Warning

THERE is concern in Batticaloa, after the LTTE warned the five local MPs in June that they should not attend public functions. In late June, MP and Deputy Telecommunication minister AM Hizbullah announced cancellation of all appointments. Although the reasons are unclear, some observers believe that the Tigers aim to prevent the MPs campaigning for the forthcoming national elections. The LTTE also accuse some NGOs in the east of corruption and have threatened to intervene.

The Tigers launched a number of attacks in the east in June, including one within the Batticaloa town. Reports say that LTTE’s Jayanthan Brigade led by Karuna is again deployed in the region.

Further north in Trincomalee District, suspected LTTE cadre bombed and damaged a telecommunication tower at Pulmoddai on 3 June. The security forces found explosives in a van near Thambalakamam in mid-June. Two suspects in the van from Colombo were arrested.

LTTE’s Pistol Group shot dead Suthakar during a temple festival at Palathopur. Suthakar, a former member of a Tamil militant group, had been working with the Army. Two soldiers died in an LTTE attack on Nilaveli Army camp on 24 June. Four refugees sustained severe burns in a fire at the UNHCR-assisted Alles Road refugee camp on 17 June.

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