Tigers Launch Pre-Dawn Amphibious Assault in Delft
May 25th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Specialised sea – borne units of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched an amphibious assault in the early hours of May 24th on the Sri Lankan Navy stationed at the Northern Island of Delft. Apart from killing and injuring at least ten navy men the tigers seized a radar unit and also took away a cache of arms and ammunition.
While the LTTE claims that at least 35 security personnel were killed and three vessels including a Dvora gun boat were damaged, the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has denied it. Likewise the GOSL claims of having inflicted destruction on the yigers and repulsing the attack after a protracted battle have been rejected by the LTTE
Delft is the largest of Jaffna’s off – shore Islands and Islets numbering Seventy – eight. Only thirteen of these are inhabited. The Island is called Neduntheevu meaning long Island in Tamil. It’s Sinhala name is Pokurudivaina. Delft was the name given by the Dutch who named it after a city in South Holland. Delft in Netherlands is located between Rotterdam and the Hague. It is known for its canals and its blue pottery known as Delftware.
[Delft Municipal Hall, Holland]
Neduntheevu or Delft is around 18.3 sq miles or roughly 42 sq km in size. It is 45 km from Jaffna but only 38 km away from Rameshwaram in Inda’s Tamil Nadu coast. Delft is roughly 6 km in length from north to South and about 8km from east to west. The Island has a population of around 5000 people.
[A statue of the Virgin Mary on Delft Island holding a fishing boat, to protect the fishermen at sea.]
The off – shore Islands of Jaffna have been generally under the authority of the Sri Lankan navy. The SLN is assisted in law – enforcement and security by the Police and in a para – military capacity by the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP). The navy has a small base in the northern part of Delft near the main jetty known as Maavilithurai .
This jetty is Delft’s main link to the outside world. People in Delft travel to and from Jaffna by ferry .The two ferry points are b Mavili thurai in Neduntheevu and Kurikadduvaan in Punkudutheevu. Punkudutheevu in turn is approachable by road from Jaffna due to the Pannai causeway built in 1960.
The Navy set up a radar station last year in the Southern part of the Island near the old light house. A second detachment of navy personnel was stationed nearby to protect the radar unit and generally the Southern seas. A guard unit was deployed at the radar unit vicinity itself. Contacts between the navy in the north and South was mainly by land.
There are a few sentry posts along the single main road in Delft. There are no sentries at these posts during night.All personnel return to the two camps after nightfall.
Given its proximity to Rameshwaram, Jafna, Pooneryn and even Mannar the island of Delft is strategically significant. The LTTE has been using the Island for years as a key point in crossing over and back from India. For instance when former northern commander Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias “Col” Kittu was injured on March 30th 1987 in a bomb attack his deputies took him to Rameshwaram from Kurikadduvaan via Neduntheevu.
In recent times Delft became crucially important to monitor and restrict LTTE sea movements off the North – Western and to some extent the northern coasts of Sri Lanka. The tigers rely to a great extent on Tamil Nadu for procuring supplies like fuel, non – perishable foods, medical supplies and mechanical equipment. The naval presence in Delft and usage of radar was an irritant if not deterrent to the LTTE in this sphere. Delft’s importance in sea surveillance cannot be underestimated.
[Children in Delft]
It was shortly after midnight around 12.30 am when sea – borne LTTE cadres landed surreptitiously in the beach area known as Vellai in the South – west of Delft. These were areas where migrant fishermen set up their temporary “Vaadis”.Delft along with Thalaiaddy in Vadamaratchy east are two places in Jaffna district where the “karaivalai” dragnets are used for seasonal fishing.
The tigers who landed at the beaches of Vellai split up in two formations. One group swiftly encircled the radar station navy detachment premises. The second group went around the detachment and advanced further. This group set up a “cut – out” point and stationed itself midway between the Northern and Southern naval detachments. This was to prevent navymen in the North coming to the rescue of beleagured comrades in the South.
The assault squad launched its attack on naval premises around 12. 45 am. Some sailors were taken by surprise.The shoot – out lasted till 1.05 am. In twenty minutes the radar unit guard station was over run. At least eight navy personnel were killed in the initial skirmish.
[Palmyrah trees in Delft]
Exchanges of fire continued between the LTTE and those at the detachment. Even as intermittent firing continued LTTE cadres began systematically removing equipment. machinery at the radar unit and guard station. The arsenal was also ransacked.
The LTTE cadres dismantled the radar unit carefully and removed it from premises.. They also seized some weapons from the sailors including three .50 calibre guns, two PK LmG’s, one RPG launcher, eight T- 56 rifles and one AK LMG. The tigers also took a large number of ammunition and shells.
The tigers then began moving out with their booty. The big prize was of course the radar. Initially the tigers may have planned on knocking the radar out but found themselves able to seize it and take it away altogether.
[Coral in Delft]
There were 20 to 25 navy men in the Southern and 30 to 35 men in the Northern detachments. A small group of navy men in motor vehicles set out from the North to aid the South. LTTE cadres at the cut – out set up by the tigers fired at vehicles. The Navy men retreated without pursuing their intended mission.
Once this happened the navy men holding out at the Southern detachment were de- moralised. Until that time they had fought hard inflicting injuries on the LTTE and even killing a few tigers. Once they realised re-inforcements would not be coming soon the defenders fled the camp and took cover in the shrub jungles and palmyrah groves.
[The Dutch abandoned their equestrian stables in 1660. The descendants are Delft's famous attraction]
A flotilla of tiger boats had been deployed at the Southern coastline. While some boats were used to transport cadres and seized military assets , the mission of other vessels was to prevent naval re-inforcements from Kayts and Karainagar reaching the scene.
Eventually three water jet boats and two Dvora gunboats reached the Island around 2.30 am. The gunboats came from Karainagar while waterjets came from Talaimannar.The LTTE boats then engaged these naval vessels at sea off the coast of Poomunai and Samithottamunai. A few tigers were hit in these clashes.
Even as the sea skirmishes occurred the tigers on land began moving out.By 2. 45 am the LTTE withdrew completely from Delft after setting off explosives at the naval base and radar station. But as far as sections of the security personnel were concerned the fight did not end. The navy on land fired contiuously till 4. 30 am giving residents the impression that clashes were continuing.
Meanwhile the LTTE flotilla with cadres and seized military assets on board sailed speedily away. The navy did not give chase but remained close to Neduntheevu coast firing shells sporadically in the direction taken by the tiger flotilla.
The tiger flotilla split up and sailed down to the main sea tiger base at Nacchikudah and two other sea tiger bases at Vidathaltheevu and Pooneryn.
It was after first light that Air force jets came to Delft. More naval vessels also arrived. Thereafter an elaborate search and destroy mission was conducted. In reality it was nothing but a charade. The LTTE cadres and vessels had safely returned unhindered to base hours ago.
It was during daylight that more security personnel were brought from mainland to Delft. A massive combing operation was undertaken. Some injured navy men and others in hiding were located and rescued. By 3 pm the Navy confidently reported that Delft was under total control.
Then came the disinformation and misinformation war. The LTTE had beaten the defence establishment by being the first to break the story of the attack. LTTE defence affairs spokesperson Rasiah Ilanthiraiyan claimed that the naval detachment at Delft had been demolished and at least 35 navy men were killed.
Ilanthiraiyan also said two water jet speedboats were damaged. Also A Dvora in trouble after colliding with a coral reef had sustained extensive damage.The impression sought to be conveyed was that the Delft navy had been given a death blow.
The GOSL propagandists though late tried to outdo the LTTE in “spin”.They claimed that two boats of the LTTE were destroyed by the navy. They also claimed that the airforce had bombed three of the tiger boats at Nachikuda. The LTTE claim regarding naval casualties was also denied.
The LTTE stated initially that only four of their cadres were killed. The GOSL put the LTTE toll much higher. Likewise Ilanthiraiyan placed the Navy casualty figure at over 30. The GOSL denied it flatly.
The LTTE later revealed that seven cadres including two women were killed. They were Sinnathurai Vijayakala alias Thamilventhan, Veerasingham Aingaran alias Muhilan, Panchalingam Suhanthan alias Sugirthan, Santhirasekaran Mayooran alias Sreemaran, Kathiripillai Mariyagowri alias Kalaithendral, Sebastianpillai Mary Kanishta alias Thanivizhi, and Francis punithakumar alias Kadalmainthan.
The tigers killed in the Delft attack were posthumously promoted. They comprised one major, three captains, two lieutnenants and one second lieutnenant. The LTTE cadres were from Jaffna, Mannar and Mullaitheevu districts. Cadres hailing from Neduntheevu had participated in large numbers in the attack.
The media centre for national security listened to details of LTTE casualties being relayed over tiger radio. Then the MCNS announced the names saying it had intercepted LTTE communications.
The Navy maintains an official casualty figure of four dead and four injured. But unofficially sources say that around 8- 10 were killed and 6 – 8 injured.
While LTTE media described the Neduntheevu attack as a great success the GOSL claimed the attack had been repulsed by the navy and air force.
Once again the GOSL and its propagandists seemed to have missed the forest for the trees. The important thing in the attack was not the extent of damage caused but the fact that it had happened. LTTE boats numbering 16 – 18 had been able to proceed from a South – western point on the mainland and travel undetected by sea to Delft and surprise the navy.
