{"id":12454,"date":"2012-11-18T18:13:05","date_gmt":"2012-11-18T23:13:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12454"},"modified":"2012-11-18T18:15:08","modified_gmt":"2012-11-18T23:15:08","slug":"indian-officials-have-interviewed-me-twice-says-ex-ltte-chief-kp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12454","title":{"rendered":"Ex-LTTE Chief &#8216;KP&#8217;and the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>By D.B.S.Jeyaraj<\/b> <\/p>\n<p><b>Transformation of a Top Tiger Leader &#8211; 1<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>S<\/b>elvarasa  Pathmanathan alias \u201cKP\u201d who donned  the leadership  mantle of  the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after the demise of tiger supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran is very much in the  news these days.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213I.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213I-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12468\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Much  interest in KP  was generated after the story of his relocation to Kilinochchi from Colombo under protective custody was reported by this writer for the \u201cDaily Mirror\u201d. KP\u2019s new residence is  located in the Thiruvaiaaru area of Kilinochchi south and is about a kilometre away from the Iranaimadhu junction.<br \/>\n<!--more--><br \/>\nThe house is situated along the Thondaman  by- lane in a compound of  around six acres  about 100-150  metres to the interior of the Jaffna \u2013Kandy road known as the A -9 highway.Former LTTE political commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan used to live in these premises and even met his death through aerial bombardment in this compound.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213E.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213E-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12469\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Apart from the  buzz  caused by his relocation to Kilinochchi from Colombo KP has  also been  in the spotlight due to his alleged  role in the assassination of former Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.<\/p>\n<p>Ever since   news reports appeared  in  the Indian media about him  being questioned by India\u2019s Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) over his alleged involvement in the Rajiv Gandhi killing , \u201cKP\u201d has had several news reports focusing on him  in sections of the Sri Lankan media as well as in news organs of various hues abroad.Most of these news reports related to KP being \u201cinterrogated\u201d by Indian officials. <\/p>\n<p>The 57 year old native of Myliddy in Jaffna has been the subject of several speculative news reports concerning his position vis a vis India. Some opposition politicians in Sri Lanka have also spoken out about \u201cKP\u201d.Government ministers have responded to some of the queries. <\/p>\n<p>Several speculative reports have also appeared  in sections of the media about KP\u2019s current status and role. Some allege that he is being groomed for  greater political participation in the future. Other reports  charged him of playing a covert role in operations  conducted by the state to  combat pro \u2013LTTE activity abroad.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213C.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213C-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12470\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>DEEPAVALI<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Even as these controversies raged on \u201cKP\u201d now  based in Kilinochchi  continues with his work in the Island\u2019s North. This writer  spoke at length about a number of relevant matters  with Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias \u201cKP\u201d  on the day  after \u201cDeepavali\u201d  festival. As is typical of him the ex-LTTE chief was refreshingly open and spoke frankly and freely. <\/p>\n<p>The Conversation in Tamil is presented here  in question and answer form exclusively for the \u201cDaily Mirror\u201d. <\/p>\n<p><b>Question: <\/p>\n<p>Deepavali Greetings! Your last three Deepavali\u2019s were in Colombo under detention. This Deepavali was  different.How did you celebrate Deepavali this time? <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer: <\/b><br \/>\nThank you for the Deepavali wishes. Yes this Deepavali was different  as I was comparably  free unlike the past three years. It was  very pleasant to be in the North for Deepavali after a very long time. It has been many ,many years since I was in the North during Deepavali. I revived a lot of memories. <\/p>\n<p>More than  being in the North , this year\u2019s Deepavali was  a very,very happy day for me because I spent the entire day at the two children\u2019s homes run by NERDO (North \u2013 East Rehabilitation and Development Organization) in Mullaitheevu district.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213A.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213A-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12472\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nI am happy to hear that. How was the day? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nIt was wonderful and very emotional. I am alone here in Sri Lanka while my family is in Thailand. These children are also  alone without family care. So we made ourselves happy by becoming one big family.They are like my own children and  many of them call me \u201cAppa\u201d (father). <\/p>\n<p>I gave all the chidren new clothes as  Deepavali presents. We bathed and wore new clothes. I had lunch with the boys at \u201cAnbu Illam\u201d. We had mutton curry.They wanted to light crackers. So we made arrangements for that. Then  I  had tea and Deepavali \u201cpalaharam\u201d (short \u2013eats) with the girls at \u201cBharathi Illam\u201d. They had a music, song,dance and drama performance. I then had an early chicken curry dinner with the girls and returned home to Kilinochchi. <\/p>\n<p>It was an unforgettable \u201cDeepavali\u201d for me and the children. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nIt is good to know that you were able to bring some cheer and joy to these children on Deepavali and in the process you too gained satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. <\/p>\n<p>I am  sure readers will like to know more  about the role of the NERDO and the work you are doing but before that I want to focus on a current issue concerning you. This is about  the Rajiv Gandhi assassination ,yourself  and India seeking your arrest through INTERPOL. Would you like to talk about it now? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nOf course! I have nothing to hide. You can ask me whatever you want. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213D.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213D-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12473\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>ASSASSINATION<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nThat\u2019s good. Thanks. Let me ask you  directly. What was your role  in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination? Were you involved in it? <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nNo!A categorical No!!I was not involved in any way in the  Rajiv Gandhi assassination!!! <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nCan you elaborate in detail? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThere was a division of duties in the LTTE then with different departments. One did not get involved with another department. Tamil Nadu activities were under different people. I had no role there and would not be permitted by the leader Prabhakaran to get involved in another department. None of us could do so at that time without orders or permission from the leader. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nEven though your duties were different you could have got involved if Prabhakaran instructed you to do so. Did he? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nNo. Prabhakaran never ordered me in that way.Like most other LTTE leaders I  had no idea at all about this. Even Kittu (Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar)then in London had no idea of this. Prabhakaran asked Kittu to build good  relations with India and Rajiv Gandhi. So Kittu arranged for people like poet Kasi Anandan and economist Arjuna Sittampalam to go to India and meet Rajiv Gandhi. <\/p>\n<p>While this was going on Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman must have been planning and implementing the assassination. Prabhakaran is well known for his secretive ways and in a matter like this he would  definitely have not got many others involved or shared information. So  I was not told anything.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213B.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213B-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12474\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nYou were in charge of weapons acquisition then. Your  \u201coverseas purchases\u201d dept was known as \u201cKP dept\u201d then. In view of the importance of that dept would you not have been involved or kept in the loop at least? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThe involvement of myself or my dept was not necessary for an operation like that. Assassinations come under the purview of the Intelligence division led by Pottan (Pottu Amman)Also my role of ensuring supplies was very crucial for the movement then. Prabhakaran would not have risked any  problem being caused to my dept or myself at that time by getting me involved in the matter. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWhat were you doing  at the time of the assassination? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p>I was shuttling between India and South East Asian countries at that time. My function then was to find ways and means of procuring and supplying arms and ammunition from abroad to the movement then. Even when in India I used to spend most of my time in Bombay (now Mumbai). I had left India for Malaysia a few days before the incident.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213H.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213H-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12475\" \/><\/a> <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWas it because you knew or suspected a major incident like this was going to happen and fled India before it occurred? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nNo.not at all.  The date of my departure was planned weeks ahead and totally unconnected to the assassination. <\/p>\n<p><b>INTERPOL <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nBut why did India put you on INTERPOL wanted persons list then?The alleged offences were &#8211; Life and health, Terrorism, Terrorism, and  Crimes involving the use of weapons\/explosives &#8211; Was it not in connection with the Rajiv murder incident? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThe answer is yes and no.Yes, because it was in connection with the Rajiv incident. No, because it was not due to any involvement by me in the assassination. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q;<br \/>\nWhat do you exactly mean?Can you explain further? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThe Indian CBI knows I had no hand in the murder. That is why I am not mentioned in the charge sheet in the court case in India over Rajiv Gandhi assassination. I was not proclaimed as an offender for even alleged conspiracy to kill him. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213G.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213G-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-12476\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nThen why did India issue an INTERPOL notice on you? You said it was in connection with the Rajiv Gandhi incident ,Right? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nRight. The CBI when investigating the murder felt there were some points they needed to clarify with me. This was highlighted during the Jain Commission inquiry into the killing also. But they could not get hold of me as I was outside India moving from place to place. My whereabouts were unknown. That is why they issued an INTERPOL. They  wanted to question me. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nOn the question of India wanting to question you. There was a news item in the Indian media recently that some Indian officials had indeed questioned you once about the Rajiv Gandhi killing. Has that happened?. <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nYes. It has happened. But it did not happen recently as said by the Indian media.Also it happened twice not once. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWhen did it happen then?When were you questioned by Indian officials. <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nIt happened in  late 2010 once and early 2011 again. I cant remember the months off hand. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nHow and why did this happen? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nIndian authorities   made a request to  Sri Lankan authorities  that they  wanted to question  me  over some aspects regarding the Rajiv Gandhi case.Sri Lanka complied with the request as a matter of courtesy. Since I was absolutely innocent in this  incident and had nothing to hide I readily obliged. <\/p>\n<p><b>MEETINGS <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWhere did the meetings take place and were Sri Lankan officials also involved? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThe meetings with Indian officials  were held in the Defence ministry premises in Colombo. Sri Lankan security officials were present on both occasions as observers. They did not participate in the talk but took notes of the meetings. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWhat  were the differences in the two meetings? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nA team of CBI officials met me first  in 2010. It was an interview not an interrogation. Later another team of  Indian officials met me in 2011. This was more like a discussion. The first one was specifically about the Rajiv murder and the  second one a more general discussion on political developments  connected to the LTTE. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nDo you recollect what happened in the first meeting? What did the CBI ask you? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThe CBI that has been investigating the Rajiv Gandhi killing asked me a few direct questions. First they wanted to know whether I had any prior knowledge on the killing .I truthfully replied I had no knowledge and that when it happened I was not in India.<br \/>\nThey asked me  next whether I had supplied the finances for the operation to which I replied in the negative. I explained that actions like this are usually planned by the LTTE intelligence division which has a  secret budget of its own and did not depend on me. <\/p>\n<p>Then they asked me about the bomb belt and Sivarasan\u2019s gun<\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWhat exactly were those questions about? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nWell about the bomb belt. The  girl who blew herself up and killed Rajiv Gandhi was wearing a belt  strapped with explosives. They asked me whether I had supplied the belt or the explosives . I replied no. I told them that RDX explosives could be bought in India itself and there was no need for me to buy explosives abroad and supply a little to be used in the belt. I also said that to my knowledge the explosive belt was not bought abroad but manufactured by the LTTE itself locally. They seemed to agree.<\/p>\n<p><b>SIVARASAN<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWhat about Sivarasan\u2019s gun? By Sivarasan you mean the one-eyed man who allegedly masterminded the assassination and later committed suicide in Bangalore or Bengalooru? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nYes. It is that man whom the Indians refer to as \u201cOtraikkann Sivarasan\u201d (one-eyed Sivarasan). Apparently he had a 9 mm pistol in his possession. So the CBI wanted to know whether I had personally supplied the gun to Sivarasan. Obviously I had not. So I told the CBI that I did not.They seemed to accept that. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nAbout the second meeting, What happened in that? <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p>As I told you earlier this meeting was more of a discussion. In the first meeting only CBI officials were there. But in this one more people who were not from CBI were also there <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213F.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DEEPAVALI1213F-600x401.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"SONY DSC\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-12477\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nRAW? External ministry? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nMaybe but I don\u2019t know.Anyway it was just a discussion. We spoke about a lot of things like the future of LTTE cadres being rehabilitated, the Diaspora and Diaspora  organizations, the  effects of the armed struggle, the plight of the Tamil people etc. I aired my views openly. They seemed a little surprised at my honest opinion but seemed to appreciate it. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWill there be a third meeting with Indian officials? A discussion or interview with you? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI don\u2019t know but if Sri Lanka wants to set up one with Indian officials I am prepared to cooperate with Colombo. I met with Indian officials only because Sri Lanka wanted me to do so and because Lankan officers were present. Otherwise I would not have consented.If India is not satisfied about the  previous two meetings and want to question me or talk to me again I am ready but only if Sri Lanka is willing too. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nFrom what you told me  I get the feeling that you think India was satisfied about the meetings with you. But then why is  the  INTERPOL  notice on you by India still existing? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI don\u2019t know. They may be having their own reasons. You will have to ask them that. I can\u2019t answer you. <\/p>\n<p><b>THARMALINGAM<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nThe INTERPOL notice in question refers to you as  having  the family name of Tharmalingam and the forenames of Shanmugam and Kumaran. Is not your name Selvarasa Pathmanathan? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nYes my father is Selvarasa who named me Pathmanathan. I am Selvarasa Pathmanathan <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nThen why is the INTERPOL notice referring to you as Shanmugam Kumaran Tharmalingam? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI don\u2019t know. You have to ask India or INTERPOL It may be because I used to carry some  passports with bogus names  those days and they may have found one with this name. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nIf an INTERPOL Notice was issued by India  for you under a wrong name then does it not reflect badly on India and INTERPOL? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI really don\u2019t know. You must ask INTERPOL or India. (laughs loudly) <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nSri Lanka also issued an INTERPOL notice on you? What is the position now? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI was arrested in Malaysia and deported to Sri Lanka. I am in Sri Lanka now under protective custody. I am sure INTERPOL is aware of the fact. But if you want to know exactly you must ask  INTERPOL or Colombo officials.As for me it really does not matter because I am not wanted anymore globally  as I am in Sri Lanka my own country. That is the reality now  and that is enough for me. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nWe were talking about the names under which an INTERPOL warrant has been issued for you. On the question of names there are many who refer to you as Kumaran Pathmanathan and attribute the initials KP as being for that.Others say KP stands for  Kannady Pathmanathan. Which is correct? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nIt is true that many people think KP stands for Kumaran Pathmanathan but that is not correct. Actually when I was in the Jaffna university there were about four or five persons with the same name Pathmanathan. So fellow undergrads used to differentiate between us through nicknames. Since I used to wear \u201cKannadi\u201d (spectacles) I was called \u201cKannadi Pathmanathan or \u201cKannadippathar\u201d. <\/p>\n<p><b>KANNADIPPATHAR<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nThere was another person called Kannadippathar in the early days of  Tamil militancy . But that was not you? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A:<\/b><br \/>\nNo no. He was different. I am not that person.The person you are referring to you was the first victim of an internal killing in the Tamil militant movement. He was one of those who escaped from Anuradhapura jail in the seventies. Sadly his fellow escapees got suspicious and killed him. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nSo go on about KP will you?Are you saying KP is a shortened form of Kannadi Pathmanathan? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nYes and you know what? It was Prabhakaran who started calling me as KP instead of  Kannadi Pathmanathan. The name stuck. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nI thought Prabhakaran called you \u201cKazhuthai\u201d (donkey) because like a donkey  carrying things on its back   you also transported goods ? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nYes he did but he would not refer to me by that name directly. It was only when I was not there and that too with some of the senior LTTE members. Never in front of  the cadres. With them it was KP always. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nAnyway Kazhuthai  was an affectionate term and not derogatory? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nYes he used it very fondly. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nBut did you not use the nom de guerre Kumaran when you were in the TELO(Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization) led by Thangathurai and Kuttimani? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nNo that was not so. In the first place I was never ever a member of the TELO <\/p>\n<p><b>Q: <\/p>\n<p>But I thought you were originally in the TELO and later joined the LTTE after Thangathurai and Kuttimani got arrested by the Navy in 1981? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI know that you also have written like that in some of your articles about me. But that is not correct. My entry into militancy was through Prabhakaran and the LTTE not the TELO. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nHow did that happen? