Hundreds of people attended a ceremony Sunday at Puthukkudyrippu in Vanni to pay their respects to Colonel Charles, Head of Liberation Tigers’ Military Intelligence, who was killed Saturday evening in a random mine attack by Sri Lanka commandos in Mannaar district.
Col. Charles had been in charge of internal intelligence within the ranks of LTTE ground forces and led an external operations corps as well as a regular combat force that has been deployed in Mannaar district, was killed together with three LTTE lieutenants in the ambush while they were riding in a van between Iluppaikkadavai and Pa'l'lamadu at 3:10 pm.
MICol Charles (Shanmuganathan Ravishankar, Jaffna) was on a mission inspecting his regular forces in Mannaar, informed sources said.
The lieutenants killed in the ambush were identified as Sukanthan (Sivapalan Sreetharan) from Jeyapuram, Lt. Veeramaravan (Pararajasingham Suthan) from Mallaavi and Lt. Kalaa (Sinnaththamby Kangatharan) from Vaddakkachchi.
Col. Charles, who joined the LTTE as a full-time member in December 1985 was taken into its Intelligence Wing following his military performance in Jaffna district and later in Vanni during the LTTE - India war.
He served in a key position in LTTE Intelligence Wing between 1991 and 2004, also as the head of LTTE Intelligence in Batticaloa-Ampaa'rai district between 1997 and 2000. He has commanded a number of key military operations, LTTE officials said.
Col. Charles was appointed as the Head of newly established Military Intelligence wing in 2004 by the LTTE leader V. Pirapaharan.
Col. Soosai, Special Commander of the Sea Tigers paid tribute to Col Charles at the event held in the Heroes Cemetary Hall in Puthukkudiyiruppu. The event was presided by C. Ilamparithi, Puthukkudyiruppu region Political Head of LTTE.
Col.Soosai , during the eulogy said “It is difficult to accept losses but without losses we cannot achieve liberation”
Extracts from his speech follow:
"Col.Charles was known only to a few but the enemy knew his identity.
“When the enemy occupied Jaffna peninsula and was roaming around freely, it was difficult for our cadres to find accommodation and meals. It was during that difficult time Col.Charles functioning under the leadership of Captain Morris who was in charge of Point Pedro area, faced the military offensives of Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).
“He was later sent to Manalaru where he coordinated a number of attacks. A short while later he returned to Jaffna peninsula and continued his activities together with LTTE Intelligence Head Poddu Ammaan.
“In 1990 Col.Charles who was in charge of Vadamaraadchii area up to that time of withdrawal of IPKF was identified by Poddu Ammaan, as the ideal candidate to prepare a base in the South to stage attacks from there.
“Stationing himself in the South Col. Charles staged a series of successful attacks.
“He successfully led a number of daring attacks but once he sensed that he was being wanted by the enemy he quickly changed his place of operation to Batticaloa from where he continued to launch many more successful attacks against the enemy.
"In 2001, the Katunayake Airport attack which was flawlessly executed making sure none of the civilian passengers including foreigners were not hurt, this great hero Charles who led the attack proved to the world how effectively he trained the Black Tigers under the guidance of Poddu Ammaan and also showed to the world community the great power of and discipline of our fighters.
“But for our people he was a faceless commander.
“During early stages of his involvement in our movement, Charles functioned under me. At that time while executing his own responsibilities he created a team of Black Sea Tigers to function incognito for attacks to be staged not only in the North and East but also on certain targets in the South.
“Today, this great hero is not with us. However, the fighters trained by him will carry his dreams and continue the military attacks.
"He was not only an expert in staging military offensives but he also had a talent of freely mixing with each and every one. He developed a very cordial relationship with our national leader.
"He did not restrict his unique type of attacks to the south but making use of the cadres of the newly created Liberation Tigers Military Intelligence (MI) he led attacks in Mukamaalai smashing the Forward Defence lines (FDL).
“It is difficult to accept losses, but without losses we cannot achieve liberation.
“Let us carry forward the dreams of Col.Charles and continue our freedom fight greater vigour," Special Commander of the Sea Tigers said.
The remains of Col. Charles were later taken in procession at 12:00 noon from his home in Ki’linochchi in a decorated vehicle to Puthukkudirrippu, and residents along the way offered flowers paying their last respects to Col. Charles.
Col. Pirapa, one of the colonels of LTTE Military Intelligence, lit the Common Flame, while the wife of Col. Charles garlanded her husband’s remains.
Col. Soosai, Col. Athavan, Special Commander and the head of the LTTE Military Initial Training Schools, Thamilkumaran, the Head of LTTE Finance Wing, and Dr. Sivapalan garlanded Col. Charles’ remains.
Paranthaman, who had been Col. Charles’ school teacher, spoke at the event highlighting Charles' outstanding qualities as a leader.
