Fernandopulle’s assassination triggers fresh offensive

By Col R Hariharan (retd.), South Asia Analysis Group
The assassination of Sri Lanka Highways Minister and Chief Government whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle (55), by a suicide bomb blast at Gampaha district on Sunday (April 6) morning, has deprived President Rajapaksa of his point’s man in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The minister was killed along with 11 others, when he was flagging off a marathon race, as part of the Sinhala (and Tamil) New Year’s Day celebration, at Weliweriya. Over 95 others were injured in the blast.

A voluble and assertive personality, the minister had been active in setting up things for the ruling alliance, to contest the eastern provincial council elections scheduled for May 10. President will be sorely missing his services during the PC elections, as also in handling the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP), which is a loose canon in the political firmament, after the elections.

Fernandopulle had been high on the hit list of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), for his strong anti-LTTE stance. He minced no words against them in his speeches. So, it is logical to conclude that, his assassination was the handiwork of the LTTE. Even the assassination of Nation Building Minister D.M.Dasanayake, carried out on January 9, 2008 is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity, as Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was intended to be the target. However, this time the assassin made no such mistake. .

A four-time parliament member, Fernandopulle had created an indispensable niche for himself, within the SLFP. He was one of the few Tamil ministers who could fluently speak Sinhala and English, as well. A no-holds-barred speaker, Fernandopulle was well known for his blunt statements, that caused red faces in diplomatic and political circles, and in the corridors of power.

The President is unlikely to let the LTTE get away, with the assassination of his right hand man. We can expect him to unleash the security forces in full force, once again on the LTTE forward defences in Mannar, Madhu church, Omanthai, Welioya and Muhamalai areas. In any case, the ground indications already point to the imminence of resumption of offensive by the security forces, and the LTTE’s readiness to face them. The killing of the minister is likely to hasten the process.

Abnormally heavy rains had bogged down the operations in the north, so far. The troops deployed near large water bodies in Mannar, Muhamalai, Nagarkovil, Welioya areas have been affected by flooding and slush. This had impeded air and artillery support and defences, were waterlogged. Mosquitoes breeding in puddles of water have spread dengue and chikungunia among troops. This is reported to have severely affected operational capability of security forces, in Welioya sector along the eastern coast.

Despite the rains during the last month, the SLA had claimed some progress in their creeping offensive, after inflicting heavy casualties on the LTTE. On March 21, 2008, the Media Centre for National Security spokesman has claimed killing 6,867 LTTE cadres, so far in the operations, that commenced in December 2005. As against this, the security forces had lost 1,501 troops, in action. The casualty claim at end February 2008, stood at a total of 6,486 LTTE cadres, and 1,196 military personnel. These figures could be inflated or include civilian auxiliaries and need to be confirmed, by other sources. However, the Media Centre figures indicate a sudden escalation in the security forces casualty - 305 troops killed in the four weeks of March 2008) as against, a total of 1196 troops lost in the earlier period of 24 months! Moreover, as against the security forces loss of 305, the LTTE had suffered 386 casualties in the same period. This is an alarmingly low ratio, between the two, achieved never before.

This shows the combat along the front line even during the rains, had really heated up. As the operations intensify further, and all the heavy fire power is brought in, casualties on both sides are likely to mount rapidly. But despite this, the security forces are undoubtedly better placed. Considering the overall size of the security forces, their casualties are comparatively much less, than that of the LTTE, which has been mauled severely (though not grievously), losing at least 30 per cent of its strength.

During the last one week, the rains have tapered off and the weather has improved. Thus, assured air and heavy artillery support should now be available, for operations. Similarly, ground conditions should have improved for using armour, without the fear of getting bogged down, in slush. The trickle of civilians vacating the battle zones is growing. For the last few days, the security forces were being moved forward in Jaffna Peninsula, perhaps to get ready, for a fresh offensive. We can expect it to start sooner than later.

The LTTE also appears to be gearing itself, for the offensive to resume. Three groups including the Malathi and Charles Anthony brigades have been moved to Madhu Church area, in the Mannar Sector, according to deserters. Both sides had agreed to keep the church and its vicinity, a no war zone. However, both sides have been trading accusations of the other side, using the holy ground to launch artillery fire. Fierce fighting had been raging for sometime now, within a kilometre vicinity of the church.

The Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph has informed that, in order to save the idol of Our Lady of Madhu from artillery fire, the church management had shifted the idol, to a safe location on April 4.

It is evident that, the idol has been moved to the northern most part of the LTTE held territory, at the behest of the LTTE. The escalating combat situation in the area, around Madhu Church, is probably operational. The church is located astride, the supply routes from Mannar coast to Wanni. So it is vital for the LTTE, to defend it fiercely. It is equally important for the security forces, to wrest control of the area. So we can expect the LTTE, to fight it out, when the offensive resumes in this area.

Both sides appear to be preparing for a long haul. Media reports indicate that, Sri Lanka had asked Pakistan, for the immediate supply of 150,000 rounds of 60 mm mortar bombs and hand grenades. Pakistan is likely to fulfill another Sri Lankan order, worth $ 25 million, for the supply of 81 mm, 120 mm and 130 mm mortar bombs. The LTTE also appears to have received from some ammunition, particularly for its artillery. It is not clear, which clandestine route is being used by the LTTE, to import the ammunitions. But the Indian coastal zone continues to be the weakest link, in the naval defence of Sri Lanka. We may expect the Sri Lanka Navy, to intensify operations in the seas around Katchativu, in the coming weeks. This could trigger further tensions in both India and Sri Lanka. This is in the nature of war, which always triggers tension, in both winners and losers.

(Col R Hariharan, a retired Military Intelligence specialist on South Asia, served with the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka as Head of Intelligence. He is associated with the South Asia Analysis Group and the Chennai Centre for China Studies. E-Mail: colhari@yahoo.com )