Eelam War 2008
EELAM WAR 2008
26 December, 2007 - Published 17:23 GMT
'Lay down arms' before talks
'Lay down arms' before talks
The President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, says his government is still ready to engage in talks with the Tamil Tigers.
However, the LTTE should lay down arms before entering into negotiations, hew said.
The President made the remarks in the southern Sri Lankan city of Matara, marking the third anniversary of devastating Asian tsunami.
He led a two-minute silence at a special ceremony and re-opened a six-lane bridge, the widest in the country, in Matara.
Matara bridge re-opened
It was damaged during the tsunami and rebuilt with money donated by South Korea.
Services were held around the country on Wednesday for the more than 30,000 people who were killed on the island.
Addressing a gathering in which senior ministers and foreign delegates were also present, the President vowed to "eradicate terrorism" from Sri Lanka.
"Like we were victorious after tsunami, we would win the war against terrorism," he said.
A two-minute silence was observed in Sanath Jayasuriya stadium for tsunami affected after the opening ceremony.
Tsunami adi 'not spent'
Meanwhile, an international watchdog accused the authorities of failing to make use of millions of dollars of international aid.
Executive Director of the Transparency International (TI), Krishantha Weliamuna, told BBC sandeshaya that a research conducted by the TI could not find what exactly happened to nearly Rs. 1200 million received from international donors.
"The government should bare the main responsibility especially as there was no public participation in the re-building process," he said.
The government should make sure, says TI, that the public could find out how and when these funds were spend for the tsunami affected.
BBC Sandeshaya could not contact deputy Finance Minister, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, or Secretary to the Treasury, PB Jayasundara despite repeated attempts.
However, the LTTE should lay down arms before entering into negotiations, hew said.
The President made the remarks in the southern Sri Lankan city of Matara, marking the third anniversary of devastating Asian tsunami.
He led a two-minute silence at a special ceremony and re-opened a six-lane bridge, the widest in the country, in Matara.
Matara bridge re-opened
It was damaged during the tsunami and rebuilt with money donated by South Korea.
Services were held around the country on Wednesday for the more than 30,000 people who were killed on the island.
Addressing a gathering in which senior ministers and foreign delegates were also present, the President vowed to "eradicate terrorism" from Sri Lanka.
"Like we were victorious after tsunami, we would win the war against terrorism," he said.
A two-minute silence was observed in Sanath Jayasuriya stadium for tsunami affected after the opening ceremony.
Tsunami adi 'not spent'
Meanwhile, an international watchdog accused the authorities of failing to make use of millions of dollars of international aid.
Executive Director of the Transparency International (TI), Krishantha Weliamuna, told BBC sandeshaya that a research conducted by the TI could not find what exactly happened to nearly Rs. 1200 million received from international donors.
"The government should bare the main responsibility especially as there was no public participation in the re-building process," he said.
The government should make sure, says TI, that the public could find out how and when these funds were spend for the tsunami affected.
BBC Sandeshaya could not contact deputy Finance Minister, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, or Secretary to the Treasury, PB Jayasundara despite repeated attempts.
Defence Secretary urges: Ban LTTE, end truce Ranil Wijayapala
The Government can make a fresh start to address Tamil grievances once it officially bans the LTTE and abolishes the Ceasefire Agreement signed with the LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said the Ceasefire Agreement has become a joke in the eyes of the people with so many violations.
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa “The Ceasefire Agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see that there is no Ceasefire. It has become a joke,” the Defence Secretary said.
He said so many Governments have signed a number of Ceasefire Agreements in the past since the Thimpu Agreement.
“Once you sign a Peace Agreement and then you come to the next Ceasefire Agreement or whatever agreement, you must abolish the other [previous] one. It had never happened. From the Thimpu Agreement there are so many peace agreements including the Indo Lanka Agreement,” Rajapaksa added.
“I think the most sensible thing is that we must end this Ceasefire Agreement by officially declaring there is no Ceasefire Agreement.
Why should we hoodwink the people by saying there is a Ceasefire Agreement?,” the Defence Secretary asked. The Defence Secretary said the LTTE should be banned since it is terrorist organisation.
“It is a terrorist organisation and we are fighting them,” he said.
He said President can come out with new proposals for resolving the grievances of the Tamil people after the Ceasefire Agreement is abrogated and the LTTE is banned.
“We should not give solutions to the LTTE which is a terrorist organisation. The LTTE is just a part of the Tamil people and solutions should be given to the Tamil people,” he stressed.
Asked whether the LTTE would be given ‘time’ before it is banned, he said the President would give an opportunity for the LTTE to mend its ways prior to imposing any ban, Rajapaksa added.
He said that the military victories will definitely pave the way for a peaceful solution to the North East problem as successive Governments had failed to combat terrorism though they had genuine political solutions.
Last modified on: 12/29/2007 3:03:56 PM
Ban LTTE, end truce - Defence Secretary urges:Ranil Wijayapala
The Government can make a fresh start to address Tamil grievances once it officially bans the LTTE and abolishes the Ceasefire Agreement signed with the LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said the Ceasefire Agreement has become a joke in the eyes of the people with so many violations.
"The Ceasefire Agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see that there is no Ceasefire. It has become a joke," the Defence Secretary said.
He said so many Governments have signed a number of Ceasefire Agreements in the past since the Thimpu Agreement.
"Once you sign a Peace Agreement and then you come to the next Ceasefire Agreement or whatever agreement, you must abolish the other [previous] one. It had never happened. From the Thimpu Agreement there are so many peace agreements including the Indo Lanka Agreement," Rajapaksa added.
"I think the most sensible thing is that we must end this Ceasefire Agreement by officially declaring there is no Ceasefire Agreement.
Why should we hoodwink the people by saying there is a Ceasefire Agreement?," the Defence Secretary asked. The Defence Secretary said the LTTE should be banned since it is terrorist organisation.
"It is a terrorist organisation and we are fighting them," he said.
He said President can come out with new proposals for resolving the grievances of the Tamil people after the Ceasefire Agreement is abrogated and the LTTE is banned.
"We should not give solutions to the LTTE which is a terrorist organisation. The LTTE is just a part of the Tamil people and solutions should be given to the Tamil people," he stressed.
Asked whether the LTTE would be given 'time' before it is banned, he said the President would give an opportunity for the LTTE to mend its ways prior to imposing any ban, Rajapaksa added.
He said that the military victories will definitely pave the way for a peaceful solution to the North East problem as successive Governments had failed to combat terrorism though they had genuine political solutions.
Courtesy : Daily News
The Government can make a fresh start to address Tamil grievances once it officially bans the LTTE and abolishes the Ceasefire Agreement signed with the LTTE, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily News, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said the Ceasefire Agreement has become a joke in the eyes of the people with so many violations.
"The Ceasefire Agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see that there is no Ceasefire. It has become a joke," the Defence Secretary said.
He said so many Governments have signed a number of Ceasefire Agreements in the past since the Thimpu Agreement.
"Once you sign a Peace Agreement and then you come to the next Ceasefire Agreement or whatever agreement, you must abolish the other [previous] one. It had never happened. From the Thimpu Agreement there are so many peace agreements including the Indo Lanka Agreement," Rajapaksa added.
"I think the most sensible thing is that we must end this Ceasefire Agreement by officially declaring there is no Ceasefire Agreement.
Why should we hoodwink the people by saying there is a Ceasefire Agreement?," the Defence Secretary asked. The Defence Secretary said the LTTE should be banned since it is terrorist organisation.
"It is a terrorist organisation and we are fighting them," he said.
He said President can come out with new proposals for resolving the grievances of the Tamil people after the Ceasefire Agreement is abrogated and the LTTE is banned.
"We should not give solutions to the LTTE which is a terrorist organisation. The LTTE is just a part of the Tamil people and solutions should be given to the Tamil people," he stressed.
Asked whether the LTTE would be given 'time' before it is banned, he said the President would give an opportunity for the LTTE to mend its ways prior to imposing any ban, Rajapaksa added.
