[TamilNet, March 06, 2004 05:45 GMT] Liberation Tigers announced today that their Batticaloa-Amparai district commander Karuna has been discharged from the LTTE and has been relieved of official responsibilities. "The Tamil Eelam National leadership has appointed Mr. T. Ramesh as special commander, Mr. Ram as Commander, Mr. Praba as the deputy commander and Mr. Kousalyan as political head of the Batticaloa-Ampara district," said the LTTE  statement issued today.  "Mr. Karuna who was commander of Batticaloa-Amparai, instigated by some malicious  elements opposed to the Tamil Eelam liberation struggle, acting traitorously to the Tamil people and the Tamil Eelam national leadership, has planned to secede himself from the Liberation organisation. 

"The commanders, divisional heads and cadres under him unable to acquiesce with this traitorous act have refused to comply with his orders and met with the national leadership, explained the ground reality prevailing there. "In accordance with this, Karuna has been discharged from the Liberation Tigers organisation and relieved from official responsibilities," said the statement.

A Press Conference was held at the LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi at 10.20am Saturday. Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Head of the Political Wing of the LTTE, Mr. Ramesh, Special Commander Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr. Ram, Commander, Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr. Praba, Deputy Commander Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr.Gihaththan, Commander, Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr. Ramanan, Head of the Military Intelligence Wing and Mr. Kausalyan, Political Head of the Batticaloa-Amparai District were present.

L-R: Mr. Praba, Deputy Commander Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr.Gihaththan, Commander, Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr. Kausalyan, Political Head of the Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr. Ramesh, Special Commander Batticaloa-Amparai District, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, Head of the Political Wing of the LTTE, Mr. Ram, Commander,  Batticaloa-Amparai District, and Mr. Ramanan, Head of the Military Intelligence Wing. Behind (L-R): Senior members Mr. Roshan and Mr.Nalan. 

Photos: Vasanth/LTTE
Source: Tamilnet:  http://www.tamilnet.com