Succession Stakes in LTTE: After Praba Who?

December 22nd, 2007

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

“After Nehru Who”?

This was the multi – crore question going around Indian political circles in the late fifties and early sixties of the last century.

Jawarhalal Nehru who was Indian Prime Minister since Independence from the British strode the political arena like a colossus!

It was unimaginable then to conceive of a time when Nehru would be no more.

It was even harder to think of a worthy successor to this giant among Indian leaders of that era.

And then on May 27th 1964 Nehru died at the age of 74.Gulzarilal Nanda became acting premier.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kumarsamy Kamaraj was All India Congress President then.

Under his smooth leadership the Congress arrived at a consensus decision about the future PM.

The diminutive Lal Bahadoor Shastri was the Congress party’s answer then to the question “After Nehru who”?

Two years later Shastri died. Once again Gulzarilal Nanda was acting premier.

This time Morarji Desai staked a claim to be PM. But Kamaraj displaying great leadership qualities managed to ensure that Nehru’s daughter Indira Gandhi would become PM.

The question After Nehru who? was answered well.

The question of succession in a political organization or Country becomes a complicated issue when a larger than life leader has been at the helm of affairs for a long period.

Like the absence of trees under the Banyan tree’s broad canopy lesser leaders do not sprout when a great leader is dominant.

Even if there are other leaders they appear to be pygmies when compared to the political giant of a leader.People fear that a suitable successor of equal ability would not be found.

This kind of leadership crisis afflicts both democratic and non-democratic entities. Even despots and dictators are mortal. “Sceptre and crown come tumbling down” often.

In spite of exciting political drama, democratic parties and countries manage to resolve questions of succession clearly and without violence. If violence does occur it is more of an exception than the norm.

But things often get murky in non-democratic organizations. Unless there is a designated successor who is both powerful and acceptable to the power structure the succession stakes are bound to be bloodied.

A contributory factor to this state of affairs is due to the inherent characteristics of a totalian structure.

Potential successors are not encouraged or groomed. Very often they are purged or liquidated.

The leadership stakes in an authoritative entity are mired in intrigue and power struggles.

Fanatical followers refuse to countenance the fact that their leaders are not immortal and viciously attack those who dare state evident truths.

The question of succession is treated as a “prohibited” zone. It is regarded as “sacrilege” to even discuss such a possibility.

Many years ago a Tamil radio in Canada interviewed Pazhaniyappan Nedumaran , the pro-tiger Tamil Nadu politician.

One of the questions asked was “Who do you think will succeed Prabakharan”? Nedumaran refused to answer such a hypothetical question.

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) members and supporters in Canada were extremely critical of the radio for raising such a question. “How can you even think of such a thing”? they thundered.

An unhealthy personality cult has been built around LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabakharan. His sycophantic disciples describe him as the “Suriyadevan” (Sun God). Some call him a modern avatar of Lord Vishnu or Lord Muruga (Skanda)

A panegyric written by Tamil Nadu poet Arivumathy and sung by the exquisite singer Nithyashree Mahadevan begins thus “Engal Thalaivan Prabakharan, Antha Muruganukke Ivan Niharaanavan”. (Our leader is Prabakhara, He is equal to that Murugan).

However much LTTE supporters glorify Prabakharan the reality is that the tiger supremo like all men is not immortal. When the time comes he cannot evade the God of death “Yaman”.

Like his “bete noir” from the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) Douglas Devananda, the tiger supremo is a great survivor. He has often escaped death by the proverbial hair’s breadth.

On November 28th the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed one of his hide-out bunkers in the Jeyanthy Nagar area of Kilinohchi. Prabakharan sustained very minor injuries on his back, shoulder and arm.

Sixteen days later the LTTE released pictures of a uniformed Prabakharan garlanding a photograph of former tiger ideologue and political adviser Anton Stanislaus Balasingham. It was to commemorate Balasingham’s first death anniversary on Dec 14th.

The recent bombing incident raised several uncomfortable questions for the LTTE. What would have happened if the bombing was fatal? What would happen in a scenario where the LTTE leader is no more? After Praba who?

The stock response of most LTTE supporters is to emulate the Ostrich and bury their heads in the sand. They refuse to accept that such a situation is possible. It is a state of denial.

[A Sri Lankan youth walks past posters on a wall in the capital Colombo , 16 December 2007 announcing an exclusive in the English language newspaper Nation-AFP PHOTO/ Sanka VIDANAGAMA-Courtesy: Yahoo!News]

When this columnist broke the story about the bombing in “The Nation” newspaper the reaction of many LTTE stooges was hostile denial.

In a convoluted version of “killing the messenger” syndrome this columnist was the target of a vituperative, concerted attack.

LTTE elements may “feel good” after such attacks but the ground reality remains the same. Once again it has been proved that the LTTE leader is physically vulnerable.

The simple truth which tiger acolytes deny, gloss over or ignore is that Prabakharan like all human beings can die. It may not be due to an Air Force air strike or Deep penetration squad landmine, but he is certainly not a “Saahaa varam Petra Mahatma” (A great soul who will not die).

It could be from illness, accident or even snakebite. One of the certain things in life for all humankind is death.

But the LTTE and supporters seem unable or unwilling to accept this.

The LTTE and the LTTE’s armed struggle revolve around Prabakharan.

There is no designated leadership that would succeed him.

Complicating matters further is the fact that the LTTE has systematically destroyed the vast leadership potential within the Tamil community.

Apart from losses in war the LTTE has lost leaders like Nizam, Ramanan, Kaushalyan, Gangai Amaran, Shankar etc to landmines, sniping, ambushes and cold-blooded assassinations. LTTE political Commissar Tamilselvan was killed in an air raid. Several leaders have escaped death often.

The LTTE leader escaped serious injury on Nov 28th. He has had several narrow escapes in the past.

However hard it may be for the diemhard tiger supporter to stomach, the inconvenient truth is that, Prabakharan may not be so lucky next time.

In such an eventuality, who would succeed him in the LTTE? After Praba Who?

There is no easy or obvious answer because the tiger leader in recent times has carefully and deliberately avoided grooming such a successor or officially designating a “No 2″.

There has been a very good reason for this as far the LTTE “numero uno” is concerned. Delving into LTTE history briefly is necessary to undertand why.

When a few tiny groups and individuals came together and formed the LTTE on May 5th 1976 the tigers had a command structure of a five man council.

Both Umamaheswaran and Prabakharan were members of this council. Uma was also chairman of the council and LTTE while Praba was its military commander.

When the original LTTE split and Umamaheswaran formed the Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) the majority of tigers went with Uma.

A dejected Praba teamed up with the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) led by Thangathurai and Kuttimani for a while.

After the arrests of Kuttimani and Thangathurai the LTTE began functioning independently again. Prabakharan himself was In India for a long time.

In his absence a triumvirate comprising Seelan, Mahattaya and Ragu ran the movement on ground. But any statement or leaflet put out by the LTTE was attributed to “Ve. Pirapakaran ” the leader.

Prabakharan who was under house arrest in Madurai for the shoot-out with Umamaheswaran in Pondy Bazaar made a break and escaped to Sri Lanka in 1983. Thereafter he asserted his leadership of the LTTE on ground.

The 1983 July anti-Tamil pogrom saw the politico-military landscape change. Praba went over to Chennai (Madras then) and ran the LTTE from there. His cadres conducted guerrilla warfare in the North and East.

There were different regional commanders but Ravindran alias Pandithar , a childhood friend of Praba was in overall charge of both provinces.

Pandithar based in Jaffna was also both the military commander and political commissar for the district. He was the accredited LTTE “vice-captain”.

Pandithar was killed in Atchuvely in January 1985. Thereafter Praba did not appoint an overall N-E commander. Instead he maintained contact with each individual regional commander. They were all equals. There was no first among equals.

One reason for this was the LTTE leader’s caution. He did not want any single regional commander to become all powerful and pose a possible challenge to him in the future.

It was also easier to promote healthy competition among individual regional commanders. Besides all of them reported directly to him via wireless communication and took orders only from him.

Prabakharan returned to Sri Lanka in January 1987 and directed LTTE operations on ground.

It was in 1987 July that Prabakharan nominated a de-jure No 2. This was none other than Gopalaswamy Mahendrarajah alias Mahathaya who was until then the Wanni regional commander.

Prabakharan did so on the eve of his departure to India by air to meet Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi. Mahathaya’s elevation was an act of pre- caution.

The LTTE leader feared that something could happen to him in India. Therefore he wanted someone to run the LTTE if necessary.

After making him Mahathaya as Deputy-Leader Prabakharan also appointed Mahathaya as acting leader prior to his departure.

He gave instructions that everyone should obey Mahathaya and that the acting leader could countermand any order sent by Prabakharan himself from India.

This was because the LTTE leader suspected he may be detained by Indian authorities and could be forced to issue orders detrimental to the tigers.

