Posted on 01/09/2005 1:18:43 AM PST by HAL9000
COLOMBO : Elusive Tamil Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief Pottu Amman are among the dead or missing after last week's tsunami disaster, state radio said Saturday, sparking fresh tension between government and rebels who immediately denied the report.The Island newspaper, meanwhile, reported Saturday that an expensive coffin "for a top LTTE leader" had been smuggled into a northern Tiger area inside a container carrying relief for tsunami survivors.
The LTTE, in a statement posted on its official Peace Secretariat website, slammed the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation for carrying the reports, saying now was "not the time for gossip mongering and malicious propaganda".
"The LTTE and the Tamil people wish to strongly protest against this mischievous act of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, stooping down to such low level of broadcasting news that (is) fabricated by interested parties," the statement said.
"At a time of a national catastrophe of this magnitude, it is very ... regrettable that a responsible media of the government takes upon itself the job of spreading rumours and speculation that tend to create confusion in the minds of the people," it added.
The radio reports quoted a Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri as saying Prabhakaran and Amman were among those killed or missing in the tsunami.
Observers said, however, it would be difficult for the guerrillas to hide their leader's death and pointed out he had made a statement expressing sympathy for all those hit by the December 26 tsunami days after tragedy.
Prabhakaran directs the struggle for an independent Tamil homeland from a secret jungle base in the north-east of Sri Lanka and has a reputation as a fearless and ruthless guerrilla leader.
Under his leadership, the Tamil Tigers have become a highly-disciplined and highly-motivated guerrilla force.
Tension has already been rising since the rebels Wednesday accused government security forces of preventing private donations from getting to temporary shelters in rebel areas holding tsunami survivors - claims which the government denied.
The two sides have observed a truce since February 2002, but Norwegian-backed peace talks have been on hold since April 2003.
Despite the deadlock in negotiations, both sides have pledged to respect the ceasefire.
LTTE deny Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman among tsunami casualties
Jan 8, 2005 07:42:00 PM
COLOMBO, Jan 8 (PTI) Shortly after Sri Lanka's state-run radio reported that LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief Pottu Amman are among the dead or missing in the December 26 tsunami disaster, the rebels denied it and termed the report as "mischievous" and "fabricated".
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation quoting Navy chief Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri had reported that Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman were among the tsunami casualties.
The LTTE in a statement posted on its website stronly denounced the report.
"The LTTE and the Tamil people wish to strongly protest against this mischievous act of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, stooping down to such low level of broadcasting news that (is) fabricated by interested parties," the statement said.
"At a time of a national catastrophe of this magnitude, it is very ... Regrettable that a responsible media of the government takes upon itself the job of spreading rumours and speculation that tend to create confusion in the minds of the people." The privately-owned 'Island' newspaper added to the speculation by reporting that a non-governmental organisation had smuggled an expensive coffin "for a top LTTE leader", but did not give any names.
Over 30,000 people died in the tsunami devastation which affected almost three quarters of the Sri Lanka's coast including the north and east where the LTTE had key military bases. PTI
Prabhakaran’s non-visibility fuels speculation
LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s absence since the Indian Ocean tsunami ravaged the Mullaitivu coast for almost 2 weeks ago had fuelled speculation that he may have been killed. Speculation is also rife that several senior LTTE cadres including their intelligence cadres and Prabhakaran’s elite bodyguards had been victims.
Senior military officials acknowledged that they had been unable to verify this. They speculated that about 3,000 LTTE cadres had died. The vast majority of them were believed to be Sea Tiger cadres based on the Mullaitivu coast, an officer stationed in Batticaloa said.
Let's hope so anyway.
Thanks for the post Hal.
L
I'm starting to get "Tsunami Overload".
When that sort of thing happens, I usually start "Acting Out".
Just thought I'd warn everyone in case I accidentally start saying things like, "I wish that tsunami had wiped out every Moozelim in the South Pacific and taken a whole bunch of Euro-fags on buttboy vacations in Thailand with it".
(Not that I'd EVER go to THAT extreme, mind you, no matter HOW bad of a case of "Tsunami Overload" I had... But just for example...)
that, or they're hoping to flush him out to prove he's still around...
The Dread Pirate Roberts?
Law & Order.. Final Justice
"Tsunami Overload"
Sounds like one of those fruity rum-based drinks.
"Tsunami Overload -$9.00 You keep the glass as a souvenier!"
Naah, it's just straight rum. (Barbancourt Estate Reserve, to be precise...)
Heaven forfend!
This little tidbit kinda sinks the rest of the story, don't it?
Prabhakaran dead? Lankan radio retracts report
Press Trust Of India/agence France Press
Posted online: Sunday, January 09, 2005 at 1544 hours IST
Colombo, January 9: The Sri Lankan broadcasting corporation has retracted its report that elusive Tamil tiger head Velupillai Prabhakaran and his intelligence chief Pottu Amman are among the dead or missing in the tsunami disaster, an SLBC official said on Sunday.
The state broadcaster had on Saturday run reports on its English and Tamil language services that the two men had not been seen since the tsunami struck the island on December 26, killing more than 30,000 people.
The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) slammed the broadcaster for carrying the reports; saying now was "not the time for gossip mongering and malicious propaganda".
"The LTTE and the Tamil people wish to strongly protest against this mischievous act of the Sri Lanka broadcasting corporation, stooping down to such low level of broadcasting news that (is) fabricated by interested parties," a LTTE statement said.
"At a time of a national catastrophe of this magnitude, it is very ... Regrettable that a responsible media of the government takes upon itself the job of spreading rumours and speculation that tend to create confusion in the minds of the people," it added.
The SLBC offered no reason for its retraction of the report.
The island newspaper had reported that an expensive coffin "for a top LTTE leader" had been smuggled into a northern tiger area inside a container carrying relief for tsunami survivors.
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=40545
Having read about this guy & his coterie over the years,I can vouch for one fact-they will never live in an area which is close to the sea-coast.He is to canny to watch out of Sri Lankan & Indian special operations forces,which have long had him in their crosshairs.
Way to go, God!
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)
I found this post on the 6th, and there have been others in the groups.
Topic in soc.culture.sri-lanka
What
happened to
our National
leader
Only 1 message in topic
Sundar
Jan 6, 2:15 pm show options
I am really looking forward to hear from anyone about
our leader Hon
velupillai Prabhakaren. No one has seen him since the
Tsunami hit mulathiv
coast.
I also heard someone telling Tsunami means "Tamil
armi sun" but that must be
an exaggeration.
I know he is from a fishing family and no one has seen
him with his fishing
rod though. I doubt he will go beach fishing early on
sunday but never know
whether he was gone beach jogging.
Please enlighten me with his fate. Please don't tell me
our only tamil
national leader is dead. World will not be able to put a
price on that if
that is the case.
Sundar
Reply
End of messages
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Long ago way down in the jungle
Someone got an inspiration for a tune
And that jingle came from the jungle
Became famous mighty soon
Thrills and chills it sends through you
Hot so hot it burns you too
Though it's just the growl of the Tiger
It was written in a syncopated way
More and more they yell for the Tiger
Everywhere you go today, they're shoutin:
Where's that Tiger?
Where's that Tiger?
Where's that Tiger?
Where's that Tiger?
Hold that Tiger!
Hold that Tiger!
Hold that Tiger!
Gar!
Perhaps we see this 500+ year old phrase in action here?
Now if only Osama's bloated body would be found somewhere washed up on the shore.....
So some good did come out of that disaster.
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