LTTE would stop to anything in the face of imminent defeat – Karuna

I was the leader of the LTTE’s armed wing during the battles at Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass in 1998. When the army commenced operation “Jayasikuru” in 1995, the LTTE only possessed 2 artillery guns and 2 heavy mortar guns. But we had a very well organized team within the LTTE who were with me.

Full Text Of The Interview As Follows:

The LTTE has now lost Kilinochchi to the army. How do you see this defeat?

Kilinochchi is an important centre politically. Kilinochchi was the biggest town under LTTE control. Therefore, I feel that the loss of Kilinochchi will completely destroy the LTTE. There are several reasons for this. The LTTE still has large stocks of weapons and ammunition, but not the manpower. The cadres left have started to defect in the face of army attacks.

If the LTTE does possess large stocks of weapons and ammunition as you say, will they be retreating like this?

I will give you an example. I was the leader of the LTTE’s armed wing during the battles at Kilinochchi and Elephant Pass in 1998. When the army commenced operation “Jayasikuru” in 1995, the LTTE only possessed 2 artillery guns and 2 heavy mortar guns. But we had a very well organized team within the LTTE who were with me. Our strength in cadres grew, despite our shortage in weapons. We received more than enough weapons and ammunition during subsequent battles. But most of the LTTE cadres who were at the forefront of battles against the army back then are now dead.

So, the LTTE will loose no matter how much weapons and ammunition Prabhakaran possesses.

During our interview you said that Prabhakaran was “afraid to die.” How will this situation change with the army surrounding Mullaithivu?

Prabhakaran is a person who loves his life. I know fully well that he fears death. I don’t believe that Prabhakaran will commit suicide by taking cyanide. He will try to escape to a country like Indonesia or Cambodia by sea or air at the last moment. Otherwise, he will definitely die at the hands of the army or be captured by them.

Even leaders such as Mussolini and Saddam Hussain were captured this way.

What will his senior leaders such as Susai, Pottu Amman, Swarnam, Theepan, and Nadesan then do?

All of them are people who have been defeated by army operations. They will also have no choice but to take whatever course which Prabhakaran will take. But there is a definite chance that cowards like Nadesan will hand themselves over to the army.

Prabhakaran trusted me. All of these people were under me. I told Prabhakaran that we can’t fight forever and to end this by going for a political solution. If he had listened to me then, perhaps the LTTE would not have faced such a situation. So, the only thing Prabhakaran can do now is to regret. We have information that he is at loggerheads with his closest leaders.

You say that the army will win the war. What will be the step taken by LTTE cadres who will escape being killed by the army?

Good question. LTTE cadres can easily disguise themselves as civilians. At the last moment, the LTTE cadres will melt into the jungles of Mullaitivu with the aim of carrying on a guerilla war. They will try to carry out guerilla style attacks. But the army commandos and special task force personnel are well trained in jungle warfare. Thus, even the guerilla attacks could end around two years after the end of the war.

What is your message to civilians trapped in the Wanni?

The people of the north are clever. They must understand that the LTTE is using them as human shields. The security forces personnel are risking their lives to liberate the North and bring peace, democracy and freedom to them. It is the people of the North who will benefit from this. Thus, I urge them to overcome the LTTE obstacles and come to government controlled areas.

Even the people of Jaffna have come out to protest against the LTTE.

Where will the LTTE fight its last battle against the security forces? Where are its heavy weapons positioned now?

Many LTTE cadres have already been killed by the army. Even the media isn’t aware of the extent of casualty figures. The LTTE is currently limited to Dharmapuram, Vishwamadu, and Pudukuduirippu areas. The LTTE has positioned their heavy weapons in these areas. The significant thing is that the areas to which the LTTE has retreated is where many of the civilians are sheltered. I feel that this is the only obstacle in the way of military operations. The LTTE is trying to find some breathing space by using the civilians as human shields.

They have no coastal areas under them except for Vetthalaikarnni, Chundikulam and Mullaitivu.

Why is the LTTE retreating when fighting the security forces?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Army Commander Lt General Sarath Fonseka played an important role in leading this war. Strong leadership is necessary for a country to win a war. President Mahinda Rajapaksa possesses these qualities. Gotabaya Rajapaksa understands the needs of the security forces and the police. Lt General Sarath Fonseka is an experienced and battle hardened officer. His military leadership helped destroy the LTTE.

Due to military’s operations, the LTTE could not launch any major offensive. The LTTE tried to retreat without taking too many casualties. Now they have no other choice but to jump into the sea. Thus, the leadership of the government and army, together with the destruction caused to the LTTE’s frontline cadres has contributed to this lot.

There have been a number of attacks against the media in the recent past. Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga was also assassinated. What are your views on this?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already appointed teams to investigate these incidents. It is difficult to say as to who would want to attack the media at this point. Nevertheless, killing journalists and attacking media institutions cannot be condoned. I feel that this is a conspiracy. Even the LTTE could be behind acts such as this. The LTTE may attempt to do far worse things in the face of imminent defeat.

The name Tamil People’s Liberation Tigers (TMVP) is going to be changed. What are your views on this and the current situation with the internal disputes of the party?

The name change will be delayed. But I told Eastern Province Chief Minister Shivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) that this is not the time to put the government into difficulty. I told him that he shouldn’t keep demanding various powers such as police powers at this time. We can discuss and solve all problems after the end of the war. As the leader of the TMVP, I have given the necessary instructions to all concerned.

Songs for betrayals and sabotages – எட்டப்பருக்கு ஒரு பாட்டு