He said that the military victories will definitely pave the way for a peaceful solution to the North East problem as successive Governments had failed to combat terrorism though they had genuine political solutions.
Courtesy : Daily News
Abrogate CFA & ban LTTE! – Defense Secretary
(LankaTruth: 29th December 2007 09:00S.L.T )
Ceasefire Agreement should be abrogated and the LTTE banned says Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Talking to media Mr. Rajapakse said “The Ceasefire Agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see that there is no Ceasefire. It has become a joke,” adding that “I think the most sensible thing is that we must end this Ceasefire Agreement by officially declaring there is no Ceasefire Agreement.”
He said the people should not be hoodwinked by saying there was a Ceasefire Agreement. The Government can make a fresh start to address Tamil grievances once it officially bans the LTTE and abolishes the Ceasefire Agreement signed with the LTTE, said Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
He said President can come out with new proposals for resolving the grievances of the Tamil people after the Ceasefire Agreement is abrogated and the LTTE is banned.
Ceasefire Agreement should be abrogated and the LTTE banned says Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
Talking to media Mr. Rajapakse said “The Ceasefire Agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see that there is no Ceasefire. It has become a joke,” adding that “I think the most sensible thing is that we must end this Ceasefire Agreement by officially declaring there is no Ceasefire Agreement.”
He said the people should not be hoodwinked by saying there was a Ceasefire Agreement. The Government can make a fresh start to address Tamil grievances once it officially bans the LTTE and abolishes the Ceasefire Agreement signed with the LTTE, said Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
He said President can come out with new proposals for resolving the grievances of the Tamil people after the Ceasefire Agreement is abrogated and the LTTE is banned.
'Outlaw LTTE: Let's go for fresh start'
The post of Defence Secretary has never been such a hot seat until former Army Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa assumed duties two years ago. Ever since, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa has given an able leadership to the Security Forces. His first hand experience in the battle front has enabled him to be a tower of strength behind the recent military success. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer, the Defence Secretary evaluates the recent military success in the Government's drive against terrorism.
The post of Defence Secretary has never been such a hot seat until former Army Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa assumed duties two years ago. Ever since, Defence Secretary Rajapaksa has given an able leadership to the Security Forces. His first hand experience in the battle front has enabled him to be a tower of strength behind the recent military success. In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer, the Defence Secretary evaluates the recent military success in the Government's drive against terrorism.
Following are the excerpts:
Q: How do you assess the Defence Ministry operations during the last two years?
A: In terms of national security the first major fact is formulating a clear policy. The Government has started with clear directives and it became easy for the Commanders to formulate their own security strategies. While defeating terrorism the Government strongly believes that the grievances of the Tamil people should be solved politically. At the same time, we believe that there is no use of having wonderful solutions if we cannot implement them. This has happened for the last 30 to 35 years. The biggest problem was not the means of solving the problem but the inability in implementing them.
The war is being dragged on for decades because of the LTTE, which does not allow any government to implement a solution to end the national problem. It is useless trying to talk to them over and over without identifying the real problem and then you are dragging the problem without finding a solution. The Government has realised the situation and there is no solution unless the terrorism is wiped out. The LTTE always think that the grievances of Tamil people can be solved through terrorism. That is why the government had came up with a clear policy that terrorism must be defeated by any means.
The instructions are clearly given to the Commanders and they implemented their plans successfully.
The other factor for the achievements are we were able to identify the correct leadership for the forces. The priority was given to provide whatever the necessary equipment to continue the missions despite the economic hardships that the country was facing. The manpower problem which was a main problem faced by the forces has also been solved. When we take over the areas we need to deploy a lot of security personnel to maintain the areas to prevent the LTTE infiltrations. We have launched very successful recruitment campaigns and recruited nearly 50,000 for the three services including 10,000 for the Police and over 20,000 for the Civil Defence Force. Earlier we had difficulties in recruiting but it was rectified as the government has taken several measures to boost the morale of the soldiers, to give them a due recognition and also to uplift their welfare.
These programs including awareness programs like 'Api Wenuwen Api' had brought tremendous results and only during the last two weeks, the period given to them to return, over 4,000 deserters have come back. The former soldiers who left the army after serving 12 years have also re-joined and this is because they know that the operations are going ahead successfully and the government has a clear target.
The moral of the soldiers is very important in an operation. This is why I always believe that the most important assets is not the sophisticated armoury but the man behind these weapons. He is the deciding factor and that man must be trained properly and his morale should be boosted while giving clear directives and the leadership. The civil society should also recognised the service that they do to the country. When the society is respect them and their contribution to protect the country the soldiers will be motivated and even the deserters will be encouraged to go back to the battlefield.
The Ministry of Defence has done a lot of things for the welfare of the military personnel. Finding schools for the children of these soldiers was a problem earlier and now the government has solved it by establishing school for their children. The government wants to upgrade this school which will enrol over 200 children for the next year to one of the leading schools in the country. And we will open more such schools in other districts too.
Q: The Mahinda Rajapaksa Government had taken a bold decision to wage a war against the terrorism unlike the previous governments. Are you happy with this decision now?
A: It was a very crucial time that we had to take this decision. When President Rajapaksa was elected there was a thing called a Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) and also the peace process was defunct. The CFA was violated 3,000 times by that time and everybody knows that what the LTTE did and they never resorted to peace. What they did was they took the advantage of strengthening their military and fire power during these ceasefire periods. During these periods they strengthen their civil defence networks and also infiltrated into the South, the government controlled areas. The amount of heavy weapons captured in the East had proved their desire for peace. They got ready for military confrontations and were not interested in going for peace.
But the President Rajapaksa after resuming duties had started negotiations because he wanted to give them a chance to see and unfortunately it was not futile and again the LTTE proved there it was not genuine. They had started attacking the security forces and for six months we did not engage in any offensives and were taking defensive measures. But the government was compelled to launch an offensive to rescue the Mavil Aru anicut to supply water to the civilians. When the LTTE attack us we had to react and we completed the mission to capture Sampur, Vakarai, Thoppigala and the Ampara districts successfully.
Overall we are very successful in all these operations and they are going on according to a plan. The LTTE is a terrorist organisation. They will do everything to disrupt the government and to pressurise the leadership to stop these offensives. That is their pattern. They will attack military, the VVIPs and if they fail they will attack the innocent civilians. This was what the LTTE is doing through out for the last 25 years. When they realise that they are loosing militarily they will adopt to various tactics - it can be international pressure, political instability by killing civilians or false propaganda to stop military offensives so that they can re-group, re-arm and re-organise. So it is the cycle that we went through over and over again. I think it has to be end now.
The Government does not want to drag this for years and unlike in 1980s there are criticisms about military. Today the forces are confronted with criticisms of various INGOs, NGOs, free media and various other peace groups despite the sacrifices done by the military. That is why the government believes that when the war is dragged for long the terrorists find various ways to unpopular the government by infiltrating into various avenues. So we firmly believe that the terrorism should not be dragged to another generation and want end soon. Otherwise it will be disastrous.
Q: Amidst government's claims about serious injuries to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran, the LTTE denying this claim has said that it is a fabricated and baseless rumour. What is the reality?
A: From the beginning we believed that we have to destroy them and weaken them. We need to destroy their bases and assets. We have identified the mission at the beginning and started collecting information about the location and their movements. Several times we got very accurate and intelligence. Once we got information that Banu was coming to a particular meeting and we took that target. It was successful but unfortunately Banu was not there because he got late to come there. He got injured and several other LTTE leaders were attacked. S.P. Thamilselvan's attack is one best example for our accurate targets and intelligence.
We are continuing gathering about the locations of Prabhakaran and other leaders.
This particular day we got information about two locations and it was very reliable. Our pilots got the both targets and confirmed that their attacks were very successful. There are some indications that an important person was there. One such indication was the ground reaction which was very heavy attacks from the LTTE after the bombing. According to information the particular areas of Kilinochchi was sealed off for civilians for two weeks.
