Scowling Nadesan Succeeds Smiling Thamilchelvan as Commissar
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
“Brigadier” Thamilchelvan of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was known as the “smiling” face of the tigers. His successor Nadesan may very well become the “scowling” face of the LTTE.
If Thamilchelvan could not wipe that perpetual, insincere grin off his face the new Political commissar is eternally seen with a grimace.
Nadesan , the man in charge of the tiger police known as “Kaaval thurai” was also made Political wing chief by tiger supremo Prabakharan within 24 hours of Thamilchelvan’s death.
Nadesan like Prabakharan is a native of Valvettithurai and a distant relative of the LTTE leader. Nadesan cut his teeth as Political commissar on Thurday Nov 8th when he met Monitoring Mission head Maj Gen Lars Johann Solvberg for a 75 minute pow – wow at Kilinochchi.
Nadesan conducted a press conference after the meeting. I listened to it over a Tamil radio. Unlike Thamilchelvan who was garrulously verbose, Nadesan’s answers were terse and to the
point.
[P. Nadesan, addressing the press, Nov, 8 - Photo: TamilNet]
Of course LTTE press conferences in Kilinochchi are not media scrums but Nadesan’s replies were was crisply incisive. I was impressed.
The be – spectacled Police chief cum Political commissar is in his mid – fifties. Nadesan is his nom de guerre.His real name is Balasingham Mahendran.
Nadesan’s father Balasingham was a dyed in the wool Trotskyite known generally as “Comrade Balasingham”. The senior clerk was made a staff officer at the CTB when LSSP stalwart Anil Moonesinghe was chairman.
One brother of Nadesan’s father – Panchalingam – was senior vice principal of St. Johns College, Jaffna. Another paternal uncle Sevatkodiyon was a pedagogue too. Ganeshan, another uncle was a postmaster while an aunt was a senior bank executive at Nelliaddy.
Nadesan lived for some years in Colombo in Havelock town.. During this time he used to go for rugger practice at Havelocks.. Being an old boy of Chidambara College in VVT he had not played rugby before as the sport does not flourish in Jaffna.. Some old friends of his say Nadesan played for Havies “Bambaras” and later Police “Griffins” but I cannot vouch for this.
Nadesan’s younger brother who studied at Issipithana MMV for a while was a first batch recruit of the LTTE. His nom de guerre was Lucas and is living abroad now.
After seeing the world as seaman aboard merchant vessels, Balasingham Mahendran returned to Lanka and joined the Police Force as a Constable. He later became sergeant I think.
Nadesan was a few years older than Prabakharan but associated with “Thambi” at VVT and while in the Police force. He was serving in Jaffna when the LTTE attacked the Jaffna Police station in April 1985 during Maragaret Thatcher’s visit. Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias Kittu was the LTTE commander for Jaffna then.
Nadesan apparently drew up a diagram of the premises that helped the LTTE greatly in planning and executing the attack. Tiger cadres crawled through drainage canals and drains to surprise the Police. Having prior knowledge of the attack , Nadesan and his policewoman wife kept away from work on D – day.
Their absence aroused suspicion so the LTTE clandestinely took them across to India by boat. Nadesan began working at the LTTE political office in Chennai.
Nadesan’s wife is a Sinhala woman from Morawaka in the Matara district. She too has a left background as her family members were long standing supporters of Communist party leader and former Akuressa MP Dr. SA Wickremasighe. She now lives in the Wanni with Nadesan.
Nadesan returned to Jaffna in 1987 and worked in the political office. But during the Indian atmy period Nadesan also took up arms and fought. He was injured badly n a battle and thought dead by the LTTE.
The IPKF took the wounded Nadesan to India and treated him. After recovering he was detained at Kankesanthurai.
When the LTTE started a fledgling Police force, Nadesan was placed in charge. He was jokingly referred to as the IGP of Tamil Eelam. Nadesan emulated various international Police force models and developed his own one.
A visiting Amnesty delegation was highly impressed b its efficiency and discipline.
Nadesan speaks Tamil, English and Sinhala. He is a trusted confidante of Prabakharan. This is the primary qualification to be political commissar of the LTTE.
