Tamil Tiger Intelligence Chief Killed

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The Tamil Tigers’ intelligence chief was among the 34 rebels killed in northern Sri Lanka on Saturday. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said they lost the head of an intelligence unit, Shanmuganathan Ravishankar, when a military unit infiltrated rebel territory and planted a roadside bomb.

Sri Lankan officials have denied carrying out attacks inside Tiger territory.

The intelligence chief’s death comes just days after President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government announced that it was formally canceling a 2002 truce agreement made with the LTTE. Analysts expect this to lead to intensified fighting between the two sides. There has already been increased exchanges of fire in the region since the truce was canceled.

The Tamils have been fighting since 1972 for an independent homeland in Sri Lanka’s north and east.

According to government figures, 74 rebels and three soldiers have been killed in fighting since the beginning of the year, while tens of thousands of people have died since the conflict erupted in 1972.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times (Reuters) – Sri Lanka Says Kills Tiger Intelligence Head – 6 January 2008

Bloomberg – Sri Lankan Army Advances in Jaffna After Rebel Commander Killed– 7 January 2008

BBC – Tamil intelligence chief killed – 6 January 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive