Terrorism - Articles

Sri Lanka, LTTE and Lakshman Kadirgamar: Revenge as an Ideology

Revenge is a part of the LTTE's ideology. Irrespective of the victim's direct relevance to a contemporary political or security situation, an analysis of the killings and assassinations by the LTTE would prove, in most cases, that the act is committed as a part of its vendetta. In many cases, it may not have been prudent or has affected the LTTE's political equations and credibility at a given time, but it never mattered. Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, for example, as subsequent events have proved was a strategic disaster for the LTTE. However, revenge for the LTTE is neither a rational calculation nor an emotional outburst; it is a part of its ideology. No one rubs the LTTE the 'wrong way' and gets away with it. LTTE would always get back at you, sooner or later.

LTTE's vendetta against those people who were considered to be acting against the interests of the organization (not necessarily against the interests of the Sri Lankan Tamils) has been continuous, irrespective of whether it is engaged in a political process with Colombo or military hostilities. Lakshman Kadirgamar's assassination should be seen in this perspective. While Kadirgamar's assassination attracted much publicity amongst the national, regional and international media, what went unnoticed or under-noticed was the killing of Relangi Selvarajah and her husband Sinnadurai Selvarajah. Relangi was a senior announcer with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC). Earlier, she worked with the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), where in the late 1980s and early 1990s she was a part of a radio programme that was anti-LTTE. Sinnadurai was close to the PLOTE, and though both the husband and wife have been living away from their erstwhile anti-LTTE linkages, none of it mattered. This is not the first time that the LTTE has resorted to assassinations. Many cadres of the EPRLF, EPDP and the PLOTE, even after severing all links with their erstwhile organizations were killed by the LTTE. Some of them fled the country for many years out of fear. However, when they returned after a long gap, even for a short duration to their motherland, they were invariably eliminated. The list is endless. Revenge, for the LTTE has never been an emotional outburst. It is very much a part of its ideology.

Lakshman Kadirgamar has been one of the few elites who was amongst the top names in the LTTE's hit list. Though Kadirgamar was a leader without mass support, he was a scholar and considered as one of the most successful foreign minister of Sri Lanka. During his tenure as the foreign minister, he was mainly responsible for getting the LTTE banned by many of the leading Western countries, including the US. He was also close to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which in fact campaigned in 2004 to make him the Prime Minister. The latest irritant that the LTTE could not tolerate was reports connecting Kadirgamar with the Karuna group. It is believed that Kadirgamar was sympathetic to Karuna, who has broken ranks with LTTE.

While the LTTE spokesperson has already denied the involvement of the organization, it is hard to believe the same. S P Tamil Chelvan, the LTTE spokesperson has accused sections within the state, especially the armed forces to sabotage the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA). No doubts there are internal rifts and struggles within Colombo, but those differences would not have reached this level. The argument that the LTTE could not have carried out such an attack, as it would derail the CFA is less convincing. Peace process or military engagement, LTTE's revenge vendetta has a roadmap of its own, which progresses in its own pace, insulated from external developments.

In fact, the LTTE has been complaining off late that there has been a "dirty war of attrition" supported by Colombo against it in the northeastern region. Anton Balasingham, in an interview earlier this month, accused the state for supporting paramilitary groups, including that of Karuna's against the LTTE. Is the LTTE tired of the CFA and willing to break the political process? Does it feel confident to take on the state again? Need not necessarily. Efforts are afloat to keep the CFA alive and keep both the parties engaged; which should have been a part of the LTTE's calculations behind going ahead with their assassination plan.

An offshoot of the LTTE's ideology of revenge is its unwillingness to forgive. It never forgave those who have gone against its wishes or those who did not believe in the LTTE's objectives and methodologies. Whether it was Sabarathinam, the militant leader of the PLOTE or Neelan Tiruchelvam, an academic, they all became victims of the LTTE. So was Kadirgamar. So would be Chandrika Kumaratunge. Peace is merely a strategy for the LTTE and not the end. Tamil Eelam would be its only goal.