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| Sunday, 16 October 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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LTTE use of unconventional air power Bull's Eye by a Special Defence Correspondent It had been revealed that the LTTE had identified an ideal block of land close to Iranamadu tank as their airbase already. The strategic geographical situation of the site is believed to be most suitable point for fast fighter aircraft operations as taking off, reaching the target and returning within a specific given time. Another factor for them to select the site is that it provides them with a better cover up with dense jungle from two sides and human settlements from the Northern and the Southern flanks of the tank. Its closeness to the A9 road is also another positive factor as they can make connecting routes to the airbase for other necessary facilitation and supply activities.
Though this issue became the centre of controversy since the news broke in mid 90s, it was gradually forgotten as other issues attracted focus of attention. While much attention was focused on the Iranamadu airstrip another development had gone almost unnoticed. Undoubtedly, tigers may have taken every possible measure to train their own pilots and other technicians towards their mission of owning a fully fledged air power further expanding the already existing paved 1250 metre long runway and procuring more sophisticated flights apart from the current ones believed to be Czech-built Zlin Z-143. As a measure to have trainers, they would probably try to take air force pilots into their custody and force them to train their own cadres. It is learnt that one such officer, Squadron Leader Priyantha Weeraman whose helicopter crash landed in a LTTE stronghold area was apprehended by them and was forced to train pilots. Priyantha was believed to have been put to death as he refused the order. The airstrip is believed to be built between mid 2003 and end 2004 and doubtless they are developing the airstrip too as they strengthened their military power during the truce. The LTTE's ambitions of air power are not new. Even Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) had recovered assembly parts of micro light aircraft from LTTE hideouts, plans with manuals etc during their operations in 1988. Later, security forces too had found an engineering workshop with aircraft spares during operations in LTTE held areas. Because of this ambition they purchased surface-to-air missiles in 1988 and used them in 1989 to shoot down Air Force planes. Since then the LTTE has increased its artillery, radar systems, and naval capability. Therefore the LTTE attempt to acquire air power cannot be simply taken for granted as they have been working on it to create a fully fledged force similar to sea tigers. The LTTE's plans to acquire an air-mounted capability for suicide missions against Government politicians and military officers cannot be refuted. The Western and Indian intelligence agencies had noticed that LTTE cadres in West Europe and Canada were buying a large number of expensive technical books relating to flying and were inquiring about light aircrafts. Purchasing aircraft has today become a simple deal as that could be done at the click of a mouse on the Internet because many companies offer first hand and second hand aircraft. Anyone who can afford can buy aircraft or helicopters through an online transaction. If the LTTE has been able to shop for its air assets online it can also shop for the bigger aircraft in the future depending on its requirements. If the Government keeps a blind eye about such deals, in the course of time, the LTTE would possess more potent air bases and weapon systems. The important aspect is, that any aircraft, that is flown in airspace of a country needs to register and flown as per both the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) Regulations and the relevant laws of the land. The LTTE has not observed any of these norms in respect of flying. They would use it as they wish to destroy anything they want to destroy. During this election campaign, politicians are using more flights to attend to their schedule. One cannot deny that the LTTE is observing the movement of such flights. Therefore, it is imperative to take precautionary measures such as changing locations of take off and landing to avoid becoming LTTE targets. While the LTTE's acquisition of an air-mounted capability for suicide missions is thus old news, it needs to be added that it has not so far used the aircraft, in a conventional or unconventional manner, either for suicide missions or in its operations against the Sri Lankan security forces before the ceasefire came into force in 2002. LTTE has been operating on a test basis low flying light aircraft, which may be used to transport weapons as well as to carry out suicide missions from the air. Due to their very nature it is difficult to track them on radar or engage them with fighter aircrafts. As the Air Defence System of the Sri Lanka Air Force still lack state-of -the-art modern equipment to identify movements of low flying aircrafts, one has to presume that the LTTE is developing their airbase as well as non-conventional air power in the Vanni. Therefore, import of various equipment, may be in the name of tsunami rehabilitation work or in the guise of any other activities and transporting them to the LTTE held areas without the permission of the Government and proper supervision by an independent panel of security authorities poses a risk. It would be pertinent to say that maximum vigil has to be kept to prevent Tigers or their friends from importing light aircraft or parts of them and transporting them to safe locations, not necessarily in the Vanni. There should be no repetition of incidents like the import of highly sophisticated communication equipment by the LTTE with the help of their 'foreign' friends. If such loopholes are notsealed, the consequences to many VIPs, top security rankers and major security installations and economic targets in particular and the country in general would be calamitous. Last week, while human right violations by the LTTE were escalating in Jaffna, former SLMM Head Major General Trond Furuhovde and International Human Rights Activist and former Amnesty International President Ian Martin paid courtesy calls on LTTE Political Wing Leader S.P.Thamilcelvan in Kilinochchi. The two incidents of gunning down Principals who went against child conscription is best evidence for Furuhovde and Martin to assess the LTTE's commitment to the CFA and human rights. But it seemed that Chelvan has tactically diverted the attention of the duo towards the LTTE's releasing of 26 child soldiers in Kilinochchi and away from the LTTE killings in Jaffna. Chelvan took every effort to suppress discussion about human right violations by his group occurring in the North coincidentally to his meeting with Martin and Furuhovde. Martin was told that para-militaries were responsible for many killings and Chelvan put the blame on security forces alleging that they support such paramilitaries. Chelvan tried to bring Martin's attention more on ISGA proposals than on human rights protection. However, Martin's commitment to matters related to human rights in the North East would be a relief for the ordinary people who are at the mercy of the gun-totting LTTE. Chelvan would have thought that he would be able to cover up the incidents in Jaffna including gunning down of two principals from the eyes of Martin. However, he as an international expert would have certainly read Chelvan's mind. Not only a human rights expert but any other ordinary man with common sense would be able to understand the ulterior motives of Chelvan. If the LTTE does not conscript children, how do they release children is the simple argument to prove the LTTE's continuing child conscription despite warnings from the international community and UN agencies such as UNICEF. The elimination of activists of rival political parties is still continuing. Another EPDP member in Trincomalee, Sivalingam Vilvarasa was gunned down on Monday at Uppuveli in Trincomalee. In Ampara, the LTTE killed EPDP Chief Organizer for Pottuvil Mohammed Abubakar Sahabdeen on Monday. Pottuvil, a predominantly Muslim area observed a symbolic shutdown on Tuesday to protest against continuing LTTE killing spree. Tigers killed several Muslim businessmen and civilians in the East last few weeks. Tigers abducted a Hindu Priest of the Sri Gayathree Kamakodi Peedam Hindu Ashram in Meesalai east of Jaffna town and badly assaulted him as he refused to pay ransom from the fund received from the Government to rehabilitate the temple. It is evident that the LTTE has been taking all possible strategic attempts to strengthen their power fire and increase the mumber and quakity of fighting cadres. Continuous child conscription, collecting ransom, eliminating rivals and other secret missions launched locally and abroad are some of the clear indications to prove this factor. Illegal arm deal is also obvious as Naval forces routinely spot fast sea crafts moving off shore during the recent days while using the truce to its full swing. Meanwhile, the LTTE, has a secret agenda to work for the victory of the candidate whom they want to be the next President despite their proclaimed neutrality on the issue. Although, the Norwegian Ambassador has requested the LTTE during his meeting with them last week not to disrupt the elections in the South, it is essential to intensify the security provided to main candidates because the LTTE has not given up terrorism yet. |
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