Nadesan being appointed political commissar was hardly a surprise to seasoned observers of the LTTE. He had been slowly groomed for this role by Prabakharan. The past years have seen Nadesan participating in many political meetings with visiting dignitaries in Kilinochchi.
He was also part of LTTE delegations going abroad for talks. Once he left Switzerland suddenly and returned home after serious disagreement with Thamilhchelvan.
There has been speculation in sections of the media about people like Pulidevan, Thangan, Daya master etc being overlooked as Political wing chief and Nadesan being given a dual role
The reason is simple. The criteria was not seniority, experience or ability though Nadesan is certainly a veteran. The chief criterion was that of enjoying the trust of Prabakharan.
Gayan said,
November 11, 2007 @ 8:04 am
I say a little PR work is done by Mr DBS on behlf of the new terrorist spokesman.This ex constable is no better than the late Barber.At least Thamilselvan can smile even at times of LTTE debacals,with Nadesan ,even charly chapplin would have found it diffecult .
Thaya said,
November 11, 2007 @ 9:47 am
Very good Artical
Concerned Canadian said,
November 11, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
This article provides proof how the Tamils and Sinhalese co-existed. Also it illustrate why some Sinhalese do not trust Tamils. This person was not loyal to the people who put ‘bread’ on his table. Why should anybody else trust him now.
Sen said,
November 11, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Whether there is a Scowling face or a Smiling face, it does not matter who is handling political discussing. What is important is to have sincerity of both sides to look for a political solution that will take away the grievances Tamils have suffered under the successive Sinhalese governments from the independence. From DS Senanayake onwards the successive Sri Lankan governments have cleverly tried to eliminate Tamils dominance on North and East, by forceful settlement and land acts etc. They wanted to have the Tamils as minority populated throughout the island. So they believed, they can solve the Tamil problem. What is happening currently, the chief political players exploiting the issues for their personal gains. VP doesn’t want to go for election, as he may not get a single seat under a fair and transparent election, on the other hand Rajapakse family is financially and politically benefiting by this on going war. The question is who is looking after the man on the street? International community (IC) just looking at their on gain, and the Rajapakse family is exploiting this greed of the IC by giving some tacit and overt help to major countries including India, China and USA. Only the poor man dies by this hypocrisy of IC.
praveen said,
November 12, 2007 @ 3:14 am
very good
A.Rajasingam said,
November 12, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
Since Nadesan is of the view that LTTE should have the support of India. Is it possible when India has already signaled that it is not prepared to accept the LTTE leadership? My answers are given to Sri Kantha’s interview on the right to Self-determination. Following the TNA’s delegation through M.Karunanidhi with great difficulty, now there is a statement of M.Karunanidhi’s Tamil blood running in his body and a counter statement by Nadesan commenting it as a solace followed by the death of T.Chelvan. This might cause confusion. Blood is always red; if at all there can be only Groups. There is no Tamil blood or Sinhalese blood or any other blood either.
When an operation takes place do you go for a Tamil blood or Sinhalese blood. What if the Sinhala blood is transformed into a Tamil patient’s body during an operation, can it be called a Sinhala blood. If two or more operations are done to patient on different occasions how do we call that blood. How is MK going to account for the Tamil blood for the children of LTTE’s new Political Commissar and Police Chief to the Indian government if an opportunity is granted? I think such words are political gimmicks to hoodwink the people in order to achieve political gain at somebody’s expense. Will it not be correct to say that it is the soul or the feeling that matters, in stead of the blood. It may be a bad soul or good soul. If a person is dead; it is only a mere parting of the soul from the body. Feeling is something else that runs when a person is alive. I think this is what religion says. Such blunt statement may cause problems to Nadesan. Can anyone clarify this point?
Gamini said,
November 12, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Sole representatives of the Tamil’s or the sole representatives of Prabhakharan ?
This hand picked appointment of a loyalists whose main credentials in diplomacy seems to be unwavering loyalty, and transaltion skills, is further evidence of the Lt te’s commitment or lack of commitment to seeking a political settlement.
Nate said,
November 12, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
Tigers appoint new head of Public Relations !
As most Sri Lanka observs know thereis no political wing in the tigers.
There is the effectively a military wing , suicide wing and a Public Relations wing that makes excuses for the cruelty of the first two.
