OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 078 (06/01/04)

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000907 SIPDIS OFFICIAL INFORMAL FOR SA/INS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/14 TAGS: AMGT CE MV LTTE SUBJECT: OFFICIAL INFORMAL NUMBER 078 (06/01/04) Classified by DCM James F. Entwistle for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). CONTENTS: MCC TEAM ON THE GROUND - TAMIL JOURNALIST KILLED IN THE EAST - MISSION HOLIDAY ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2 MCC TEAM ON THE GROUND -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The MCC team has started to arrive. They have an in-house dinner at the DCM's this evening, a few events on the holiday tomorrow and then very busy schedules on Thursday and Friday. Lots of interest from the Sri Lankan side so it should be a very productive program. (DCM TAMIL JOURNALIST KILLED IN THE EAST -------------- ¶2. (C) On Monday, May 31, Iyathurai Nadesan, a Tamil journalist, was killed in the eastern town of Batticaloa. Described as a veteran journalist by many media outlets, Nadesan was a frequent contributor to the widely read independent Tamil daily "VIRAKESARI." While there are no suspects in the case at present, Nadesan was a public supporter of the LTTE and speculation is rife that elements of Karuna's faction were involved in the shooting. On the pro-LTTE TamilNet website, the Tigers have condemned the killing. Journalists from around the country are expected to attend Nadesan's funeral, to be held in Jaffna on June 2. (POL) MISSION HOLIDAY ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2 -------------- ¶3. (U) FYI. A reminder that the Mission will be closed on Wednesday, June 2 for the Sri Lankan national Buddhist holiday of Poson Poya. (POL) LUNSTEAD