Will “Col” Karuna Re-Appear Dramatically or Simply Disappear?
October 13th, 2007
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
“Colonel” Karuna the erstwhile Eastern regional commander of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is reportedly in Europe. Karuna whose real name is Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan revolted against the LTTE in March 2004 and formed the break-away group called the Tamil Eelam Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (Tamil Eelam People Liberation Tigers). Later the word “Eelam” was dropped and the group was officially called TMVP. Popularly the TMVP was called the Karuna faction.
[’Col’ Karuna, in Jul 2007]
According to some media reports the TMVP is in disarray. Just as Karuna rebelled against LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabakharan , the TMVP leader’s second in command Pillaiyan has mutinied against him. Pillaian has reportedly staged a mini coup d’etat and seized the TMVP party machinery in Batticaloa. The 27 member TMVP general council has allegedly charged Karuna of misappropriation and expelled him. Karuna has fled the country to escape punishment.
Meanwhile according to some reports the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) is greatly concerned about innrer divisions within the TMVP. Internecine warfare on a large scale is feared. In a bid to prevet such an outbreak the authorities are engaged in patching up differences and preaching the gospel of unity to those misguided eastern cadres. Apparently wolves do cry when they see goats getting wet in the rain!
According to some reports Karuna boarded a Sr Lankan Airlines flight and reached Paris some days ago. He was received in Paris by a writer cum journalist known as “Gnanam” who himself is an ex - LTTE cadre of the Eastern soil. “Suresh”an intelligence operative attached to the Lankan Embassy in France was also in attendance. After spending a few days in Paris with Gnanam the TMVP leader has vanished into the blue.
There are two versions about what happened.. One is that Karuna has joined his wife Vidyavathy alias Nira and their three children in London. She had already arrived in London some months ago. The other is that Karuna ’s family left London and joined him in Paris. From there the Muraleetharan’s travelling under different names have gone to an undisclosed location in Europe. The family will live incognito there for some time at least.
It is a fact of life that certain claims are projected as infallible truths by interested parties. The reality is that most such claims are fictional. The USA for instance claims that Saddam Hussein hoarded weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; the LTTE claims that Tamils assassinated by it are traitors and collaborators; Defence spokespersons claim that all air strikes are only on clearly identified LTTE targets and deny civilian victims.
Likewise a current piece of interesting fiction is about the intra- organizational conflict within the TMVP. The story circulated varies in form but revolves around a central theme which is that the TMVP is faction - ridden and that the GOSL authorities are trying hard to bring peace.
It is as if these officials are totally independent of the TMVP and are only acting benignly and impartially. The TMVP divisions are depicted as “autonomous” developments over which the GOSL has no control. Recently President Mahinda Rajapakse regaled audiences in the USA with his tales about eight factions within the Karuna faction.
This does not imply that splits are absent within the TMVP and that intra - TMVP violence is non - existent. That is not so. There are “problems” within the TMVP. What is incorrect is the impression that the state agencies had nothing to do with this. It is also wrong to assume that the state officials “handling” the TMVP have no authority over the Karuna cadres. They do!
What is omitted or glossed over in the various accounts planted by vested interests is the fact that the divisions in the TMVP were engineered by the state agencies themselves. In a crude re- play of colonial “divide and rule” policy these agencies have split up the TMVP into factions and are handling them separately. The various factions are mere puppets on a string. The master puppeteer holding the strings is “intelligence”.
It was Sri Lankan intelligence officialdom which helped forge the entity known as Karuna faction. It is the same agency that has now broken up the organization into factions and promotes hostility. This is like the British who unified Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) into one single Country on the one hand and on the other fomented ethnic rivalry among the people through communal representation .
What the British “united” for administrative convenience they “divided” for exploitative governance. Likewise the Intelligence officials have allegedly divided the TMVP which they helped to create. The puppets dance according to whims and fancies of the puppeteer. But spectators are told the puppets have a life of their own.
The ground reality in the East is that no group can function independent of the armed forces. The TMVP cadres cannot move en masse to and from a place without informing the military. Most of the TMVP camps and offices are situated in close proximity to security installations.
The TMVP cadre strength is estimated at 1200 and the organization is paid 12 million rupees per month at a rate of 10,000 rupees per head . The TMVP in most instances acts according to instructions from the intelligence handlers. This being the actual situation it sounds funny when some officials talk as if they have nothing to do with the TMVP
There have been various ups and downs in Karuna’s life after he split with the LTTE . For want of space this article will focus only on the phase after he returned from abroad and assumed direct leadership of the TMVP.
Earlier the loose formation known as TMVP functioned under Pillaian who called himself “supreme commander”. Pillaian co - ordinated TMVP activity in the East.
Apart from money obtained from state agencies the TMVP under Pillaian also ran a profitable abduction for ransom racket in Colombo and other places. This allegedly was in connivance with sections of the politico - military establishment.
The TMVP also extracted “taxes” from Eastern residents.Thus the TMVP under Pillaiyan was a profitable business. Several security officers allegedly shared the spoils.
It was at this juncture that Karuna aka Karuna Amman returned and took control. Karuna provided leadership input to assist the armed forces on the Eastern front. Karuna cadres fought alongside and separately on fronts such as Sampoor, Vaakarai and Kudumbimalai/Thoppigala.
More than the active military collaboration on ground the “intelligence” given by Karuna on the psychology of the LTTE leadership and its motivational thinking was of paramount importance.
The defence top brass and upper echelons of the armed forces were very happy with Karuna’s contribution after the East was re - captured. So elated was President Rajapakse that he told an influential Indian editor that he was planning to make Karuna chief minister of the Eastern province. Karuna’s future seemed bright but things did not go along as planned.
