"LTTE emerged militarily strong because of Black Tigers"- Elilan

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 July 2004, 05:08 GMT]
"Because of the sacrifice by the Black Tigers, the LTTE has emerged as a strong liberation force in the world and even now we prepared to face a war if it is thrusted on us. However we do not want to be responsible for the outbreak of the fourth Eelam War," said Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the LTTE addressing the Black Tigers Day celebrations held in the Trincomalee Sivankoviladi grounds Monday night.

LTTE military activist in Trincomalee Mr.Kunjan hands over presents to the mother of a Black Tigers of Trincomalee district at the event held in Trincomalee town Monday night

Ms Kanmani Ratnavadivel, President of the Tamil Women Front in east port town presided.

Mr.Elilan further said, "Our goal is to achieve Thamileelam. However we have agreed to consider a federal concept based political solution to the Tamil cause thus ensuring self-determination in their homeland. But the Sri Lanka government suspects the integrity of the LTTE. The government cannot delay finding a political solution to the Tamils demand and aspirations for ever."

Mr.Elilan added that the LTTE is in the forefront to oppose war in the future. The government should take a firm stand and a positive decision to take forward the stalled peace process.

Trincomalee district women political head Ms Kaaronja said the Sinhala political leadership would not grant any rights due to Tamils. The Sinhala leadership has come forward to have talks with the LTTE because it realized that the Sinhala army could not defeat the LTTE militarily.

The Sri Lanka governments in power are engaged to weaken the military strength of the LTTE in the name of peace talks. They would not succeed in their attempt, Ms Kaaronja said.

Mr. Amuthab, commander of the Charles Antony Special Brigade of the LTTE said that it is in the hands of the Sinhala government to decide whether it wants more Black Tigers in the future in the footsteps of Captain Miller and Captain Angayarkanni. The atrocities committed by Sinhala armed forces on innocent Tamils in the country created Black Tigers. The LTTE has been strengthened militarily by the actions of the Sinhala leadership and its armed forces.

Charles Antony Special Brigade commander Amuthab speaking at Black Tigers Day celebration held in Trincomalee town

"We hate war. We are not for war. We are not bloodthirsty. We are not prepared to carry dead bodies any more. But if the war were thrusted on us we would face it and defeat the government's military strategies. We have lost more than LTTE cadres in the 850 days' ceasefire. Still we are committed for a peaceful negotiated settlement on the basis of self determination to live in our homeland with equal rights," said Mr. Amuthab.

Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.K.Thurairatnasingham said that some powerful elements are actively working in the south of the country to derail the peace process in order to create chaos.

Powerful neighbour India should come forward to contribute its assistance to find a political solution to the conflict in the island, he said.

Even after ceasefire agreement came into operation hundreds of thousands of displaced families due to war are still languishing in the camps and welfare centres without a bright future in sight, said Mr.Thurairatnesingham.

Mr.Kunjan, LTTE military activist in Trincomalee district handed over presents to the parents and relatives of Black Tigers of Trincomalee district.