COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s army had to be on high alert in the north and east to stop celebrations of dead LTTE members, which marked an end of a three decade long war. Security forces were informed about several events that were being organized throughout Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern regions that are predominantly Tamil-inhabited areas to mark 15 years since the final battle of the outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended their fight.
The military put down its enemies in 2009 after a thirty year long conflict commencing from1983 through killing the LTTE leaders.
However, a special task force comprising military men and policemen would ensure close monitoring of any likely LTTE commemorations from Wednesday up to May 20th without deploying armed personnel.
Security forces have noted some incidences of pro-LTTE literature at commemorative events. There was also calls for reviving LTTE, which currently banned internationally including India.
Police have warned that they will arrest any group attempting to commemorate the LTTE.
On their part though, Tamil political and rights groups insist these are meant for remembering their loved ones who died in the struggle all along since mid-1970s.
In Mullaitivu –the site of the last battle—a major event will be held at Vellamullivaikkal Beachfront where over 40,000 civilians lost lives in May, 2009 when government troops finished off the last remnants of Tiger rebels fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils under them.
“Mullivaikkal week” was started on May 11 by university students and civil society members mostly living in Jaffna characterized by blood donation campaigns among other things as a memorial ceremony.
Porridge was given away indicating once-a-day feeding provided to trapped civilians e.g. those who happened to be within Mullaitivu during its final confrontations pitting them against government forces.
Police on Tuesday arrested three women and a man in the eastern town of Sampur for violating a court order banning the LTTE commemorations, it said on Tuesday.
LTTE had its own shadow administration in parts of these two provinces until May’2009.
The war officially ended on May 19, 2003 when Prabhakaran’s body was discovered in the lagoon of Mullaivaikkal, northeast.