When Karuna was initially drawn into the war effort he was promised of being made head of an Eastern interim administration first and later the provincial council. This was done when the LTTE was in control of much eastern real estate.
Karuna’s services were sorely needed then.Now that the LTTE was driven out attitudes began changing. There were at least four major stumbling blocks in delivering the promised “land” to Karuna.
Firstly the TMVP image was tarnished. Credible disclosures had been made by the UN’s Allan Rock and other reputed Human Rights Organizations about the TMVP’s conscription of children and security force complicity in this. The Government vehemently denied such charges and disassociated itself from Karuna.
There was also evidence that the TMVP was involved in abductions and a number of human rights violations. How could the TMVP be given the East to “rule” without the GOSL losing even more credibility?
Secondly there was the hidden agenda of “Sinhalaising” the East. Short term and long term plans were being devised to minimise Tamil presence and maximise Sinhala presence in the East. Sinhala Government officials were being appointed in important positions to facilitate this. Giving Karuna and the TMVP some legal authority and empowering them could hamper this project it was felt
Thirdly there was significant opposition from sections of the armed forces. Though the hierarchy saw Karuna’s utillitarian value others were not willing to fogive and forget what Karuna had done as the LTTE eastern commander. The massacre of 600 Policemen was rankling.
Also incidents like the Mosque massacres had alienated some Muslim politicians. Thus there was opposition from Sinhala security and Muslim political circles to Karuna’s enthronement.
Fourthly there was the question of trusting Karuna himself. Whatever said and done Karuna had led the LTTE for 18 years in the East. Once a tiger always a tiger! Karuna’s political “conversion” was not genuinely caused. It was necessitated for survival reasons. The EPDP pushed this line against the TMVP.
Besides Karuna was an eastern Tamil chauvinist and could not be taken for granted. When the armed forces destroyed the great heroes cemetery in Vaakarai and planted coconut palms Karuna had protested strongly. So there were second thought about giving him absolute power.
Against this backdrop the proposal to grant Karuna dominance was reviewed if not shelved. But it must be said that there are top officials in Colombo who feel that Karuna remains the best bet still.
Karuna however grew impatient and began pressing for what he felt was his due. He was becoming a nuisance and so there was a need to give him his “come uppance”.
The assertion of Karuna’s authority over the TMVP and disputes over sharing ill - gotten gains between Karuna and Pillaiyan provided an opening. Krishnapillai alias Krishnan was brought down from London. Krishnan a former member of the TULF, LTTE, PLOTE and ENDLF was now a free - lancer working with Sri Lankan intelligence. He had contacts with the TMVP too.
Krishnan came down to Colombo and helped widen a chasm between Karuna and Pillaiyan. The bone of contention was essentially money but Karuna was also insecure about Pillaiyan’s field level popularity with TMVP cadres as well as members of the armed forces.
Pillaiyan realised that Krishnan was up to no good and sent assassins to bump him off but the quarry had fled his Colombo hotel to London.
Soon clashes occurred between supporters of Karuna and Pillaiyan. The security forces turned a blind eye and provided safe conduct for both factions. An attempt was made to demarcate two zones in Batticaloa - Amparai for the two factions. But Karuna rejected it and more violence occurred.
Initially Karuna was on top with the bulk of cadres and deputy commanders supporting him. Karuna’s deputies killed a key Pillaiyan deputy Jayakanthan alias Sinthujan and also his father Johnson who complained to the Police. Karuna’s men detained more than a 100 of Pillaiyan loyalists. It appeared that Pillaiyan’s days were numbered.
This was unacceptale to the powers manipulating both factions. So Pillaiyan and his cadres were re - located to Trincomalee district. Pillaiyan set up shop in Trinco along with Markan and soon there was a rise in killings, disappearances, abductions and taxation in Trincomalee.
The confinement of Pillaiyan to Trinco also resulted in a dramatic drop in Colombo abductions. It was estimated that Pillaiyan had 250 cadres and so was given 25 lakhs monthly. Karuna faction got 95 lakhs per month now.
But Karuna was not allowed to rule the Batticaloa - Amparai roost as the sole authority. His faction was now broken up into subordinate groupingss. While pledging overall allegiance to Karuna these different leaders were in charge of sub - regional units.
Iniyabharathi, Sinnathamby, Riyaseelan, Mahilan, Veera, Jeevendran, Mama, Seelan and Mangalan master etc became sub - regional satraps with a certain amount of functional authority. Mangalan master remained independent of both Karuna and Pillaiyan.
Karuna was housed in an army camp in the Western province. He would travel amidst tight security by air to the east frequently and meet cadres and members of the public. Thileepan was made political commissar for Batticaloa - Amparai by Karuna while Pillaiyan appointed Eelamaran as political commissar for Trincomalee.
[Karuna seated at the meeting venue in his left Supreme Commander Pillaiyan and in his right Senior Commander Jeyam TamilGuardian]
In Colombo the husband and wife duo of Padmini and Mahesh ran the TMVP office. Padmini was the daughter of Rajan Sathiyamoorthy the TNA Parliament candidate murdered brutally by the LTTE along with his brother in law. Mahesh was the son of Sathiamoorthy’s murdered brother in law.
They were seen as Karuna confidantes. The TMVP spokesperson was Azad Moulana a brother of Ali Zaheer Moulana the former UNP Parliamentarian who helped Karuna move to Colombo in April 2004.
[in April 2004]
As time progressed it became evident that Karuna was waning and Pillaiyan waxing. The security forces on ground found it easier to work with Pillaiyan. There was prejudice against Karuna but the rank and file liked Pillaiyan who treated them lavishly.