The government know that we took the correct target. But we cannot confirm whether the person was there and the seriousness of the injury. That is why we did not come out with the confirmation. Our aim is to take him and we are not interested in divulging it to the public till we get the correct confirmation. However, our intelligence sources believe he has seriously injured or killed. It is obviously that the LTTE will not divulge this for a long period. And the LTTE can also publish pictures but it does not give any indication that he is alive until he comes for a public meeting.
Q: Do you think that end of Prabakaran's era will put an end to terrorism?
A: That is another way to end the LTTE. Prabakaran is a man who engaged in terror for the last three decades. He is the man who formed the LTTE and giving the leadership and destroyed all other groups. He is the one who killed other Tamil leaders and he is like a Hitler. He says one man should be there to take decisions and that is his theory. According to him there cannot be too many leaders and groups. There has to be one group and one leader so that you can talk to the Sri Lankan government in one voice. That is why he got rid of all the organisations like PLOTE, TELO, EPRLF and EPDP which were much stronger than the LTTE earlier. He destroyed all those leaders and he got rid of all the moderate Tamil political leaders so that he and his organisation can represent the Tamils. He wants and thinks that he is the supremo.
So, it is obvious when the person who built this perception is killed, it will destroy lots of things. It may not be the end but it is a major factor that will gradually destroy their organisation.
Q: Is it true that the US has withheld its military assistance to Sri Lanka? If so, why?
A: There was a Bill passed but it is not to withhold military assistance.
Whatever they have agreed with the government will be continued and we had not got much assistance from the US. We had certain assistance and major one was training. It is not stopped.
Q: India has also taken tough measures in combating the LTTE in the south. How do you see India's concerns in this respect?
A: India is a major factor and we have recognised it from the very beginning. Lots of people talk about the international community but we believe that the India is the major factor in our entire problem. We have to realise the importance of the India because it is becoming super power. Our neighbour ? the India- has a big economic power and also the military power.
It is true that India has concerns over us. When they are powerful they have to think about their security and it is natural; they should be more concerned about what is happening around them. So we have to be concerned about their concerns. There are over 60 millions of Tamils living in India.
The government, especially President Rajapaksa has a very good relationship with India during this two year period. He has build up a good rapport with India and I think this relation that the President has with the Indian Prime Minister is the best after Sirima-Shasthri time. We have already developed a good relationship and shown them that we are sincere and genuine.
The President has told them that he will come out with a political solution to address the grievances of the Tamil people. Whatever the steps that we are taking we are briefing them. We do not have anything to hide and we have won their confidence. We do not want to do anything which will harm their security and their concerns. They know that we are not against the Tamil community and we are doing all these only to defeat terrorism.
Q: How conducive is the environment in the Eastern region to conduct elections?
A: We are very confident and incidence can be happened like any other place in this country. But the Government does not discourage the people and we want to conduct elections, especially the people in the East need elections.
Because we want to bring a representation from all three communities to run the administration of that province. So that will help the regional development and also to win the confidence of the people.
Other important thing is building confidence among all three communities.
They must win confidence and need to live together. So once you develop that it is the real peace. And then military presence can be withdrawn gradually.
The administration can be given to the police and we have to go to this aim step by step. We need the support of the people who like to see these people live peacefully, enjoy the development and live without suffering.
Q: Some political parties claim that the military victories including the liberation of the East are personal victories of the Defence Secretary with your close association with the Service Commanders. What is your response?
A: No one can say that. It is the victory of the people. It is not me at all. Of course these victories are the results of the good leadership given by the Service Commanders, who are well experienced and very knowledgable about the problem. I think the victories are their efforts and their other officers like SF commanders, who played a vital role, area commanders, the naval commanders and all the soldiers in the three forces. These victories are also outcomes of the dedication of all the three Commanders. I know how these commanders are dedicated to complete a successful mission.
But as a whole these missions are not the requirements of these Commanders and myself but we fulfilled the requirement of the country. It is not that we want to play war games. We are doing what the country needs. I get feed back from the people. And according to research Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims need to see an end to terrorism. Though some leadership criticise this ordinary people wants to end this problem soon.
Q: Do you think that the politicians are take these victories as political victories to gain their political end and also use them as a cover up the other burning issues of the country?
A: It is very difficult to hoodwink people. Without any argument people know that the President is handling this very well. Everybody accepts that. I do not see anybody using these victories as their political gains. I was stressing this fact from the beginning. The politics should be leave out from military missions. Who brought politics into this? It is not the government or the President but the Opposition brought politics into this.
The President never used this to gain any political advantages. Even now we tell not to bring politics into this. What is the advantage of bringing politics into this?
The Government does not want to use victories as cover-ups. People see something positive is happening in the correct dimension and they are very keen and also confident that the government will achieve the targets.
Q: Can the Government escape the allegation over the suspected conspiracy to send TMVP Leader Karuna to UK?
A: No, we do not want to. Karuna is a militant who had come to the democratic front giving up arms. That is what we want. That is what international community want and everybody wants. Then why we are crucifying Karuna who had given up arms. We have to help him. The international community must also help him rather than putting him into the jail. Because he is a person who had accepted, for whatever the reason, to give up arms and also convinced his cadres to give up arms to come into the democratic process.
This is what we are asking Prabhakaran to do. So why everybody criticising Karuna. He has done the major thing and we have to help him to groom. We have to help him to get into the democratic process more and we will of course support him to contest elections to win the elections. If people are willing to select him he can become the Chief Minister of the eastern province. That is what other Tamil politicians like Minister Douglas Devananda and Siddarthan, who were one time militants did.
We know that karuna?s two children and his wife are there. Who helped them to go there? The government cannot forged a British visa. Somehow he got his British visa using his capabilities and contacts. He went to see his family because his two daughters are there. I do not see any wrong in that and it is not human to separate a father from a family. That is violation of human rights. The world talk about human rights why not Karuna?s human rights. He was number two of Prabhakaran, who conducted several successful operations. Despite all that he gave up arms and entered into democratic front with his cadres. We must not harass him. The international community talk so much about settling conflicts, then why they do not help these people who given up terrorism. What is the aim behind it. I do not see the logic of these criticisms.
Q: What is the progress of the TMVP after Karuna?s arrest. Do you think Pilleyan will follow the democratic process?
A: Yes, of course. As far as I know that Pilleyan is Karuna?s second in command. So he must follow the democratic process. And there are some complaints about them about abductions and other activities. But these incidence have come to minimum. The government has taken several steps to disarm them and they have also realised the situation. These are the people who fought for a cause. But now these people have given an opportunity to serve in their areas in a democratic manner. So we have to help them and they also realise there are other means to serve people than resorting to terror activities and should stop harassing people. I do not see any reason them to harass people. Because they are the people who are waiting to come for elections, to win and serve the people and also give the political leadership. There are are no reason for them to abduct people and if they are doing so they should stop these.. If there are complaints we have given the instructions to the police to take actions and we do not allow these people to move in these areas with weapons.
Q: But in the recent SLMM report the TMVP was alleged to have conducted abductions and forcing people to do patrol in the areas in the east. According to military investigations who are responsible for the isolated violence?
A: I do not know as we have not got major complaints about abduction for the last six months. I do not know what incidence that the SLMM is quoting. But as far as I know and according to the feed backs what I am getting from the civil administration reported cases of abductions are minimum.
Q: Do you think that there is a need to abolish the CFA?
A: Yes. The vital fact is there is no CFA and it is just a document. The CFA is a joke. We had signed several peace agreements and they are still in existence.
Indo-Lanka agreement is still there. When signing a new peace agreement, the previous peace agreements should be abolished but it never happened. I think since Thimpu we have so many peace agreements.
I believe that the most sensible thing is, we must abolish whatever ceasefire agreement.
