‘SLA intelligence behind Batticaloa murders, confusion’ - LTTE [TamilNet, June 28, 2004 13:08 GMT]

“We have very reliable evidence now that the Sri Lanka army is using Karuna as a pretext to murder and to create mayhem in Batticaloa. We have indubitable proof that he is working with the Sri Lankan military intelligence. The Liberation Tigers will not recommence meetings with the Sri Lanka army while the Sri Lankan government and its military continue to harbour Karuna and continue to instigate murder and confusion in Batticaloa. We made this clear to the head of the monitoring mission today”, said Mr. S.P Thamilchelvan speaking to the press Monday in Kilinochchi.

“There have also been problems and confusion in connection with the cease fire agreement after this government came to power– particularly regarding land and sea movements. We told the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) that we cannot accept the attitude of the Sri Lankan government in this regard”, the head of the LTTE’s political division said, answering question at the conclusion of a meeting with the head of the SLMM, Maj. Gen. (ret) Trond Furuhovde Monday at the LTTE’s peace secretariat in Kilinochchi.
Responding to a question about the future in the light of these developments, he said, “The future of the ceasefire agreement and the peace talks is not in our hands now. It is in the hands of the Sri Lanka army, SLMM and the Norwegian facilitators”.
“We have now confirmed beyond any doubt that the army is using Karuna as a pretext to murder and to create confusion in Batticaloa. The cadres who were with Karuna under the protection of the Sri Lankan military intelligence have revealed many facts about what really took place. It is also confirmed that the Sri Lankan military intelligence was behind the killing of journalist Nadeasan and the Batticaloa university academic Thambaiah”, Mr. Thamilchelvan said.
Head of the Thamil Eelam Police Service, Mr. B. Nadesan was associated with Mr. Thamilchelvan at the meeting with the SLMM Friday.