Local officials of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have intensified their campaign of harassment and threats against members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) on Kayts Island in northern Sri Lanka over the last week. The latest threats were issued at a meeting on January 3 of what the LTTE falsely claimed to be Ampihainagar fishermen’s union.
Last September, LTTE area leader Semmanan made death threats against the SEP after the union, which the SEP was instrumental in forming, refused to hand over funds for the construction of an LTTE office in the area. On October 8, LTTE member Karthikesu Amirthalingam carried out an unprovoked attack on SEP member Nagaraja Kodeeswaran, causing serious injuries to his head, neck and shoulders.
Having failed to intimidate the SEP, the LTTE is seeking to hijack the fishermen’s union using anti-democratic methods. The January 3 meeting was a gathering mainly of LTTE members and supporters. The LTTE called the meeting despite being advised by police not to proceed until the cooperative commissioner had settled the dispute.
In an attempt to obtain official recognition, the LTTE invited two government officials—the area fisheries inspector and the village service officer. Prominent on the platform was Thevan, who is considered to be the third-ranking LTTE official on Kayts Island.
Last September, LTTE area leader Semmanan made death threats against the SEP after the union, which the SEP was instrumental in forming, refused to hand over funds for the construction of an LTTE office in the area. On October 8, LTTE member Karthikesu Amirthalingam carried out an unprovoked attack on SEP member Nagaraja Kodeeswaran, causing serious injuries to his head, neck and shoulders.
Having failed to intimidate the SEP, the LTTE is seeking to hijack the fishermen’s union using anti-democratic methods. The January 3 meeting was a gathering mainly of LTTE members and supporters. The LTTE called the meeting despite being advised by police not to proceed until the cooperative commissioner had settled the dispute.
In an attempt to obtain official recognition, the LTTE invited two government officials—the area fisheries inspector and the village service officer. Prominent on the platform was Thevan, who is considered to be the third-ranking LTTE official on Kayts Island.