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Jeyadevan
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Castro - Shanthan - Seevaratnam axis with backing from Anton Balasingham began a campaign
- both overt and covert in nature - aimed at bringing several Tamil administered British institutions
under direct LTTE control. Seevaratnam was to be the "front person" under whom most of these
were" legally "acquired. Given the fact that the LTTE is banned as a terrorist organization under
British law the tigers were bold indeed in embarking on such a course. This brazen cocksureness is
due to an impression that there wont be a crackdown on them in Britain as long as that peace
process continues.
The mixed and confusing signals emitted by Britain has strengthened this confidence. Britain has
refused to admit people like SP Tamilselvan or KV Balakumaran of the LTTE into the Country so far.
Attempts by the tigers to stage their "constitution - making" exercises in Britain have been
unsuccessful so far. Yet British officials and diplomats have often visited the Wanni and met tiger
leaders in Kilinochchi. Whatever the motive for this conduct the end result is that the LTTE feels
confident that it can go an as usual without fear of repercussions.
Seevaratnam began his "nationalization" project in London mainly through the Tooting based
Sivayogam trust. The Muthumariamman temple is directly under this trust. Authorized by Castro and
backed by Shanthan Seevaratnam began intimidating other Tamil managed projects into accepting
his authority. Among these was the well established Tamil school run by Dr. Nithianandan in
Wembley. Seevaratnams priority target however was the Alperton Siva temple for monetary and
personal reasons.
Finding Jeyadevan a tough opponent his enemies changed course. The crocodile is strong in water
but weak on land. So croc hunters entice it to land by tying up dogs on the bank. Canine flesh is a
favourite delicacy of the crocodile. Likewise Jeyadevans enemies succeeded when he left London
where he was strong and went into the Wanni where he was weak. The bait was a prospective
"Dharshan" with the divine leader and a possible opportunity of being restored to his former position
in London tiger circles. This is how Jeyaevan seems to have got bamboozled!.
The sequence of events as related in these columns last week had some discrepancies that need to
be corrected. Apparently Jeyadevan and Vivekanandan the secretary of the temple board had gone
to Kilinochchi initially on Jan 3rd. They were unable to meet Castro or tiger supremo Pirapakaran on
that occasion. The high rankers they met then were LTTE office administrator and spokesperson
Daya Master and Lawrence christie (Thilagar) of the TRO. The money taken by them to be given for
the Navam arivukkoodam and tsunami relief projects were handed over formally in two ceremonies
while there.
They returned to Colombo on the 5th as prospects of meeting Piraba or Castro seemed remote
despite staying in Kilinochchi for two days. On Jan 6th Perinbam of the LTTE secretariat in Kilinochchi
rang Jeyadevan in Colombo and invited him to come to the Wanni as soon as possible. Meetings with
the LTTE hierarchy had been arranged he promised. So Jeyadevan and Vivekanandan changed their
plans again and went to Kilinochchi on Jan 8th.
They were housed by the LTTE at the tiger run guest house "Pandithar" first. On the 10th they were
transferred to another tiger owned guest house " Niranjan". Both had been asked not to go out
anywhere as they could be summoned at very short notice to meet the LTTE leaders. Three days
passed and still no sign of that much anticipated rendezvous. Finally on the 11th morning Jeyadevan
and Vivekanandan got out of the guest house to walk to the LTTE run communication centre nearby
and make some overseas calls to London.
An agitated guest house manager inquired frantically from both" Where are you going? You have
been asked not to go out". Jeyadevan said they were going to make telephone calls and will return
soon. As they went out they saw the "manager" calling somebody on the walkie - talkie. As they
walked to the communication centre and were about to enter it two tigers on a motor cycle came
rapidly towards them. Introducing themselves as "intelligence" they inquired angrily where and why
they were going out instead of remaining indoors as instructed. When Jeyadevan explained they
spoke to someone on their alkie - talkie and gave Jeyadevan the go ahead to proceed.
The intelligence guys lingered outside while the two London Tamils tried to make their calls. Due to
some mysterious reason thir calls did not get through. The communications people were not
bothered. It looked as if their calls had been deliberately blocked. After several unsuccessful attempts
they returned to the guest house under tiger "intelligence" escort. It was only now that both realized
something was amiss and that they were possibly caught in a trap.