Prabakharan returned from India but the Indo-Lanka agreement was signed. Praba took over leadership of the LTTE again but Mahathaya remained deputy – leader of the LTTE.

Later Mahathaya was also made President of the LTTE’s political party called Peoples Front of Tamil Eelam (PFLT)

At one point serious differences emerged between Praba and Mahathaya. A “cold war” was on.

The tiger leader asked his ex-Jaffna commander Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias Kittu to return home from abroad. Kittu however committed suicide when the ship in which he was travelling got surrounded by the Indian navy in international waters.

[Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias Kittu]

Had Kittu returned safely he would have been appointed deputy-leader and accredited as successor to Praba.

There was however further trouble in the LTTE paradise. Pottu Amman the LTTE intelligence chief “uncovered” details of an alleged conspiracy involving Mahathaya who had already fallen out of favour with Prabakharan.

Mahathaya was accused of conspiring with the Indian RAW (Reserach and Analysis wing) to kill Praba and take over the LTTE.

After prolonged incarceration Mahathaya was executed.

Whatever the merits or otherwise of this charge the LTTE supremo felt that anyone appointed officially as deputy-leader would be vulnerable to machinations by his enemies.

He also felt that designating an official successor could bring about many intra-LTTE problems. Praba also felt that such a nominee would be preyed upon by various intelligence agencies.

Still there was low-key speculation about possible deputy leader-successors.

The affection displayed by Prabakharan towards his ex-Political commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan gave rise to the theory that Selvan was being thought of as a likely successor.

But “Brigadier” Thamilselvan was killed in air strike on ovember 2nd last year.

Another favourite of Prabakharan and a potential successor was Vaithilingam Sornalingam alias “Col” Shankar. But he too was killed in a landmine explosion on Sep 26th 2001.

Against this backdrop succession stakes in the LTTE remains a tricky question.

Is there a mechanism within the LTTE that could ensure smooth succession?

The highest decision making body is a central committee comprising 32 persons. These include all regional commanders and heads of different divisions.

But Prabakharan calls the shots in this. Though a certain amount of discussion is possible there is no vote taking. Ultimately the central committee approves Praba’s diktat unanimously. The central committee is a virtual rubber stamp.

As such the central committee may be required to act independently for the first time only to select a successor. What an irony!

[V.Ilankumaran]

The most senior tiger in the hierarchy is a man whom many do not know of. It is “Baby” Subramaniam the head of the LTTE’s education division. He now has a de-sankritised nom de guerre “Ilankumaran”.

Ilankumaran hailing from Kankesanthurai is a founder member of the LTTE in 1976. He has remained steadfastly loyal to Prabakharan.

Despite his seniority Ilankumaran is not a fighting man. Until 1991 he spent most of his days in India. Ilankumaran known as “Baby Subramaniam” in India co-ordinated all propaganda and political activity for the LTTE in Tamil Nadu.

He cultivated a whole lot of Tamil Nadu politicians and promoted the tiger cause. It was he who established links with MG Ramachandran.

Under present circumstances this Tamil Nadu connection would be perceived more as a liability than an asset by hardcore tiger elements.

Ilankumaran was responsible for a revised educational curriculum for school children in LTTE controlled areas. Along with LTTE inland revenue chief Thamilendhi it was he who conducted the “pure Tamil drive ” in tiger dominated regions.

All Sanskritised names were Tamilised. Likewise English names were replaced by pure Tamil names. Bakery became “Vethuppagam” and Banks became “Vaippagam” etc.

In the harsh world of “power struggles” these accomplishments are of no use. Even if Ilankumaran is made leader or acting leader on account of his seniority, it is only a matter of time before he is de- throned or reduced to a puppet.

Also by nature and temperament the mild – mannered “Baby” is not likely to pursue power or hold on to it ruthlessly.

With the demise of Appiah Annai and the semi-retirement of Thevar annai and Basheer Kakka the only other senior from the pre-July 1983 days who is active in the LTTE in the Wanni is the dreaded Intelligence chief Pottu Amman.

Pottu joined the LTTE in 1982. He was a “helper” long before that.

All the other senior tiger commanders like Soosai, Bhanu, Sornam, Jeyam, Theepan, Balraj, Nadesan etc joined the LTTE after July 1983.

Apart from Pottu’s seniority there is also another factor that makes him a serious contender for the crown.

[Pottu Amman]

As Intelligence chief Pottu Amman wields enormous power now. His minions have infiltrated all sections of the LTTE.

This extra-ordinary power and influence makes Pottu Amman the favourite in LTTE succession stakes. Already Pottu Amman acts like a de-facto deputy leader. It would not be difficult to be de-jure leader after Prabakharan

He is regarded as a staunch Praba loyalist and acts as catspaw of the tiger supremo.

The only man who could have effectively challenged Pottu Amman for leadership was former Batticaloa-Amparai commander Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna Amman.

Both of them were blue-eyed boys of the big boss and there was simmering tension between them. But Pottu emerged victor in the battle of the Ammans. Karuna was ejected as “thurogi” or traitor.

In such a situation the succession stakes seem a virtual one – horse race.

Even if Pottu Amman takes over after Praba he would not dare step into his leader’s position formally.

When CN Annadurai split from the Dravida Kazhagham (DK) and formed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) in 1949 the party constitution did not provide for a “Thalaiver” or leader.

In an act of sentimentality, Annadurai said that the only leader he acknowledged was his mentor and DK chief E.. V. Ramaswamy Naicker popularly called “Periyar” or great man. Annadurai said that the DMK leadership would be vacant till Periyar himself filled it at some point in the future

Administrative power of the party was in the hands of the “Amaippu Seyalaalar ” or Organizing secretary. It was only in 1969 that Annadurai’s successor Muttuvel Karunanidhi got the DMK constitution amended and created the Party president post.

Likewise it would be practically impossible for anyone in the LTTE to even dream of instantly filling Prabakharan ’s place.

There would be inevitable resistance from cadres and strong supporters.

The transition can only be gradual.

It would be difficult for Pottu Amman or any would be successor to “fill” Prabakharan’s shoes automatically. There has to be an interim period before such an eventuality.

Two options are possible. One is for a leadership committee chaired by Ilankumaran to run affairs for some time. The other is for a cabal of senior tiger leaders to provide an informal collective leadership.

Pottu Amman will be the most powerful person calling the shots in either set up.

Arguably there could be an unexpected aspirant for the leadership stakes too. This “dark horse” could be a mare or colt from the family stables.

[Ms. Mathivathani Prapakharan, cutting the ribbon opening the new wing of the Elders Home, Dec 16, 2007-Photo: TamilNet]

Prabakharan’s wife Mathivathany is now being seen increasingly in public. She ceremonially opened an elders home recently.

Already her “influence” is visible in the overseas branches of the LTTE. Mathivathany is the daughter of Erambu Master in Pungudutheevu.

Plum positions in the LTTE overseas branches and institutions have been given to those of Pungudutheevu origin.

Their passport to success is Ms. Mathivathany Prabakharan.

The other possibility is Praba’s eldest son Charles Anthony who was named after Seelan . Charles Anthony alias Seelan died on July 15th 1983. The LTTE’s first infantry division is named after him.

Charles Anthony jr has reportedly obtained a pilot’s license and aeronautical training .He is involving himself with LTTE activity nowadays. , it is said.

“Vaarisu Arasiyal’ or dynastic politics is a common phenomenon in South Asia. It is widespread in both national and regional levels.

Can the so called first family of Tamil Eelam be immune to this common affliction?

Only time will tell!

If the family enters then even Pottu Amman may have to give in. He will however remain the power behind the throne.

A collective leadership under a nominal head from the family is also a possibility. Pottu will dominate such a set up too from behind the scenes.

The succession will ultimately be determined by the manner in which Prabakharan exits.

If Prabakharan himself can ensure who the successor would be then the transition will be smooth.

But this seems unlikely at the present juncture.

If the LTTE top guns are unable to agree on the successor there could be utter chaos. Intra-tiger conflict of an internecine nature could erupt.

The absence of a father figure like Balasingham would be keenly felt then.

Another factor to be noted is that outside agents could decide the LTTE’s fate. The dominant line of thought in some Countries is that a regime change is necessary in the LTTE.

If these countries are powerful enough to remove Prabakharan then it is they who will choose the successor. The successor will be a puppet on a string.

There is however a long term question. Will the LTTE be as effective without Prabakharan at the helm ?

The answer is “NO”!

The LTTE without Prabakharan is like the Ramayana without Lord Rama.

If Prabakharan is no more it would not be an immediate end of the LTTE. It would however be the beginning of the end for the LTTE.

Prabakharan himself is basically responsible for this situation. He has built up the movement around his dictatorial leadership and personality cult. He is projected as the all powerful Messiah who would lead the Tamils into the Promised land of Tamil Eelam.

He has made sure of the absence of a viable alternative.

Like Louis the 14th of France it is a case of “After Me The Deluge”.

