Attempt to smuggle in light aircraft for LTTE foiled

(The Island) Attempt to smuggle in light aircraft for LTTE foiled - A person who had arrived from Germany, bringing with him a remote-controlled light aircraft, was arrested by Criminal Investigations Department sleuths on Saturday. Preliminary investigations had revealed that the suspect has had a close relationship with the LTTE’s Wanni faction. A video tape of the "Mahawiru’ celebration, organized by Wanni tigers in Germany and a photograph of the suspect taken with Kaushalyan, the Eastern Province leader of the Wanni tigers, who was recently killed, had been found amongst his possessions. Photographs of senior LTTE leaders, including LTTE police chief Nadeshan and women’s wing leader Mathialan were also found on him. He had also tried to smuggle in twenty ultra-powerful torches along with the light air plane, security sources said. The suspect had divulged to the investigators that the light aircraft and other equipment were to be handed over to LTTE’s Pulliyankulam office, sources added. The five-foot long light aircraft was expertly packed in a box and was first noticed by the Airport customs officials who had later handed him to the police for further investigations. The suspect, Somasundaram Paramakandan (28) told investigators that he is a resident of Kopai North in Jaffna. He told the investigators that the pictures and the light aircraft was given to him by an LTTE cadre by the name Rajitharan who is in Germany.