LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                05. February 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

INDEPENDENCE DAY - AN ORDEAL FOR TAMILS
        Sri Lankan "Independence" Day was predictably an ordeal for many
        Tamils who underwent continual harassment from security forces in
        virtually all parts of the island. In the week leading to
        Independence Day (4th February) more than 50 Tamil boys and girls
        were arrested in Colombo and near-by suburbs. Having a Tamil name
        is these days sufficient grounds for arrest under Sri Lanka's
        much-abused Prevention of Terrorism Act. Most innocent Tamils who
        are rounded up find themselves imprisoned in cells alongside
        hardened criminals and given no details of how long they will be
        detained. Despite growing agitation in various prisons,
        authorities have continued to ignore the predicament of these
        Tamil people. Welikada jail is said to be crammed full at the
        moment and many accounts are now emerging of ill-treatment and
        abuse of prisoners.

AIRFORCE SEEKS OUT TAMIL CIVILIANS
        A Sri Lankan Puccara bomber launched three missiles in succession
        on a populated area of Kilinochchi district yesterday causing
        extensive damage. The jet screamed overhead in the early morning
        scanning the site and then fired on what were clear civilian
        targets. There are known to be casualties the details of which
        are still emerging. The escalating rate of deliberate attacks on
        Tamil civilians confirms some analysts' views that Sri Lanka is
        trying to terrorise if not diminish the Tamil population in the
        north-east so its military forces have less difficulty occupying
        the Tamil homeland.

ARMY SHELLING KILLS MORE CIVILIANS
        Sri Lankan artillery shells fired from Mavadivempu army camp
        (Batticaloa) have killed an 11-year old Tamil boy, Karuppaiyah
        Sriskumar. A middle-aged man, Sadadcharam Perinparajan, also
        died. Three others critically injured are from the same family :-
         M. Rebecca (a 2-year old baby girl), M. Ruban (5), and M.
        Thayapathy (26). The following six people were also badly wounded
        :-  A. Vigendran (38), S. Selvam (68), M. Sinnamma (70), T.
        Thevakumar (21), K. Kapirmani (45) and P. Veluppillai (40).

LTTE DISMANTLES ANOTHER CHECKPOINT
        6 Sri Lankan security force personnel were killed when LTTE
        forces attacked a checkpoint in Valaichchenai. In a 10-minute
        operation the LTTE totally overran the police checkpoint. The
        site was destroyed while arms, ammunition and accessories were
        taken.

LTTE ADMINISTRATION NURTURES NUTRITION CENTRE
        A new nutrition centre for malnourished infants was ceremonially
        opened yesterday in Akkarayan. The centre will be run by the
        Akkarayan Development Society with the active help of the Tamils
        Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO). TRO director Mr. Ravi unveiled
        the centre's name-plate. 87 infants have been selected for the
        distribution of special foods to complement their diets. Tamil
        Vanni is rife with malnutrition since the Sri Lankan government
        stops certain foods reaching this region. Sri Lanka's intention
        is to intensify Tamil people's hardships in the hope of lessening
        their resistance to military occupation. Sri Lanka has for a long
        time used food and medicines as weapons of war.

LOANS PROVIDED FOR PADDY CULTIVATION
        The Mullaitivu District Tamil Economic Development Society has
        given loans to farmers to intensify paddy cultivation in this
        LTTE-administered region. 57 cultivators from Mullaitivu proper
        were given a total of Rs. 555,000, another 77 cultivators from
        Manal Aru were granted Rs. 605,000 while 83 cultivators from
        Oddusuddan received Rs. 666,000. The LTTE administration has
        worked hand in hand with the Society in its efforts to promote
        the present and future well-being of the Tamil people.

Political Committee,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

(English translation of the LTTE statement released by
LTTE International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU,
United Kingdom. Tel:0181- 503 4294 / Fax: 0181-470 8593)