LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                14. January 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

"KITTU" REMEMBRANCE DAY
        On Thursday the Tamil Eelam nation honours one of its most
        renowned national heroes, Colonel Sathasivam Krishnakumar, more
        fondly known as "Kittu". Kittu was a respected and well-loved
        member of the LTTE who dedicated his entire life to the
        liberation of Tamil Eelam. Noted for his charm, generosity and
        spirit of self-sacrifice, Kittu has a special place in the heart
        of the Tamil Eelam nation. The Eelam people throughout Vanni
        district have begun preparations for the massive remembrance
        parades and ceremonies for Kittu and nine others who died with
        him, which will take place on the 16th. Red and yellow - the
        colours of Eelam's flag - already decorate schools, public
        buildings and homes in readiness for the big event. Special sites
        have also been selected for public flag-raising and
        flower-offering ceremonies. Traditional oil lamps will be lit all
        over the district for Kittu and the others who devoted their
        lives to defend the freedom and dignity of the Eelam Tamil
        nation. The remembrance ceremony comes at a time when the Tamil
        people are facing unrelenting attacks from the Sri Lankan army
        determined to occupy Tamil Eelam.

WARPLANES TARGET FLEEING CROWD
        A Tamil woman whose husband was recently found dead in a pool of
        blood says he was deliberately fired on by a Sri Lankan warplane
        while fleeing with others from artillery fire. Mailvaganam
        Gnanaswaran's widow recalls how she recovered his dead body just
        50 yards away from a bomb crater. Eye-witnesses told her he was
        among a crowd of Tamils trying to escape from Sri Lankan
        artillery shells when the warplane began chasing them and firing.
        The incident highlights growing concern that Sri Lanka is
        presently engaged in wilfully "terrorising" the Tamil population
        into submission to military rule. Mailvaganam (36) was from
        Mandoor, Battticaloa.

TWO MORE SOLDIERS DIE
        Two Sri Lankan soldiers were killed yesterday when the LTTE fired
        at an army patrol in the coastal area of Thanankilappu,
        Thenmaradchy. The other soldiers present all ran away immediately
        and there were no LTTE casualties. The rate of attacks on Sri
        Lankan troops indicates clearly how tenuous is Sri Lanka's
        military hold on the parts of Tamil territory it has occupied.

OCCUPIED TAMILS - THEIR TRAUMA CONTINUES
        Sri Lankan army task forces have subjected Tamil residents of
        Kallady-Navatkadu and Thiruperumthurai (both in Batticaloa
        district) to a humiliating round-up and search operation.
        Residents later recalled the vicious and degrading manner of the
        search, a procedure now commonplace in Sri Lankan-occupied Tamil
        territory. Many residents despaired about the way rice fields
        which had been carefully tended over a long period were trampled
        on and ruined by waves of army personnel and military vehicles
        which were used in the operation.
        
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/ Fax: 0181-470 8593)