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\n I used to be a youth activist in the Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) My hometown of Myliddy was in the KKS (Kankesanthurai) electorate. After SJV Chelvanayakam it was Amirthalingam who was the MP for KKS . I used to argue with him then saying Tamil Eelam can be achieved only through armed struggle. <\/p>\n<p>One day Amirthalingam introduced Prabhakaran to me and said you all must talk because both of you think alike. Later  on another day I had a very long talk with Prabhakaran at the residence of Mavai Senathirajah  who is a TNA parliamentarian now. After that discussion I became a helper and later member of the LTTE. <\/p>\n<p><b>THANGATHURAI<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nThen how did people associate you with TELO? <\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nThat is because after the LTTE split in 1980 and Umamaheswaran went on to form the PLOTE (Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam)those of us who remained in the LTTE under Prabhakaran joined forces with the TELO under Thanganna(Thangathurai). I became quite attached  to  Thangathurai then and  moved very closely with him. This made people think I was in the TELO and joined the LTTE only after Thangathurai was arrested. But I was always with the LTTE. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nSo how were you known in the LTTE  when you joined? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI was called by my pet name in Myliddy which is  Kutti. When I was in India I used the pseudonym Kumaran in some places. But very soon it became KP. <\/p>\n<p><b>Q:<br \/>\nFrom being a senior leader of the LTTE you have evolved into someone involved in community service aimed at uplifting unfortunate people affected by the war. It is in a sense your personal journey towards redemption. This transformation is truly remarkable but there are many who cannot believe that the tiger would change its stripes or the leopard its spots. <\/p>\n<p>As you are aware there are many reports about you in the media. Doubts are raised about  the activities you are allegedly involved in. You are vilified in the LTTE and pro-LTTE media about your relationship with sections of the Tamil Diaspora. Jaffna newspapers speculate about your entering  active politics soon. Then there is also the NERDO a non \u2013governmental organization you set up and administer. There is also your move to Kilinochchi from Colombo which is also looked upon suspiciously by some. <\/p>\n<p>What is your response to these viewpoints and accusations? Would you want to reply to those or simply ignore them? <\/b>  <\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><br \/>\nI am aware of these views  and charges. The media and some opposition politicians engage in them. Most of them are untrue and without valid basis. I am like a football being kicked around by each and everyone. Those who want to criticize the Govt and the Defence secretary find me a convenient instrument. <\/p>\n<p><b>TRANSFORMATION<\/b>  <\/p>\n<p>My transformation as you put it is real and sincere.But I understand that many in our society will be unable to accept or even understand such a change in an individual like me. After being involved for decades in promoting violence and destruction I am now repenting and seeking inner peace through service to humanity. I am eternally grateful to the President, this Govt and the Defence secretary for giving me such a great opportunity. I am truly fortunate and I thank God for this mercy and chance for a new life. <\/p>\n<p>But we live in a democracy and it is the duty of the media and opposition politicians to question and criticize. I accept that and am ready to clarify the situation as much as possible. I cannot and don\u2019t want to reply absurd accusations but I am always prepared to respond to  responsible questions. <\/p>\n<p>I will welcome your questions and will  do my best to  answer them so that the people of this country  get more information about  me, my work, my plans, my politics, my projects  and  other matters of interest. I have nothing to conceal  and actually look forward to more and more people assisting the various services  undertaken by NERDO. I sincerely hope that this will happen if  I can help clear genuine doubts and reveal the true situation.<\/p>\n<p><b> (TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i>DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com<\/i><\/p>\n<div id=\"tweetbutton12454\" class=\"tw_button\" style=\"float:right;margin-left:10px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdbsjeyaraj.com%2Fdbsj%2F%3Fp%3D12454&amp;text=Ex-LTTE%20Chief%20%26%238216%3BKP%26%238217%3Band%20the%20Rajiv%20Gandhi%20Assassination&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=horizontal\" class=\"twitter-share-button\"  style=\"width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-tweet-button\/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Transformation of a Top Tiger Leader &#8211; 1 Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias \u201cKP\u201d who donned the leadership mantle of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after the demise of tiger supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran is very much in the news these days. Much interest in KP was generated after the story of his relocation &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12454\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading &lsquo;Ex-LTTE Chief &#8216;KP&#8217;and the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination&rsquo; &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12454"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12454"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12540,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12454\/revisions\/12540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}