by Shamindra Ferdinando
A senior LTTEer identified as the LTTE’s Secretary General in charge of education vacated a room given to him by two controversial Eastern University officials when the UGC sought an explanation from university authorities subsequent to a front-page report in The Island headlined ‘Controversy over LTTE leader getting office in Eastern University’ appearing on January 3 issue. UGC called for a report on a Tertiary Education and Training Ministry directive wanting an immediate inquiry.

"He packed his bags and left the university situated at Vantharumullai, Chenkalady on January 12," informed sources said. The LTTEer was identified as Avinian.

In response to The Island story, the Acting Registrar of the university said: "the university did not provide any office room to the LTTE either at the hostel or elsewhere in the university premises to conduct its affairs. However government departments, NGOs and other state corporations in the region were mobilised by the LTTE political wing for the preparation of a development plan for the Ampara-Batticaloa region for which a secretariat was set up at the Eastern University. It was provided with communication and other facilities".

Over the past few months, the LTTE has stepped up its activity at the university. Recently a senior LTTE cadre walked in as the university was in session and held a meeting with the entire academic staff. The LTTEer identified as Thurai ordered them to amalgamate their unions as he did not want the academics to have two separate unions. They promptly agreed and elected a new body in Thurai’s presence, the sources said.

The LTTE also opposed a plan by the non-academic union to conduct a one-day protest against delayed payments to the non-academic staff. The LTTE was determined to cripple the trade union action as it wanted to help the two officials responsible for giving them facilities at the university. Despite strong LTTE objections, union leaders went ahead with their action.

Speculation was rife that the LTTE was also given the opportunity to use the university guest house at Bar road, Batticaloa. Several computers too have been made available to the LTTE to conduct computer classes for youth. An authoritative source stressed that the UGC was determined to ensure that the LTTE did not take advantage of a ceasefire agreement to intensify its activities in universities.