24.3.2008
Prasad Gunewardene
The
LTTE’s so called Senior Editor of Viduthalaipuligal,
identified as Ravi from the official media organ of the
Tiger organization was quoted in a newspaper last week
as saying the Government troops were fighting an unwinnable
war.
This
is a wrong notion that is being believed even at international
level that a war has been declared by the Sri Lankan Government.
I
would say the notion is misleading and false in belief.
Since Independence, no Sri Lankan Government has declared
war on its people for sixty long years.
Time
and again, we’ve seen extremist elements and armed
Tamil groups declaring war on legitimately elected Governments
in this country. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) declared
guerilla type war twice in 1971 and 1988. Armed Tamil
groups began to declare war from 1976.
The
JVP entered the mainstream of politics in the final decade
of the previous century. Many other armed Tamil groups
too gave up violence and entered the democratic stream
towards that period.
The
only armed Tamil terrorist group which had declared war
against all Governments from 1976 and continues the war
is the LTTE.No Sri Lankan Government had declared war
against even on the LTTE.
It
is the LTTE which forced successive Governments to resort
to defensive action. Do the world and the LTTE want a
legitimately elected Government to turn a blind eye when
it declares war against it, time and again, moving away
from peace talks? Peace talks were used by the LTTE to
strengthen it militarily and to use passage for arms.
A
Government is vested with the responsibility to protect
its’ people and the territory. Therefore, it is
compelled to take defensive action against any enemy who
threatens the people and the territory of the nation.
The
LTTE’s so called Senior Editor, Ravi was quoted
from an interview on a Tamil Radio (Radio not named) as
saying the Sri Lankan troops would be foolish to approach
Jaffna as they would fall prey to the LTTE fighters.
The
question that arises is whether Ravi, the so called senior
editor, is a journalist or a fighter of the LTTE to make
such a statement. Do not this Ravi know that the Sri Lankan
armed forces liberated the East from the LTTE, according
to a deadline set by the Commander-in-Chief, President
Mahinda Rajapaksa?
In
July 2006 President Rajapaksa,as Commander-in-Chief of
the Armed Forces, ordered his troops to liberate the East
within a year. That was accomplished before the deadline.
Ravi
claims that Prabhakaran was guiding all the deployed units
of the LTTE to meet battalions of the Sri Lankan armed
forces in the event Government troops entered Jaffna.
If that statement is true, then where was Prabhakaran,
and what was he doing with his so called units when the
armed forces liberated the East?
In
the same breath, Ravi admits in that Radio interview that
the Sri Lankan Armed Forces have added new brigades to
launch surprise attacks on LTTE fighters. Ravi also claims
that the Sri Lankan troops were trying to create dissension
between the LTTE and the Tamils. The armed forces engaged
in a battle have no time to play games between the LTTE
and the Tamil people.
It
is a known fact that the Tamils living outside the LTTE
held areas dissent the LTTE. This was amply demonstrated
during the liberation of the East. Hundreds of innocent
Tamils held hostage crossed borders without fear when
the East was being liberated.
This
is even witnessed today in some parts of the Wanni. Not
only Tamil civilians but young LTTE cadres too have surrendered
to the troops stating they were forcibly kept in the battlefront
by the LTTE. Even women Tiger cadres in bunkers have sent
letters to their parents expressing disgust over the way
they are being held and treated by the LTTE.
West
The International Human Rights bodies should bear in mind
that terrorism is trying to over take democracy even in
powerful nations in the West. Even the mightiest nations
have been struck by terrorism. Big Brothers like the United
States and Great Britain have not been spared.
The
danger of terrorism was felt only when they came under
attack. The US then chose to chase behind the Al Qaeda,
the dreaded terror outfit of Bin Laden. There’s
hardly any difference between the Al Qaeda and the LTTE.
If these Human Rights bodies conduct a proper evaluation,
the dreaded terror acts of LTTE terrorism over the past
three decades, will prove that the LTTE is deadlier than
the Al Qaeda.
World
leaders who realized the threat of terrorism after being
attacked in their respective nations, called for global
support to eliminate terrorism. They banned several terror
organizations as a move in that direction. But, did it
achieve any fruitful results?
Many
terrorist organizations turned into Rehabilitation Units
on those soils to fund terrorism. These lapses have led
to the increase of terrorist activity worldwide. Even
the almighty super powers now look incapable of uniting
democracies to battle terrorism. Why?
On
one hand they call for unity to eliminate terrorism and,
on the other they scream for human rights violations ignoring
such violations committed by the terrorists. Do not these
double standards promote terrorism?
