1. Theepan played a leading role in the LTTE's military victories in the Vanni during Eelam War III, including Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Oddusuddan and Elephant Pass.
24 Facts About Theepan
1. 2.
Theepan was killed at the Battle of Ananthapuram in the last days of the Sri Lankan Civil War.
3.
Theepan's cousin was Thileepan, the LTTE's regional commander for Thenmarachchi.
4.
Theepan took on the nom de guerre Theepan and codename Tango Papa.
5.
Mahattaya was later transferred back to Vanni and Theepan joined him in Paalamottai, Vavuniya District.
6.
Theepan was then appointed military commander for Kilinochchi District where he carried many attacks against the Indian Peace Keeping Force.
7.
When Balraj was appointed commander of the Charles Anthony Brigade in 1992 Theepan became the new regional commander for Vanni.
8.
Theepan was involved in the successful Operation Ithayabhoomi, Operation Yarl Devi and Operation Thavalai.
9.
Mahattaya was executed by the LTTE for treason in 1994 after which Theepan was transferred from Vanni to Jaffna.
10.
Theepan helped defend Jaffna against the Sri Lankan military's Operation Leap Forward.
11.
Theepan led the reconnaissance of the army camp in Mullaitivu prior to it being overrun by the LTTE in July 1996.
12.
Theepan was given the task of defending the A9 highway.
13.
Theepan was at the time joint commander of the Vanni along with Karuna Amman.
14.
Theepan took part in the successful capture of Kilinochchi in September 1998.
15.
The operation was disaster for the military - it suffered heavy casualties and Theepan was responsible for this.
16.
Theepan was in charge of defending Kilinochchi and despite being surrounded the LTTE held on to their administrative capital until 2009.
17.
Amongst those who had talks with Theepan were Defence Secretary Austin Fernando, Major General Sarath Fonseka, Major General Shantha Kottegoda, Major General Devinda Kalupahana and Major Shavendra Silva.
18.
Theepan was reportedly injured in an air raid on Kilinochchi in January 2008.
19.
Theepan became the de facto deputy military commander of the LTTE following the death Balraj in May 2008.
20.
Theepan was involved in heavy fighting as the LTTE battled to retain its dwindling territory.
21.
Bhanu, Lawrence and Keerthi broke out of the siege but Theepan refused to go, wanting instead to remain with his troops.
22.
Theepan suffered from internal bleeding and died on 4 April 2009.
23.
Theepan's body was identified by a doctor in military custody who had previously treated his chest wounds.
24.
Colonel Theepan is believed to have been promoted to Brigadier posthumously.