Indian Navy on standoff with SLN

By Mahen

LTTE’s side of the Wanni Battle

(January 15, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Indian Foreign Secretary Shivashankar Menon who arrived on the island yesterday is trying to ease growing tensions between the Indian and Sri Lankan Naval Forces. A storm is brewing off the Mullaitivu coast where the Indian Navy is believed to be forcing the SLN to lift the naval blockade from Tamil Eelam’s maritime borders. No reported confrontations have taken place, however it cannot be ruled out in the near future. If the Indian Foreign Secretary does not arrive at a settlement with GoSL, hostilities may occur.

Wanni sources indicate that the tensions grew as a direct result of India wanting to guarantee the safe passage of the Supreme Leader out of Tamil Eelam and the GoSL trying to block the Leader from going into exile. The Indian Navy has been engaged in patrolling international waters in the recent past, last year the Indian Navy blew up a pirate ship off the Somali coast, it was later found out that the Indian Navy had sunk the wrong ship.

The SLAF interceptors have also been engaged in patrolling the skies of Tamil Eelam in an effort to safeguard the location where Poddu Amman is detained. The SLAF has been called into action to discourage RAW planes over flying Tamil Eelam. High tech RAW surveillance planes are trying to pin point the location of the secret detention centre where the former LTTE Intelligence Wing Head is held. RAW is trying to influence the Indian Foreign Secretary to arrive at a deal with GoSL to extradite Poddu Amman to India. If the extradition goes ahead, Poddu Amman could face trial in Indian High Courts for the assassination of former Indian Premier – Rajiv Gandhi. The Tamil diaspora is hard at work to influence India to try and force the GoSL to stop its war of aggression on Tamil Eelam, the Indian Central Government is keen to appease the Tamil lobby for fear of losing its voter base in Tamil Nadu. The writer has been in touch with diaspora community leaders who indicate that their efforts have been largely successful.

EFT has reliably learned that the GoSL MOD had briefed the US Pacific Command on the current turmoil in LTTE’s high command. Senior Naval officers of the Pacific Command are said to be frequenting the SLN offices at Trinco, and have been fully briefed on the war of aggression against Tamil Eelam. The Pacific Command is keeping a keen eye on current developments and has indicated their willingness to engage with India and GoSL to iron out any emerging regional security issues.

Meanwhile, there are signs of a concerted fight back from the LTTE in Chilawatte. The SLA has a 3,000 strong force trying to lay siege on Chilawatte. However, the SLA offensives have been successfully repulsed and with heavy casualties inflicted upon the enemy. Casualties are expected to soar once the LTTE launches even more devastating counter attacks and decapitating strikes. Wanni sources also tell us that experienced cadres who tactically withdrew from Jaffna have regrouped in Challai and are lying in wait. Military analysts believe that the SLA will suffer heavy casualties in Challai if they attempt to push further south. Already, there are signs of the SLA being stuck in its original positions in the face of guerrilla attacks from LTTE small man teams operating in this area. - Sri Lanka Guardian