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SLA paramilitary group cons youth into joining armed forces; youth seek refuge at LTTE camps

Media sources held a briefing with the youth at Kokkaddicholai police office on 7 November at 4 p.m. The youths revealed facts about the Karuna Group pertaining to corrupt activities which include the abduction of children.

The three youths who spoke about their experiences through the statements below.

Kanahasuntharam Suresh (16) from Karuppalai was formerly working in a mill and in paddy fields before he was abducted by the paramilitary group.

“I was staying at the home of my relatives in Murakadanchenai and receiving daily wages through my jobs at the mill and the paddy field. The SLA came to my relative’s house after I returned from work one day and arrested me. They sent me to the Karuna Group and placed me in a dark room. The next day, a man named Sitha, from the Karuna Group, forced me to work for them and said they would pay me Rs. 6,000 each month. They trained me for six days. After the training, they sent me and another boy to Kaakaachiveddai, which is an LTTE-controlled area with orders to shoot an LTTE cadre. Sitha commanded the other boy to shoot the LTTE cadre and then steal the cadre’s ID and other personal belongings. I wanted to escape from the Karuna Group, so when I arrived at the camp I took refuge with the LTTE.”

Selvam Babu (15) from Mankeni Mathurankulam was working and receiving daily wages.

“As I was returning from work one night, three people kidnapped me. They were from the SLA paramilitary group and their names are Rajikumar, Rangan and Majakan. They told me to stay with them and said they would pay me Rs. 6,000 each month. I was sent to Theevuchenai, where there is a paramilitary camp. They trained me for five days and took me with them when they performed an attack that happened on 30 October in Kaddumurivu. The SLA also came with us for this attack and they spoke in Sinhala. After the attack, they told me to throw a hand grenade toward Mahesan, a LTTE cadre. They told me that if I did this, they would give me Rs. 10,000. I took the grenade and went to the LTTE camp and that is when I escaped and told the LTTE about this.”

Sanmuham Sarvarajah (21) from Kokkaddicholai was working in Qatar.

“I was working in Qatar when a member of the SLA paramilitary group, Markan, telephoned me. He requested that I return to Colombo because he could give me a job in another country for a good salary. Markan said he is the owner of an embassy. I believed him and went to Colombo and Markan met me at the airport. We went to Theevuchenai and introduced me to the SLA forces from the Senapura camp. They told me that now I am one of their members. Markan asked the SLA to help me while I travel, requesting that they not ask for my ID, passport or other documents so that I can travel easily. I have witnessed this paramilitary group going to SLA camps to get rifles and grenades before going on an attack.”

The media sources asked Mr Sarvarajah more questions and he reported that there are 65 paramilitary members in Theevuchenai and most of the members are older. He said that they were unemployed when the paramilitary approached them and promised to provide a job and Rs. 6,000 each month.

Mr Sarvarajah accompanied Sri Lankan Navy Force during the killing of a LTTE commander of the Sea Tigers, Dikan. He also shared that SLA Intelligence Commander, Kumarasena, leads a force of intelligence officers that occupy the tooth-powder company in Batticaloa. Sarvarajah stated that on 25 September Kumarasena took him in his vehicle to Manmunai. The vehicle belonged to SLA Special Taskforces. Sarvarajah stated that Kumarasena sent him by a fishing boat with a rifle to Kokkaddicholai to kill a LTTE VIP at the LTTE camp. Sarvarajah took refuge with the LTTE members at the camp after he arrived.

08 November 2005

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