Jeyadevan then informed the guest house manager that his return flight to London was booked for
Jan 13th and that they had to return to Colombo without meeting the LTTE high command because
time had run out. The manager spoke to someone on the walkie - talkie and assured them "You will
get to see both Castro Anna and the thesiyathalaiver this evening". In the afternoon a van with tinted
glass windows and without number plates called over at "Niranjan". Jeyadevan and Vivekanandan got
in. The van made its way to an old bungalow in the Puthukudiyiruppu area in Mullaitheevu district.
Nilavan the LTTE operative who took them to this place informed them pleasantly that tiger
intelligence wanted to screen them before the meeting and asked them to stay in that place. Nilavan
also told them cheerfully that they had been given first class accommodation > When intelligence
wanted to question people at some length of time they are placed in bunkers or detention camps. "But
in your case you all are given first class accommodation".
Four LTTE guards were placed at the house. The house had an old. musty, deserted look. There was
no electricity and the house was fully dark at nightfall. Even during daytime the interior was dark.
There were no books or radio or newspapers. They had to sleep on mats on the ground. Water had
to be drawn from a well. The house was full of insects, ants, spiders, termites, mice, rats and even
scorpion. An old woman came three times daily with meals for the detainees and guards.
Jeyadevan and Vivekanandan realised that they were now "prisoners" but decided to cooperate as
much as possible and secure an early release. They were not keen on meeting any tiger leader now.
All they wanted was freedom and a return to Jolly old England! The guards spoke to them cordially
but firmly. They were not to step outside the compound. If that happened they would be manacled
and handcuffed they warned. They also told both that they were very fortunate to be treated like this
because they were from London. "Others would have been put in bunkers. At least you can see the
sun". Even if they couldn't see the Sungod they could see the sun at least. Talk about small mercies!
Thamilkumaran from the intelligence came to interrogate them after three days on the 14th. They
were told that they could go after they cleared up a few routine matters. Thamilkumaran came daily till
up to the 18th. Armed with a tape recorder he would ask pointed questions about life in England and
about activities of the Tamils. After the cassette was over in 90 minutes he would depart. On the 18th
Thamilkumaran informed them that intelligence headed by Pottu Amman was quite satisfied and that
their inquiry was over.
The ordeal was not over. Noe Castros overseas branches department took over. An operative named
Nediyavan came with a tape recorder and ask them " Sollungo; Sollungo" (Tell, tell). The prisoners
did not know what to say. "Summa sollungo (Just talk) he would say. This charade went on for two or
three days. Thereafter a five page petition signed by former temple trustee board chairman Sivarajah
was shown them. They were asked to explain.
Both pointed out during the staggered interrogation that these were false allegations and demanded
that Sivarajah be brought down to the Wanni so that they could defend themselves. This led to a lull
in the interrogation. After some days they were told that Sivarajah was not in a position to travel down
to Sri Lanka at that juncture. So both demanded that they be released. There was no response. Even
the so called interrogation was sporadic. At best it amounted to a bout 90 minutes every three days.
Castros minion Nediyavan also emphasised with regularity that since there was dissatisfaction over
Jeyadevans management of the temple it should be handed over to Seevaratnams trust. Jeyadevan
bristled at this and refused point blank. Vivekanandan however gave in at some point and said he
was willing to transfer temple control to Seevaratnam. Much of Sivarajahs petition alleged temple
mismanagement and siphoning of funds by Jeyadevan.
One of the allegations was that Jeyadevan had used temple funds to buy a house for his sister in law
in Colombo. This was the widow of Jeyadevans brother killed by the Indian army at Navatkuli in 1987.
Jeyadevan explained with documentary proof that this house had been bought by himself and other
family members abroad from their private funds.
On the 19th of February Vivekanandans wife who had come down from England was brought to see
her husband. She also brought a letter from Jeyadevans wife to her husband. The letter was quite
sad reiterating how the children and she were missing him and pleading with him to do whatever
possible to return home as soon as possible. She stated in the letter that the family wanted his safe
return and that money or property was of no consequence in comparison. She also pointed out that
Jeyadevans health was in a fragile state and urged him to return.
Jeyadevan was suffering from a number of health related problems and had had two surgeries in the
past four years. He was also under daily medication. Furthermore regular neuro - analysis was
required to aid monitoring of his health. Jeyadevans daily medication was exhausted after a few
weeks of imprisonment. When he gave the LTTE his prescription he was told that the required
medicine was not available. After repeated entreaties some of the para - medics from the LTTE
medical unit came and examined him but could provide no treatment.