Pillaiyan was also a “robot” who would do as he was told. This endeared him to officers too. Karuna on the other hand fancied himself as the “eastern Tamil national leader” and made demands. He was also persistent about political office being given to him as pledged.Karuna began falling out of favour.
Slowly Karuna’s physical movements were restricted in the name of security. He was unable to travel often to the east as before. Karuna was forced to rely more and more on the telephone alone to communicate.
With Karuna becoming more of an “absentee landlord” his deputies began establishing greater control over their fiefdoms. Their respective handlers encouraged this autonomy.
Karuna was now more of a name brand. A motley crew of sub-regional satraps were functioning independently in his name.
Meanwhile the name of Karuna and the TMP was getting blackened furher amidst Human rights circles. Sir John Holmes of the UN urged that the TMVP be dissolved.
The time was ripe for Karuna to fade away or made to fade temporarily. Domestically there was strong pressure from his wife that he join up with the family abroad.
With Pillaiyan going his own way and other eastern deputies becoming more and more independent Karuna was getting marginalised and isolated. His claim to fame was only his brand name.
It was decided by those in control that Pillaiyan be allowed to re-establish his writ while Karuna went abroad.
The TMVP would function like a loose coalition comprising different factions active in specific areas alone. They will be handled by different officials. However much the TMVP does the dirty work for their masters it is felt that a solely Tamil organization with a militant history should not be permitted to operation as a monolithic entity.
Also a certain amount of dissension and inner -strife within the TMVP will be promoted to prevent any unity or co-operation. Divide and Rule tactics will be employed. The state and its operatives will pretend to be a unifying force.
The danger in this is that divisive policies have a tendency to go beyond limits at times. The Indian intelligence officials did so with the Tamil groups at one time. This “divisive” tactics resulted ultimately in large-scale fratricidal conflict
This could happen among TMVP factions too but the powers that be are not too worried about internecine warfare among Tamil groups or factions. In any case the State will have no use for the TMVP after the LTTE is “vanquished” and after Eastern demography is transformed. All collaborators are expendable after being used.
It is within this context that recent events are unfolding. Karuna goes to an undisclosed European Country with family. Pillaiyan moves down to Batticaloa from Trincomalee. Some Reports appear that Karuna has misappropriated money and has been expelled.
Other Reports also appear that no such incident has happened and that Karuna though abroad remains TMVP leader. There are also reports that internecine clashes among TMVP factions are on the cards and that Govt officials are trying to prevent it by resolving differences.
The chances are that attempts will be made to give the TMVP a natural death. It is not even registered as a political party. By propagating the line that Karuna is now inactive an impression is sought to be conveyed that his faction too is no more..
A political makeover of sorts could be attempted.Old wine in new bottles! Pillaiyan could be substituted for Karuna and the past will be downplayed. It remains to be seen whether this rather crude device will deceive internationally and deflect criticism.
Meanwhile what of Karuna? It would be a mistake to write off the great survivor. Besides the importance of being colonel Karuna cannot be underestimated.
Among all the Tamil political parties and leaders it is only Karuna of the TMVP who strongly opposes the North - East meger. All Tamil leaders at least pay lip service to the concept but Karuna has forthrightly opposed it and wants a separate East.
Karuna’s fantasy is about being an Eastern supremo but his political stance is conducive to those elements who want to separate and Sinhalaise the east.
Thus Karuna’s name and services may be necessary in the future to push through the Sinhala supremacist project. There may also arise a need to whip up anti-Muslim and anti-Jaffna mass hysteria among eastern Tamils.
Anti-Muslim and anti-Jaffna violence could also be fomented. For all these tasks TMVP’s various factions will prove useful but the re-appearance of Karuna may be of greater value and importance.
Nothing therefore can be anticipated with certainty. The unpredictable course of events will determine Karuna’s future. If deemed necessary for Colombo “Col” Karuna will suddenly emerge and re-appear in Sri Lanka again.
Otherwise he will remain off the radar for a while and simply disappear from the public eye.
As time goes by Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan in his new “avatar” may try to lead a normal life abroad. But can he? or more importantly will he be allowed to do so?
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
55 Comments
1. chelva antony | October 13th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Karuna the mass killer will NEVER find peace. i dont think tigers will dare to touch him in a foriegn land. but there r many sufferfed so much under him including many tamil kids. So he will never find peace. karma will never allow him to be normal.
DBS SAYS ” There may also arise a need to whip up anti-Muslim and anti-Jaffna mass hysteria among eastern Tamils. ” I DON’T THINK PEOPLE ARE THAT STUPID TO FALL FOR THAT. TIGERS ARE THE ONLY LIBERATORS IN THE EAST.
2. j.muthu | October 13th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Hi mr Dbs,
My prediction,
If He is left srilanka, never ever he is going to come back, all ways going to live like dumb in his adobted land. You know better than me he is the worst culprit in tamil struggle. your wrote about him before ltte split. I wish you must reproduce the article again, it will help understand about him, specially his brainless followers. Karuna or pillayan dont realize their stupidness. How they damage eastern tamils lives, they will regret forever. Sinhala fools use what ever tamils differncess. Eastern Tamils must rise up against these cowards. Even though I dont support Ltte there is no choice..tell me who we tamils rely on..india, western countries…
3. En Panni | October 13th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
What if karuna wanted to join LTTE again?
Will LTTE accept him?
