Pathmanathan Released?

DefenceWire has received information that the Thai government has released the person formally known as Kumaran Pathmanathan alias 'KP' following what they consider a 'Diplomatic Embarrassment' after a confidential message provided to Sri Lanka was leaked to various sources. DefenceWire's best are on the case to provide you the latest information. Currently, what is available is not clear and not openly sharable information. It maybe also the case that a decision has been made to disown 'KP's arrest and possible extradition to Sri Lanka due to the current diplomatic muddle. DefenceWire cannot confirm rumors that Pathmanathan was released to the FBI, since FBI mainly operates internally in the United States. If he was to be released to someome, that someone should be Sri Lanka, failing which he would have been released to India.

Thai officials had informed Sri Lankan authorities about his arrest last Monday and had suggested Sri Lankan authorities take charge of him. Subsequently, Thai officials refuted these claims when India had inquired about the man. India is the only country that had issued an International arrest Warrant for KP's capture following the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination. The confidential process of handing-over KP to Sri Lanka was thus hampered. This had placed the Thai authorities in a 'tight-spot' with India, diplomatically. It has been claimed that when the three-member Sri Lankan delegation visited Thailand, they could only meet members of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand.

DefenceWire has also received information that KP's alleged release was not due to an exchange of bribes, as claimed by some earlier. The person, formally known as Kumaran Pathmanathan, was a Thai Citizen owing to his second marriage to a Thai woman. Unconfirmed reports indicated he had strong links to powerful people in Thailand.

Information Leak Before Silavathurai Operation?

A number of sources have claimed that LTTE had received intelligence that a military operation was in the offing in Silavathurai and had vacated the area long before the Army moved in. These sources claimed it was a cake-walk for the Army because of LTTE withdrawal of its troops and heavy guns. DefenceWire can confirm that the probability of an information leak in the Army prior to the operation was extremely low.

Military Intelligence believes that it was only a matter of time before LTTE withdrew its units from Silavathurai to strengthen its Northern FDLs. The Army, had however wanted to take the area before planning any future operations ahead of the Northern FDLs. LTTE did not maintain a large presence in the area nor did they operate any heavy guns except for a few mortar tubes and heavy machine-guns. The Army killed around 12 cadres in the fight. They discovered that the 12.7mm and 14.2mm heavy machine-guns and the mortar tubes had been removed by fleeing Tigers. The exact number of LTTE cadres in the area prior to the offensive was also highly exaggerated, with some sources claiming as many as 200 LTTE were positioned there.

It was evident that the LTTE had made plans to move-out from the area fearing possible and not probable Army attack. They had also vacated their attack-boats in small batches. The Army's operation was merely to assist the Sri Lanka Navy, who faced some threat from Sea Tigers operating from a small base in Silavathurai. This has enabled the Navy to patrol the Northwestern and Western coasts with relative ease. The Army too was benefited by not having to fear about guarding its back in Mannar.

No Fight

A rumour is spreading that a massive military fight has erupted in the North, incuding Vavuniya, Muhamalai and Omanthai areas. Meadia Center for National Security claimed that 25 LTTE have been killed and around 5 soldiers killed in fighting within the last 24-hours. This gave rise to a Reuters news report that fighting has escalated in the Northern FDLs. LTTE has also claimed that it forced a Navy advancement in the North to withdraw. DefenceWire can confirm that no such battle has erupted in the North. If it does, DefenceWire will cover it for our readers.