The
LTTE virtually operates its’ network from the West.
And mostly from countries from where they have been banned.
Those nations are well aware that LTTE leaders live and
operate from their soil under the guise of asylum seekers.
The
West should not adopt double standards when it comes to
terrorism in poor or developing nations. Where did the
so called LTTE Theoretician Anton Balasingham live till
the time of death? He lived in Great Britain, a country
where the LTTE is still banned. Balasingham flew to the
terror stronghold of Wanni and peace talks from London.
Did
the British authorities try Balasingham in the way they
have tried and jailed Karuna? Britain itself is a nation
inflicted by terrorism. LTTE cadres have openly flouted
British laws. But Balasingham lived a free life in Britain.
A ban on terrorism should not be limited to mere words
or paper.
Human
Rights
The international Human Rights Bodies and Country Reports
prepared by nations hit by terrorism, scream about human
rights violations here. What have they done about the
child combatants recruited by Prabhakaran? Isn’t
recruitment of under aged children a human rights violation?
When Olara Otunu of the United Nations came here, Prabhakaran
promised to stop child conscription.
In
contrast, the LTTE leader began to recruit more and more
children to his terror outfit. The UN just turned a blind
eye. From Otunu to Allen Rock and Kofi Annan to Louise
Arbour, the LTTE leader had conscripted thousands and
thousands of innocent Tamil children. The tragedy is that
all Human Rights Organizations are blind towards such
a dastardly crime that destroys future generations of
the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
Then
what about the countless bomb explosions caused by the
LTTE which killed thousands of men, women and children
in all parts of Sri Lanka? Then the number of Tamil and
Sinhala political leaders killed by the ruthless LTTE?
Is the world blind or has it forgotten history?
Apart
from tragedies caused in Sri Lanka, what about the killing
of the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi? How
many Indian troops have been killed and how many have
been maimed for life by the LTTE? Have the LTTE not targeted
the Diplomats living in Colombo?
Has
the international bodies which cry for human rights forgotten
the deadly attack on the aircraft that carried Diplomats
to the East last year?
The
German Diplomat was wounded and the US Ambassador, Robert
O’Blake had a miraculous escape.
Following
that attack, Robert O’Blake, then new to Sri Lanka,
said the LTTE may have been unaware of his presence in
the aircraft. Certainly being a “Super Boy”
from the world’s “Super Power” Blake,
may have been prompted by nature to make such a statement.
But,
for the LTTE there’s hardly any difference between
Rajiv Gandhi and Robert O’Blake when it comes to
launch attacks. Aren’t such attacks on Diplomats
human rights violations ? The modus operandi on how human
rights bodies assess or evaluate human rights violations
seems to be a method better known to them.
Mission
In the backdrop of a history of thirty years of terrorism,
the Government is engaged on a mission to free the nation
of that menace. Considering the past, torn apart by LTTE
violence, Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, himself
a battle hardened soldier who fought the LTTE for many
years in the past, assured the nation and the people that
the present regime would not pass on the terrorist war
to the future generations of this country. President Mahinda
Rajapaksa had asserted that his determination was to establish
permanent peace through a political dialogue to end the
ethnic strife.
The
terrorism of the LTTE and a resolution to the ethnic problem
are two different entities today. Earlier, the majority
of the Tamil community saw and linked terrorism also as
a part of the ethnic problem.
But,
today, after many Tamil armed groups have entered the
democratic process, the Tamils at large have realized
that terrorism and a peace process are two different entities.
Because they do believe today that the LTTE is the stumbling
block towards a peaceful resolution to Tamil grievances.
EPDP
leader Douglas Devananda and TULF leader V. Anandasangaree
have substantiated this position with Devananda stating
that peace was a distant dream as long as Prabhakaran
was allowed to live. Anandasangaree too had expressed
similar sentiments in a different tone.
Defence
Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who has seen the ruthless
terrorism of the LTTE to his naked eyes and experienced
it on the battle front has expressed a sincere sentiment
to save future generations from the clutches of extremist
LTTE terrorism. The people and the nation have been yearning
for such an expression in the form of a pledge over the
past three decades. The Defence Secretary believes that
the LTTE must be defeated at all costs to pave the way
for a peaceful resolution to the ethnic crisis. Contrary
to the belief of the so called senior editor of the LTTE
Ravi, the security forces are confident of defeating the
LTTE. Today, the people and the nation too want LTTE terrorism
uprooted to protect the future generation of all communities
living in this country.
Peace
and India
For the Government to embark on a mission to establish
peace by the people and the nation, it needs the support
and cooperation of all sections of the society.