Apparently four LTTE formations comprising males and females were engaged in the operation. The sea tigers, black sea tigers , a special amphibian force and a special commando force were involved. The amphibian and marine commando units were modelled on the US Marine corps and SEALS. The LTTE like Eklavya emulating Drona in the “Mahabharatha” had trained these elite formations on the lines of the US marines.
The LTTE’s first major amphibian attack was in 1993 when the Pooneryn – Nagathevanthurai naval complex was attacked. The Tigers came across the lagoon in rafts to escape detection. The operation was then codenamed “Thavalai” or frog. The frog is an amphibean. That name was chosen to signify the amphibious nature of that attack.
Nowadays a whole amphibious unit has been developed.It is called “eeroodaha Sirappu Thaakkuthal ani” by LTTE media. It is reported that the amphibious unit was involved in the attack on Mandaitheevu last August 12th. That attack was a failure and several tigers were killed.
Assertions are made in the Colombo media that the LTTE had intended capturing Delft and was thwarted by the navy and air force. These views seem incorrect. In the first place the LTTE assault force deployed in the operation was not large enough to take over Delft.
More importantly the tigers could not have held on to Delft even if they had taken it over. Given the superior airpower, seapower, manpower and firepower of the armed forces the tigers would have been sitting ducks had they tried to hold Delft.
The operation was aimed at giving a shock to the navy and removing an irritant temporarily at least. The radar unit in Southern Delft was of immense use to the navy in monitoring sea movement by the tigers in that maritime zone. The operation intended knocking out the surveillance facility. But luck favoured the LTTE and it has been able to take the whole radar away.
This does not mean that the GOSL would not substitute another radar in due course but for some time at least there wont be one.The Delft radar point was of crucial importance in monitoring sea tiger movements from Pooneryn, Vidathaltheevu and Nachikudah. It was also useful in monitoring air tiger flights hugging the Mannar coast.
The LTTE has proven a point through this attack. The tigers have demonstrated that they are capable of launching a successful amphibious operation like this and return home safely. This, like the air strikes are all pointers to the fact that the LTTE may be down but is not out. Once again the tiger has crouched to pounce.
The LTTE did not attempt the capture of Delft because the tigers would have been trapped in the Island if they had done so. But the people of Delft are in a perpetual trap and therefore highly vulnerable. The LTTE attack on the navy happened on May 24th. Another incident which happened twenty – two years ago in the month of may illustrates the plight of the people.
[Memorial to those perished on May 14, 1985]
On May 14th 1985 a tiger squad raided Anuradhapura and killed many people. On May 15th passengers from Delft boarded the “Kumudini” ferry at Mavilithurai pier to go to Kurikadduvan jetty. A navy boat intercepted “Kumudini” at a short distance from the shore. The sailors in an apparent act of revenge for the Anuradhapura massacre began attacking the innocent Delft civilians. 38 people were shot and.or hacked brutally to death. A monument in memory of these innocent victims has been erected near the Mavilithurai jetty.
What happened in May 15th 1985 was an act of certain individuals in the navy. It had no official sanction. Punishing innocent people living in one place for something perpetrated by others elsewhere is neither just nor prudent. Yet this practice has now become officially sanctioned under the Rajapakse regime.
When Army chief Sarath Fonseka was injured in a bomb attack at the Army headquarters on April 25th last year the immediate consequence was bombing of innocent civilians in Sampoor. Retaliatory measures on the powerless and innocent have become the order of the day under this bully of a regime.
The successful LTTE attack on the navy at Delft too is resulting in consequences affecting civilians. All transport to and from the Islands was curtailed throughout Thursday after the attack.A massive search operation was conducted in various parts of the Islands. Delft, Kayts, Velanai, Nainatheevu, Punkudutheevu etc suffered.
Also all fishing has been forbidden until further notice. Again this ban does not apply to Delft alone but to all the Islands as well as areas on the mainland like Gurunagar, Pashaiyoor, Naavanthurai etc. Once again the familiar excuse of tigers masquerading as fisherfolk is being trotted out.But such an excuse is totally wrong because it is widely acknowledged that the tigers came in sea tiger boats.
An unofficial curfew has been imposed on the three Island AGA divisions of Delft, Kayts and Velanai. All transport to Delft has been cut off for the second successive day. There is much concern about the safety of civilians in Delft. Reportedly Neduntheevu residents are being “interrogated” intensively.
The security forces particularly the navy are engaged in these measures in a misguided , vengeful spirit. The reality is that the navy failed miserably in detecting and countering the LTTE sea borne attack. The fault lies within and not outside the navy. Instead of harassing and victimising innocent Tamil civilians and fisherfolk ,the navy would do better to probe its own conduct, identify shortcomings and rectify matters. [editor@transcurrents.com
transCurrents feedback :Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
60 Comments Add your own
1. nishy | May 25th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
I MUST COMMEND YOU ON THIS ARTICLE. IT IS WELL COMPILED AND MAINTAINS BALANCE. THAT IS THE CHARACTERISTIC OF A JOURNALIST WELL DONE
2. KK Nathan | May 25th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Nicely written by DBS. Article relates accurately and fairly all what happened in Neduntheevu. I hope the navy does not harm civilians there to take revenge for the tiger victory
3. Anonymous | May 26th, 2007 at 3:07 am
a balanced narrative about the incident.