4. Hewage | October 13th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
You racist Tamils claim that the GOSL is Sinhalisimng the east, what about Tamilizing Colombo, Wellawatta and the rest of the country. This is the kind of mentality that these Jaffna Vellalas continue to foster and never be able to win any support from right thinking Sinhalese. Karuna broke-up from you Jaffna Tamils and joined hand with Sinhala people because you discriminate the Batcaloa Tamils. You cast-minded Tamils never learned to care your owned people and if the Sinhalese people are not in the east, LTTE killers will finish all these poor low cast easterners in a week. These are facts that you must understand and learn to live with. There won’t be murderous LTTE and killer Prabha very long in the Wanni. Try to make peace with Sinhala majority. Confess for all the crimes committed by these murderous Vellala Tamils terrorists and accept the fact that your traditional homeland is in Tamilnadu. Karuna will be the eastern leader and he will rule Jaffna Tamils as well to teach a lesson to those Vellalas.
5. Chennai_Analyst | October 13th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Dear DBS Sir, again you have depth but no punch! You must be living in a fantasy to state that ‘Throhi and Thirudan’
Karuna might make a comeback. He is now useless for SLA. They have ‘Got’ the East! Pillaiyan will also go the same way…SLA are not the total masters here but the corrupt Hindian RAW at work.
The crooked Hindians in conjunction with US and Australia handed over the location of the last 7 Tiger ships to the Stoopid Sinhalas. Just think, how can 3 SLN ships pinpoint the small Tiger ships in the huge Indian Ocean? They don’t yet have that capability. Hindia is using its PC-Orions and TU Long-range Maritime Aircraft aided by the unmanned US planes to track ships in the Indian Ocean. These crooked guys handed over the Tiger ships location on a platter to the SL Modayas!
6. Raja Thayaparam | October 14th, 2007 at 1:23 am
How dare you call murali a traitor.He didnt kill any tamils,VP did!.Since the biggining we have been marginalised within the cause.we have sacrifised more than the vellas.How dare u!!
7. Ms Kalaichelvi, London, UK | October 14th, 2007 at 2:33 am
Dear DBS,
Most people will agree with your observation about the entity known as Karuna faction.
“It was Sri Lankan intelligence officialdom which helped forge the entity known as Karuna faction. It is the same agency that has now broken up the organization into factions and promotes hostility.”
Now Tamils are divided. Mass killings, ethnic cleansing and colonization will continue. I list some of the massacres.
1983: Welikade Prison Massacre
1985: Valvettithurai Massacre
1985: Vavuniya Massacre
1987: Kokkaddichcholai Massacre
1990: Saththurukkondan Massacre
1997: Kalutara prison Massacre
2000: Bindunuwewa rehabilitation camp Massacre
2000: Kumarapuram massacre
2001: Mirisuvil Massacre
2006: Allaipiddy Massacre
2006: Muthur Humanitarian Aid workers Massacre..
Ms Kalaichelvi, London, UK
8. Philip Maxwell | October 14th, 2007 at 3:59 am
True… facts are correct…It was so far happened very well …all as calculated and submitted by an external intelligence freelance intelligent Co to implement on ground for a ‘massive 2 years project’ which has GOSL an expense next to Mahaweli Project ( Value equivalent to construct Maduru oya & Victoria again ) which is covered in ministry of defence budget..
Emloyee & one of the memember of the Project (Philip)
9. Buddy | October 14th, 2007 at 4:20 am
Karuna is a war criminal as well as Pottu and Co, other Sri Lankan states chiefs and SLA. No doubt he was the one, who ordered Kattankudi Mosque Massacre. He was/is very much involved in the recent issues of white van killings. I wonder he could travel to these socalled “civilized” western countries without having any problems and nobody question him. If Pinocchio could be arrested for war crime, how could he enjoy his stay in the UK or France?
10. TamilFromTamilNadu | October 14th, 2007 at 4:22 am
Thamizhan oru thamizhanai eppothum vazha vida mattan. Sinhalees are no different from the colonial Britons.
Had Karuna stayed with LTTE, the entire Tamil community would have praised him as their General, now he is considered as yet another goonda and Etteppan of Eelam.
I hope Karuna would soon regret for deserting the LTTE and thus betraying the Tamils.
11. TamilFromTamilNadu | October 14th, 2007 at 5:05 am
This is not the true story of Karuna’s absence at the time of Loius Arbour visit to Sri Lanka. GoSl kept karuna away to keep the fire from Louis Arbour low or nill on GoSL’s alliance and complicity with abductions, and recruitment of childre.
DBJ is blind to the fact.
12. thamizhan | October 14th, 2007 at 5:47 am
karuna should come to srilanka again ,because he should change his mind,stop to support gosl ,and stop the sinhala unauthorised settelements and muslim settelements in eastern province.
13. Vadivalu | October 14th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Karuna was SL man from beginning but LTTE integigents was very poor unable detect. LTTE was more talk less action you could see now. However Goverment of SL, All tamil factions (TMVP,EPDP.. Ect & LTTE killed innocent peoples for their own financial benefit but LTTE fighting tamils Goverment of SL fighting for Buddish as long as they do not shit in their own plates fine. frankly any countries should not allowed to shutter them especially Europian Union. As criminal state like Australia will allow them without any doubt. Fuck them all rescue the innocent SL people
14. Pon | October 14th, 2007 at 9:07 am
It is a curse in the Tamil community that we dig our own grave through disunity. Too many leaders appeared and formed groups using the magic word Eelam. All of them have made money in Sri lanka and abroad. It is sn easy business. The innocent Tamils are taken for a ride by being brain washed by saying that they are fighting to win Eelam. Only one and only group that is determined , discipilined and sincere is the LTTE.