If Prabakharan goes the LTTE too will go too. That’s the situation today.

The decline and fall of the LTTE would be inevitable. The deterioration would be drastically rapid.

The questions of succession after Prabakharan and the future of the LTTE without Prabakharan etc would all become unimportant because the tigers would fast become a non-entity if and when Prabakharan is no more.

However this does not mean that the Tamil national question would also cease after Prabakharan is no more and the LTTE becomes weak. If anyone thinks that the elimination of Prabakharan and extinction of the LTTE would autmotically result in the extinguishing of the ethnic problem it would be a colossal blunder.

Prabakharan and the LTTE did not create the Tamil problem. Sinhala chauvinist politicians s created the problem. Their’s was the original sin. Prabakharan and the LTTE were by – products of the problem created through majoritarian hegemony.

Prabakharan was only two years old when Sinhala was enthroned as the sole official language. He was four years old when the 1958 anti – Tamil violence was unleashed. The LTTE leader was only seven years old when the non – violent Satyagraha of the Federal Party was brutally suppressed by deploying the army and detaining Gandhiyan leaders without trial.

The causes leading to the armed struggle came long before the LTTE was born. The LTTE itself was a consequence of those causes. But what has happened is that Prabakharan and the LTTE have been unwilling to negotiate meaningfully and compromise. Their mode of struggle has altered the nature of the problem into different dimensions.

Consequrnces have overwhelmed the causes. Instead of being part of the solution the LTTE and its leader have become part of the problem. This does not mean that the LTTE and the LTTE alone is the sole problem. That is not so. The rise of organizations like the Hela Urumaya show that the problem will not go away if and when the LTTE is not there.

A durable solution to the Tamil National question can be evolved only on the basis of justice and equality. Grievances of the Tamils have to be redressed and their legitimate aspirations addresses. It is only then that the problem will go away.

Unless and until that is done the Tamil problem will not go away. As long as the Tamil problem remains unsolved virulent expressions of Tamil ultra- nationalism like Prabakharan and the LTTE will continue to manifest in different forms.

Entry Filed under: transCurrents

103 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Prof. Mappana Muthaliar,Hawai  |  December 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 pm

    Dear Mr.Jeyarajah,
    So Grade 8(Prabha) is going and Grade 6( Pottu) is coming. Well educated Tamils don’t like Pottu’s Leadership.Because we suffered enough with this uneducated LTTE. Please
    tell us how can we find a well educated and well family oriented Leader for Tamils.
    God bless you.

  • 2. SAS  |  December 22nd, 2007 at 7:44 pm

    What a summary … This paragrah i read three times in my recent memmory .. its make you thing ,,,,,,,,,,,

    TAMIL STRUGLE IS INFINITY

    ” Prabakharan was only two years old when Sinhala was enthroned as the sole official language. He was four years old when the 1958 anti – Tamil violence was unleashed. The LTTE leader was only seven years old when the non – violent Satyagraha of the Federal Party was brutally suppressed by deploying the army and detaining Gandhiyan leaders without trial. ”

  • 3. ravi  |  December 22nd, 2007 at 8:58 pm

    MR. DBS.JEYARAJ
    do not worry about tamil leadr mr.pirabakaran, he is 53 years old.

  • 4. Zorass  |  December 22nd, 2007 at 6:06 pm

    Jeyaraj’s articles are interesting and fact filled. Only statement that made me uncomfortable here is the summary judgment ” implication of which is Tamils and their leaders throughout history have been perfect examples of amity and reasonablenes. Chauvinistic Sinhala politicians created the problem” . Could Mr. Jayaraj address two issues in a future article:

    - Granting Ealam will solve the problems faced by Tamil community living in the North and East , what is the solution for those living among the Sinhalese which they say are nearly 50% ?

    -Are the problems faced by Muslim community different from those faced by Tamil community?

    Thanks.

  • 5. Wilson  |  December 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 pm

    I believe LTTE will be more ruthless and successful under Pottu Amman.

  • 6. tham  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 am

    Not a bad analysis on the topic….

    Mrs VP is more in public because of neither VP is injured nor to be raised as intrim solution for unexpected demise of VP….
    VP must be busy completely transforming his personnel security protocol knowing the threat to his life and the consequence much much better than DBS or anybody else….
    VP is the best staregist and will definitely give Knock-Out punch to south sooner rather than later …..anudrapura attack is only a tiny-bit of that…

  • 7. Sarath  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 12:51 am

    Balance, comprehensive analysis of present and past events and farily reasonable vision of the future of LTTe. However , existence of LTTE in near future with or without Praba will be a problem because suffering of tamil people must end in one day . Now Tamil people suffer solely due to the actions and reactions of LTTE , people must realized this fact clearly. Originally, the struggle of tamil people is not for seperation or deviding the country, our blind poltician didn’t realized the problem and now all of us collectively paid it for now. As lord Budda’s teaching nothing will be permanent , everything subjected to change , proving this universal theory , LTTE may change its policy in one day

  • 8. anton  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 1:32 am

    Wise words of the writer
    “If Prabakharan is no more it would not be an immediate end of the LTTE.” It would however be the beginning of the end for the LTTE.

    Prabakharan himself is basically responsible for this situation. He has built up the movement around his dictatorial leadership and personality cult. He is projected as the all powerful Messiah who would lead the Tamils into the Promised land of Tamil Eelam.

    He has made sure of the absence of a viable alternative.”
    Well said.

    Very sad situation brought about by the Tamils who gave unconditional support to the LTTE. The bulk of the Diaspora who supports the LTTE has no intellectual calibers except probably proper western toilet manners, including the use of toilet paper.

    Prabha has no respect for freedom of expression when it is offline with the LTTE ideology. Tamils can never feel liberated under the LTTE which strangely denies to the Tamils individual freedom but expects the (racist) Sinhalese government to honour the freedom of all Tamils irrespective of their political conviction.
    LTTE’s Eelam will be indentured slavery of its supporters. Let’s hope for a better Eealam wherein Equality, Justice, and Empathy would be irrevocably entrenched.

  • 9. Aru.Gopal  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 2:16 am

    what’s wrong in our thesia thalivi and anni Madam Mathivathany Ammaiyar becoming our leader? if mrs. B can be pm after husband died why cant this Goddess Amman be leader?

  • 10. Vel  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 4:05 am

    It is for the people who doesn’t know anything about 55 years Tamil struggle. Prabhakaran and LTTE is an answer from Tamils for the Sri Lankan state terrorism. “Prabhakaran” is symbol of Tamils that means “fight against Sri Lankan state terrorism”.

    “Prabhakaran” made the weak Tamil community to fight against the state terrorism. This is why he is considered as a strongest force by enemies of Tamils.

    In 70’s, there was ONLY one “Prabhakaran”. In 80’s, there were hundreds of “Prabhakaran”. In 90’s, there were thousands of “Prabhakaran”. In this decade, there were tens of thousands of “Prabhakaran”. If it didn’t explain, I think it is better to read the Tamil struggle against Sinhala state terrorism since 1948.

  • 11. Dr. Goland  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 4:44 am

    The tamils and sinhalese in srilanka have a sepereate langauge, religion and geography and culture..The UN must intervene tosolve their problems.

  • 12. Nilal  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 5:49 am

    Replacing with a educated person is the solution for all tamils. A ruthless fighter cannot lead a community to a solution. If possible Sadam could have done it for his people. See the suffering in Iraq now. Need to learn from current situation around the world.

  • 13. Rodhan  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:16 am

    DBS is ‘da man’ .
    This is full of facts and lot of substance in the article.

  • 14. Ms Kalaichelvi  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:20 am

    Thank you very much Mr D.B.S,
    “Prabakharan and the LTTE did not create the Tamil problem. Sinhala chauvinist politicians s created the problem. Their’s was the original sin. Prabakharan and the LTTE were by – products of the problem created through majoritarian hegemony.

    Prabakharan was only two years old when Sinhala was enthroned as the sole official language. He was four years old when the 1958 anti – Tamil violence was unleashed. The LTTE leader was only seven years old when the non – violent Satyagraha of the Federal Party was brutally suppressed by deploying the army and detaining Gandhiyan leaders without trial.

    The causes leading to the armed struggle came long before the LTTE was born”.

  • 15. Vel  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:23 am

    “Prabhakaran” made the weak Tamil community to fight against the state terrorism. This is why he is considered as a strongest force by enemies of Tamils.

    In 70’s, there was ONLY one “Prabhakaran”. In 80’s, there were hundreds of “Prabhakaran”. In 90’s, there were thousands of “Prabhakaran”. In this decade, there were tens of thousands of “Prabhakaran”. If it didn’t explain, I think it is better to read the Tamil struggle against Sinhala state terrorism since 1948.

  • 16. Dyan  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:26 am

    Tamils stuggle will continue with or without VP.

    Sort out now, or face the consequences later.

    Look at the History.