4. Saro Freeman | May 26th, 2007 at 7:59 am
A detailed informative news report with educational value. I learnt about the history of Delft. Thank you for the detailed information.
The Sri Lankan Government recently claimed 500 LTTers were killed by its forces. LTTE claimed it killed 35 navy officers. Tamils must let the governent be proud of its record of being worse killers than LTTE.
5. Mannin Mainthan | May 26th, 2007 at 9:49 am
No need war…… peace want…
6. Sivakuru | May 26th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Good article. But you forget to mention that Anuradhapura massacre was conducted by LTTE in retalitaion for VVT library bombing where numerous tamil civilians were held in a library building and then the army placed explosives around.
sivakuru
7. arasan | May 26th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
It was very good article. I like the way you analyze the attack and other incidents.
8. Gloria Abraham | May 26th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Very informative article. We hear that Delft has been cut off from rest of country for three days by Navy now. I fear for innocent civilians in the Island. I hope and pray nothing has happened to them. We must protest against navy victimising civilians for their defeat
9. excel | May 26th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Well written article. professionalyy done.Hope to see more of these
10. queyroz | May 26th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Fighting well not enough. Delft victory no solution. It is time that world should listen to moderates like Anadasangaree.
We Tamils asking too much from Sinhalese to give Eelam.. ….No peace can be achieved if we have this stand.
11. Evo Morales | May 26th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
This man DBS is good journalast. I wish you congratz.. But you have honest policy such as a true women. Also you get some good imformation .But you living in Canada. Still You fully understand the real face of War. Please join with our people in our struggle . Dont say No please …..
We wont more true storys.. GOOD LUCK GREAT THINCKER
12. bk | May 26th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Well written article only if it is all true.
13. kumar.R | May 26th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
such a wond………art……..DPS, tnks,……..keep it up & on….
14. RAVI | May 26th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Truth is on the march; nothing can stop it now.Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place everyday
15. Roopa Chetty USA | May 27th, 2007 at 1:59 am
Good Work Tigers … DBS J .…in this unbalanced world full of unable to balance journalists…..
16. ampalam | May 27th, 2007 at 4:15 am
well done for the professional article.our community would expect more of these.i would like to add one important point to your article.the “kumuthini” massacre was not an act of individual but it was similar to the “velikada” jail massacre which was the act of premadasa and this one also was mastermined by the top level authorities.
17. G Thiagarajah | May 27th, 2007 at 6:20 am
You are a good journalist, very professional. I was born in Delft. Now I fear for the safety of people in Delft.
18. sujith suraweera | May 27th, 2007 at 6:56 am
Well written article !! You have swung the pendulum in LTTE’s way .If it s moral victory for you let it remain so
19. Mathan | May 27th, 2007 at 7:23 am
Very good explanation of what happend at the Delft! as a person growing up in a western country, i read anything and everything i can to learn about SL and the issue. But i came o realize that a few website are completely incorrect but yet they think that they are officially relaying “correct” information to the public! These sites are merely Sinhala propaganda!
20. Rasika | May 27th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Cool, I’ dependent on your articles regularly for corrrect infomation on SL conflict. I hope you get rewarded for great work. Both parties to the confilct are dum, we need to inform poeple in the south about whatz happening for, that’s the only way to stop this nonsense war.
21. ravi | May 27th, 2007 at 8:30 am
bbc anbarasan not going to call you may be manivannan will call you about delft , tamils we know you are good JOURNALIST in canada.however you are doing good job.keep doing
22. Mayooran | May 27th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Well written! Truth always prevail!
23. Suresh | May 27th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
DBS, There is no doubt 90% Tamil civilians suffer. That does not mean LTTE lay down arms and bent to Sinhalese. You have to think in terms of real people’s day to day sufferings which resulted absolutely from the Sinhalese.
Among the Sinhalese, there are plenty of intellectuals, reporters and academics. But when they write articles they ALWAYS take care of their Sinhala only principles as the key issue. But unfortunately in Tamils, the so called reports ALWAYS work against our national cause.
24. varakuna-switzerland | May 27th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
a very nice article have the feelings that we too was in beach area of vellai. the stroy of Chengai Aaliyans VAADAIKKATTU was written in this envierment,sesonale
fishing Vaadis and immigrant fishermen fallen love with local resident..not only that there was a small dipute according the writer he claimed that the inhabitants of the
island is came from dutch genaration.