Karuna, Pillayan and his group of men will have to pay for thesins. The Intelligence of GOSL too will be face their karma
15. j.muthu | October 14th, 2007 at 9:15 am
i will give you topic for your next writing. Rise and fall of col karuna( traitor or simply a slave dog)
16. Raymond Philips | October 14th, 2007 at 10:49 am
OUR TAMIL YOUTH AND MERCENARIES HAVE TAKEN OUR TAMIL PEOPLE TO HELL-FIRE EXISTENCE AND EVENTUALLY TO UTTER DESTRUCTION AND ANNIHILATION
VERY SAD SPECTACLE, Indeed….
Vile and Cunning Sinhalavar are playing it well to destroy the Tamil People
17. r.veera | October 14th, 2007 at 11:50 am
reply to hewage,
wake up, dont think, tamils settled by govt in colombo but sinhala criminals settled by tamils areas by sinhala governments. Its lands are belongs to tamil people. I challenge you if any tamils settled by sinhala foolish govt in sinhala land. you sinhalease living in fools pardise.
I will tell you karuna will cry rest of his life what he done to his fellow tamils. He will be punished by god sooner rather than later.
god bless tamilealam, the day will come tamils live intheir land with dignity and propsperous future. Sinhalease will suffer continuously, because of their modaya politicians. god bless.
18. Seelan | October 14th, 2007 at 11:52 am
1. What is happening to Karuna now ,will happen to the Wanny bunker chief tomorrow.. In Fact Prabhakaran’s fate will be worse. Prabhakaran won’t have the choice of going
exile in an European resort, let alone the fabled Hindustani summer resorts.
God may give courage to Prabhakaran to bite his cianate. Amen.
2. Prabhakaran the fascist is his own making. Karuna is a product of the LTTE Fascist inc. History may forgive Karuna. Not the Chief architect of Tamils holocaust - The wanny bunker chief.
19. SAS -UK | October 14th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Hey ,
What we missing here i very basic strategy diven by Mr Douglas Devananda.Now TMVP is not a registerd party , assume we havin a election next year ….. who do you think will win this election …… All tamil party candidate will be assasinate by EPDP in the name of Pilliayan or KARUNA. So EPDP will win all the seats in Batticaloa. And Mr Douglas is clearing up the Mannar area so he will easly get some votes in Mannar… So dont you think ….. After next election there wont be any TAMIL MPs to voice the tamil problem. Mr Douglas Devananda will be the KING MAKER.
20. Gamini | October 14th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Unfortunately this is the cream of the present Tamil leadership crooks and gangsters,. If he was still with the tigers the previous 15 comments would no doubt be lauding praises on him for being a “freedom fighter” and “selfless individual” in the quest for Eelam conveniently ignoring the death, destruction and poverty he has inflicted on his fellow citizens.
He should be held accountable for his past miss-deeds in a Sri Lankan court of law.
21. Oru Manithan | October 14th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Look at him wearing expensive suit and having portrait taken by Professional Photographers from the money he made from extorting innocent Tamils. i do not understand the ICs stance on his crime against humanity. Every one says that TMVP was behind most of the abductions and killing of many Tamils.
Imagine the Political Status of Tamils if this Kakai Vanian did not split.
There will be always Eddapans.
22. Suresh M | October 14th, 2007 at 11:40 pm
‘Karuna’ is a brand name that Sinhala terrorist used to carry out all atrocities against Tamil population in Colombo, Vavuniya, and East. Since U.N commissioner due to visit the Island, Rajapakse brothers shipped him to Europe. In the future they may use ‘Pillayan’ as their brand name for the ‘collections’, and killings.
Shameless Indians, just like in Burma, does fully supporting the SL government in their program fearing Rajapakse ‘brothers’ might bring China in to Sri Lanka.
It’s a pity that some of our fellow Tamils still believe that India is going to help solve Tamil’s issue.
23. eesan | October 14th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Raja Thayaparam,
r u serious?
read DBS J’s coverage of the TRO abductees ttreatment for a start.
24. eesan | October 15th, 2007 at 12:24 am
Hewage,
1stly, most tamils would have no problem with sinhalese buying property in the NE and living peacefully as good neighbors with their brethren of other communities. The objection, once again, is against STATE AIDED COLONISATION of what were/are predominantly Tamil speaking areas.
2 ndly I am yet to hear of of the Wellawatte tamils being a threat to the security of sinhala residents of Nugegoda, Bambalapitiya, Dehiwela or Borella for example. If anything, it’s the otherway around. Plus the Geographical contiguity of the sinhala dominated areas can never be the threatened by the “tamil areas” of wellawatte, kotahena or in the hill country. Are the streets of wellawatte patroled at night by tamil homeguards?
25. Eastern Tamizan | October 15th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Dear everyone ,
It really doesn’t matter for eastern people [Eastern Liberated Public] that Karuna left or not but east people much more appreciated to Karuna who liberated from LTTE and international mafia leader V.Prabakaran. We thank god for creation of Karuna; who learned and experiences of ‘domination, discrimination, many more?.’
I think V.Prabakaran and Pottu are the stupidest persons in the world because at least they didn’t know how to show the support to eastern people. Very soon V.P & Co will kick out from Vanni. We proud to say that we love Sri Lanka ..
Eastern Tamizan
26. Gamini | October 15th, 2007 at 1:38 am
The comments above highlight the blatant duplicity of some. If the self style colonel stayed loyal to the tigers and continued his ways (assassinations, child proscription etc) he would still be lauded as a freedom fighter and great servant for the ’cause’. You cannot turn a blind eye to the worst human rights abuses simply because the ones doing the killing are doing so on your behalf.
He should be brought to justice in a court of law as should other such perpetrators.