  • 17. N2  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:34 am

    DBSJ: “Prabakharan and the LTTE did not create the Tamil problem. Sinhala chauvinist politicians created the problem. Their’s was the original sin. ”

    Good point well made!

    I hope those people who are getting themselves over-exited at every thought and rumour of Prabaharan’s demise will read and re-read the above, until it has fully sunk in.

    zorass #1 should ask his/her question the context of the origins of the conflict. Some Thero recently said that the Muslims should go back to Saudi Arabia.

    (The chap who made comment # 2 does not appear to have had a proper education in English. I wonder what he considers himself to be a ‘prof’ of?)

  • 18. Amuthan  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:45 am

    Dear DBS.Jeyaraj,

    why cant you use your knowledge in a positive way. why do you discourage our tamil people? using your talent, you can do lot than writing article like this.

  • 19. Dyan  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 6:48 am

    Mr mappana Muthaliyar,

    I am educated young family man with leadership skills in management. I know that you and few educated tamils looking for a leader to find Eelam without Praba and LTTE.

    Will you support me ? The answer is no. Why? You want to be the leader.Because all the so called educated people still living in the 1950 mind set. Look at the people who look for an educated leadership for Tamils. More than 40 years old and come from Sri Lanka due to the ethnic problem to foreign countries.

    If Tamils asked you to lead us to get the Eelam, provide us with your leadership skills, qualities and experience. Tamils will appoint you as the Leader if you are capable person.

  • 20. babuji  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 7:47 am

    Leader pirabhaharan will appoint a person who can move forward the struggle successfully. It is not pottu amman or definitely not his son.

    There are few heads running the organisation behind the scene like black tigers anonymously now. It will only emerge when pirabhakaran decided to open his mouth. I think these are the brainy heads behind the success of pirabharan.
    It will be one of them; and the world will be in surprise. Singhala still going to be in run!!!!!!!!!!

  • 21. DARAN  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 am

    DBS:

    It is only now I came to know you are writing for The Nation. Earlier, you wrote for Sunday leader.Keep up your own good, investigative work. What a bloody good writer you are!

  • 22. ratna  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 10:46 am

    After Prabha? Headache is not only for Tamils but Sinhalese as well. Currently India is not actively invloved in Lankan issue is because of LTTE ban.
    Just imagine, if a pro-indian takes over LTTE, even with some revolt, in the end many other moderates may support this. And India (RAW) will be actively involved in Lanka.
    I do not think Sinhalese will like this.
    I think Prabha knows this and he wanted make sure before his ‘departure’ the divide line between Tamils and Sinhalese is wider than before and LTTE has done a pretty good job on that.

  • 23. Naga UK  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 am

    VP had it coming all the time. the period of haunting may have started now, paricularly in self-imposed solitary confinement. Notwithstanding the survival so far, annihilating all potential threats in the form of intelectuals and rising leaders he has made the all important mistake of not grooming a successor. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is a classic example. However, the cat has nine lives and he is the big cat and the euphoria of the Sinhala Budhists may be due to a hallucination. Who will be after VP indeed a big question? The question that should be asked actually who is behind VP. Surely he is not the master-mind!!!

    There is always a question of succession. Who will be after Ranil? A big question. Who will be after MR? A bigger question. There are no less than three waiting in the wing to do him a Mario Puzo. Talking of M.R (Mahinda Rajapakse) I get some similarities between M.R and R.M. (Robert Mugabe) who has made it a national industry of printing money! there are a lots of other similarities like hating the west, a popular theme with the JVP that has got some freak 37 seats in the Parliament on account of which they have ultranationalistic orgasms on a daily basis.

    Unfortunately for them Nandana Gunatilake, with the establishment of the new JVP has given them a steel sharp edged drawer to put it in and slam it shut! Then it will be time for Somawansa and the other Wansa to sing a different song which would be the last one.

    It was announced today that MR (or RM) has maganimously decided to throw his arms up to Provincial Level devolution! What is behind it? Another fast one? Why do I get a feeling that the Provincial Devolution was an old thing. I must be slipping up – what with the inflation and taxes to keep with, it is a distant memory. I remember vaguely it was another VP (Varathraja Perumal) who bravely hoisted the flag at that time and had to seek asylum as a result – now will it be D.D (douglas devananda)? All good things have to come to an end. It’s time for payback – VP, JVP, EPRLF, DD, SLFP, JHU and others sharing the coldron. But all these barnacles have seeded so much of hatred and enmity among the Sri Lankans they may be able to survive a vee bit longer and no more. something has to break loose, or I am beginning to think that the curse of Kuveni is about to bear fruits.

  • 24. CakeBoy  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 11:09 am

    Mr Jeyraj continues with a very topical and pertinent analysis. He has intelligently highlighted an unavoidable fact that the many LTTE apologists choose not to face.

    I agree that unless Pottu Amman faces the same fate that Tamilselvam did, he will as such inherit the LTTE leadership mantle on Prabakarans demise.

    However what I would have like to have seen examined a bit further in DBS analysis is India’s position vis a vis each prospective candidate for the LTTE leadership.

    In reality India’s position (or opposition) on the LTTE will not vary if Potu Amman beomes the new leader, due to him being a wanted man in connection with the Rajiv assasination. He may not be a viable candidate for this reason.

    Charles Anthony is too young and unproven in battle and will never command the respect of the mid-level leadership or low level cadre.

    Nadesan lack the charisma. Appointing Soosai will invariably result in conflict with Pottu Amman.

    As to someone from the second tier of leadership, there will be inevitable infighting if one of their number in appointed.

    That just leaves Mathivathany Prabakharan. Perhaps this is why we are seeing an increased attempt to raise her profile recently.

    As she is not a military leader, she might perhaps be able to take the political road for a final resolution. That is depending on whether the second tier of LTTE leaders allow it….

    The probable outcome on Prabakarans death will be that the LTTE organisation will implode. If they had a structure such as the IRA, with a military council (and no one single leader) and a strong political arm such as Sinn Fein (TNA can not compare), things may have been rather different.

  • 25. jay  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 12:21 pm

    the prabha time plan may be true, however even before he was born, soon after british left in 1948 or even earlier,thamils demanded 50 50, it was not sinhala chauvinists but thamil chauvinists who created the problem

    yes of course pottu will be more ruthless in killing unarmed boarder villagers, fragile & the elderly worshipping in temples, poor people waiting to catch a bus or a train in the stations, unarmed soldiers returning home for vacation, using innocent fishermen as human shield for suicide attacks by the so called “ellite black tigers”

    ofcourse will be more successful in manufacturing suicide bombers converting future mothers of the thamils, rectruiting underage innocent thamil boys and girls for combat, (while sending their own to europe for higher education, and feeding with cheese and ham)

    god bless our future generations both sinhalease and thamils thanks to us so selfish and cruel, dwelling in the past and the blame game

  • 26. priya  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 1:00 pm

    how much reserach you do to write MR DBS . I like reading you very much.

  • 27. Oru Manithan  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 1:51 pm

    DBS lately you write brilliantly ly against LTTE.
    First of all I congratulate you gettting the info about VP injury
    where no one was able to including MIA.

    Also for your article, you say, “If anyone thinks that the elimination of Prabakharan and extinction of the LTTE would autmotically result in the extinguishing of the ethnic problem it would be a colossal blunder.”

    If this happened, i say kiss good bye to Tamil rights and be prepared to live like slaves. That is what Racist Sinhalas would do to you and me. We will be powerless.

  • 28. janu  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 1:57 pm

    please someone write a article regarding “Tamil peoples original problems” what they want from sri lankan government, I mean If a person in south can go to any gov. place and gets gov. service like that if gov. opens all the gov. offices in north I hope all the tamil people can gets gov. servises equally. so I just wants to know what are the things that gov. wont do to tamil peopl, I hope sri lankan gov. ready to open all the gov. offices in north & east. I just don’t know what tamil people wants exackly…

  • 29. anpu  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 1:58 pm

    Lord Murugan is a construct of ancient Tamil culture an duplication of such construct is only natural under similar set of conditions.

    It is unfathomable how such conditions have been effortlessly created in Ceylon/Sri Lanka.

    Newton’s Third Law provides that “Every has has an equal and opposite reaction.” As you have correctly summarized Prabhaharan is merely a Tamil response to the tyranny of the majority.

    Once his people are liberated I would speculate that Prabhaharan would care a damn about who his successor will be.

    As for the good professor, please be informed that one of the finest chief minister in India was UNEDUCATED Kamaraj. It appears that all your education did not provide an elementary level of knowledge in history.

  • 30. priya  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 2:07 pm

    Hillary Clinton on Tamil Tigers

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=7z_olqBDnxA

  • 31. Amirthakaliyan  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 3:48 pm

    In life birth in not certain but death is certain. The tragedy is that none of the LTTE stooges understand this. But in the best interest of the Tamils, it is good. Otherwise the LTTE would survive. Not only Praba, the LTTE and all the militant groups and all of those who fought along the military line shall go. Then and then only there will be peace for the Tamils. All we could give them is big salute and nothing more.