It should be officially end. The CFA is there and every day it is violated making the CFA a big joke. Officially we should say that there is no ceasefire agreement and we should ban the LTTE because it is a terrorist organisation. I think these two steps - banning the LTTE and officially declaring the abolition of the CFA should be done immediately.
Then the President can come out with a new set of proposals to address the problems of the Tamil people. One should remember that we should not give solutions for the LTTE, which is a terrorist organisation. Our solutions should be for the Tamil people and their leaders.
Q: But President Rajapaksa has recently said that the government will ban the LTTE if they continue to have two or more attacks?
A: Probably the President wants to give the LTTE some opportunities to come forward for negotiations. But my personal opinion is to ban the LTTE immediately.
Q: Do you think that the military victories will pave the way to peaceful solutions as claimed by the President recently?
A: Yes. Definitely. Where we have failed so far is combating terrorism.
Different leaders in different times came out with different solutions. But could not implement them. The main obstacle was the LTTE. So obviously if we can defeat the LTTE we could implement the solutions. Those who are interested in settling this problem should consider the genuineness of the parties.
The international community must understand and should not put undue pressure on the Sri Lankan Government. Even the UN and other international organisations must remember not to put on undue pressure on the genuine party, the government. This will lead to worsen the problem. The Government has come to a position that we can put down the LTTE militarily.
So all these international organisations must put their pressure on the LTTE to come into the democratic process.
If they put pressure on genuine party then they are helping the terrorists. The international community should understand that the Sri Lankan government is fighting with a ruthless man and his organisation.
Q: Why do you think that certain Ministers do not trust the security personnel assigned by the government and keep the underworld criminals as their bodyguards?
A: I do not know, you have to ask the question from those Ministers.
Q: You have said that Prabhakaran?s birthday which was held on last November 26 would be his last birthday.
A: Actually I did not say that but a journalist have mentioned it. But I wish that it could be true.
Q: Rajapaksa family is popular in politics. Do you have any plans to enter into politics now?
A: No. I do not know politics. After school I joined the army and I was a very disciplined army officer. In my career I had taken part in major operations under the UNP governments while my brothers were in the Opposition. When you are a professional and when you are in the military you do not think about politics. I worked very closely with Minister Ranjan Wijeratne and he praised me on many occasions. But I do not have any interest to enter into politics.
I did not get this job as I was unemployed. I was financially better off and worked in a country where I had many perks. I have truly done a sacrifice. One thing is my son is there and even when I was in the army I sacrificed the joy of being with my son. I did not gained anything while being the Defence Secretary rather than the satisfaction over doing the job correctly.
Q: You have said that the war should not be dragged on any further. Can the government give a time frame to end terrorism?
A: Giving a time frame is difficult. It all depends on the success of the operation and if we can get more and more LTTE leaders it will be more sooner.
We are going in the correct direction. The Government and the Service Commanders are very confident that we can defeat terrorism soon. But the other part which is very vital in finding a lasting solution lies in the hands of politicians. We have to come out with a political solution and it is very important to have the political solution parallel to the military operations. It will help to isolate Prabhakaran more and more from peace loving civilians.
Q: How do you assess the Defence Ministry operations during the last two years?
A: In terms of national security the first major fact is formulating a clear policy. The Government has started with clear directives and it became easy for the Commanders to formulate their own security strategies. While defeating terrorism the Government strongly believes that the grievances of the Tamil people should be solved politically. At the same time, we believe that there is no use of having wonderful solutions if we cannot implement them. This has happened for the last 30 to 35 years. The biggest problem was not the means of solving the problem but the inability in implementing them.
The war is being dragged on for decades because of the LTTE, which does not allow any government to implement a solution to end the national problem. It is useless trying to talk to them over and over without identifying the real problem and then you are dragging the problem without finding a solution. The Government has realised the situation and there is no solution unless the terrorism is wiped out. The LTTE always think that the grievances of Tamil people can be solved through terrorism. That is why the government had came up with a clear policy that terrorism must be defeated by any means.
The instructions are clearly given to the Commanders and they implemented their plans successfully.
The other factor for the achievements are we were able to identify the correct leadership for the forces. The priority was given to provide whatever the necessary equipment to continue the missions despite the economic hardships that the country was facing. The manpower problem which was a main problem faced by the forces has also been solved. When we take over the areas we need to deploy a lot of security personnel to maintain the areas to prevent the LTTE infiltrations. We have launched very successful recruitment campaigns and recruited nearly 50,000 for the three services including 10,000 for the Police and over 20,000 for the Civil Defence Force. Earlier we had difficulties in recruiting but it was rectified as the government has taken several measures to boost the morale of the soldiers, to give them a due recognition and also to uplift their welfare.
These programs including awareness programs like 'Api Wenuwen Api' had brought tremendous results and only during the last two weeks, the period given to them to return, over 4,000 deserters have come back. The former soldiers who left the army after serving 12 years have also re-joined and this is because they know that the operations are going ahead successfully and the government has a clear target.
The moral of the soldiers is very important in an operation. This is why I always believe that the most important assets is not the sophisticated armoury but the man behind these weapons. He is the deciding factor and that man must be trained properly and his morale should be boosted while giving clear directives and the leadership. The civil society should also recognised the service that they do to the country. When the society is respect them and their contribution to protect the country the soldiers will be motivated and even the deserters will be encouraged to go back to the battlefield.
The Ministry of Defence has done a lot of things for the welfare of the military personnel. Finding schools for the children of these soldiers was a problem earlier and now the government has solved it by establishing school for their children. The government wants to upgrade this school which will enrol over 200 children for the next year to one of the leading schools in the country. And we will open more such schools in other districts too.
Q: The Mahinda Rajapaksa Government had taken a bold decision to wage a war against the terrorism unlike the previous governments. Are you happy with this decision now?
A: It was a very crucial time that we had to take this decision. When President Rajapaksa was elected there was a thing called a Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) and also the peace process was defunct. The CFA was violated 3,000 times by that time and everybody knows that what the LTTE did and they never resorted to peace. What they did was they took the advantage of strengthening their military and fire power during these ceasefire periods. During these periods they strengthen their civil defence networks and also infiltrated into the South, the government controlled areas. The amount of heavy weapons captured in the East had proved their desire for peace. They got ready for military confrontations and were not interested in going for peace.
But the President Rajapaksa after resuming duties had started negotiations because he wanted to give them a chance to see and unfortunately it was not futile and again the LTTE proved there it was not genuine. They had started attacking the security forces and for six months we did not engage in any offensives and were taking defensive measures. But the government was compelled to launch an offensive to rescue the Mavil Aru anicut to supply water to the civilians. When the LTTE attack us we had to react and we completed the mission to capture Sampur, Vakarai, Thoppigala and the Ampara districts successfully.
Overall we are very successful in all these operations and they are going on according to a plan. The LTTE is a terrorist organisation. They will do everything to disrupt the government and to pressurise the leadership to stop these offensives. That is their pattern. They will attack military, the VVIPs and if they fail they will attack the innocent civilians. This was what the LTTE is doing through out for the last 25 years. When they realise that they are loosing militarily they will adopt to various tactics - it can be international pressure, political instability by killing civilians or false propaganda to stop military offensives so that they can re-group, re-arm and re-organise. So it is the cycle that we went through over and over again. I think it has to be end now.
The Government does not want to drag this for years and unlike in 1980s there are criticisms about military. Today the forces are confronted with criticisms of various INGOs, NGOs, free media and various other peace groups despite the sacrifices done by the military. That is why the government believes that when the war is dragged for long the terrorists find various ways to unpopular the government by infiltrating into various avenues. So we firmly believe that the terrorism should not be dragged to another generation and want end soon. Otherwise it will be disastrous.
Q: Amidst government's claims about serious injuries to the LTTE leader Prabhakaran, the LTTE denying this claim has said that it is a fabricated and baseless rumour. What is the reality?
