LTTE split imminent

Kumar Pathmanathan (KP) and V. Mannivannan (Castro) row intensifies

The fact that KP (alias Selvarajah Pathmanathan) and Castro (Veerakulasingham Manivannan) dislike each other is an open secret. The row started when KP was appointed “Head of International Relations” an empowered role and Castro was appointed “Head of International Secretariat” a largely ceremonial role. KP was charged with weapons procurement and had access to millions if not billions of dollars worth of funds, Castro on the other hand was left to coordinate diaspora affairs. However, the wheel chair bound Castro (injured following a mortar attack) is the darling of the diaspora whereas KP has little or nothing to do with the diaspora. There is no love lost between KP and Castro, it is said that both Vellupillai Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman favoured KP over Castro. Castro is known for his hard line stance and for his ruthlessness, Pottu sensing rivalry, clipped Castro’s wings about two years ago.

In the current scenario, Castro’s activism may have triggered a schism in the LTTE diaspora. Following the Pottu affair, Castro regained his position in the LTTE. Castro has galvanized diaspora support around him and is trying to push KP out of the scene, LTTE media’s latest position is clear evidence of this, it is a well known fact that LTTE media is run and funded by the diaspora, they did not publish KP’s latest statement confirming the death of VP. Intel does not think KP will fight for the LTTE cause as he's a businessman and is not under pressure from the diaspora. Castro on the other hand must give the illusion that he is committed to the LTTE cause, how he achieves this without KP’s contacts, business acumen and more importantly the vast sums of money remains to be seen. As last note, we must mention that VP always had faith in KP.

EFT