    Ravi [colomn #4] says that Praba is only 53. Yes but Hitler was only 56 when he committed suicide in his bunker. When comparing with Praba, Hitler was more powerful, more energetic, more healthy and lived in a better environment, . But see what happened to him at the end and see how quickly that end came,

    Dear DBS, after Praba who is next in the LTTE is not the question. The big question is who is there to take the Tamils to peace and prosperity. Do the Tamils have an answer for this. If they have an answer, then the LTTE will not even think of appointing someone to succeed VP. If the Tamils do not have one, then surely there will be another ‘grade 7 dropout cycle theif’ to lead us and there are a lot.

    I wish there is a GG somewhere for us there but not a SJV, please!!!

  • 32. "Quay Sera Sera"  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 3:52 pm

    In the short term there seems to be only greater desperation and hopelessness for the silent majority of Tamils and other people when Muti, Madayan. Modan, Muttal, Asadan, Pethai and Milachans’ are in the wings to harvest the unexplored ordinance, bombs and mines for the next half centaury. In fairness to VP in the book “Inside an elusive mind” it was stated that AB who prevailed on VP to not disband the LTTE when at one time VP realized his limitations and wanted to close shop. Apparently AB had is kidneys in mind and must take equal responsibility for the present pathetic and deplorable state of not the Tamils and other people there but other misguided LTTE activists Tamils the diaspora as well.

  • 33. Surya  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 5:57 pm

    Dear DBSJ
    thank you again for a good article about LTTE leaders elimination and it’s consequences for our protracted ethnic problem. I believe that any changes come to Sri Lankan ethnic issue only possible after the elimination of current LTTE leadership.
    But as you stated in your article nobody should underestimate the Tamil problem in Sri Lanka even without LTTE’s existence. The Singhalse South in every aspect responsible for the creation of this LTTE monster and fully responsible for bring a viable solution ever after the LTTE. This is historical fact and duty.

    But I am optimistic today that before about that after the exsistence of the LTTE international community will play stronger part to end this menace. What Tamils of Sri Lanka should do is to unite to ask to India for help and direct involvment in case Singhalese use the vacum to their advantage. But I also believe majority Singalese will support for a viable solution once LTTE out of the scene.
    I hope that the day Sri Lanka will be a peaceful and prosperous country not very far!

  • 34. Roja  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 7:44 pm

    Since 1948 until now , what happend to all Sri Lankan educated people. ( both singala and tamil).

  • 35. Rahu  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 8:01 pm

    Prabaharan is too old not and has to retaire or perish by arial bombing.

    I feel Mrs prabaharan or his son will take over. There is a lot of money and I am sure Praba will not allow it to go any where else.

  • 36. A.PASUPATHY  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 8:23 pm

    Dear mappana mudaliar
    well educated people like you cannot be leaders of the people. They can be traiter for sinhalese government like laksman kadirgamer who didnt know the colour of jaffna and tamil. There are well educated doctors and professors still behind the LTTE for the tamil cause. LTTE cant fight without suppot of the tamils..

  • 37. Thamba  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    It may be that there is a need for fresh blood now. If a new leader other than VP and Pottu, may be it’s easer for reconciliation with India, that is not a bad development actually. LTTE can demolish Anuradapura or any other army base, but Gov. of SL will get reinforcements from ‘friendly’ countries every time. Therefore, this kind of attacks are only a way of demonstrating the capability of the LTTE, but will definitely not give us Eelam and peace with Singhalese at the same time.

  • 38. Chandran  |  December 23rd, 2007 at 10:06 pm

    Hi DBS,

    Thank you bringing a good discussion. We had many educated tamils from 1948 and non of them were able to do what is happening now. So education is not very important when it comes to tamil leadership and freedom. But it will be a diaster to allow educated fools to lead us in future.

  • 39. veeran  |  December 24th, 2007 at 1:22 am

    Israel killed sheik Ahmed Yassine, and several other leaders of Islamic jihad and Hammas, the americans killed Zarqawi in Iraq. This has not stopped the resistance of those organisations. Likewise even if Prabakaran is killed, it will not lead to the situation the singhalese and the west would like. A new leader will rise who will champion the rights of the thamil people.

  • 40. spy  |  December 24th, 2007 at 4:44 am

    hey,
    as usual you typed a lot, facts are there,but you couldnt get theanswer to your question “after praba who?”
    anyway good topic, wishes.

  • 41. spy  |  December 24th, 2007 at 4:46 am

    hey
    maapanna, are you prof…dont you thinkabout a answer to your question, if the is knpown , why this web page, & tamil’s struggle?
    you are a real veepannai.

  • 42. mango  |  December 24th, 2007 at 5:08 am

    Not only sinhala chauvinist politicians s created the problem.What about tamil Chauvinist politicials.

  • 43. Vinivida  |  December 24th, 2007 at 7:14 am

    Tamil chauvinist politicians created the problem. Sinhala chauvinist politicians fuel the problem. Chelvanayakam aspiration of Tamil racism was Federalism followed by an Eelam. In 1949 just after Sri Lanka got independent from British empire Chelvanayakam created the party called Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK-Lanka Tamil State Party). That was before Sinhala was enthroned as the sole official language and the 1958 anti-Tamil violence was unleashed. On 15 February 1949, Chelvanayakam made a speech in his Kankasantura constituency clearly outlining his plan of action. He declared that ‘Tamil Ceylon must govern itself’, and enunciated for the first time ‘the elementary right of small nations to have self determination’,

    This party became within seven years the leading instrument for the implementation of Chelvanayakam’s solution for the Tamil people. But meanwhile he saw his task as building a new nation, giving the Tamil people a sense of pride in their homeland. He was regarded by the public, Sinhala and Tamil alike, as the Moses who would lead his people to the Promised Land. In other words in order to implement the so-called Chelvanayakam solution, which is nothing but Federalism followed by Eelam, Mr. Chelvanayakam first had to build a new nation. He had to start building a new nation simply because there was no Tamil nation in 1949 as he himself had admitted on several occasions. He has led the Tamils to a blood bath after inciting the generation of Prabhakaran against the Sinhala people. He is responsible not only for the creation of the myth of the traditional homeland of the Tamils and the Chelvanayakam aspiration but also for the creation of Prabhakaran and his generation.

  • 44. Guna  |  December 24th, 2007 at 12:18 pm

    It is funny that DBS talking about Nehru, Ramayanam etc to comapare these uneducated buggers.

  • 45. theeran tamilakam  |  December 24th, 2007 at 12:55 pm

    rajendra cholan attained even bigger victories after raja raja cholan.

    U know what i mean…….

    [but right now it is too premature..mr.prabahakaran is the leader of the tigers ...no one will be able to think beyond this now.]

  • 46. tham  |  December 24th, 2007 at 1:17 pm

    To All those educated people, including DBS, need to understand onething….

    You all are kind of accedemic people who happend to have the right enviornment for your education, only talks and writes……

    VP , man of action and who dares, had far sight and became the leader of tamil naturally…….

    VP’s decision to remove other incompetenet tamil organisations was the right decision though inevitably tamils got killed….. Look at Palesetine

    KIlling of Rajive kandi…. VP would have killed if he had delayed his actions…. pls read the book of former commander of IPKF…

    What happend to Tamil’s former leader Selva with great education back ground…..nice man but not able to get a lasting solution…….

    What is more important is Street-Smartness not the educational qualifications ….

    Strengths of Eelam Tamils that will give lasting solution
    - Visionary leader…who dares
    - Cinide carrying fighters and the suiside squards
    - Tamil Disopra who will continue to fund
    - Emotionally attched 6 crore TamiNadu people..
    - Increasing influence of Human wright bodies and UN that shapes forigen policies of most of the major countries….

    VP always choose to lose in short-term for long-term gain

  • 47. Thamil  |  December 24th, 2007 at 1:35 pm

    Why the hack you are so fanatic about LTTE and LTTE’s leader?

  • 48. A Eelam Warrior  |  December 24th, 2007 at 2:11 pm

    Wats up guys!!!
    LTTE is not uneducated Freedom Organisation.
    We are well educated than any other freedom fighters in the world.
    Even we are wiser than Srilankan Government.
    Don’t think LTTE is just fighting from the “VANNI KADU”.

    Tamils all over the world are behind the LTTE’s political ideology.
    Including Engineers in many sophisticated fields,doctors, profs, Sotware technicians are working behind them.
    You know what I mean DBSJ?

  • 49. Thilee  |  December 24th, 2007 at 3:55 pm

    People desperate to get info on Tamil issues ‘daily’. So, these type of articles will feed them and stand in hstory as there are less writers are capable on inside issues.