A: From the beginning we believed that we have to destroy them and weaken them. We need to destroy their bases and assets. We have identified the mission at the beginning and started collecting information about the location and their movements. Several times we got very accurate and intelligence. Once we got information that Banu was coming to a particular meeting and we took that target. It was successful but unfortunately Banu was not there because he got late to come there. He got injured and several other LTTE leaders were attacked. S.P. Thamilselvan's attack is one best example for our accurate targets and intelligence.
We are continuing gathering about the locations of Prabhakaran and other leaders.
This particular day we got information about two locations and it was very reliable. Our pilots got the both targets and confirmed that their attacks were very successful. There are some indications that an important person was there. One such indication was the ground reaction which was very heavy attacks from the LTTE after the bombing. According to information the particular areas of Kilinochchi was sealed off for civilians for two weeks.
The government know that we took the correct target. But we cannot confirm whether the person was there and the seriousness of the injury. That is why we did not come out with the confirmation. Our aim is to take him and we are not interested in divulging it to the public till we get the correct confirmation. However, our intelligence sources believe he has seriously injured or killed. It is obviously that the LTTE will not divulge this for a long period. And the LTTE can also publish pictures but it does not give any indication that he is alive until he comes for a public meeting.
Q: Do you think that end of Prabakaran's era will put an end to terrorism?
A: That is another way to end the LTTE. Prabakaran is a man who engaged in terror for the last three decades. He is the man who formed the LTTE and giving the leadership and destroyed all other groups. He is the one who killed other Tamil leaders and he is like a Hitler. He says one man should be there to take decisions and that is his theory. According to him there cannot be too many leaders and groups. There has to be one group and one leader so that you can talk to the Sri Lankan government in one voice. That is why he got rid of all the organisations like PLOTE, TELO, EPRLF and EPDP which were much stronger than the LTTE earlier. He destroyed all those leaders and he got rid of all the moderate Tamil political leaders so that he and his organisation can represent the Tamils. He wants and thinks that he is the supremo.
So, it is obvious when the person who built this perception is killed, it will destroy lots of things. It may not be the end but it is a major factor that will gradually destroy their organisation.
Q: Is it true that the US has withheld its military assistance to Sri Lanka? If so, why?
A: There was a Bill passed but it is not to withhold military assistance.
Whatever they have agreed with the government will be continued and we had not got much assistance from the US. We had certain assistance and major one was training. It is not stopped.
Q: India has also taken tough measures in combating the LTTE in the south. How do you see India's concerns in this respect?
A: India is a major factor and we have recognised it from the very beginning. Lots of people talk about the international community but we believe that the India is the major factor in our entire problem. We have to realise the importance of the India because it is becoming super power. Our neighbour ? the India- has a big economic power and also the military power.
It is true that India has concerns over us. When they are powerful they have to think about their security and it is natural; they should be more concerned about what is happening around them. So we have to be concerned about their concerns. There are over 60 millions of Tamils living in India.
The government, especially President Rajapaksa has a very good relationship with India during this two year period. He has build up a good rapport with India and I think this relation that the President has with the Indian Prime Minister is the best after Sirima-Shasthri time. We have already developed a good relationship and shown them that we are sincere and genuine.
The President has told them that he will come out with a political solution to address the grievances of the Tamil people. Whatever the steps that we are taking we are briefing them. We do not have anything to hide and we have won their confidence. We do not want to do anything which will harm their security and their concerns. They know that we are not against the Tamil community and we are doing all these only to defeat terrorism.
Q: How conducive is the environment in the Eastern region to conduct elections?
A: We are very confident and incidence can be happened like any other place in this country. But the Government does not discourage the people and we want to conduct elections, especially the people in the East need elections.
Because we want to bring a representation from all three communities to run the administration of that province. So that will help the regional development and also to win the confidence of the people.
Other important thing is building confidence among all three communities.
They must win confidence and need to live together. So once you develop that it is the real peace. And then military presence can be withdrawn gradually.
The administration can be given to the police and we have to go to this aim step by step. We need the support of the people who like to see these people live peacefully, enjoy the development and live without suffering.
Q: Some political parties claim that the military victories including the liberation of the East are personal victories of the Defence Secretary with your close association with the Service Commanders. What is your response?
A: No one can say that. It is the victory of the people. It is not me at all. Of course these victories are the results of the good leadership given by the Service Commanders, who are well experienced and very knowledgable about the problem. I think the victories are their efforts and their other officers like SF commanders, who played a vital role, area commanders, the naval commanders and all the soldiers in the three forces. These victories are also outcomes of the dedication of all the three Commanders. I know how these commanders are dedicated to complete a successful mission.
But as a whole these missions are not the requirements of these Commanders and myself but we fulfilled the requirement of the country. It is not that we want to play war games. We are doing what the country needs. I get feed back from the people. And according to research Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims need to see an end to terrorism. Though some leadership criticise this ordinary people wants to end this problem soon.
Q: Do you think that the politicians are take these victories as political victories to gain their political end and also use them as a cover up the other burning issues of the country?
A: It is very difficult to hoodwink people. Without any argument people know that the President is handling this very well. Everybody accepts that. I do not see anybody using these victories as their political gains. I was stressing this fact from the beginning. The politics should be leave out from military missions. Who brought politics into this? It is not the government or the President but the Opposition brought politics into this.
The President never used this to gain any political advantages. Even now we tell not to bring politics into this. What is the advantage of bringing politics into this?
The Government does not want to use victories as cover-ups. People see something positive is happening in the correct dimension and they are very keen and also confident that the government will achieve the targets.
Q: Can the Government escape the allegation over the suspected conspiracy to send TMVP Leader Karuna to UK?
A: No, we do not want to. Karuna is a militant who had come to the democratic front giving up arms. That is what we want. That is what international community want and everybody wants. Then why we are crucifying Karuna who had given up arms. We have to help him. The international community must also help him rather than putting him into the jail. Because he is a person who had accepted, for whatever the reason, to give up arms and also convinced his cadres to give up arms to come into the democratic process.
This is what we are asking Prabhakaran to do. So why everybody criticising Karuna. He has done the major thing and we have to help him to groom. We have to help him to get into the democratic process more and we will of course support him to contest elections to win the elections. If people are willing to select him he can become the Chief Minister of the eastern province. That is what other Tamil politicians like Minister Douglas Devananda and Siddarthan, who were one time militants did.
We know that karuna?s two children and his wife are there. Who helped them to go there? The government cannot forged a British visa. Somehow he got his British visa using his capabilities and contacts. He went to see his family because his two daughters are there. I do not see any wrong in that and it is not human to separate a father from a family. That is violation of human rights. The world talk about human rights why not Karuna?s human rights. He was number two of Prabhakaran, who conducted several successful operations. Despite all that he gave up arms and entered into democratic front with his cadres. We must not harass him. The international community talk so much about settling conflicts, then why they do not help these people who given up terrorism. What is the aim behind it. I do not see the logic of these criticisms.
Q: What is the progress of the TMVP after Karuna?s arrest. Do you think Pilleyan will follow the democratic process?
A: Yes, of course. As far as I know that Pilleyan is Karuna?s second in command. So he must follow the democratic process. And there are some complaints about them about abductions and other activities. But these incidence have come to minimum. The government has taken several steps to disarm them and they have also realised the situation. These are the people who fought for a cause. But now these people have given an opportunity to serve in their areas in a democratic manner. So we have to help them and they also realise there are other means to serve people than resorting to terror activities and should stop harassing people. I do not see any reason them to harass people. Because they are the people who are waiting to come for elections, to win and serve the people and also give the political leadership. There are are no reason for them to abduct people and if they are doing so they should stop these.. If there are complaints we have given the instructions to the police to take actions and we do not allow these people to move in these areas with weapons.
Q: But in the recent SLMM report the TMVP was alleged to have conducted abductions and forcing people to do patrol in the areas in the east. According to military investigations who are responsible for the isolated violence?
A: I do not know as we have not got major complaints about abduction for the last six months. I do not know what incidence that the SLMM is quoting. But as far as I know and according to the feed backs what I am getting from the civil administration reported cases of abductions are minimum.
Q: Do you think that there is a need to abolish the CFA?
A: Yes. The vital fact is there is no CFA and it is just a document. The CFA is a joke. We had signed several peace agreements and they are still in existence.
Indo-Lanka agreement is still there. When signing a new peace agreement, the previous peace agreements should be abolished but it never happened. I think since Thimpu we have so many peace agreements.
I believe that the most sensible thing is, we must abolish whatever ceasefire agreement.
It should be officially end. The CFA is there and every day it is violated making the CFA a big joke. Officially we should say that there is no ceasefire agreement and we should ban the LTTE because it is a terrorist organisation. I think these two steps - banning the LTTE and officially declaring the abolition of the CFA should be done immediately.
Then the President can come out with a new set of proposals to address the problems of the Tamil people. One should remember that we should not give solutions for the LTTE, which is a terrorist organisation. Our solutions should be for the Tamil people and their leaders.
Q: But President Rajapaksa has recently said that the government will ban the LTTE if they continue to have two or more attacks?
A: Probably the President wants to give the LTTE some opportunities to come forward for negotiations. But my personal opinion is to ban the LTTE immediately.
Q: Do you think that the military victories will pave the way to peaceful solutions as claimed by the President recently?
A: Yes. Definitely. Where we have failed so far is combating terrorism.
Different leaders in different times came out with different solutions. But could not implement them. The main obstacle was the LTTE. So obviously if we can defeat the LTTE we could implement the solutions. Those who are interested in settling this problem should consider the genuineness of the parties.
The international community must understand and should not put undue pressure on the Sri Lankan Government. Even the UN and other international organisations must remember not to put on undue pressure on the genuine party, the government. This will lead to worsen the problem. The Government has come to a position that we can put down the LTTE militarily.
So all these international organisations must put their pressure on the LTTE to come into the democratic process.
If they put pressure on genuine party then they are helping the terrorists. The international community should understand that the Sri Lankan government is fighting with a ruthless man and his organisation.
Q: Why do you think that certain Ministers do not trust the security personnel assigned by the government and keep the underworld criminals as their bodyguards?
A: I do not know, you have to ask the question from those Ministers.
Q: You have said that Prabhakaran?s birthday which was held on last November 26 would be his last birthday.
A: Actually I did not say that but a journalist have mentioned it. But I wish that it could be true.
Q: Rajapaksa family is popular in politics. Do you have any plans to enter into politics now?
A: No. I do not know politics. After school I joined the army and I was a very disciplined army officer. In my career I had taken part in major operations under the UNP governments while my brothers were in the Opposition. When you are a professional and when you are in the military you do not think about politics. I worked very closely with Minister Ranjan Wijeratne and he praised me on many occasions. But I do not have any interest to enter into politics.
I did not get this job as I was unemployed. I was financially better off and worked in a country where I had many perks. I have truly done a sacrifice. One thing is my son is there and even when I was in the army I sacrificed the joy of being with my son. I did not gained anything while being the Defence Secretary rather than the satisfaction over doing the job correctly.
Q: You have said that the war should not be dragged on any further. Can the government give a time frame to end terrorism?
A: Giving a time frame is difficult. It all depends on the success of the operation and if we can get more and more LTTE leaders it will be more sooner.
We are going in the correct direction. The Government and the Service Commanders are very confident that we can defeat terrorism soon. But the other part which is very vital in finding a lasting solution lies in the hands of politicians. We have to come out with a political solution and it is very important to have the political solution parallel to the military operations. It will help to isolate Prabhakaran more and more from peace loving civilians.
The supreme skill - winning over the Tamils – to defeat the LTTE
By Lalin Fernando
Fighting to win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the supreme skill. However to break the enemies’ resistance without fighting is the supreme skill" (Sun Tzu – circa 400-320 BC)
What is it that keeps the LTTE fighting despite completely losing its hold on the east and its eastern commander and cadres due to respectively the unrelenting actions of the defense forces and mass desertion by its eastern cadres while being restricted to just 5% of its claimed land? Add to this that the western international community (IC), amongst whom one million Tamils live, declared them terrorists, froze their bank accounts and began prosecuting their ‘collectors’. It must be something more than just their fighting skills and spirit or the very lucrative Diaspora funding or any other thing. It has to be their unbroken will power that comes from a deep belief in their cause and a courage that defies death. To defeat the LTTE the state whatever else it does must break that very will power by attacking and destroying the support, faith and confidence that sustains it.
It was not always clear as it must be now that the key to the state defeating the LTTE was by winning over the hearts and minds of the Tamils and thus isolating the LTTE. Without the support of the Tamils, the LTTE’s will power cannot be sustained. Defeating it in battle and destroying its international funding and supply chain will help to erode its morale and spirit considerably but will not stop it from continuing to fight. The state’s focus however appears to be to convince the IC, but not the affected Tamils, that while pursuing its military options it does not humiliate or discriminate against the Tamils. Even so very serious allegations are made of abductions and other violations of the human rights (HR) of the Tamils. The state has thus handed over a global propaganda bonanza to the LTTE and its local allies who look forward to deliverance by the IC by way of severe, mainly economic, strictures on the GoSL with the threat of direct intervention. Not surprisingly most Tamils believe the issue is still in the balance and are constrained to keep their own counsel.
The LTTE cannot sustain the high level of casualties it suffers for ever. The trapped Wanni Tamils, their only source of reinforcement, are steadily abandoning the dwindling areas controlled by it. It has to rely on its hard core and child cadres, many of them women to prop up its strength. All its fighters are either abducted or conscripted unlike the state forces which are purely voluntary, something that many tend to overlook when forecasting the future. Very many Tamils have already been decimated by the LTTE for refusing to accept its leadership. Karuna must have known that the LTTE would in time want to annihilate the easterners like the North Vietnamese army did to their spearhead, the Vietcong, after defeating the US backed Saigon government. Hitler did the same to his possible rivals like Roehm after the Reichstag fire. Fifty percent (400,000) of Tamils in the Jaffna district alone have already fled from the LTTE in the 25 years of fighting. This does not include 50,000 Muslims who were evicted overnight. Attrition in the ongoing conventional battles will cause further critical manpower shortages for the LTTE. However its ability to wage guerilla war and mount terrorist attacks can be sustained for as long as its will power remains unbroken and especially while its suicide cadres exist. They make the LTTE though considerably weakened, a still very formidable force. To believe otherwise is to fantasize. It unfailingly gives us reminders of its vapourizing suicide prowess. That power is as lethal as a nuclear deterrent. This is the reality. The LTTE threat cannot simply be willed away by politicians making hysterical claims to the media.
Mao Tse Dung said that ‘power comes out of the barrel of the gun’ but he more pointedly and importantly also said that to win in guerilla warfare one must drain the water (Tamils) from the pool in which the fish (LTTE) swim. He like all great leaders understood that without the support of all the people, victory in guerilla war would be unattainable. Maybe our leaders believe that the support of the majority of the people would be enough. However without the firm support of the Tamils for whom the LTTE says it is fighting, this war is unlikely to end.
Another fallacy is to believe that this conflict is a continuation of political intercourse by other means. It is not. This is about 2 cultures which have over 2000 years kept warm a shared antagonistic history mixed with bloody myths and legends which emphasize their differences, yet they share a great deal more in common. Despite the efforts of those who dare (and dared) to cross the lines it has been very difficult to consign these differences to where they belong –history. The problem will not be solved as long as the people concerned selfishly and supinely allow politicians to exploit these differences. By doing so they perpetuate the agony that they have suffered for 25 years.
