It was not a surprise for former IGP of the LTTE P. Nadeson, when he was elevated as head of the political wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), barely 24 hours after the assassination of Tamilselvan last Friday 2. He was close to the LTTE chief Velupillai Pirabhakaran and was also a native of Valvettiturai, where even Pirabhakaran was born.

Being a Police constable attached to the Sri Lanka Police, Nadeson opted to join hands with the LTTE after the 1983 ethnic riots. During this time, he was serving as a police officer at the Jaffna police station, where his wife was also employed as an official at the station.It was at this time that the Jaffna police station was attacked by the Sri Lankan armed forces and for Nadeson, this experience must have been the driving force that changed his mind; to abandon his duties with the Sri Lanka Police and join the Tiger force. He subsequently married the woman he fell in love with, when he was serving in the Jaffna police station even though she was a Sinhalese from Matale. Since then, both of them have been strongly wedded not only to each other, but to the LTTE as well. Because of his skills and knowledge, Nadeson was sent to India to head the political wing under the LTTE from 1985 to 1987.

On his return, he was made the first Inspector General of Police of the LTTE police force. He later participated at the peace talks in Geneva and also visited a number of European countries. He is the father of three children and widely known as a ‘humble man.’ In an exclusive interview, he told The Nation that the people based struggle cannot be defeated by military strength and added: “We are ready to make any form of sacrifice to protect our land and our people if the government tries to resolve the Tamil national question by military means.”

Following are excerpts:

Q: How do you view your elevation to the post as head of the political wing from the earlier post as IGP?

A: We are freedom fighters belonging to a liberation movement. All our members are trained to function skilfully in many fields. Only by such a multi faceted training of the freedom fighters can the struggle be taken forward successfully. If a leader of a section dies, it should be possible to continue the work of that section without any waning of its activities. It is through such resource development, that our organisation is moving forward in our liberation struggle.
There is no status attached to the responsibilities within our movement. Political work is not new to me. I was responsible for the political division during the 85-87 periods when the LTTE was operating from Tamil Nadu in India. I gained much experience then. I can definitely perform in this new role to match the expectations of our organisation and our people.

Q: You have undertaken the leadership of the political wing of the LTTE, especially during turmoil with the Sri Lankan government on the one hand continuing its military strategies and on the other hand not showing any sign for resumption of talks. How do you feel?

A: The government of Sri Lanka is hoping to suppress the freedom struggle of the Tamil people from a position of military strength. This will never happen. Our struggle is a people’s struggle that has now evolved to embrace an entire nation. The history of the world amply demonstrates that such a people based struggle cannot be defeated by military strength. The government of Sri Lanka is unable to understand this truth. That is why they continue to dream about a military solution.

Q: How optimistic are you that you could emulate the standards set out by your predecessor as the head of the political wing of the LTTE?

A: I am confident that I will be able to carry forward the work left behind by him to the satisfaction of our organisation and our people.

Q: Since the UPFA government came to power, there have not been many chances for peace talks and apparently there has been a deadlock. How do you intend breaking this trend and pushing for more talks with the government?

A: The government of Sri Lanka must understand thoroughly the reality of the Tamil national question. On this understanding, it must make big changes in the positions it has taken. Any considerations for peace talks must depend on whether the government is ready for this.

Q: What are your fresh plans to initiate a peace dialogue with the Sri Lankan government?

A: As I said previously, any move for future peace talks depends on the government. We must find out whether the government is ready for this.

Q: It is believed that the loss of Tamilselvan, is also a loss of the political face of the LTTE. How are you going to replace this face?

A: It is indeed a huge loss. The loss of Tamilselvan is a huge shock for us and we mourn his loss. However, it is natural for liberation movements to face such losses. Our organisation has been built to move forward unflaggingly even when faced with such losses. The reason for this is that it is led by our able and far sighted national leader.

Q: It is widely speculated that the loss of Tamilselvan is an invitation for an all out war. Would this happen?

A: Tamil people were forced into an armed struggle by the oppressive policies of the Sri Lankan State. This historical truth is well known to all. The government of Sri Lanka does not appear to have understood this. Even after assassinating Tamilselvan, important people in the government continue to publicly harp about the list of LTTE leaders they intend to assassinate. These statements of the government answer this question well.

Q: The government has increased the monetary allocation for war in its latest budget from Rs. 63 billion to Rs. to 117 billion. Does it mean the government has put its lid on the peace process? If so what does the LTTE plan to do?

A: This clearly demonstrates that the government does not have any plans to resolve the Tamil national question by peaceful means. We are ready to make any form of sacrifice to protect our land and our people if the government tries to resolve the Tamil national question by military means.

Q: Is the LTTE still committed to peace and if so what steps are being taken to minimise hostilities with the Sri Lankan government?

A: First you must ask this question from the government of Sri Lanka.

Q: Since early this year, the LTTE has been facing a series of setbacks and the government claims that the LTTE could be defeated easily. Do you think so?

A: The answer is in the history of many successful freedom struggles.

Q: Tamilselvan’s strong belief was that any peace talks should not be held in Sri Lanka and that any future talks should be on the basis of the 2000 Ceasefire Agreement. Do you also hold the same belief?

A: I will continue from where my predecessor left.

Q: Will you also be leading the future peace talks as head of the LTTE delegation?

A: I can answer this question only when such a situation arises.

Q: You met the SLMM chief on Wednesday at the Peace Secretariat. What was the outcome of your discussions with him?

A: I explained to him the background to the assassination of Brig. Tamilselvan and requested him to convey those details to the Norwegian government. I also requested the SLMM Head to convey my request to the Norwegian government to work with the international community to condemn the assassination of Tamilselvan. He understood our views and promised to convey them to the Norwegian government.

Q: The SLMM has said it could no longer serve in vulnerable areas. Do you consider this demand to be a fair one and if so what action is taken to secure their stay?

A: There are no hurdles placed by our side to their functioning. SLMM is facing hurdles and threats from the Sri Lankan government side.

Q: It is rumoured that the aerial attack by the air force on Friday morning that killed Tamilselvan and five others was consequent to a tip-off from within the LTTE itself. Is there any truth?

A: As you have said it is a rumour and nothing more.

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