Jeyadevan then wrote a two page report about his medical condition and asked the para medics to
give it to a proper qualified doctor. This was done and one day Jeyadevan was taken to Dr.
Ponnambalams clinic at Puthukudiyiruppu. He was examined there and given some substitute drugs. It
was at this stage that Mrs. Vivekanandan arrived in Puthukudiyiruppu.
She had brought along with her a legal document drafted by a Tamil solicitor firm in London. This
document provided for the transfer of Eelap Patheeswarar temple to Seevaratnams Sivayogam trust.
Now Castros sidekick Nediyavan wanted Jeyadevan to affix his signature to the document. One of
Vivekanandans nephews was working in the LTTE medical unit. He too was brought into the scene
now. This nephew was to stand guarantee for the uncles release.
Vivekanandan was asked to take the document back to London and explain matters to the other
trustees and important devotees of the temple. He was to secure their consent and transfer the
temple to Seevaratnam's control. Once that was done Jeyadevan would be released and allowed to
return to British "civilization". After a heated argument with the tigers both Vivekanandan and
Jeyadevan conferred between them and decided they had no choice in the matter. Reading his wifes
pathetic letter had somewhat unnerved Jeyadevan. He to wanted to call it quits and get back to his
family. So Jeyadevan affixed his signature and Vivekanandan left the Wanni on Feb 20th.
After Vivekanandans departure a terrible sense of loneliness and frustration besieged Jeyadevan. In
his own way he began defying the LTTE and protesting his illegal imprisonment. Jeyadevan began a
protest fast in stages skipping first one meal then two and finally all three. He also stopped taking his
medication. It appeared that the mental torture had taken its toll and Jeyadevan now had a death
wish. He requested his guards to send his body to London for last rites with the well founded doubt
that even his last wish would not be honoured.
The tiger guards did not realise the seriousness of Jeyadevans protest fast first. When he skipped his
meals they simply joked about it and started sharing among themselves the extra meal. None of the
LTTE seniors were informed and no one took notice of this defiant protest. Gradually Jeyadevans
health deteriorated and the guards got alarmed. They informed their superiors and finally a tiger
doctor came on Mar 5th to examine him. On his instructions Jeyadevan was taken to Ponnambalams
clinic on the 6th. Where two or three "accredited" medicos examined him. They were thoroughly
perturned and told the LTTE men that Jeyadevan should be taken immediately to Colombo. Still
nothing happened.
Meanwhile Vivekanandan left for England. Prior to leaving the Wanni he was told by Castro personally
that the temple should be transferred to Seevaratnam. As soon as that was done Jeyadevan would be
released. No one should talk about this matter or complain to authorities. If that were done Jeyadevan
will not be released. Vive returned to London with the signed documents.
He met other trustees like Koneswaran and Sounthararajan and informed them of the position. He
also consulted important temple well - wishers. Reluctant at first the trustees agreed to give up the
temple so that Jeyadevan could be return safely to Britain. Almost all the temple trustees were pro -
LTTE too. What shocked them was that the tigers could behave so cruelly to Jeyadevan a man who
devoted himself to the Tamil cause. What rankled further was the demand that the temple be handed
over to Seevaratnam whose track record in financial integrity left much to be desired.
What many people dont realise is that contrary to its projected image of being free of corruption the
LTTE is today riddled with corruption and is quite comfortable in working together with crooks and
charlatans. This is most pronounced in the overseas branches. Vivek also talked to Jeyadevans wife
Manchuladevi on the telephone and told her of the position but assured her that Jeyadevan would be
release once the temple was transferred to Seeva. Deeply worried she sent an urgent personal letter
to Velupillai Pirapakaran pleading with him to release her husband.
So Seevaratnam was asked to come over. He promptly did so on March 1st with a Tamil solicitor
accompanying him and walked in with a swagger to the Alperton temple. The trustees placed their
signatures and formally handed the temple over. Seevaratnam left with the sneering remark that he
would be back tomorrow to take possession. When asked about Jeyadevan he replied non - commit
tally: I dont know. You all inform Castro that you have transferred temple ownership to me and see
what happens". Seevaratnam took possession formally on March 2nd.
