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Aussie TV shows Karuna group in Government - controlled area
Saturday, 22 April 2006 - 4:00 AM SL Time

Australia`s Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Television`s Dateline program aired for the first time video footage from a training camp of paramilitaries from Karuna Group operating from Government controlled territory in Batticaloa, TamilNet reported yesterday.

In the same program, Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse, denied any knowledge of the existence of paramilitaries. Previously, Mr. Rajapakse had claimed that Sri Lankan forces could win a war against Tigers with Karuna Group`s support, the website said.

SBS` Dateline program journalist Aaron Lewis who covered the paramilitary issue in Sri Lanka, showed video footage of SBS correspondent`s visit to the paramilitary camp of Karuna Group in Sri Lanka Army controlled area in Batticaloa. The footage showed around 30 paramilitary cadres in a show down exercise as proof of the existence of the paramilitary group.

`Defence Secretary doesn`t even believe that these armed groups exist,` says SBS journalist Aaron after interviewing Mr. Rajapakse.

When asked about paramilitaries, Mr. Rajapakse, says: `If there is a responsible group or organization that says, there are still groups, then at least show us where, what area, how, who told you, give us some clues for us to look into, because we have tried, and we are successful in preventing these groups operating in these areas.`

Mr. Rajapakse replied in the negative when asked if he believed that there are armed groups operating in Government territory.

`No, definitely not. Definitely not,` he repeated.

When the journalist said he had met the group in person in Batticaloa, Mr. Rajapakse, replied smiling: `LTTE can do the same thing, they can take you to their camp and say they are Karuna Group.`

Aaron Lewis reports, whether they are called paramilitaries or not, `these groups are not hard to find,` adding that he managed to get into the camp after some negotiation, TamilNet said.

In the SBS video footage, a Karuna Group operative, Pradeep, presented himself as the Head of Political Wing of Karuna Group.

Pradeep claimed that his group operates political, financial, armed and intelligence units, but most of the cadres belonged to te armed unit.

The video footage, then showed around 30 paramilitary cadres, armed with Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and AK-47s.

Pradeep claimed that Karuna Group cadres were behind the attacks against the Tiger positions in Vakarai area.

`It is clearly the biggest threat to the peace at the moment,` Aaron Lewis comments.

The paramilitary threat, the top of the agenda issue, is destroying the already fragile ceasefire, the SBS program commented.

`As soon as I arrived, I could see, despite the Government`s denial, the Karuna Group`s military wing is clearly real,` concludes the SBS journalist.


Related News Articles:
9-3-2006   India wants Sri Lanka, LTTE to move beyond Karuna
2-3-2006   Govt., SLMM clash over Karuna group
13-2-2006   US slams police, Karuna and LTTE
10-2-2006   Disband Karuna faction before April 19, LTTE tells Govt.
27-1-2006   Karuna refuses to give up arms

Source(s)
• SBS TV

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vinks
Joined: Oct 2005
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21 Apr 2006 23:12:36 GMT  Report for Abuse   
In my opinion the govt. should not have agreed to disarm Karuna group but it is right for them to say that no armed groups will not be allowed to operate in Govt. controlled areas. If this confirms that they are in govt. held area them they should take responsibility and implement what
they have agreed.

But,
it should not be up to the govt. to disarm them.Karuna is a by product of LTTE and the govt. should not do LTTE's dog work. When ever LTTE has a break away group it should not be then govt. responsibility deal with them as long as they are not in govt. controlled areas. Govt. can not fight another war with Karuna group simply to disarm them on behalf of LTTE.

As it is the LTTE can not fight 2 wars against the govt. and Karuna group. It is obvious that if they get the govt. to get rid of Karuna group just for the 'peace talks' to continue, few months later they will declare war on GOSL!!
AnuD
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21 Apr 2006 23:34:43 GMT  Report for Abuse   
In my opinion the govt. should not have agreed to disarm Karuna group but it is right for them to say that no armed groups will not be allowed to operate in Govt. controlled areas


How did they find this was govt. controlled area. Was there a label or board somewhere in the TV programme.

LTTE caders in east ran away leaving weapons to KAruna.
Bheesan
Joined: Apr 2006
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22 Apr 2006 01:46:31 GMT  Report for Abuse   
I saw the film, any fools can see it was filmed by LTTE with their own men.
kanthun
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22 Apr 2006 02:37:48 GMT  Report for Abuse   
Caught red handed.. LOL..
The look on Gothabaya Rajapakse's face when the reporter told him he saw over 30 Karuna cadres.. Just priceless.. The answer he came up with.. LOLOLOL.. Is this guy really the defence secretary?? God help Sri Lanka.. LOL
AbiSing
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 577
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22 Apr 2006 03:07:35 GMT  Report for Abuse   
Who is Senkathir? Where is Newton?