The LTTE is and was a racist, totalitarian organization and can claim no place in a democracy. It claimed it was the sole representative of the Tamils which some politicians and a prejudiced IC used to regurgitate until very recently but Chilcott from St James has belatedly realized and openly admitted the LTTE is not and cannot be the ‘sole rep’. Its pretensions at wishing to negotiate, which earlier seduced the IC, no longer mesmerizes the general public. Minister Douglas Devananda, a former rebel, who has survived regular attempts at assassination by the LTTE, puts it more succinctly when he says that "even if you could achieve such a feat as brushing the teeth of a cobra, ploughing the sea or squeezing an elephant through the eye of a needle, you cannot make peace with the LTTE". However it still does not mean that a peaceful resolution to the problem should not be pursued.
Unlike the Jewish Diaspora which vowed "tomorrow Jerusalem" every day for nearly 800 years, the vast majority of Diaspora Tamils after 25 years of war, especially the younger generation, have little or no desire to return to SL even though their parents still give monetary and moral support to the LTTE. The Tamils of and in Colombo who have not done too badly for themselves, sacrificing little have no desire to live in a fascist state which extols and offers its unique gift- martyrdom. Yet even though they are 40% of the population of Colombo, the Tamils are loath to speak up mainly through fear of the long reach of the LTTE and their natural loyalty to members of their own community who are ‘fighting’ for them and exclusion from the decision making process of the state as to their own future. Well known Tamil leaders like Mr. Anandasangaree who has to be the bravest man in SL and the outspoken and blunt Professor Hoole who for his views on the villainy but not only of the LTTE, have unequivocally said that the LTTE and not the SL armed forces will destroy the remaining Tamils of SL.
LTTE survival tactics too have seriously eroded its self proclaimed posture as the saviour of the Tamils. The Tamils are aware that it is the Tamil children less Prabakaran’s and women but not the LTTE hard core cadres in the Wanni, who make the greatest sacrifice. They are used as expendable screens in human wave attacks and female suicide bombings. A movement that makes a pact and virtue of suicide, a negation of the human spirit, must lead itself to the grave. But the Tamils in general without choosing alternate leaders, have not dared to take a stand. The very comfortably well off Colombo Tamils, must now be encouraged to come out of their luxury bunkers and take their places in the FDLs by speaking out if they wish the war to end so that at least the children of this country might prosper. They must not stay on the side lines any longer, silently watching the LTTE destroy every chance for peace whenever it surfaces, use poor women and children in the Wanni as human shields and murder democratic Tamil political leaders or ‘moderates’ as Chilcott calls them They must be aware that the LTTE’s plan to deal with them later for not taking part in the struggle will not be painless.
Winning over the remaining SL Tamils, here and abroad will be the winning factor. Simply ‘developing’ the east and the north however well that is done, will not be enough, unless those areas are as free as the south to administer themselves and develop in the way its wants. The anti Syrian politicians in the Lebanon who on being compelled to be state guests for their own safety in the luxurious International Hotel said it best when they remarked that though they were well fed and looked after but did not have the liberty to leave their hotel, they were no better off than prisoners. Who would want to live under those conditions? The Tamils wherever they are, like the Muslims and the Sinhalese, must be able to have equal administrative power in the provinces they outnumber others. If steps are taken rapidly to initiate meaningful steps, the Tamils who are sitting on the fence will be encouraged to get off it onto the side of the state. The acid test however will be to persuade the TNA, the 22 proxies of the LTTE. When that happens it will be a decisive and mortal blow to the LTTE .At the moment being afraid of the merciless justice of the LTTE, the TNA 22 are soulless.
"Results of war in the last resort are an affair of body not mind, of physical force not plans or intelligence. …There is no known example in military history of a weaker force achieving victory in a protracted conflict". (Intelligence in War - John Keegan). It is known that in war however well one side performs it is the side that has the endurance to slog it out, bigger troop strength, demographic advantages and resources that will prevail. This is something the Tamils should take cognizance of when looking at the future without relying on the warped dreams of a megalomaniac and manna from the IC. The LTTE believed that endurance of the government, affected by pressures of the IC together with political bickering and combat difficulties, would run out. The hypnotic power of suggestion made the state doubt that which seems so obvious now, that having over 70% of the population on its side, it could never be held to ransom by at most 3-5 % of its people to hand over anything. According to the very reliable University Teachers’ for Human Rights, Jaffna (UTHR) communiqués the people in the Wanni curse the LTTE silently as they remove the dead bodies of their conscripted children who had been used as machine gun fodder by the LTTE. Thamilchelvam's death brought on no mass demos. Few in the Wanni readily express themselves for fear of extreme reaction by the LTTE pistol gangs and the Gestapo like justice there but it does not mean they support them. They wait the day of liberation from the LTTE after making sacrifices and suffering deep despair for 25 years such as seeing their children being abducted and their loved ones being conscripted to die so that Prabakaran can succeed. Their liberation will come when the Tamils finally desert the Wanni in great numbers and the Colombo Tamils step up and toe the line in the affairs of state. As the LTTE’s dream of eelam evaporates its will power will crack. It will then be up to Prabakaran to take Hitler’s remedy.
"In the conduct of war it is better to take the whole state than destroy it; it is better to capture the enemies’ army intact than to destroy it". (Sun Tzu). Surely this is the time and manner to drain the water (Tamils) from the pond and put the fish (LTTE) in tanks. The LTTE will not voluntarily lay down its arms and talk as long as the vast majority of Tamils remain leaderless and silent. The state must seek the support of the ‘moderate’ Tamils by initiating development and giving them political power. It could start with the return of Tamil lands especially in the HSZs as soon a possible. This should apply to the Muslim lands in Ampara too. The Tamil language must have equal status with Sinhalese in affairs of the state. There should be rapid development of the economy and infra structure of the affected areas, easing of travel restrictions, improving personal security and the conditions for refugees to return, provision of land, securing jobs with priority being given to the integration of youth of all communities into development plans and into the forces and police and sharing all the benefits of life enjoyed by those not in the conflict areas. Under such an onslaught when the LTTE realizes that even their protégés prefer desertion to living under them in the Wanni, their ongoing moral collapse will reach its inevitable end. Their weapons will no longer be of any use. They will want peace. That is the time they will lay down their arms.
What is required to defeat the LTTE without destroying them in battle is the unqualified support of the majority of the Tamils for the state. The Tamils will then not feel the bitterness of defeat and have any desire for revenge which was the LTTE’s motivating force, because being equal partners; this will be their victory too. That will be the supreme skill.