Then the Producers of Vaadaikkaatu want to shoot the film in Neduntivu but people of he island refused allow the film unit,then the film shooting locatin change to Pesaalai
25. Soori | May 27th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
This is a very analytical article with facts embedded. This is the first time I got a chance to read one of your articles. But I heard of you on BBC and some other medias. I just found out that you have your own website. Even though I fled the country in my childhood, I am always up to date on the current news. I always love my country. I always wanted to see the both sides of the coin. I mainly read Tamil net, defence.lk and of course BBC. I think most of the websites are focused on one side of the coin. They exaggerate well too. Ordinary people, they believe what they read. If it is possible for you, please translate your articles in both Tamil and Singalese and publish in the same website. I think it will give a hope to open up the ordinary people?s eyes. I think that is the only way out at this point without any loss of lives. Good luck.
26. metha | May 27th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
It is said LTTE has removed two anti Air Craft Guns.It is revealed by military analyst Mr Raman.
27. H | May 27th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
I hope people are not just praising Mr. Jeyaraj because the article contains news they wish to hear.
D.B.S. Jeyaraj’s role is first and foremost, that of a journalist. As Tamils, we need to support this and support the right to investigate, criticise, analyse and inform. We don’t want to become the mirror image of the Sri lankan state.
So all those LTTE supporters, EPDP supporters, TULF supporters…..gremlin supporters…..do keep these things in mind.
We need someone with knowledge and integrity and has the Tamil people’s interests at heart, to point out the mistakes so we can learn from them and better ourselves.
A respect for the learning and enquiring mind is intrinsically part of Tamil and Hindu culture. By denying this right, we will be contributing to the cultural genocide of our own people.
28. Nava Rajkumar | May 27th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Yet another quality piece of work. Well done DBSJ! Keep up the good work.
You have also revealed the fact that what we are seeing today is only a changing of the guard in Sinhala political leadership. As Tamils, we will always be treated as second class citizens for narrow, political ends. Too bad the majority of the Sinhala people are law-abiding and mean well towards the Tamils and are yet helpless. It is post-independance majoritarian propaganda that has brought us to this state today.
Best,
Nava
29. Metha | May 28th, 2007 at 4:03 am
It was very good article. I like the way you analyze the attack and other incidents.
30. Vishvajith | May 28th, 2007 at 10:21 am
As always, a well researched and written article DBS.
31. anton | May 28th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Good work, but still you’re not Taraki, i am sure you will never be.
32. molly | May 28th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
as always bias.
33. bk | May 28th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Former Senior DIG for Jaffna in Sri Lanka Police until 1972, Mr R Sundaralingam offers a brilliant accout of what life was like in Jaffna until 1972, in his article dated May 29, 2007, in this website, “The Jaffna I knew”.
Why did it all go wrong from 1976
34. Gloria Abraham | May 29th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Dear Anton
of course we do not want DBS Jeyaraj to be another taraki. we want him as DBSJ writing without fear or favour, independently and boldly as a free spirit. we dont want him to praise LTTE all the time like taraki but criticise constructively whennecessary. Above all we dont want taraki’s fate to happen to DBSJ
35. Guna.N.Gunaratnam | May 29th, 2007 at 3:18 am
Mr. Anton’s comment praising DBSJ and then saying he cannot be a taraki is in extremely poor taste. This is typical of some LTTE supporters who lack common decency.
DBSJ as I know wrote behind the cadjan curtain from 1982. He was first and only Tamil journalist to write about Tamil problem in a clear way to explain to Singalas in a Singala owned paper
He always try to build understanding and peace among all communities in united sri lanka.
DBSJ never member of any armed group but always independent journalist
DBSJ writes articles attacking LTTE when he feels like it. He do not praise LTTE all the time.
The late taraki (bless his soul) was not like dbsj at all. So they cant be compared.
DBSJ is unique. We like him to be as he is.
Mr. Anton you are off – side
36. bala | May 29th, 2007 at 4:21 am
I think only mentals will write comments like anton. DBS writes about Tamil people problems and wants political solution. taraki wrote about ltte and military matters only. We dont want dbsj to be a taraki. Let DBSJ be DBSJ.
37. Thillai. T. Thillaiambalam | May 29th, 2007 at 5:28 am
I have been reading Mr. DBS Jeyaraj for 30 years now. First in the Veerakesari for five years and then in English media in Sri Lanka, India etc and again in Tamil in Canada etc.
He is a very senior journalist in a class by himself. LTTE supporters may try to deify taraki and demonise DBSJ but the truth is that MR. Jeyaraj is/was way ahead of Taraki.
Since Taraki is no more it will be improper to compare both in detail. So I stop.
But I do think Anton has done the departed taraki a great disservice. His sneering comment should not find a place in civilised society.
He is unable to read, appreciate and comment like a decent man. very bad show!
38. Lankan | May 29th, 2007 at 2:33 am
We tend to dwell too much in the past.
we are aware how many communities in the world get by and yet we are hell bent on a seprate state.
for peace sake one has to give way to the majority community and let live. otherwise there will be no future to the younger generations.
We are getting into a kind of a selfish society.
No amount of balanced article would suffice if we do not enough is enough…….
Masses must tame the tigers & masses must take to task the politicians to achieve their needs.
its not the other way around.
39. Lakshman Gunasekara | May 29th, 2007 at 7:09 am
As Sinhala journalist I must say that I am proud to have published alongside Jeyaraj and worked parallel to him. Taraki (D. Sivaram) cannot be compared to Jeyaraj. Taraki was more a warrior than a ‘journalist’, although, in my view, he has been the most succesful analyst of the military side of the conflict when he did begin work as a journalist. Jeyaraj has long been in his profession and he is a wonderful example to be followed by succeeding generations of journalists. May his professionalism contribute to justice, self-determination and peace in Sri Lanka.
-Lakshman Gunasekara
40. anton | May 29th, 2007 at 10:38 am
All comments are wise, perhaps its a question of preference and taste. I liked Taraki’s writing and analysis, and the hope and promise he presented. While DBS is good writer like many others, I read him often. So yes, wise not to compare with the departed. I too will stop here.
41. Anonymous | May 29th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
jeyaraj sir,
keep your safety
SL intelligence and karuna goolies watching you
42. Carlo Kovoor | May 29th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
It grieves me to see an unwarranted controversy in these columns relating to a comparison of Mr. DBS Jeyaraj and the late Mr. DP sivaram (Taraki).While Mr. Anton like any other is entitled to post a comment on this website I do think he has erred grievously in deliberately comparing both.
Apples and oranges are fruits but totally different. Likewise Mr. Jeyaraj and Mr. Taraki are/were journalists writing on Tamil affairs but with different perspectives. To draw an analogy between both and then taunt Mr. Jeyaraj’s admirers into responding was most inappropriate.
Moreover it is indecent to bring in the dead and equate with the living.
I think Mr. Anton should publicly retract his provocative comment and tender an unqualified apology to all concerned .
43. True Patriot | May 29th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
What ever the analytical skills he may posses,supporting seperate entiites based on the ethnicity is totally against the soverignity of any country…. We Sinhala people are the minority in the global scenario and it’s the Tamils who want to domoinate the land where we created the history.
We never agree with some foolish acts of Sinhala politicians..But we cannot tolearte the weakness of some Sinhala politicians is interpreted as a cause for seperatism in this land against the will of majority.
Tamil propoganda machine has depressed the truth of Sinhalese being discriminated by minorities every where in the country. Tamils and muslims can only be happy if the majority Sinahala Buddhists are happy and confident of your approach. In this context DBSJ ultimately an enymy of Sri Lanka and Sinhalese. Though his version comes under the cover of professionlism, the core is as same as all the arogant Nothern Tamils.
44. Pothey Gura | May 29th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Mr. Anton has engaged in contemptible action by trying to portray an impression that Mr. DBS and Mr. Taraki were rival competitors and enemies.
I do recall that Mr. Taraki stepped in to “The Island” only after Mr. Jeyaraj left that paper. I also remember many journalists writing at time of Mr. Taraki’s death referring to how they were introduced by Mr. Jeyaraj to Mr. Taraki.
I also remember the series of articles penned eloquently by Mr. Jeyaraj in memory of his friend Mr. Taraki (From gun to pen) when he was killed.
It is indeed a pity that Mr. Anton is attempting to drive a wedge between two journalists who were close friends and wrote powerfully.
I do think Mr. Anton should retract his comment and aplogise to the living journalist
45. KK Nathan | May 29th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
If Anton wants to read and enjoy articles by Mr. DBS then he can do so. If Anton likes the late taraki’s articles he can do so. Why is he bringing both together and insulting DBS. if Anton things DBS not up to mark he can stop reading him. But he cant insult all DBS readers by insulting DBS publicly. Shame on you Anton
46. vipula | May 29th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
WE used to read taraki and dbs articles with interest to understand Tamil problem. Both helped us understand it well. For us “outsiders” both did great service. I dont know why people like Anton have to false compare both and uttter nonsense
47. Chitralekha | May 29th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I dont want to condemn the dead but I must say that taraki always wrote about military matters and not people problems. But dbs was concerned with people issues mostly. Even on Batticaloa , DBS has written a lot about peoples plight but taraki when alive seldom touched on it thoug he from batti. something mixed up in this person Anton
48. mangalakkannan | May 29th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Why we tamils fight abot dbs and taraki? read what singalese jernalist Lakshman gunasakara say in no 39 post
As Sinhala journalist I must say that I am proud to have published alongside Jeyaraj and worked parallel to him. Taraki (D. Sivaram) cannot be compared to Jeyaraj. Taraki was more a warrior than a ‘journalist’, although, in my view, he has been the most succesful analyst of the military side of the conflict when he did begin work as a journalist. Jeyaraj has long been in his profession and he is a wonderful example to be followed by succeeding generations of journalists. May his professionalism contribute to justice, self-determination and peace in Sri Lanka.
