A statement from the Presidential Secretariat says that the ship was closer to the eastern shore than the stipulated 50 nautical miles and the air attack was ordered on suspicion that the ship’s crew connived with the LTTE to deliver dangerous merchandise. The Tigers claim they boarded the ship for a routine check.
Seventeen Indian members of the crew were later handed over to the ICRC, but the LTTE detained four Sri Lankans. Following an Indian government demand, they were released by the Sri Lankan authorities, as there was no evidence of nexus with the Tigers.
Businessman M Sathananthan of SVM Private Ltd, one of the 66 private companies involved in sending goods in the ship, however, was detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Over 500 traders demonstrated before the Jaffna secretariat on 17 August demanding the release of Mr Sathananthan and compensation for their losses by the sinking of Princess Kash.
In early August, fierce fighting was reported near Mankulam after the LTTE launched an attack on Operation Jayasikurui (Certain Victory) troops. The Sri Lankan military began Operation Jayasikurui on 13 May 1997 to open a landroute to Jaffna from Vavuniya through Tiger-held territory. Reports say over 100 combatants were killed in clashes further north near Kilinochchi in mid-August.
In Mannar District, six civilians were killed by the Army in Uyilankulam and Katpalli areas in early August. Military officers claim that soldiers mistook them for Tiger cadre in the night. R Nithiyanandasivam and K Kulasingham were murdered at Eluthur on 4 August. In this case, the Army denied that any search operations was carried out in Eluthur at the time of the killings. Sources say, Mannar Brigadier TRD Silva is determined to smash smuggling rings operating in these areas.
From 16 August, the LTTE denied permission for people to enter Mannar and armed cadre were posted north of the Army checkpoint at Uyilankulam to prevent civilians leaving the Vanni. Some 600 people are usually allowed per day by the Army into Mannar on three days a week, and 15 vehicles are provided for transport to Mannar town.
Brigadier Silva says the LTTE has been largely controlled in Mannar District, except in areas between Talaimannar and Pesalai on Mannar Island. Policeman Shantha Jayasena was shot dead by the Tiger Pistol Group in Mannar town on 19 August. Another policeman was injured.