Breaking News for the Eelam Tamil Community: Declassified Israeli Cables Reveal Extensive Israeli Military Support to Sri Lanka Early in the Civil War
Declassified Israeli Cables Reveal Extensive Israeli Military Support to Sri Lanka Early in the Civil War Colombo / Brampton — Newly revealed declassified Israeli diplomatic and intelligence cables show that Israel provided substantial military equipment, training, and intelligence support to the Sri Lankan state during the early years of the civil war, despite internal Israeli awareness of serious human rights abuses against Tamil civilians. Key facts at a glance Financial scale: By 1988 Israel had sold roughly $30 million in military equipment to Sri Lanka. Major materiel: Sales included Dvora‑class fast patrol boats , small arms such as Mini‑Uzi submachine guns , communications gear, electronic fences, and ammunition. Training and presence: Israeli personnel trained President J.R. Jayewardene’s bodyguards , helped form a VIP protection unit drawn from the Special Task Force (STF), and maintained an intelligence presence in Colombo, sometimes under agricultural cover. Docum...