-Lakshman Gunasekara
see this what peple who knows both dbs and taraki say. that is right pikture
49. True Patriot 2 | May 29th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
True Patriot!
A beautyfull country is in full of blood because of people like you. There are more modayas like you who is not willing to share. Doesnt mater what comes. Just only domiation nothing else. You guys wont be in peace even after death. You are going to hang arround this univers as a bad sprit all the time
Try to be human and save the wonderfull county /village that we all love to live and play and die.
50. siva | May 29th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Well done Mr. DBS
We like to see more articles like this.
51. Raj | May 30th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
DBS, is no Taraki . Only old fools and modayas will say so. I know DP Sivaram alias Taraki very well.Taraki was the running dog of INDIA .Those who dont know this are modayas.Only fools dont know that It was Taraki who betrayed the PLOTE attack on Maldives to Dixit. Taraki left PLOTE because of this. He also had hand in Umamaheswaran murder. Manikkathasan was out to kill Sivaram in revenge.That’s why Taraki shifted to LTTE. Taraki plotted with Karuna to break off from LTTE and then betrayed him.Thats why the PLOTE and Karuna group got together again and killed him in revenge. I have 100% information on this. I’m ready to furnish DBS or any other recognised journalist with this info if they want it. I am not attacking dead man but clearing up things about him. I stand by what I say
52. Arvinth, Trichy | May 31st, 2007 at 10:03 am
Here I wonder, when the writer write about the Eelam Tigers ?Pre-Dawn Launch/ Assault in Delft Island, why all these people arguing Tharaki or this writer is best & praising the writer for this. In my view this is the way Eelam Tamils forgot all, leaving the country & now spread all over world loosing their culture & identity as mixed marriages in different cultures, forgot to teach their mother language for their children, etc, etc?..
But the Eelam Tamils can defend & argue with me, I?m seeing this all from my eyes & get from Eelam Tamils. Here I have lots of Eelam Tamil friends settled here & some of them went to Europe, Canada, Australia like that from here, now when they come back to visit their visitors totally they are changed as their children doesn?t know Tamil, they need only western food, the ladies attitude changed, when the people come from England, Canada & Australia better at least their relatives & friends here can communicate with them in English, but when they come from other European, Scandinavian countries like France, Germany, Switzerland,, Holland, Denmark, Norway? it?s very sad their grand parents or their relatives get very difficulty to communicate with their grand children & these children are not respecting their elders.
The reality I Saw here within Eelam Tamils, when they come here for the weddings, they wear mostly north Indian dresses & more than that I saw in few occasions in weddings & in their family get-together when the relatives & friends come from other parts of the world, mostly each & every family come from different country & & their children talk (learned) different languages (except Tamil, not even in home), also it?s very difficult to communicate within the children.
While nice, sweet & short names in Tamil, why are your children having new names? To show to who? Are you afraid to identify you as a Tamil? What are you taking to your next generation?
And more than all some Eelam Tamils when come here with their foreign married partners, but they like our culture very much (after the Eelam war started most of the Tamils boys dead in fighting & went abroad, short of grooms & there are many girls living in Eelam without marriage, these boys marrying foreigners?hmmm)
In this manner here in this forum/ comment section unnecessary argument who is the better writer & all. Eelam Tamils problem is not that. ?Ethiyo Koddai Viddukonndu; Ennathaiyo Theddi Allakirerkal?
Dear loving Eelam Tamil brothers & sisters, you are loosing your identity, then for whom the Eelam Tamil Tigers fighting? Then why are you financing them to kill other Eelam living Tamils? If they get Eelam are you ready to go & settle there? What about your children? Are you prepared for that? Your children prepared for that? Or you children growing in that environment (at home), knowing our culture or language? Ask all these yourselves.
How many of Eelam Tamil leaders when they come here visit the Eelam Tamil refugee camps? (Pro-Tamil Tiger or anti-Tamil Tiger leaders) Where is going to end? Without people a Land (country)!!!
