. Those are only rumours. When LTTE controlled eastern area, they forcibly recruited a lot of soldiers from the local Tamil people. Now we don't have anything.
But there are lot of incidents happened in the past. Similar incidents by the Army, Navy, police, Air force and LTTE of course have occured. I told the government to stop it. We don't like it. Now in the eastern region, 75 percent is ok. There are people moving everywhere without any harassment. In the time to come, I can change the situation completely, I think.
But what about the allegations that after forming the Karuna faction, you recruited child-soldiers?
We didn't. We don't want any soldiers. Because right now, we are not fighting either the LTTE or the government. But in the past, the LTTE have done that. After recapturing the eastern region, there were lots of bodies to account for the same.
What was the actual reason for you to part ways with the LTTE?
You know, at that time peace talks were going on in Sri Lanka with Scandinavian negotiation. I also participated in many peace talks. We went abroad. We talked about future plans and all. At that time we stood a good chance to get a federal solution, like the one in India and Switzerland. But our leader was not open to the same. He would settle for nothing less than a Tamil ilam – a separate country. That was impossible. I explained that to him, but he didn't like it. He asked me to again go for fighting. I didn't like that. Since I didn't want to fight again, I left.
But LTTE accuses you of corruption and not abiding by their code of conduct.
That's a rumour. When I was in LTTE, I fought for 20 years against the Sri Lankan army. I was a very important leader and won many battles for them. At that time, Prabhakaran eulogised me as a hero who saved our land. Why were the corruption charges not levelled then by him? Why did he wait till the time I broke away? All these are rumours. My fight is only against the discrimination faced by the eastern people and not to resort to physical battle.
But the allegations of corruption cropped up, even after you formed the TMVP?
Those are all rumours generated by the LTTE-support media. Even after TMVP was formed, they came up with lot of allegations. Even now they blame me for lot of things. I know I'm the number one in the hitlist of LTTE. Prabhakaran is always trying to kill me, because I'm the only one against him now.
You said you are planning to contest the Central elections. Are you planning any tie-up with the government?
Definitely, we have an alliance with the government. That's how we can progress. My aim is trifold – firstly, economic development, secondly, educational and lastly, preserving a culture. We shall concentrate on these three. For more than 20 years, our people were not developed either economically or culturally. They literally lived in total darkness.
Let's say if you come to power, what will be your agenda with respect to LTTE?
We don't think too much about the LTTE. The people in the eastern provinces as well as Jaffna have totally rejected them. The people in Sri Lanka don't like the LTTE. The organisation is in its final stage. The LTTE is on its way to automatic annihilation politically, economically and in all other respects.
What I'm asking is, if you come to power what will be your approach to LTTE? Will you try to eliminate them or go for peace talks?
We will explain to the people about LTTE – their attitude, their terrorist mentality et al. I will also have to explain the people across the globe. There are lots of false propaganda about the LTTE among the international diaspora. That's why they are plush with funds.
What will you do about Prabhakaran?
I think he'll never change. He follows a totalitarian policy. He think he's a king. He will never come to the fore, be it politically or socially. We can't change him. We had a good opportunity to get freedom for the Tamil people, but he spoiled it. He killed former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. After that it was a lost cause. I explained to him several times that it was a big mistake in our freedom struggle.
The final question. Are your legal proceedings in Britain over?
I went to London for a personal matter. My family is there, and I went to see my kid and wife. I went under a different name and different documents just for my safety. There were lot of mistakes, not from my side however. Of course I can't reveal everything now, because that may spoil my future political life. The legal procedures are over. I was arrested by the British police. I gave my documents, didn't hide anything. They said 'you have illegally entered our country'. I accepted and pleaded guilty. I appreciate the British law. They sentenced me for nine months, after that I came back to my country. Some people spread rumours that I was arrested for human rights' violations. But the British government said they were concerned about my illegal entry only.
Recently you said if you find a suitable person you are ready to quit as TMVP president.
I told my cadres if there's good leadership, I will stand down. My aim and concern are only about the development of the eastern people.
Courtesy: New Indian Express
- Sri Lanka Guardian
Post a Comment