A Subidcham observation

Senkathir and Newton were Tiger activists who have served the terror movement for years. Senkathir came from a socially challenged community from Karaveddy in North Sri Lanka. Generations of his people were humiliated by the high caste Vellalas of the area. They were never allowed into the homes of the Tamil supercaste, had to receive whatever refreshments given to them in tin cans and soda bottles kept apart for them for that purpose and there could never be any social mix with them and the Vellalas.

When Senkathir joined the LTTE as an activist and began to bear arms, he saw an outlet for all the pent up feelings and anger against the Vellalas. He began to throw his weight around in the community and would even charge into their homes and demand to be treated with tea or coffee in china. Any semblance of intolerance would be overcome by displaying his pistol and the grenades.

In course of time he began to take liberties with upper caste women and demanded their favours as his right. It was at this time he was called to action and somewhere down the lines of defense, Senkathir breathed his last. What killed him could have been an enemy fire but equally, it could have been a carefully conspired friendly fire too.

Senkathir, with his death, has been raised to the status of a 'Great Hero' and is remembered with thousands of others on the one day the bunkered boss emerges like the Canadian groundhog from his underworld realms.

Senkathir was not an exception. Those who began to bear arms at a tender age, like Zoo-Paa Thamilselvam for instance, went around parading their importance and even at times, giving vent to certain anger they had brooded over for sometime. This plague has assumed even greater threat to the Tamil community now and the people often targeted for extortion are visitors from the Tamil Diaspora from Canada, US, Australia and Europe.

As for Newtown who held senior positions with the Tigers and a much trusted and loyal fighter for the Tamil cause the LTTE way, nothing has been heard of him for a long time now. An impression was given at first that he was kidnapped by the Sri Lankan Army and was being kept as a prisoner. But more and more, it is being felt now, that he was dealt with Mathayah style in course of time after being held under horrible conditions in a Wanni cell.

Certain sources close to the Wanni high command have indicated that several people are being held in Wanni jails and a number of them come to grief in a kind of execution that is more akin to the Wild West some years ago. Justice was meted out during those days the way the powerful desired and they hung them high and often treated such a gory event a time for community celebrations. Wanni is getting quite close to such a show of stark horror.

Not even a murmur of an opinion that suggests a solution to the ethnic crisis is tolerated among the Tigers. If a Tiger, even from the inner circle should utter a solution, he would be erased off the surface of the earth. It is generally believed that many people have perished as a result.

There are two significant factors that expose the Tigers as unworthy to govern a community. Firstly Senkathir in Tiger fatigue, was only seeking revenge and was brutal in throwing his weight around in the community when he had a call to serve his people as a disciplined soldier. Secondly Newton was known as a faithful and loyal soldier.

While Newton became a victim of his loyalty, Senkathir used the arms to promote his own image at the expense of the community. Tiger leadership has failed miserably in both and Senkathir and Newton are just two whose fate is known to the outside world.

Athos
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22 Apr 2006 03:21:33 GMT  Report for Abuse   
I recommend everyone to watch this. In it, the TVMP guy clearly states, LTTE attack their camp while they were observing a ceasefire. TVMP declared a truce before 1st round of talks. TVMP retaliated by destroying 'Jeyanathan bragade' LTTE bases in Vaharai.
Bheesan
Joined: Apr 2006
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22 Apr 2006 04:23:29 GMT  Report for Abuse   
If Karuna is there so what? It is LTTE internal problem. It is upto the international community to get LTTE to talk it is their baby. Ball is in the No-wick's court.
Edited By - Bheesan - 22 Apr 2006 04:23:53 GMT
piranha
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22 Apr 2006 19:15:26 GMT  Report for Abuse   
Naleen,

The LTTE aborted Karuna from its womb and the previous UNP government with the assistance of RAW helped in the abortion.

The aborted monster is being protected and provided for by the SL military to get back at its mother, the LTTE.

The biggest mistake the LTTE made was not to kill Karuna when he was aborted.
DrAkai
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22 Apr 2006 19:22:24 GMT  Report for Abuse   
Piranha,

The biggest mistake the LTTE made was not to kill Karuna when he was aborted


Now this is an interesting point. If you say the LTTEs mistake was not to kill Karuna, how about other deserters who could be as a result of LTTE oppression or injustice taking the arms and rallying round similar?

Or VPs careful not to leave any deserters unharmed? Which ever way doesn't it show that LTTEs having some internal problem with their own hegemony?
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