    I cannot agree with DBSJ on one issue. “But what has happened is that Prabakharan and the LTTE have been unwilling to negotiate meaningfully and compromise.” This is not true. Since indipendent Govt. failed to give a hope to Tamils on a permenant solution. LTTE is no exception to that, that means govt. should have show more realistic on talks, rather than political gains and traping LTTE. Even the lastst peace talks broke when govt. denied to open the A9. Govt. cannot obey CFA which signed on behalf of international community. Similarly a future peace agreement with tamils might break down in a similar way.

    Sinhala leaders have to secure their power than solving the tamils’ issue. That is the reality. They will take the side whichever keeps them in power/secure more votes. They never going to be in a possition to favour a solution unless it will boost them in election.

    LTTE leadershiip might go to a stronger / weaker leadership is to be seen in the future. PLO had bad taste. In these kind of environments, it is not easy to have a pre-plan or democratic set up for high level decision, all the time, because of the high powered intellient setup around the region.

    The issue written by prof. Mappana from Hawai. You have to look around the world. The Hindu is not the only news source you can educate yourself.

  • 50. Ram  |  December 24th, 2007 at 8:42 pm

    DBS is correct!
    After the death of Praba, the death of LTTE is imminent.

    But the ethnic issue will continue to haunt the island until the day any SL citizen would be able to freely move around in any corner of this island without fear of harassment.

    In all the fairness may I say, tamils were able to freely do business in the south while no sinhalas would dare to own a piece of land in the Jaffna peninsula. They were simply not allowed. That is true even today.

    One thing will be certain.
    There will not be another “Yaman” like Prabakaran, simply because there will not be enough tamils left in SL to have any conviction or a resolve to LTTE agenda!!!

    Prabakaran is a swords that cuts in both ways.

  • 51. Meiyalagan  |  December 25th, 2007 at 3:54 am

    Hi DBS good to see that you have come to terms that LTTE is a bullshit.

  • 52. N2  |  December 25th, 2007 at 5:34 am

    Thamil # 47 is right; this preoccupation with ‘Prabakaran’s successor’ is becoming fanatical for some people.

    The focus should be on the problems of the Tamils.

    Whether people like the LTTE or not, the overwhelmingly huge part that they have played cannot be denied.
    Can the part that is filled by the LTTE be filled by anyone else? No.
    Will the Tamil problem disappear if there is no LTTE? No.
    Will foreign powers be needed to occupy the north-east if there is no LTTE? Yes.

    So either the LTTE continues to succeed the LTTE, or some foreign power (according to their interests) succeeds the LTTE .

    The question is, are the pro-war people wise enough to see the consequences of each scenario in the long term.

  • 53. ram  |  December 25th, 2007 at 8:29 am

    Hi Jeyaraj,
    keep it up

  • 54. ram  |  December 25th, 2007 at 8:31 am

    i know You guys will read the comment but i’m sure comment won’t do any change in your mind about tamil ethinic problem .

  • 55. athi  |  December 25th, 2007 at 9:10 am

    mr.jeyaraj
    you are doing an excellent job.

  • 56. Guna  |  December 25th, 2007 at 11:38 am

    Yes we agree,
    LTTE is well educated stuff with 6th grade VP and 5th Grade Pootu as their leaders.

  • 57. Anothere Sri lankan  |  December 25th, 2007 at 12:10 pm

    When does this people (sinhal/tamil/ muslim/ etc..) stop fighting and try to find a real solution for this sri lanka problem. As a sinhalese I am ashamed of the monk who said that muslims should go to Saudi Arabia.
    It does not matter where you came from but where you going. Speaking of that, what will happened to those tamils who live in sri lanka, but outside the treditional homeland. Are they willing to go back to vanni away from colombo where they have more freedom. What happened to all those so called tamils live in outside the country who want to get the part of the eelam pie as they have send their hard earn money for this struggle.

    Regardless, May our motherland (Sri Lanka) be blessed by God on this christmas day!

  • 58. Mappana's cousin  |  December 25th, 2007 at 1:31 pm

    Education is no relevance to leadership.

    Kamaraj is the benchmark for Tamil LEaders since independence and he was barely qualified.

    Kadirgamar was the worst; unelected and unrepresentative of Tamils. He was amongst the most qualified.

    We need good selfless people, not paper qualifications.

  • 59. Suresh M  |  December 25th, 2007 at 2:02 pm

    In my opinion ‘Kalainger’ M. Karunanidhi had achieved a lot under his leadership that ‘Aringer’ Annathurai failed to accomplish.

  • 60. A.Rajasingam  |  December 25th, 2007 at 4:42 pm

    It is interesting to read this Article which itself kills Prabaharan psychologically and also has created fear psychosis in the minds of the future successors of the LTTE. However, I like to make some observations. First of all, the LTTE is a terrorist organization unlike the democratic organizations. In a terrorist organization there may be a Council consisting of various characters but those decisions are taken behind the iron curtain, given the fact that there was a calculated and systematic decimation of number of prospective LTTE leaders. One will have to wait and watch whether the LTTE leadership adopts a family bandysm or area bandysm. It should be in mind that as both Prabaharan and Pottu Amman are most wanted criminals in the eyes of the international community, it is very difficult for them to come on to the surface. They have created more enemies not only among a section of the Tamils for destroying a generation of youths but also within the LTTE circles. In addition. India is keeping a watchful eye on the movements of the LTTE leaders and those of double-standard politicians towing the LTTE by way of not criticizing the atrocities of the LTTE, which appears that they are justifying the murders committed by the LTTE, while crying for human rights violations simultaneously. Even after Sheik Mujibur Rahuman became the Prime Minister of Bangaladesh, he and his entire family were gunned down. The eventual succession of India Gandhi, M.K.Karunanidhi in DMK are quite different from that of an organization which was outlawed by several countries. The fate of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge in Cambodia is a case in point. Against such a background, the question is how is the LTTE leader going to tackle his successors and save his family. If that is so, what about the goal of Eelam for which he had killed a number of leading citizens and thousands of rival cadres. How is he or the successors going to answer these problems. Or will they follow the method of Adolph Hitler?

  • 61. Ravi  |  December 26th, 2007 at 3:08 am

    As D.B.S Jeyaraj said, ” Consequrnces have overwhelmed the causes. Instead of being part of the solution the LTTE and its leader have become part of the problem. ” So what will be the first step to solve our problem?

  • 62. N2  |  December 26th, 2007 at 3:35 am

    Some people always seem to pick and choose bits from the past that suits them so as to lay blame on this side or that; (for example #43 Vinivida seems content to say it was all Chelvanayagam’s fault and little else, but has no grasp on the gravity of the present issues – besides, WHY did Chelvanayagam say such things?)

    Whatever the past, the present choice is to deal with the LTTE in fairness to the Tamils OR to lose the whole of Lanka to some foreign power that will step in to try to fill the place of the LTTE.
    At present it looks like the foreign power is trying to get the GOSL forces to do its dirty work; and as long as there are kick backs the politicians in power don’t appear to mind at all.

    And # 58 Mappana’s cousin certainly seems much more educated than Mappana himself!

  • 63. Navam, UK  |  December 26th, 2007 at 4:10 am

    I am managing a Nursing Home over 10 years very successfully in UK. I have some academic qualifications like BSc, MSc and MBA. However, for me, managing LTTE so successfully is an impossible task (for example over 70, 000 Indian Army against less than 4,000 Tigers).

  • 64. Mukilan  |  December 26th, 2007 at 6:12 am

    Hi Eelam Warrior
    as you mentioned may be some Tamils all over the world are behind the LTTE’s political ideology.
    you may be Engineers in many sophisticated fields,doctors, profs, Sotware technicians as so on. but can you send your daughters and sons to prabakaran’s conscription. you ask what LTTE controled people are saying about your prabakran. u come and fight with LTTE.

  • 65. Suranganie  |  December 26th, 2007 at 1:50 pm

    The question should be “After Prabha What? the question should come from the Sinhalese who seem to be riding high on the war front and only they can provide the answer! The ambitious Tamils perceived “standardization” as an act of injustice and moved on to greener (overseas) pastures. Tamils left behind may never get a chance again to determine who will rule them, occupy their lands or terrorize them. At least, the Sinhalese do have a choice but the question is will they choose peace?

  • 66. Irumporai  |  December 26th, 2007 at 6:16 pm

    After Prabhakaran, if LTTE wants to survuve it should replace EPDP Douglas Devananda to the leadership. It may sounds funny and ludicrous. However he is the man for the job. Douglas survived many attemts to his life and running another LTTE ( which is EPDP) identical to the original LTTE in the lines of a totalitarian structure. Pottu Amman please consider.

  • 67. Jegan Balachandran  |  December 27th, 2007 at 12:30 am

    In reference to #43 vinivida, i would like to point out a few things.

    1. The correct translation to ELANGKAI THAMIL ARASU KATCHI is The Tamil governing party of Ceylon and not Lanka tamil state party. The term ‘Arasu’ in this context carries the meaning of governing or governance and not state.

    2. What’s wrong in wanting have self governance and look after ones owns interest? Most definitely this does not justify the barbaric act of violence unleashed on innocent Tamils??.

    3. Every subsequent acts of violence, until the late 70’s, were one sided and perpetrated by the Sri lanka state and the Sinhala people against the helpless Tamils, which gave birth to the equally violent Tamil militant movements.

    4. The Sri Lanka Government and it’s people (Sinhalese & Tamils) should understand one thing clearly. An idea should be met by another idea and not by an act of violence.

  • 68. Ellalan  |  December 27th, 2007 at 1:23 am

    DBS,
    How much is NATION paying you to write these articles? If it is not against your policy, I and some friends of mine can help you out to run your website by donations

  • 69. deco  |  December 27th, 2007 at 9:00 am

    hai all;

    Well any way what i see is that its the youth of srilanka who is been killed in both parties. I don’t see much difference between Vp or MR of their activities. And mind it we live in a country were one of the tamil politician said that he cant talk of the specific problems that tamils face in sri lanka as its not in the Agenda on when he was the opposition leader in 1977. Thats how the game goes.

    Any way I m really sad about the current situation. The flare
    that all of us face in the country. You may be sinhala , Tamil
    Muslims or some other but for any one who is born in sri Lanka
    its their county and its once and for all.

    Since the independence all politicians should be responsible for this . And as its we who select them its back to us.

    So this will continue may be after MR or VP but will any new leader solve this issue. I don’t think so. Unless the Public here i n colombo and im Jaffna takes their hands together this crisis will
    not end.
    regards

  • 70. A.Rajasingam  |  December 27th, 2007 at 9:07 am

    Kamaraj never resorted to arms and never got rid of educationists or experienced politicians, but accommodated all of them. He always encouraged open views and gave due respect to democratic principles. I do not know in what sense people are trying to compare Kamaraj with armed terrorist groups.

  • 71. Quay Sera Sera  |  December 27th, 2007 at 12:20 pm

    Please disregard 64 or previous from same source.

    VP attained the leadership of the LTTE not unlike Pol Pot through misguided greed, ambition and subterfuge with the short cutter misapplication of the Eritrean experience by the half learned and not fully qualified political advisor AB. They and there group’s betrayal of Umamaheswaran, Thangathurai and Kutimani resulted in one getting shot and the other two being massacred along with many others in the Welikada prison.

    The king of Cambodia stood up to the USA and it led to Pol Pot fester in Cambodia not unlike JR standing up to India. Bush over exaggerated the threat posed by Iraque and invaded Iraqi. Similarly AB and VP over exaggerating the threat of Indian RAW that led the LTTE to commit fratricidal massacres of many other genuine liberation groups that have resulted in women and children fighting more for AB and VP’s causes than that of all Tamils as professed.

    It’s a good thing that Mathiwathany consented to marry VP if not no LTTE fighter would have had a life with sexual pleasures like their leader in contrast to the Kurdish liberation force where male and female fighters are segregated and not allowed to marry or have any physical contact until their goal is achieved.

    Kamaraj was not as ill educated a killer and butcher that VP and his ilk have become thanks to the post independence Majoritarian Singhala-Budhist Chauvinists governments and people of SL who wanted the benefits of a more easy and comfortable life using the accident of birth to feather their own nests at the expense of others unlike Singapore with well educated broad minded leaders and people with a liberal out-look that contrasts with the economic prosperity of theirs and the nearly failed state of SL.

  • 72. eeroppesinhaya  |  December 27th, 2007 at 7:19 pm

    As Pottu gave infomation to SLAF about Tamil Selvem’s den. He will give Praba’s location as well. Because he already eliminated all barriers for him to be the next leader of LTTE now only barrier left is Praba. Well done POTTU!

  • 73. dravidan  |  December 27th, 2007 at 8:16 pm

    Mr. Jeyaraj,

    you did a good job writing
    You just proved yourself, that you are a true journalist.

    bottom line is that the majority of the Tamils are not with the ltte.
    NO THANKS for-Mervin Silva and company..

  • 74. Quay Sera Sera.  |  December 27th, 2007 at 9:02 pm

    Vide comment 63.

    It’s not the genius of VP that made him last this long. It’s rather to more to with his cash-cow status for the ruling elites of SL and the need for the regional power India to have her finger in the SL pie.

    There were opportunities to end his story during the IPK/ Kalkert days but they were under strict orders to spare him. Further it has more to do with the ruthless amoral war that VP is waging with the affected dedicated and critically unthinking brainwashed younger generation.

    When they begin to think like Mahendrarajah or Karuna VP’s desiccated brain could not accommodate them and could only shoot and shoot much like the like the mindset of the Sinhalese Majoritarian doing to the Tamils VP wanted the Eastern Karuna and Co liquidated

    Dedicated warriors in their own terrain are always at an advantage but not when the whole dammed world is ganged up to meet the threat of protecting a crucial link and important sea-lane along with thwarting the spread of separatism in India.

    Rajiv’s India that wanted to build a highway to link the north of SL now it’s in the process of deepening the sea separating for security and cheaper costs to sea transport.

  • 75. Siva  |  December 27th, 2007 at 9:41 pm

    Mr DBS,
    Yes, every life on this earth ends up one day. When the time comes he cannot evade the God of death “Yaman”.
    But legend lives for ever, if you are still in doubt, don’t worry, if needed the nature will produce much more determine and courage’s leader for Tamil struggle.

  • 76. Prof.Keerthipala  |  December 27th, 2007 at 10:44 pm

    56. Guna
    Guna u should be bloody minded. In face that is your fate!!!!
    Think about how waste ful guys you all.
    You couldn’t destroy a so called “extremist group” lead by so called Grade 6. What a pity????
    Please when you guys comment you should use some brain.

  • 77. Fernando  |  December 27th, 2007 at 10:46 pm

    Prof Mappana is bloody wasted guy.

  • 78. A Eealm Warrior  |  December 27th, 2007 at 11:19 pm

    Hey Mr 64. Mukilan!!!
    Surprisingly I am from Vanni!!!
    You should know one think LTTE doesn’t choose this way of freedom fighting.
    Honurable Mr. Selvanayakam chosen, Becoz He knew this should be the way to regain our freedom from sinhala chauvinism.
    Many leaders went into his ideology. But only Hon VP is stand alone leader.
    Most of the tamils agreed this.

  • 79. A tamil Freedom fighter  |  December 27th, 2007 at 11:20 pm

    hi

  • 80. dravidan  |  December 28th, 2007 at 5:25 pm

    DBS Jeyaraj,
    you have been in your own way trying to educate our people about futility of LTTE policys. I sincerely hope you will succeed in the coming year at least. Wish you and this website a very happy new year.

  • 81. j.muthu  |  December 28th, 2007 at 5:56 pm

    Dear dbs,
    I feel sory for you letting so many dump modayas, putting their dump arguments. Sinhalease proove themselves They are utter ignorents and modayas.

  • 82. bandara  |  December 29th, 2007 at 2:27 am

    comment to MAPPANA MUTHALIYAR:
    I believe you are some one who couldnt achieve some end in your studies and a moron product hiding under a superficial DR title.., Even your way of writing shows immaturity and irrelevant connections…still..please try to understand the vaccum in correlation between education and success in life..specially about family and so you were interested in..which i believe you need counselling.. god bless you..

  • 83. Thaya, Canada  |  December 29th, 2007 at 3:19 am

    You are correct DBS!

    If anyone think, by eliminating LTTE and its leader Prabha, “the tamils issue” can be put in the back burner they are the “Modayas of all Times”

    Tamils problem is no longer as it was in 1958, 1977 and 1983, with the support of Sinhala politicians, group of thugs can kill, torture, rape and destroy properties of tamils whenever sinhala politicians use violence on tamils for their election victory. Successive smart sinhala politicians banked on “modaya sinhalese” votes in every election by talking about “Tamils issue”.

    Everyone should keep in mind that whether they like it or not “Srilankan Tamils issue” is internationalized than ever before.

    Sinhalese (modayas) pls wake up before it is too late and help the tamils to live in peace with dignity before some other country to tell you what to do.

    Few recent reminders to Sinhala Politicians and who ever beleive that there is no “tamils issue” only “terrorist threat” in Srilanka.

    a) How diplomacy worked in ending “emergency rule” in Pakistan.

    b) Indian national security advisor M.K. Narayanan’s recent meeting with Srilnakan tamil politicians.
    http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20071228/88462.htm

  • 84. Jeevani P  |  December 29th, 2007 at 4:03 am

    People of Jaffna living in constant fear, the price of a gas cylinder in Jaffna had risen to Rs. 5000,eggs were being sold at Rs 24, Rice Rs 200 per Kilo, fish Rs 700 and potatoes Rs 180 per Kilo. Above all what was most disturbing was the constant terror stalking the people of the peninsula. “Curfew was set for 9pm when I was there but the streets and shops were deserted by 3pm at least. Everyone I spoke to said curfew is not for protection of civilians – but for protection of “unidentified groups” that roam the streets of Jaffna abducting and killing people. I got names of seven people who had been killed the week I was in Jaffna,” he said adding he remembered a recent report that showed almost two persons disappeared or were killed in Jaffna in the first eight months of 2007.