27. Alex | October 15th, 2007 at 1:55 am
Hmmmm!!!!!!!!
It’s time
All r expected.
28. Athos | October 15th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Whether Karuna is not there or not, the situation is unlikely to change the bottom line for LTTE currently heading to Zero very fast.
Just face it, confrontational politics with the Helay’s only made things worse than it already is. Perhaps even at this late stage, learn to live and let live. There never were a special Tamil homeland nor will ever there is going to be one.
May I also add, Col Karuna Amman has a cute smile.
29. Athos | October 15th, 2007 at 2:44 am
Raymond Philips said,
“Vile and Cunning Sinhalavar are playing it well to destroy the Tamil People”
The Helaya’s didn’t have to do anything, but simply allow the inevitable to take place. It was a mistake to take a country where the land is at a premium and claim 33% for 10% of the people. Land hogging in whatever name is not a nice thing to do.
All that the Helaya has to do is, stand back and watch the spectacle in utter sadness.
30. r.veera | October 15th, 2007 at 4:28 am
Karuna like condom, Sinhala fools used him for raping eastern tamil ealam. Now they dont need him through him out of his birth place. I hope he will realize now what a plonker he is?
31. Thamilan | October 15th, 2007 at 8:10 am
Comment #18,
Your worlds are that of an immature idiot. You are forgetting that the ethnic problem is what created the LTTE; LTTE did not create the ethnic problem. Who created the ethnic problem? Everyone knows the answer to that. The problem is Prabhakaran came into the picture late, if we was a young men at the time of the Independence, the Sinhalese would have never laid a hand on any of the Tamils. It is a sad fact that the Tamil leaders at that time believed in non-violence against the Sinhalese. We should have used violence to shut them up in the first place. By the time Prabhakaran came into existence the Sinhalese grown to big and totally blinded by stupidity.
32. nathan | October 15th, 2007 at 10:44 am
How did Karuna and his family obtain visas to travel to UK and elsewhere ?
UK High Commission are very strict about visas - this is known to senior public servants who apply for visas for training in UK, private persons who wish to visit UK for personal reasons, businessmen who wish to visit for business matters and scholars who wish to visit for research.
This account seems to suggest that UK is conspiring with SL military intelligence in the EP paramilitaries’ problems.
33. Naga UK | October 15th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Karuna is very much there and make no mistake about it! This is a story manufactured by the powers that be for the consumption of the public and Louis Arbour. I do not know whether the Government has reached a state of believing its own lies. Looking at the misappropriation charges brought upon the government ministers and the ease with which they are taking them is amazing and makes you think noting is impossible in this country! Sorry…..I want to puke.
34. Naga UK | October 15th, 2007 at 11:31 am
I’m sorry the Jaffna Tamils are taking such an attitude against the Batticaloa Tamils comparing Prabha and Karuna. It was quite okay for Prabha when he extolled himslef from the activities of a man from the east but when tried to stand him off it was a differrent kettle of fish! As for Karuna, it is obvious he has got into bad company and Pillayan is in the worst comapny. Only Pillayan has some time to think and make amends.
35. 2ndClassTamil | October 15th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
At an important juncture in its history, it is Sri Lanka’s misfortune that a crop of leaders who lack integrity and foresight leads it. Leaving aside the Sinhala leadership and Karuna & Co about whom enough has been written, it is about LTTE that I want to discuss here. That the Tamil militancy is solely represented at present by LTTE is unquestionable. That they are an extremely capable military machine too has to be granted. But not all Tamils concur with their political approach. The present leadership has not made any attempts to unite the Tamils given that they were responsible for creating deep divisions amongst them. Though they claim to run a de facto administration they are deemed not to be democratic but fascistic by the world at large. In addition their terroristic & other alleged underworld pursuits makes them a hot potato nobody internationally wants to deal with. For these reasons (if not some others as well), Tamils have lost face and support and are isolated internationally. (HR violations are levelled equally at GoSL and the LTTE). If the LTTE, which lacks a viable infrastructure in Vanni to wage a long-term war independently, thinks that it can achieve its goal without international support it will be the biggest miscalculation they could ever make. In my opinion the present LTTE leadership is tainted by its past. It is time they took a back seat in the interest of the Tamil nation and put forward a new leadership that can make Tamils proud once again and earn the respect and friendship of the IC, which we are badly missing. There is no point shouting Eelam, Eelam when nobody wants to listen. Serious assessment is called for, and drastic action will be needed for the sake of the suffering Tamil people - if that is the interest of the LTTE. Or we can all stew in our own juice!
36. Mamangan | October 15th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
DBS finshes that,
As time goes by Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan in his new avatar may try to lead a normal life abroad. But can he? or more importantly will he be allowed to do so?
No militant can lead a normal life. it is sad to know that. In Karuna’s case he will not return and/or he shall not return for his own safety as well as to the welfare of the Sri Lankan Tamils.
I wish him good luck as he was the only one who really weakened the LTTE and for that the Tamils of the east would always be grateful to him.
On the other hand, his victims and the victims family, again the eastern expatriates would hunt him, his wife and children. He may drive a bullet proof BMW in Malaysia, or a tinted Ferrari in France but we are here to trail him. We will do that for the rest of our lfe, Karuna !!!
Karuna or to any militant, what you do would come around and now it comes very soon and that is the sad part of life.
Mamangan from Amirthakali
37. Athos | October 16th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Hello Thamilan,
Yes, the Helay’s and Eastern sons of Hela soil are “stupid”. Have you had a good look at Jaffna recently? 70% live on govt handouts, only eduction your children know is “how to build your own bunker” where almost all are part of fascist a suicide cult. The economy has gone back 40 years. Most importantly, you will be made to pay for destroying Buddhist temples etc for years to come. In essence this is the beginning of your nightmare. The Helaya’s will also make sure Jaffna Velllala’s end up cleaning Eastern Tamils toilets for good measure.
