LTTE taxing Rs. 4,000 from Govt servants’ salary

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: The LTTE has started to suppress Government servants living in uncleared areas forcing them to contribute Rs. 4,000 from their salary to the coffers of the LTTE, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday based on the information from civilians fleeing the uncleared areas.

“Even the pensioners have not been left out of this, as they too are forced to contribute Rs. 4,000 out of their pension,” Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

He also said the civilians living under severe pressure of the LTTE were now fleeing to the cleared areas in large numbers.

“Five hundred and seventy seven civilians have already arrived in the cleared areas within this year alone with a large number of civilians reaching Government controlled areas within the first week of this month,” he added.

Brigadier Nanayakkara also said that an estimated 200,000 civilian population in the uncleared areas are living under severe pressure as the LTTE has made it compulsory for the civilians aged 17 to 50 to undergo 10 days military training.

“There is an indication that the LTTE is making a major effort to defend their remaining strongholds in the Wanni and recalling ex-LTTE cadres back to the organisation for this exercise,” the Brigadier added.

He said a number of Tiger cadres have surrendered to the Security Forces within the past few weeks as members of the outfit are beginning to realise the futility of their mission.