Peace process update: Report of tensions in

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 001790

SIPDIS

NOFORN

DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS; NSC FOR E. MILLARD

NEW DELHI PLS PASS TO AMBASSADOR WILLS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09-26-12
TAGS: PGOV PTER PINS MOPS CE LTTE
SUBJECT: Peace process update: Report of tensions in
military; Tiger cadre movement; Cricket's healing powers

Refs: Colombo 1787, and previous

(U) Classified by W. Lewis Amselem, Charge d'Affaires.
Reasons 1.5 (b, d).


1. (C/NF) This update of Sri Lanka's peace process
reviews the following:

-- Reported tensions in military toward government's
peace initiative

-- President muted in public re peace process

-- Largest Tamil Tiger cadre movement to date goes
smoothly, according to monitors

-- The flavor of the peace process: Sri Lankans of all
stripes embrace major international cricket tournament
now taking place in Colombo

==============================
Report of Tensions in Military
==============================


2. (C/NF) Mission has picked up its first indication of
possible tensions within the military toward the peace
process. In a September 25 meeting with RSO, Nimal
Goonetilleke, the head of the Police Special Task Force
(STF) (please protect),related that he had heard that
five or six high-ranking military officers (NFI) were
actively speaking out against the peace process within
their respective commands. Goonetilleke speculated that
some of these officers might be angry because the peace
process was beginning to undermine illicit activities
they were engaged in. The GSL had heard of these
murmurs, he continued, which was the genesis of public
remarks the Prime Minister made September 21 to the
effect that he would not tolerate "divided loyalties"
within government ranks. When asked, Goonetilleke
replied that he had no information that anyone in the
military was planning to take any sort of action against
the GSL.


3. (C/NF) Comment: Goonetilleke is usually a solid
source, though we have not picked up collaborating
information re his report. Given how fast the peace
process has moved, it is not surprising that some in the
military may be disillusioned, perhaps feeling that they
are being abandoned after a valiant effort defending the
country (or -- more cynically -- that they are losing
out on their illicit perks gained by wartime
exigencies). For its part, the government has tried to
do its best to ensure that the military remains on board
by keeping it fully briefed on the peace process and by
maintaining benefits to the extent the GSL's difficult
financial circumstances allow. End Comment.

================================
President Muted re Peace Process
================================


4. (C) President Kumaratunga has taken a muffled public
approach re the peace process in the aftermath of the
successful conclusion of the recent talks in Thailand.
In general, her relatively few public comments re the
talks have basically struck positive tones. According
to contacts, however, one matter that appears to have
gotten under the President's skin is that no one in the
government has offered to personally brief her on the
results of the talks. (Note: Harim Peiris, a
presidential spokesman, told us late September 26 that
he had heard that the government might be trying to
arrange some sort of briefing, but he had no
confirmation.)

5. (SBU) (((Note: Kumaratunga's general lack of public
comment on the peace process contrasts with a series of
recent speeches she has given re domestic issues. In
these speeches, usually given before cheering party
members, she has harshly lashed out at the GSL re its
plans to move forward with a bill that would amend the
executive's powers to call new elections. In one widely
reported speech on this issue, Kumaratunga was quoted as
stating, "They are trying to clip the wings of the
president. I will use my powers. I will not die like a
kitten.")))


6. (C) Comment: Kumaratunga has been alternately hot-
and-cold re this iteration of the peace process since
its inception. At times, she has vociferously
criticized the government's handling of the issue. At
other times, she has assumed an almost proprietary air
by underscoring the fact that the current process has
roots in moves she took when she first came to power in
1994-95. The fact that she is relatively muted on the
subject now may indicate that she just does not see
making much political mileage by commenting on the peace
process at this point. Reports that she has not yet
been offered a briefing re the Thai talks are
disturbing, as it is the sort of slight that only
increases "cohabitation" tensions. End Comment.

--------------
Large LTTE Cadre Movement goes smoothly
--------------


7. (SBU) Under the auspices of the February ceasefire
accord, the LTTE has made a major troop movement.
Pierre Elderson, a Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM)
official, has confirmed that 265 LTTE cadre went by
vehicle from Batticaloa in the east to Omanthai, a LTTE-
controlled border town in the north-central part of the
country on September 23. The movement was monitored by
SLMM observers and tracked by the Sri Lankan military.
Elderson reported that the movement went smoothly with
no problems reported. He added that 210 of the cadre
were female and 55 male. Originally slated to be a sea
movement, bad weather offshore necessitated that it be
by land.


8. (SBU) Comment: There have been a number of cadre
movements so far, but this is the largest to date. The
fact that it went so smoothly is a testament to how well
the ceasefire accord and related GSL-LTTE understandings
are being implemented. The SLMM showed great skill in
arranging the movement, which we understand took hours
of laborious mediation. End Comment.

========================
Cricket's Healing Powers
========================


9. (U) Sri Lankans are avidly embracing a major
international cricket tourney now taking place in
Colombo. The three-week tournament sponsored by the
International Cricket Council is the second most
important in cricket, ranking just after the World Cup.
All of the best international cricket teams have been
participating, including Australia, India, Pakistan, and
the popular local team. Large crowds have flocked to
the matches and the TV audience, including in the war-
ravaged north and east, is said to be huge. The fact
that the Sri Lankan team has done quite well has also
helped ratings, no doubt. The country is expected to
come to a standstill when Sri Lanka plays defending
world champion Australia on September 27.


10. (SBU) Comment: The fact that a major cricket
tournament is taking place in Sri Lanka at all is a
pleasant surprise to many here. Sri Lankans had grown
used to their cricket-mad country being overlooked as a
host for major events because of the conflict and the
danger of terrorism. Big events can now take place in
Sri Lanka due to the peace process, however, and Sri
Lankans of all ethnic stripes appreciate that. Indeed,
for Sri Lankans the news only gets better: a major test
match between the Australian and Pakistani teams had to
be moved from Pakistan because of tensions there. The
new site: Sri Lanka. End Comment.


11. (U) Minimize considered.
AMSELEM