Who is stupid now buddy?
38. theeran tamilakam | October 16th, 2007 at 1:34 am
i could fell that the majority is trying to weaken the minority ’s morale by dividing them..in this case the concept of jaffna tamils n batticalao tamils r the examples for that..tamils in srilanka should never get caught in this trap.the 3 million odd tamils in north east srilanka should remain united to get freedom from the majority guys who live in a delusion that they inherit the entire island..little drops make a mighty ocean..likewise daring tamil fighters from all over north east[tamil eelam] should fight to get the dream come alive..this is a humble request from a tamilaka brethern
39. Thamilan | October 16th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Comment #37,
Dream on , you can’t even afford to run the country without donations. You will never win the war and even if you did, you will never hold on to North and East without committing immense crime. Which are exactly what nationalistic Tamil Nadu politicians need to break away from the union of India and to invade Sri Lanka.
You think you are acting smart, look at the overall picture.
The governement had Jaffna for more then a decade and no development was made instead you have pushed it backward, same goes for the East as long as they remain under governement control. If Tamil wants any sort of development it can be only brought after the LTTE defeats the governement or if Tamil Nadu invades
40. Ramesh Sinniah | October 16th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Those who live in Hertfordshire, probably you’re going to bump into him one of these days.Apparently he had collected enough ransom money from his victims for a comfortable life far away from his troubled homeland. Karuna is the modern day Pilimathalawa.
Comment # 37 Athos, please take it easy pal. What you’re saying is absurd.
41. Manithan | October 17th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Hello DBS !
Luckily, Kuruna travelled via Colombo Airport with legal visa to UK that the passed. Unfortunately V.Praba & Co. will travel via sea without visa and passport to Eritrea [Africa] very soon!!. Ohhh sorry please change the word ‘will travel’ to ‘will escape’.
I feel sorry for Vanni people and LTTE militants who they are day dreaming ‘Tamil Elam’.
Manithan
42. Athos | October 17th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Hello Thamilan ,
/*Which are exactly what nationalistic Tamil Nadu politicians need to break away from the union of India and to invade Sri Lanka.*/
Yes, the “nationalistic Tamil Nadu politicians” is going to say to hell with econmy growing double digits and “invade Sri Lanka” to save your ass.
Also which Tamil will wait until LTTE “defeat” the govt before wanting development? The Eastern Tamil, Dalits of Kayts, Colombo Tamil or the hill side Tamil? Only the Jaffna Vellala looney tunes will be that stupid.
You are obviously from Jaffna. Generally the others dont live in cloud coocoo land.
43. Suresh M | October 17th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Karuna Amman is not a dump to come back to Sri Lanka soon, as he found out how much the ‘MR brothers’ had ‘collected’ using his name, and not to mention the killings of fellow Tamils.
It’s funny to read some the comments made by persons call them selves Arians!. These white skinned blue eye boys, and girls who call themselves Sinhala Buddhist keep saying Jaffna Tamil, Batticaloa Tamil, Indian Tamil, Muslim Tamils!
Tamils are only Tamils, regardless of their locality or religion. Tamils is the only ethnic group that can truly claim to have history of accommodating all major religions except Judaism.
Same will be true that Tamil Eelam is inevitable, may be a separate state, or minimum a workable federal set-up. Only India would object a two states in her southern border, but western countries including USA has no qualm in two states, provided there is no amicable settlement is available.
In due time, the same Sinhalese will flock to highly developed Tamil Eelam for employment. Then, we won’t discriminate you, knowing you have some Tamil blood in you, even though you claim you’re Arian.
44. ThamizhanFromMadurai | October 18th, 2007 at 12:51 am
It’s really shame on you Thamizha if you separate North tamil and east tamil. Jaffna Tamil and Mattakalappu Tamil.
Thamizha Thamizhani verukkathae.
45. Jegatheeswaran | October 18th, 2007 at 6:19 am
It must truely hurt Karuna to become a puppet after being a king in the east. Anyone who saw LTTE propaganda videos or seen Karuna Amman in the field would remember his time as the king of the east with all the power and envy that goes with it.
He should be allowed to suffer in silence and go “cold-turkey” without power. Be assured no amount of money or western comforts would be a substitute for that.
He will have to face up to his generation and feel it again and again in the future. For that he should be left alone.
46. nathan | October 18th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Lanka Newspaper.com cites a telephone interview of Karuna to the Daily Mirror today 18 October.
So, he is still in sri lanka.
As I said before, UK does not lightly grant visas. An applicant has to produce proof of the necessity to visit, an address in UK where he can be traced, proof adequate funds abroad, & proof of intention to return after visa period is over. This is because most of those who are granted visitor visas claim asylum on arrival, often after destroying their passports. This is a major problem in UK - thousands are awaiting hearing of asylum applications.
I doubt that his family is in UK as they would have never been eligible for visas.
47. varakuna-switzerland | October 18th, 2007 at 10:10 am
what ever the reason the GOSl must not allow that karuna
leave the country,he must be punished by law for his past
crime.there are so many innocent ppl detained in so many prisons without any reason.so why and how the stupid gosl make sefe passage to this criminal.so there is no law and order in the country
48. Ms Kalaichelvi, London, UK | October 18th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Thank you very much Suresh M. You are absolutely right.
“Tamils are only Tamils, regardless of their locality or religion. Tamils is the only ethnic group that can truly claim to have history of accommodating all major religions except Judaism.” _ http://www.tamilnation.org_.