Vivekanandan who was also the trustee board secretary telephoned Castro and informed him of the
transfer. But Castro shocked him into silence by saying that the inquiry into Jeyadevans conduct was
not over yet. "We have to see whether he is guilty or not. There are so many allegations of financial
impropriety and ethical misconduct. If he is found guilty then he will undergo punishment here. Do not
bother us with Jeyadevans matter hereafter; we will take care of it".
The LTTE once again was at its duplicitous worst. Promising Jeyadevans release the temple had
been taken over but now Castro was reneging on his pledge. Too dazed by this tiger treachery to
even speak the spiritual Vivekanandan put down the telephone. He went off into self - imposed
seclusion not daring or wanting to speak to anyone.
Another tragedy struck the Jeyadevan family. Worried about the situation Manchuladevis aged father
Ponniah Markandu had gone over to meet Vivekanandan and inquire the reason for his son in laws
non - return. Unable to lie or cover up Vivekanandan came out with the whole truth about Jeyadevan's
situation. A shocked Markandu broke the news to his daughter. Deeply troubled by the plight of his
son in law the old man suffered a massive heart attack a few hours later and passed away on March
3rd.
The LTTE at "Nanthavanam" office in Kilinochchi was informed and entreated to release Jeyadevan to
attend the funeral. The tigers refused to do so. Furthermore the LTTE did not even inform
Jeyadevan. It was only after Jeyadevan was released and left the Wanni that he learnt of his father in
laws death.
It was at this stage that housewife Manchuladevi plucked up enough courage or worked up ample
anger to go to the British Police. Hard as it may be to believe neither family members nor friends had
gone to the Police earlier. This was due to many reasons. Chief among them was the fear of
provoking the tigers into harming Jeyadevan. Besides they had been devout tiger supporters
throughout and one does not complain about ones "gods" to others easily.
Until Vivekanandan returned the actual situation about Jeyadevan was not clearly known. All that the
family knew was that he had been going to meet the LTTE leader. The family through several
contacts had asked the Wanni tigers for more information. They were told that he was safe and that
he would return soon safely. The family and relatives were asked to keep quiet without creating a fuss
as the LTTE does not like that and Jeyadevan may be jeopardised.
With her husband incarcerated and her father dead Manchuladevi formally lodged a complaint to the
British police on March 4th. Jeyadevan and Manchuladevi though living in England for two decades
were only permanent residents. They had very recently applied for citizenship. But their three children
aged 18 and 14 (twins) were British subjects. So the worried children too formally complained. The
Police told her to give them five days time.
Members of the family had been disappointed with the British High Commission in Colombo. The BHC
had been very indifferent to Jeyadevans plight allegedly taking up the position that he was carrying a
Sri Lankan passport. The relatives felt that British diplomats in Colombo who are often visiting the
Wanni and trying to curry favour with the LTTE may have been hesitant to ruffle tiger feelings by
raising the Jeyadevan issue with Kilinochchi. When this column contact the British High Commission in
Colombo for further information about Jeyadevan all queries went unanswered. It is learnt however
that after his release the High Commission in Colombo had interacted with Jeyadevan.
Jeyadevans elder brother Dr. Narendran now in the middle - east also got into the act and used his
considerable influence to get the sibling released. A brother in law from North America Thevathasan
also went to Colombo and work from that end. Through the help of concerned third parties several
tiger leaders like Thamilselvan, Soosai, Balakumar, and Nadesan etc were contacted. They promised
to look into the matter but nothing happened. Castro became inaccessible. Shanthan, Balasingham,
Seevaratnam etc washed their hands off saying it was a matter for Castro to decide.
The bulk of Tamil media in London too refused to publicise the issue. Even the supposedly
independent "Theepam" TV remained silent. Only the Tamil Broadcasting Corporation run by ENDLF
stalwart Ramarajan highlighted the issue through several broadcasts. This created a stir among
London Tamils. Many could not believe that the tigers were doing this to a man like Jeyadevan who
had identified with the LTTE cause for so long.
The family and friends also sought Brent North MP Barry Gardiners help. Gardiner proved a true
friend. Gardiner used all his clout to get the authorities working. Gardiner was immensely helpful to
Jeyadevan once to get the Balasinghams into Britain. Now he was involved in getting Jeyadevan from
LTTE clutches. Around 15 Labour party MP's now set up an adhoc support group to secure
Jeyadevans release. The bloc made quiet representations to the Foreign and Home office. They also
conveyed a message to the LTTE in London through an "unofficial channel" that if Jeyadevan was not
released the British MP's will conduct a press conference in Parliament and inform the national and
international media about the Rajasingham Jeyadevan affair.