Hemantha said,
November 15, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
Good article by DBSJ; the problem with the LTTE or any other organization of the same calibre is the destruction of a generation of lives of the very race they are claiming to protect. The job of a political commissar is to put a gloss over this dirty job. The previous one could shroud the mystery with his smile; the present one does not have that ability.
Extremists whether they are from the Tamils or Sinhalese are doomed to fail; nature hates excesses.
Rasika said,
November 15, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
This man is a cold blooded murderer, he bitrayed is co-workers and murdered them by giving ltte inside info to kill these innocent policemen. what does he have to say to the wifes and children of those families. If he lived in colombo how could he agree with LTTE idealogy that SL discriminate tamils. I gess one day he’ll pay for his bad karma. The whole LTTE is Evil, and the suporter will also go down stairs after death for suporting a Evil cult.
Pragash said,
November 16, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Raskia, If he lived in Colombo, he would have only had to see the ‘83 riots to see the sham of a nation that is Sri lanka. And if the police officers he worked with are as bad as the other singhalese police I’ve heard about then he’s probably earned his place in heaven for what he and his wife did.
s.p said,
November 17, 2007 @ 4:26 am
really good article
Devinda Fernando said,
November 19, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
*** Raskia, If he lived in Colombo, he would have only had to see the ‘83 riots to see the sham of a nation that is Sri Lanka. ***
Another CRYBABY who has nothing else to Harp on about except the 1983 Riots. We’re talking 23 Years ago! and 1000 Deaths only!
We’re now fast forward 20+ years into the Future and the LTTE’s failure to come to some agreement time and time again has resulted in 70,000 Deaths – of which 25,000 are LTTE cadres and 20,000 are Sri Lankan Armed Forces personnel and the rest being Sri Lankan Civilians (Tamil, Sinhala, and Muslim).
So ENOUGH ALREADY with your Ad Nauseum 1983 Riots Evocation!!! We’ve all heard ENOUGH! There is not ONE OUNCE OF SYMPATHY left. You people have Over Played your Hand by pulling out the 83 Riots Sympathy Card at every step of the way. NO MORE, your CROCODILE TEARS are no longer move us. Now its time for you to answer for the Atrocities committed upon the Sri Lankan People by the TERRORIST ORGANIZATION know as the LTTE.
Kannan said,
November 21, 2007 @ 2:12 am
Wonderful; and very good
Devinda Fernando said,
November 21, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Nadesan Better hope the LTTE dont try to pull off another Major attack in Colombo or against the Sri Lankan population.
I bet he’s next on the SL Airforce Target List.
Deshabandu said,
November 23, 2007 @ 6:10 am
The tamils ( immigrants from Tamil nadu) and sinhalese (immigrants from Bengal or Bangledesh) are seperated by langauge, religion, culture and geography. it time for both to part ways just like israel and plaestine (2 state solution)
Socrates said,
November 27, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
We have to be very careful as to who and what we support. What if all our wishes come true and Prabakaran’s reign and Eelam is publicly recognized? Will we move back to our island and live in the Eelam nation or remain here as outsiders looking in? Who do we turn to when “boys” turn against us? What solution and safeguards do we have to prevent future post-Prabakaran Eelam politicians from exploiting us the same way the Sinhalese politicians are exploiting this war and the Sri Lankan people? Will we start fighting amongst ourselves? Will there be a separate Wanni Eelam and a Batticaloa Eelam? Those who called out, continue to call out ,and support the Dogs of War over the years are just as culpable and someday we WILL be called to account for ALL our acts – of intention AND omission.
Ananda Wellappili said,
December 23, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
The wife of Mr. Nadesan Mrs. Vineetha Gunasekara is our relations. We are willing to see her through internet. Please convay our massege to her and let us see her new photo through this massege.
s suresh said,
December 26, 2007 @ 1:40 am
hi Ananda
I am realated to Vineetha aunty after marrying into her family, I was wondering how you are related to aunty? it would be nice for her to meet her family and a chance for me to meet the other side of the family.
Let me know.
thanks.
s.p said,
December 26, 2007 @ 1:43 am
hi Ananda
I am related to aunty aswell by marrying into the family, I am just wondering how you are related to aunty? Let me know please.
I t will be really nice to mee the other side of the family.