    Jeevani

  • 85. dravidan  |  December 29th, 2007 at 2:29 pm

    What pathetic Loosers you are all of you tiger supporters attacking DBS for writing honest truths here
    now we are laughing at you
    you foolish peple not seeing truth in your face.

    Many comments what got posted here show LTTE duplicity.

    LTTE supporters carry on your boot licking, coolie duties towards your tiger masters.
    Go read the stories of bootlickers. All coolies will be wasted by their own masters one day.

  • 86. Dr. Arun Vinncent  |  December 30th, 2007 at 3:41 pm

    Heil Prabakaran Velupillai!!!

  • 87. chales ryan  |  December 30th, 2007 at 5:09 pm

    godd article but only academic and not practical. There is no other way to fight for rights in SL other than LTTE methods

  • 88. chales ryan  |  December 30th, 2007 at 5:19 pm

    Mappana mudaliyar! What an idiotic name! Name itself reflects a caste conscious arrogant imbecile. If LTTE leadership lacks education how did they become the world’s most formidable guerlla power. How are they fighting a conventional war against a govt. supported militarily and otherwise by the US,Europe,India,Israel,Russia,China,Pakistan,Iran and a host of other countries?Your educated leaders like Sir.Pon Ramanathan,S. Nadesan and GG Ponnambalam got screwd by a seventh grader,D.S Senanayake. Thats why Tamils are suffring today.

  • 89. PUMA  |  December 31st, 2007 at 9:38 am

    Simply fantastic analysis.

  • 90. Malti Mestizo  |  December 31st, 2007 at 9:40 am

    the analysis (article) is simply superb.

  • 91. Thamilmaran  |  January 1st, 2008 at 3:38 am

    Wakeup DBS, write about Manennai Maheshvaran. Need any info feel free to contact me.

  • 92. Kanna  |  January 3rd, 2008 at 1:20 am

    Analysis ok. But if we think this much, how mucy our leader thinks. We are thinking and writing from being out of the scene. He is there and running the moment for last 30 years. Idiot professor made a comment as uneducated people. I feel that he is really stupid. More than the education we can do many thing with our experince. God has his own plan. Our grant parents never thought about our great leader but time brought him to the scene. He is a real gift from God. Messiah for tamil people. Same God will give us a good leader. My requestis don’t confusethe people by doing this type of analysis. But write something to bring all tamil conscious together and fight against the oppression.

  • 93. Gamini  |  January 3rd, 2008 at 10:10 am

    Replacing Prabha is like organising the deck chairs on the titanic, the ship is sinking.
    A bunch of petty crooks and thugs who elevated themselves to a quasi military through a brutal campaign of suicide bombings and death squads., the tigers have only fooled the blood thirsty diaspora and seemingly the Norwegians, the rest of the world see them for who they are… blood thirsty terrorists.

  • 94. Thamilan  |  January 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am

    Comment # 88

    Thanks for mentioning the reality. People should realize that the failure of the so called educated Tamil leaders and the uneducated Sinhalese leaders lead to the brutality/determination/success of VP.

    VP has created an army/administration (LTTE) to run the war to attain Tamil Elam even after his death. There are millions of Tamils in the entire Tamil community whom share the same value as VP and finding a replacement that is parallel to VP is not that hard. At the moment Pottu Amman remains the best choice and he has proven to be more brutal/deadly/daring/militaristic/intelligence in fighting this war then VP.

    If Pottu Amman does come into the seat of VP, I wish all the Sinhalese on that island the best wishes to survive. The past generation of Tamils (presented by failed political parties) were willing to settle for less, the present Tamils (presented by LTTE) are willing to settle for equal and the next generation of Tamils (also presented by LTTE) will want absolute control of what is rightfully belongs to the Tamils (this generation will not even bother negotiating even if they had the upper hand on the negotiating table).

  • 95. gengatharan  |  January 3rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    india planninig to assinate our great leader.who still representing the tamils liberation. the ltte considered internal self determination for last six years. oslo declaration was the great political gamble ltte ever made before. if ltte is prepared to selfcritizice that and denounced oslo&indo lanka agreement as a freedom movement it will everlast in our history. please remember our leader conquered world fourth largest army &he promoted our tamil ladies from kitchens to warfronts

  • 96. DJ  |  January 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm

    DBS!

    Do you, for a moment, think,Thalivar VP with all his visionary atributes did not contemplate the post VP sinario

  • 97. new friend  |  January 4th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    hi dbs

    nooo. we dont want any new leader for ltte. Piraba was enough. we wat just our peace.

  • 98. QSS  |  January 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    Ref comments 88 and 94. The results of almost all wars are essentialy pyric in nature. All sides pay a high price in terms of the losses to people, materials, economy, life and limb. It’s not only the majority modasinhalayas, and madathamilans who are doomed mankind as a whole is doomed like the dinosaurs. Some radi activity resistant better suited cockaroaches like life forms may inherit the earth unless there is a better fortituous genetic mutation in stock and Gene pool of mankind.

    It’s not the genius of VP that made him last this long. It’s rather to more to with his cash-cow status for the ruling elites of SL and the need for the regional power India to have her finger in the SL pie.

    There were opportunities to end his story during the IPK/ Kalkert days but they were under strict orders to spare him. Further it has more to do with the ruthless amoral war that VP is waging with the affected dedicated and critically unthinking brainwashed younger generation.

    When they begin to think like Mahendrarajah or Karuna VP’s desiccated brain could not accommodate them and could only shoot and shoot much like the like the mindset of the Sinhalese Majoritarian doing to the Tamils VP wanted the Eastern Karuna and Co liquidated.

    Dedicated warriors in their own terrain are always at an advantage but not when the whole dammed world is ganged up to meet the threat of protecting a crucial link and important sea-lane along with thwarting the spread of separatism in India.

    Rajiv’s India that wanted to build a highway to link the north of SL now it’s in the process of deepening the (devide) sea separating for security and cheaper costs to sea transport and for the betterment of the Indian and worl people as a whole.

  • 99. Chales Ryan  |  January 5th, 2008 at 10:29 pm

    I dont undrestand those Pundits who critisize our leaders ranging fro Chevanayagam to Prabaharan. Who is going to bring us peace? Is it Douglas,Sangaree or Pillayan?

  • 100. QSS  |  January 6th, 2008 at 12:10 am

    Ref 99. This so-called Charles Ryan may take comfort from the story’s end of the film ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ if he cannot grasp the bigger pix in comment 98.

  • 101. dharshi  |  January 24th, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    Prabaha will bring death to all whether they are for him or against him , tamil or sinhala but except to himself.
    Wish this cult 1000 deaths, not one.

    If we all die one day then why worry over that and why try to accelerate it. Absurd.

    Rather than spending billions to destroy the area and to kill own tamil humans why not spend to develop the area peacefully and enjoy the life.

    who cares whether its Elam or not?

  • 102. Siththayuthi  |  January 25th, 2008 at 9:09 pm

    DBS and Mappana Muthali,

    Please refer to DBS’s writing itself, he stated about King maker Kamarajar, Periyaar and Karunanidhi these three are well known leaders but have no education or good family background, the so called educated high class “vellaalar” what they did to Tamils? Did they achieve anything other than cheated by Sinhala politicians? Only LTTE made all Sinhala politicians to pee on their Ambude and sarong.
    DBS: you have great ability to research and write which we can’t do, Please use that in positive way to give enthusiasm to Tamils who suffered lot.

  • 103. SiththaMukthaPithan  |  January 28th, 2008 at 10:21 am

    Ref 102: Don’t you ever bother read what other’s have written?

    How dumb can one get using such a meaningful high sounding psuedonym flipantly or else is it a typical display of the overall low IQ rank and file of the LTTE more emotional and less reasoned mindset that is bringing ruination to it and the silent majority of Tamils ,Singhalese and other Humans.

    Just ponder on the following BFO making other silly and unreasonable comments.

    ‘If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in the struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.’ ‘ Martin Luther King, Jr

    “The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.”
    -George Orwell.

    ‘Before we set our hearts too much on anything, let us examine how happy are those who already possess it.” Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld.

    There are really only three fundamental ways to break the Law: harm someone; damage another’s property or use fraud or mischief in your contracts. All things under statutes rest upon a foundation of consent or agreement and thus are violations of a societal contract.

    “To us all towns are one, all men our kin.
    Life’s good comes not from others’ gift, nor ill
    Man’s pains and pains’ relief are from within.
    Thus have we seen in visions of the wise !.”
    - Tamil Poem in Purananuru, circa 500 B.C

    “The nature of the universe is such that ends can never justify the means. On the contrary, the means always determine the end.” (Aldous Huxley).

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