OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 062 (04/27/04)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000701

SIPDIS

OFFICIAL INFORMAL

FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/14
TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 062 (04/27/04)


Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 (b) and
(d).

CONTENTS: LTTE FACTIONAL VIOLENCE

LTTE FACTIONAL VIOLENCE
--------------

(C) FYI. Despite the recent collapse of Karuna's
positions in the east, factional infighting in the LTTE
appears to be on the upswing. The recent trail of
violence includes:

-- Seven LTTE cadres were reportedly killed in
Batticaloa District late April 26. According to
contacts in the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and
the Sri Lanka Army (SLA),the LTTE has alleged that
several Karuna supporters killed three Tiger sentries at
a checkpoint. The assassins then proceeded to a nearby
general store, where four disabled Tiger cadres were
killed. SLMM spokeswoman Agnes Bragadottir told poloff
on April 27 that Tiger political chief S.P.
Thamilchelvam had lodged a formal complaint with the
SLMM, alleging that Karuna supporters had entered into
Tiger-controlled areas in the east through army-
controlled areas in order to perpetrate the killings.
Despite the LTTE claims, Military spokesman Col. Sumeda
Perera told poloff on April 26 that the military had no
involvement in the incident. In an effort to mediate
the situation, Per Rosendahl, head of the Batticaloa
SLMM office, told poloff that a meeting between the LTTE
and the SLA would take place on April 28 with SLMM
facilitation.

-- In an incident that took place in the early morning
hours of April 26, a mine exploded, killing a Tamil
reported to be a Karuna supporter. Police are
investigating the incident, which occurred in a small
village near the north-central town of Kurunegala.

-- In a third incident, a Tamil was killed in north
Colombo the evening of April 26. In the incident,
assailants shot at two Tamils (identified as Karuna
supporters by police),killing one of the men and
critically wounding the other. Police contacts have
reported that no group has yet taken responsibility for
the Colombo killing, but the incident bears all the
hallmarks of the Tigers' "pistol gangs." (POL)

-- On a brighter note, UNICEF gave us an encouraging
briefing on the LTTE child soldier issue today.
Frontchannel on child soldiers later this week.

LUNSTEAD