49. Thamilan | October 18th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Comment # 42,
You think there is a massive division among all the Tamils and that they will never come together, if that is your mentality then you are about to be screwed.
You are obviously a Sinhalese from the South who refuse to see beyond the circle of your politicians and you’re so called monks.
What I am saying that if any of the Tamils or even Muslim wants development in the North and East (or the rest of the so called untied Sri Lanka) the government will never be able to deliver that. The racist policy of the government and the idiotic mentality of the Sinhalese will never let that happen.
The entire island is run on western donations; money sent by the working Sri Lankan in other countries, ex-Sri Lankan community in other countries and NGO’s help. Jaffna in the hands of the government is the example. People live on government hand out (which is sponsored by western nations and NGOs) because the government refused to allow any development except for the development of military. Even the so called hand outs won’t be available to the people if the International community didn’t keep an eye on the government. Instead of building an economy on the territory they captured, they have built a massive military camp. Reminding you that even with the government handovers the people are starving, I bet the government in redirecting all the funds to keep the military on high alert.
The Indian Tamils who wanted to send food to the Jaffna, what about them? Don’t you think they are feed up with the way the Sri Lankan government is functioning, or are you just going to say that they were paid by the LTTE to do what they did? Double digit growth in Tamil Nadu won’t be affected if they go into attacking Sri Lanka; Tamil Nadu has a huge market value and an economy. They don’t even need to attack Sri Lanka, all they have to do is blockade you by sea and isolate you and starve you to death or just simply boost the morale of LTTE by saying “you can’t beat him, just ask us for help”. Double digit growth will be doubled if Tamil Eelam is absorbed into Tamil Nadu. Tamil communities around the world will make rain of cash on the Tamil lands if that happens.
Dalits of Kayts? Divide and conquer game that the British played to bring down the Tamils won’t work anymore. If you are Tamil you are Dravidian by race, doesn’t matter if you are Indian Tamil, Hill Tamil, Colombo Tamil, Eastern Tamil, Jaffna Tamil or any other Tamils in the world. Yes, they might have different accent and minor difference in culture, which does not mean that they are total separate ethnicity.
You have totally forgotten something, you seem to say that LTTE have destroyed the Tamils, if that’s the case then your army and government is working toward the annihilation of the Sinhalese. These camps should be built in Sinhalese area, instead the Sinhalese areas are left with no protection and vulnerable to LTTE attacks if the LTTE chose the path of total violence. It will only take 1000 LTTE soldiers to go in all direction in Sinhalese area just slaughtering all the Sinhalese. With in less then a week LTTE can reduce the Sinhalese to a minority if they choose to, what will the Army do then? Get to the Sinhalese Area to clean all the dead bodies or are you going to do the same to the Tamils? Just like the government is doing now, the LTTE could simply say that these Sinhalese were caught in crossfire when they attacked government targets (police, army, politicians and so on), LTTE can play the same game if they wanted too (they could also say there is a war going on and civilian casualty is unavoidable). Look what happened at the Yala National Park, it is almost at the southern tip of LTTE claimed lands and where the government is throwing in crap saying that the entire east is under the Armies hand.
Face it Athos, if the LTTE cannot make an offensive in the North or the East, they will launch offensive on the Sinhalese people reducing the Sinhalese to ashes. Same thing that the Army done and which they are still continuing to do to the Tamils.
You got one option get the hell out of Tamil Eelam.
Understand the problem. LTTE didn’t create the mess, the extremist Sinhalese did.
50. zulu | October 18th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
What happened to the Ravana?
I read most people blowing hot air over the nationality they belong to.
51. Suresh | October 20th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
“There may also arise a need to whip up anti-Muslim and anti-Jaffna mass hysteria among eastern Tamils”
I am living in the East. I have no connection to the north. I am in a very responsible position.
EVEN THE SO CALLED EDUCATED use the anti Jaffna/ anti muslim feeling for survival. The dean at the University was killed due to him being from Jaffna. There are Education ministry officials being threatened by locals when there is a competition. Engineers keep there mouth shut. People from outside a scared to work. No broad band in Batticola. Telecom local engineers are incompetent and will not a outsider take the responsiblity and to provide service of broad band Even doctors are being assaulted and being asked to leave the eastern province by fellow doctors to acheive personal gains.
Where will it end. Where will it lead to?
Will Eastern Sri Lanka will be a sinhala land soon?
Yes it will be.
52. Mathivathani | October 21st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Can anyone tell me who is in real charge of Wanny? Pottu or Bunker Chief? As subjects of LTTE Tyranny don’t we have a valid reason to know our ” Lord”?
53. Vanniyaan | October 21st, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Comment #47.
You are absolutely correct stupid GoSL making safe passage to all war criminals including V.Praba’s son & daughter to UK, Tamilchellvan’s daughter Norway and many more LTTE leaders and their families. but innocent people can not come out from Vanni.
when will end this situtation!!!!!!!
Vanniyaan
54. Raj | October 22nd, 2007 at 2:00 am
What do you expect when a generation of capable leaders Amirthalingham etc are eleimiated and replaced with crooks and gangsters VP, PA and to a lesser extent their foot soldier Karuna.
55. shan | February 24th, 2008 at 4:35 am
You tamils are fools living in a fantasy world. You treat the killer Prabhakaran as a god. You have no idea about democracy.
Can a sinhel or a muslim travel in the north ?
Tamils can do travel in other parts of the country.May be they will be checked , but that is for the own safety.
You live under the shelter of the sinhela people and you betray the very same people instead of thanking them.