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LTTE replaces regional heads

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO Aug. 1. Sri Lanka's sensitive eastern region is back in the spotlight with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) replacing its top regional political leaders.

Karikalan, the special political leader for the east, Visu, the political leader for Batticaloa-Amparai and Thurai, the political leader for Batticaloa, have been summoned to the LTTE headquarters in Vanni.

While replacements have been appointed for Mr. Visu and Mr. Thurai, there is no announcement as to who would be appointed to Mr. Karikalan's post of special political leader, a position that was created this April.

Sources in the east, confirming media reports in Colombo, said Mr. Visu's position as the political wing leader of the two eastern districts, Batticaloa and Amparai, has been assigned to Kousalyan, who was earlier in-charge of the LTTE's financial administration in the east.

Mr. Thurai's position has now been assigned to an official in the Batticaloa political office of the Tigers, Senadhi, who was the LTTE's political officer for the eastern Valaichchenai town.

The changes were announced by the LTTE's military wing leader, `Colonel' Karuna, sources said, adding these were a part of larger changes in the eastern structure of the organisation.

Since the cessation of hostilities between the Tigers and the rebels, there has been some concern in the east over reports of extortion and abduction. Following last month's communal clashes, there was an increased interaction between the eastern rebel leadership and the Army.

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