LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                09. February 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

DRAMATIC RISE IN LTTE NUMBERS
        The LTTE has recorded an 'unprecedented' rise in fighting members
        in the past few months. Ranks have steadily swelled since the
        government's military offensives to occupy the Tamil homeland
        resumed in 1995. The LTTE's political offices have been inundated
        with dedicated members of Tamil society offering their support.
        The contradiction between the government's 'enlightened' rhetoric
        and its callous military strategy has convinced Tamils more than
        ever that the government is not serious about an honourable
        settlement with the Tamil nation. The number of LTTE cadres is
        expected to rise in line with the current trend as Sri Lankan
        military atrocities intensify. At a time when Sri Lanka is facing
        extreme difficulties recruiting soldiers - and experiencing tens
        of thousands of desertions - the LTTE's strength is growing
        steadily.

ARMY SETS FIRE TO RICE FIELDS
        The Sri Lankan army is making use of the harvest season to
        disrupt Tamil rice cultivation. Armoured vehicles and tanks are
        being driven through well-tended fields in parts of Batticaloa
        and Vanni destroying months of hard labour and leading to food
        shortages. The army also burns crops as it passes. This
        deliberate sabotaging of the economic base of Tamil society by
        Sinhala troops illustrates Sri Lanka's disregard for the lives
        and livelihood of the Tamil people.

NAVY STALKS TAMIL FISHERMEN
        Tamil fishermen were forced to abandon their vessel after the Sri
        Lankan navy opened fire on them. The small group of fishermen had
        to swim frantically to the coast of Mathalam, which is in the
        district of Mullaitivu, to escape injury. The navy boats then
        fired randomly into the village before retreating.

SPECIAL PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO SINHALA FISHERMEN
        Sri Lanka's policy of different fishing rights to Tamils and
        Sinhalese has been extended to the district of Mannar. Now, like
        in Trincomallee, Tamil fishermen are confined to shallow waters
        and even so, only during certain hours. Sinhala fishermen, on the
        other hand, are provided with navy escorts and can fish on the
        high seas for an unlimited amount of time. Neither can a Tamil
        fisherman possess an outboard motor above 18 horsepower. Mannar's
        navy has begun issuing identity documents classifying fishermen
        according to their ethnic background - Tamil and Sinhalese - so
        that the appropriate restrictions and privileges can be
        implemented smoothly. Any breaking of the rules, Tamils have been
        warned, is punishable by confiscation of  boats and nets. In
        practice, it is also accompanied by physical assault. Many Tamil
        families depend for their survival on fishing but the current
        discrimination ensures that their daily catch is insufficient.

TAMILS RELIEVED BY ARMY'S DEPARTURE
        The Tamil people of Pullumalai have demonstrated their disgust at
        Sri Lanka's military presence in their homeland by dismantling a
        recently abandoned army camp. The military complex, which is in
        Batticaloa district, was abandoned not long ago by elite STF
        troops following a successful LTTE operation on the nearby
        Pulukanavai STF camp. The Pullumalai base had been constructed by
        the army in 1990 by amalgamating a number of Tamil schools,
        temples and houses which at the time caused much  resentment
        among locals. There is a discernible air of relief now that the
        army has departed from this town.

DRAMAS GATHER WIDE APPEAL
        A number of drama groups are touring Tamil Vanni district staging
        contemporary plays on topical themes. The high-quality dramas are
        attracting large audiences. In a Tamil society facing the
        constant threat of occupation from Sinhala troops it is not
        surprising that the most popular plays bear the titles "We Have
        Nothing to Fear" and "The Sight of Freedom".

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)