Karunalingam comes under family pressure to give up LTTE responsibilities.

By: S. Sivabaskaran

Following revelation that Sockalingam Karunalingam alias Kannan is taking over the leadership responsibilities of the LTTE in London, systematic campaign has been launched in the LTTE and Kannan’s family media outlets to down play the exposure.

Sources close to Kannan state he has come under severe pressure from his wife and family members to take a back seat from LTTE activities fearing arrest by the police. Exclusive news published in the Kannan’s brother Sockalingam Gnanaligam managing Athirady website from Geneva , categorical denial is made that Kannan is taking over the leadership and that the imprisoned LTTE head Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar alias Shanthan is continuing to run the affairs of the LTTE from the prison.

Sources associated with Karunalingam state public exposure of his new role has caused considerable family problem for him and he is trying to mitigate his engagement by down playing his role with the LTTE.

Coming days and weeks will tell whether Kannan will fully succumb to the pressure. Kannan giving up the UK Chairmanship of Tharisanam TV of the LTTE will certify that he has fully succumbed to the family pressure.

In a separate development, at the annual Car Festival of Shree Kanaga Durgai Amman Temple in the North London held on August 12, 2007 the LTTE front Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO) was seen overtly collecting funds from the public. The youngsters were seen collecting funds holding fund collection boxes wearing TYO badges. The temple sources say Karunalingam was responsible for calling the TYO members to collect funds at the festival.