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Mentions of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) in Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad
OverviewGideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad by Gordon Thomas discusses the global reach of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. The book covers a wide range of Mossad operations and international involvements, including activities in Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon).
Sri Lanka and Mossad
The book specifically mentions Mossad's involvement in Sri Lanka during the country's civil conflict. According to accounts referenced in both the book and secondary sources:
- Mossad provided assistance to both the Sri Lankan government and the separatist Tamil Tigers (LTTE), though it kept these two relationships separate. This claim is attributed to Mossad agent Victor Ostrovsky1.
- Ravi Jayawardene, who led the Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF), visited Israel in 1984. He was reportedly inspired by Israeli settlement strategies in the Palestinian Territories, which influenced his approach to establishing armed Sinhalese settlements in strategic border areas of the Tamil-dominated Northern and Eastern provinces1.
The Mossad's dual involvement—training both the Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE—reflects the agency's pragmatic approach to intelligence and influence in conflict zones. The book suggests Mossad's activities in Sri Lanka were part of broader efforts to extend its influence and gather intelligence in South Asia during a period of intense civil strife1.
Mentions in Reviews and Summaries
While the book covers a vast array of Mossad operations, reviews and summaries do not highlight Sri Lanka as a major focus, but the full text and referenced materials confirm that Sri Lanka is indeed discussed in the context of Mossad's international training and advisory roles12.
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Mossad in Sri Lanka | Trained both Sri Lankan armed forces and the LTTE, keeping the two separated1. |
| Key Figure | Ravi Jayawardene (STF head) visited Israel in 1984 for inspiration and training1. |
| Influence | Inspired Sinhalese settlement strategies in conflict zones, modeled on Israeli methods1. |
The book claims: By Way of Deception by Victor Ostrovsky directly references Mossad agents operating and planning activities related to Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
- Mossad officials, including Amy Yaar (the Mossad officer in charge of the region), were involved in projects in Sri Lanka, notably the Mahaveli River Diversion Project. Ostrovsky alleges that this project was used to help Sri Lanka divert foreign aid funds to purchase arms, with Israeli assistance in presenting different aspects of the same construction as separate projects to deceive international donors123.
- Mossad simultaneously trained both Sri Lankan security personnel and members of Tamil guerrilla factions in Israel, taking significant precautions to keep the two groups from encountering each other. This suggests direct Mossad operational planning and involvement with both sides of Sri Lanka’s conflict13.
- The book also describes how Mossad officials misled Sri Lankan officials, for example, by presenting the inside of a vacuum cleaner as if it were sophisticated radar equipment, further illustrating Mossad’s direct operational engagement in the country1.