The
people are ready to support the Government in that direction
as they did when the East was liberated. They peoples
support alone for a Government cannot exercise the process
into a reality. Aren’t 225 people’s representatives
cast with that responsibility to turn peace into reality?
If these people’s representatives are genuinely
interested to bring peace to the people, they should join
hands leaving aside petty politics.
In
fact, all these men and women in that August Assembly
have witnessed how much the people and the nation have
bled and yet bleed. The question they should ask themselves
now is-”Should they indeed bleed?” The time
is not opportune to dredge up the past to live eternally
in the past debating shortcomings which have led to the
present crisis. Instead, they should draw their attention
to the urgent task of seeking peace to this island torn
by LTTE terrorism. Political parties representing Parliament
should bear in mind that good neighbourliness with our
immediate neighbours is an essential component in the
pathway to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis here.
Today,
we see some political parties and their leaders making
statements against our immediate neighbour India when
it comes to discussion over the 13th Amendment, which
is proposed as a base towards a resolution to the crisis.
It must be recalled that all fears about an Indian plan
to integrate then Ceylon with India was eradicated in
1951 when it was proposed by Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya,
President of the Indian National Congress. Dr.Sitaramayya
elucidating his statement in a speech in Bombay said-”India
must sooner or later enter into a treaty with Ceylonese
people so that Ceylon may become an organic part of the
Indian body politic”. He also added that he considered
India and Ceylon are one and recalled that in his Memorandum
on redistribution of Provinces in India in 1916, he suggested
that Ceylon should be integrated with India while Burma
may be separated. But, in 1951,Dr.Sitaramayya confessed
that he did not wish to suggest any such opinion unless
Ceylon suggested it.
When
Dr. Sitaramayya made his confessional type statement in
1951,the late SWRD Bandaranaike who later founded the
SLFP claimed that such a suggestion by Dr.Sitaramayya
was neither desirable nor necessary.Mr.Bandaranaike told
the President of the Indian National Congress that India
and Ceylon were the best friends and added:-”Although
Ceylon is a small country, its’ people have always
been jealous of their sovereign rights for which in the
long history of this country they have always fought and
striven. Having once again regained our freedom and sovereignty
it is not at all likely that the majority of the people
of this country will submit to the type of subordination
which obviously Dr.Sitaramayya has in mind”.
Our
politicians who represent the people should read history
concerning our neighbourly nations. India upheld the position
taken by the late SWRD Bandaranaike with due respect.
It has recognized Sri Lanka as an Independent sovereign
nation.
Therefore,
the issue of Indian domination on our soil does not arise.
Political parties and their leaders should make statements
with responsibility to prevent damage that would be caused
to good neighbourliness with India, the ‘Big Brother’
in the region.
Challenge
The challenge to restore peace must be met by all political
parties inside and outside Parliament. A correct decision
towards such a concrete direction should be met with confirmation
to start a stable negotiation process to achieve peace.
All political parties are bound to honour its’ loyalty
to the nation and the people.
The
common vision is the need to build a non-racist society,
a stable nation with peace and normality. Democracy could
only be strengthened by such moves. Then the definition
of good governance could effectively be visible. Such
a society and a nation could only be built by a protracted
process and not by a confrontational system in politics.
The
time has come for all politicians and the people to decide
between self and the nation. What the country needs is
a balance of sacrifices to survive.
The
LTTE terrorism has increased defence expenditure many
a fold over thirty long years. Political party leaders
must realize that the rise in defence expenditure had
caused harm and disparity to the distribution of wealth,
employment opportunities, expansion of health and education
facilities of the society and the people at large. Political
party leaders should learn from the past. Experience is
the best Teacher to rectify errors of the past.
Unity
among all politicians will herald hope for a better Sri
Lanka. It is only then we will not leave the LTTE terrorist
war to our future generations as stated by Defence Secretary,
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.When Dr. Sitaramayya made his confessional
type statement in 1951,the late SWRD Bandaranaike who
later founded the SLFP claimed that such a suggestion
by Dr.Sitaramayya was neither desirable nor necessary.Mr.Bandaranaike
told the President of the Indian National Congress that
India and Ceylon were the best friends and added:-”Although
Ceylon is a small country, its’ people have always
been jealous of their sovereign rights for which in the
long history of this country they have always fought and
striven. Having once again regained our freedom and sovereignty
it is not at all likely that the majority of the people
of this country will submit to the type of subordination
which obviously Dr.Sitaramayya has in mind”.
Courtesy
Daily News