Arvinth
53. Arvinth, Trichy | May 31st, 2007 at 1:30 pm
The great interest to us is in india is the increasing LTTE assertion in the neighbourhood of India. Delft has demonstrated what a surprise LTTE strike could do. Two weeks back an Indian trawler “Sri Krishna”, hijacked by LTTE in March, 2007, was sunk in Maldivian waters. On their release from custody, 11 members of its original 12-member Indian crew have confirmed that it was LTTE that had arrested them after taking over their vessel. The Tamil Nadu government had no hesitation in publicising this information, much to the dismay of LTTE sympathisers and fellow travellers in Tamil Nadu. Information from Maldives indicates that the LTTE probably seized the vessel to tranship weapons from another ship in an area well outside the beat of Indian and Sri Lankan navies. This would indicate the conscious effort of LTTE to elude Indian and Sri Lankan navies ocean surveillance to bring in its weapons.?
?With all these happenings in close proximity of Indian waters involving Indian vessels and citizens, one would have expected the Government of India to react more visibly. However, it had continued to follow its policy of maintaining a stony silence despite the act of piracy by an insurgent group involving a vessel flying the Indian flag. This is not the first act of LTTE piracy involving Indian assets. LTTE had hijacked a Jordanian ship Farah III in distress off the coast of Mullaitivu on December 23, 2006. It was carrying 14,000 tons of rice from India to South Africa which had been seized by LTTE. Then also the Government of India had ignored the whole affair. This attitude is all the more surprising, considering the readiness with which it had expressed its “concerns†as and when Indian fishing boats trespassing into Sri Lankan waters are rounded up or driven off by the Sri Lankan navy. Is there a political angle in this issue involving national security? It should not be. If so, it would be dismal because it is at the cost of national sovereignty, and security of vessels flying the Indian colours.?
Yes, Srilanlan Simhalese leaders & the Eelam Tamil leaders can play political games but it?s our national security and sovereignty, we have to save our democracy & citizens.
May be the Eelam Tamils will hate me/ object my comment, but as this writer I?m writing the reality.
54. True Patriot | May 31st, 2007 at 2:30 pm
You only anti – terror and non – biased Tamil journalist DBSJ.
When writing your comments you are very tacfully presenting hard and strong facts against LTTE and Seperatism in Sri Lanka..
you are so moderate and professional, but why do most of the anti Sri Lankan Tamils identify them selves as so called Elam Tamils …. Can they justify?
Although you show the face of moderation, the arogance and anti Sinhala mindset in anti – Sinhala subconcious mind automatically do this in the way the sepertists need.
55. Alex | May 31st, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Dear Raj,
Whatever you said in comment 51 is perfectly correct, for all these Sivaram/ Tharaki (SR) is the reason & becaz of SR only Manikathasan (Kannady) murdered. And do u know who is responsible for Jotheeswaran (Kannan) & SR’s bro-in-low Vasudeva’s murder? Present hiding Killakin Mainthan.
Alex
Alex
56. Arvinth, Trichy | June 1st, 2007 at 8:30 am
Here as this write say ?The security forces particularly the navy are engaged in these measures in a misguided, vengeful spirit. The reality is that the navy failed miserably in detecting and countering the LTTE Sea borne attack. The fault lies within and not outside the navy. Instead of harassing and victimising innocent Tamil civilians and fisherfolk, the navy would do better to probe its own conduct, identify shortcomings and rectify matters?
Srilanka is only the country bombing, destroying their own infrastructure & killing their own citizens. We also had, have terrorists, separatists but we are not using our Air force to bomb our country, kill our own citizens. We have Air force to protect our national security, sovereignty, democracy & to save our citizens.
And according the news the raid lasted about two hours. The officers at the base frantically kept asking for an air strike against the raiding Sea Tigers and their boats, but the SLAF did not come to their help. Later, it claimed that the SLAF went into action and attacked the Sea Tiger boats as they were withdrawing and inflicted casualties and damage. There has been no corroboration of this so far.
Here we have to see the reality, ?SLAF did not come to their help? & ?There has been no corroboration of this?
What all these telling? All are political games, only innocent people dieing.
All are Political games! Innocent civilians!!!
Arvinth
57. JM Bardo | June 2nd, 2007 at 6:15 am
Good post DBS.
58. True patriot | June 2nd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
DBSJ
You are totally hiding your seperitism in the cloth of professionalism.
I dont have any credibility for u
59. Suresh M | June 4th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
# 53, Copied from SAAG.org, original writer Rtd. Col. Hariharn. Please don’t copy, if you do, please refer the original source.
60. karikalan | July 9th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
I am a strong reader of Late Taraki’s articles. He was a man with a vision. Who can tell you about the future. I don/t care about his old days. They also started for a real cause. Didn’t they ? Does’nt matter under whome he fought for . All matters the way he changed his view and vision towards the tamil’s problem. He is the only one of his kind.
But hats off for DBS. Sure DBS and Taraki are not the same kind. Both looking the problems in different angles. What matters is the outcome of these views. They should contribute to the better life of the people suffereing in north and east.
Good work DBS. Keep it up.
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