Speculations were ripe about another internal rift inside the LTTE with the announcement by the LTTE about the killing of the second in command of the LTTE Sea Tiger Wing Mangalesh and four others in the Wanni on Sunday.

According to military intelligence sources Mangalesh and four others in the self styled ranks of Captain and Lieutenants have been killed in the Wanni.

The LTTE has not notified reason for their deaths.

Intelligence sources believe it was due to a long standing dispute between Cheliyan who is now commanding the Sea Tigers following Sea Tiger leader Soosai sustaining injuries in a explosion in Nandikadal in Puthukuduiruppu last year.

Cheliyan is commanding the Sea Tiger wing after sidelining Mangalesh who was a close confidante of Soosai. Mangalesh has been entrusted with administrative duties due to his physical disability.

Intelligence sources believe that the death of Mangalesh has been caused due to this internal rift inside the Sea Tiger hierarchy. Suspicion has also arisen as the LTTE has not accorded any funeral to this Tiger leader at senior level rank.

Courtesy - Daily News