A public petition to the Foreign office was drafted by a Tamil lawyer on a humanitarian basis and sent
with signatures of well -wishers and representatives of human rights organizations. The Norwegian
Embassy in London too was pressurised. Ironically many of the Tamils coming to Jeyadevans aid
were those dubbed earlier as traitors by Jeyadevan himself. All the pseudo patriotic Tamils in London
were shamefully silent. But it was well known that they were deeply troubled. "If this could happen to
Jeyadevan what chances have we?" was their worry.
With the ruling Labour party moving in quietly but effectively things began to hum. The Alperton
temple itself was housed in a building that was formerly a Labour party office. Jeyadevan had
personally leased it. Seevaratnam had lost no time in establishing his writ and had repainted the old
sign with Sivayogam trust. He had also summarily fired five employees including the Brahmin priests.
Now the landlord egged on by some powerful forces went to the "new" temple owners and warned
them that their possession was illegal as the temple could not be sub - leased and that they were
trespassing. The sacked employees began resorting to legal action.
Vivekanandan was grilled by a special unit at Scotland Yard for four hours. With a definite case being
established about Jeyadevans imprisonment”other” British authorities got into the act. On Mar 8th
British intelligence officials "invited" Balasingham for a "tea and biscuits" meeting. It was then
suggested to him "unofficially" that it would be in the best interests of the LTTE and Balasingham
himself to ensure the immediate release of Jeyadevan. It was hinted that British "weather" could turn
"nasty" if Jeyadevan did not return safely.
Bala Annai took the hint. It is presumed that he was on the phone with his beloved "Thamby" Velupillai
Pirapakaran informing him of the situation. Each LTTE sectional or divisional leader is "God" in the
are under purview. But the supreme leader is the all - powerful God. So the LTTE supremo pulled
rank with Castro and ordered him to release Jeyadevan. After 59 days of incarceration Jeyadevan
was brought to the "Nandavanam" office on March 9th and released officially at 2.30 pm. Nilavan who
took him into custody supervised the release. A friend "kishore" had come from Colombo to take
Jeyadevan home.
The LTTE told Jeyadevan that he was being released because of an appeal made by his wife
Manchuladevi to the leader. In an exhibition of crass hypocrisy the tigers bade a: tearful" farewell
publicly and in voices choked with "emotion" asked Jeyadevan to visit again with his family. He left the
Wanni without meeting Praba or Castro. Jeyadevan returned to Colombo and stayed at an
undisclosed location for two days before boarding a plane for Britain on 11th evening. The family was
quite nervous as they feared a tiger squad in Colombo might just "abduct" him to prevent his talking.
He also sought medical treatment and was advised that his situation was quite critical.
When Jeyadevan arrived in London on Mar 12th there was a crowd of more than 75 people at the
airport to welcome him. He is now taking medical treatment and quietly contemplating his future
course of action.
This then is the tragic tale of Jeyadevan. He was luckier than most in getting released. Manu others
are in the realm of the missing still. The Jeyadevan affair has exposed the duplicitous nature of the
LTTE in several dimensions. It also throws light on what many Tamil expatriates are undergoing at the
hands of the LTTE. Already there is talk in London of another tiger stalwart in London Ramachandran
alias Ramsar alias Anton Rajah being "held" in the Wanni. The Jeyadevan affair also illustrates the
"intermestic" state of the LTTE and the relationship between the Wanni and the Diaspora. Above all it
shows that the so called Liberation movement is now akin to the mafia making "offers hard to refuse".
This mafia like control is all the more frightening when one recalls that Mafia origins were in the
Sicilian freedom movement.
With the safe release and return of Rajasingham Jeyaevan a tremendous burden is placed upon him.
He has been exposed to the real nature of the LTTE. If he is genuinely concerned about the future of
the Tamil people then it is his duty to expose the tiger terror to the best of his ability. Personally I
have heard that he is a courageous honourable person with a great deal of integrity. Lonely and
difficult as it may be there is only one path to be followed for such persons. I am hopeful that
Rajasingham Jeyadevan will - in the words of Spike Lee - do the right thing! [Sunday Leader -Mar 20, 2005]