Given below is a quotation which may be relevant to all actors and communities:
"I consider it an offense against the Serbian people and the betrayal of the civic notion of society when evil is identified with the Serbian nationality. But I find it equally misguided when evil is not defined at all, for fear of hurting Serbian feelings. All people have their Karadzics and Mladics, either real or potential. If such men - as a result of a mix of historical, social and cultural circumstances gain greater influence than they have in other parts of the world, it does not mean that they come from a criminal people… (This) is a conflict of principles not of nationalities … in other words let us beware of attempts to lay the evil on whole peoples. That would be tantamount to adopting the ideology of fanatics"
(Vackev Havel- former Czech president who was said to have been one of contemporary Europe’s great visionaries)
(The writer is a retired career military officer holding the rank of Major General)
Wanni is surrounded on all prongs
Sunday, December 30,2007 COLOMBO:
The Security Forces are occupying the LTTE's Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) and have surrounded the Wanni LTTE bases from all directions, Army Chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka said Saturday, adding that the LTTE could not prevent losing their remaining 3000 cadres and there is no assurance that the LTTE Leader V. Prabhakaran would survive for the next six months. Gen. Fonseka said the Sri Lankan Air Force would attack all the LTTE bases and the armed forces were confident of wiping out the LTTE, which was smarting due to the present military operations. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said he was highly satisfied over the successes against the terrorists in the outgoing year and claimed that the prime target of the military was to destroy the LTTE's presence in the North completely. In an interview, the Army Chief said that there were around 3000 LTTE terrorists remaining and that the military would annihilate them within the first six months of the next year. "Our daily target is to kill at least 10 LTTE terrorists and for the last few months over 500 LTTE carders have been killed by the armed forces. We have weakened the LTTE by 50 per cent or more and we are confident we can go that extra mile in the coming year", he said. He said the correct directives and the support given by the President and the Ministry of Defence had helped the military to achieve the set targets. " All the citizens are waiting to see an end to terrorism. The President very clearly announced his firm opinion about wiping out terrorism and bringing political solutions to address the problems of the Tamil people", Gen. Fonseka said. He said the military has come a long way defeating terrorism and the military operations in Wanni were 100 per cent successful. "The damage to the LTTE in Wanni is high and their major camps have already fallen", he said adding that now the outfit is facing a severe shortage of man power. "Bodies of the LTTE Police and the Sea Tigers seized by the armed forces show that the outfit is facing a severe shortage of man power and it is evident the out fit is in total disarray", he said. Meanwhile, over 8000 army deserters have reported back to the army. Gen. Fonseka said the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together work out to block the LTTE's gun running activities.Separately, the defence secretary on Friday said the government should formally pull out of a ceasefire with Tamil Tiger rebels amid escalating fighting in the island, .A 2002 Norwegian-brokered truce began to unravel in December 2005 and both sides have blamed each other for the mounting violence which has claimed over 6,000 lives since then, according to government figures. "The ceasefire agreement exists only on paper. Obviously we can see there is no ceasefire," Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, who is President Mahinda Rajapaksa's younger brother, told the Daily News. "It has become a joke," the defence secretary said. "I think the most sensible thing is that we must end this ceasefire agreement by officially declaring there is no ceasefire agreement." The internationally backed deal requires either party to give two weeks' notice to Norway before formally ending it. "Why should we hoodwink the people by saying there is a ceasefire agreement?" Defence Secretary Rajapakse said, adding that the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should be formally banned. "It is a terrorist organisation and we are fighting them," he said. His remarks came three days after the president ruled out holding negotiations with the Tigers before the army is able to crush them militarily. Security forces wrested control of the east of the island from the rebels in July. The military has also claimed sinking the entire fleet of gun-running ships of the guerrillas. The rebels are fighting for a separate state for the ethnic Tamil minority in the Sinhalese-majority nation. Meanwhile at least twenty LTTE cadres were killed when security forces advanced into LTTE-held territory in the general area of Parappakandal in Mannar Saturday, the military said. There was heavy resistance from the LTTE when the troops advanced amidst heavy artillery barrages, the Media Centre for National Security said.Several senior LTTE numbers are believed to have been killed in the latest clashes, the Centre added. However, the LTTE in a statement countered the military’s version and claimed instead that 20 soldiers were killed in the Mannar battles and only three of its cadres died in the clashes.The LTTE admitted there was fierce fighting in the Parappankandal when government troops launched a three-pronged offensive to take over LTTE controlled area. The LTTE said it repulsed the military advance into its area.
Forces’ Chiefs predict Tiger extinction in 2008
Ranil WIJAYAPALA
Ranil WIJAYAPALA
Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka who has already announced his intention of shifting the current battles to a decisive phase in August next year, expressed confidence of achieving the mission by reducing the existing number of Tiger cadres to 2,000.
Army Commander, Navy Commander and Air Force Commander “Considering the number of Tiger cadres that get killed each day in the Wanni front and in Jaffna, this task can be achieved soon,” the Army Commander added.
“We can bring the war against the LTTE to a turning point once we are able to destroy the LTTE capabilities to operate in bunkers and FDLs,” he added.
“Then it would be a case of hunting down the Tiger cadres in the jungles”, the Army Commander added.
He said it would be difficult for Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to engage in a game of hide and seek for long since the Air Force is taking each and every hideout of the LTTE in the Wanni.
He also explained that the Army was ready to take on this task with the formation of five offensive Divisions in the Army to face an estimated 5,000 Tiger cadres left in the Wanni.
Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke also expressed confidence that the task of totally defeating the LTTE in 2008 was high.
“The way things are happening it is possible to achieve the task in 2008,” the Air Force Commander added. He said he was extremely satisfied with the way the Air Force was operating during the year.
“We are quite confident the Air Force would be able to completely breakdown the military capabilities of the LTTE in the Wanni by destroying their military bases, training bases, sea capabilities, armouries and their leadership,” he added.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said it was quite possible to defeat the LTTE in 2008. “We have broken their backbone by destroying their ships and we are hopeful they will be further weakened,” the Navy Commander added.
He said the LTTE is now starved of arms and ammunition since what arms and ammunition they receive at present come only across the Palk Strait from Tamil Nadu.
“This will help the ground troops to achieve the task of eliminating LTTE terrorism in 2008,” the Navy Commander added. Forces’ Chiefs predict Tiger extinction in 2008
Ranil WIJAYAPALA
The Tri-Forces Commanders yesterday expressed confidence that 2008 would be a decisive year in their effort of eliminating terrorism from Sri Lanka since they were already on course towards accomplishing this task by next year.
Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka who has already announced his intention of shifting the current battles to a decisive phase in August next year, expressed confidence of achieving the mission by reducing the existing number of Tiger cadres to 2,000.
Army Commander, Navy Commander and Air Force Commander “Considering the number of Tiger cadres that get killed each day in the Wanni front and in Jaffna, this task can be achieved soon,” the Army Commander added.
“We can bring the war against the LTTE to a turning point once we are able to destroy the LTTE capabilities to operate in bunkers and FDLs,” he added.
“Then it would be a case of hunting down the Tiger cadres in the jungles”, the Army Commander added.
He said it would be difficult for Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to engage in a game of hide and seek for long since the Air Force is taking each and every hideout of the LTTE in the Wanni.
He also explained that the Army was ready to take on this task with the formation of five offensive Divisions in the Army to face an estimated 5,000 Tiger cadres left in the Wanni.
Air Force Commander Air Vice Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke also expressed confidence that the task of totally defeating the LTTE in 2008 was high.
“The way things are happening it is possible to achieve the task in 2008,” the Air Force Commander added. He said he was extremely satisfied with the way the Air Force was operating during the year.
“We are quite confident the Air Force would be able to completely breakdown the military capabilities of the LTTE in the Wanni by destroying their military bases, training bases, sea capabilities, armouries and their leadership,” he added.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said it was quite possible to defeat the LTTE in 2008. “We have broken their backbone by destroying their ships and we are hopeful they will be further weakened,” the Navy Commander added.
He said the LTTE is now starved of arms and ammunition since what arms and ammunition they receive at present come only across the Palk Strait from Tamil Nadu.
“This will help the ground troops to achieve the task of eliminating LTTE terrorism in 2008,” the Navy Commander added. ==========================================Sinhalese settled in areas emptied of TamilsKadatkaraichenai in Trincomalee was a thriving Tamil village less than a year ago. The Sri Lanka military onslaught on 2006 forcefully displaced the Tamil from this and the surrounding areas.
Hundreds of Tamils were killed and injured by deliberate military artillery shelling in 2006 as the international community looked on.
Once the area was emptied of Tamils by such ethnic cleansing, the Sri Lanka Government declared the area as High Security Zone and prevented the original Tamil residents of the area from returning to their homes in their villages.
Over the last week, 25 Sinhalese families were settled in Kadatkaraichenai, the so called High Security Zone.
This development has all the hallmark of earlier Sinhala settlements in the east where by a Tamil village is emptied of Tamils through violence and then small number of Sinhala settlements is first created with minimal facilities. This settlement then gradually expands unnoticed.
In the earlier times Tamil people were chased out by large scale massacres carried out by the military. The massacre of Tamils in the Thiriyai a village in Trincomalee in 1985 and the subsequent conversion of the area in Sinhala settlement exemplifies this tactic of Sri Lanka Government.
On 8 June 1985, Sri Lanka military came in vehicles to Thiriyai and told the people to leave the area before they begin shooting. After the people left, 1100 houses were burnt down. Following this incident, displaced people stayed in schools. Again on 8.August 1985, the Sri Lankan military attacked the displaced in the schools killing ten civilians. Again on the 14 August six civilians were pulled out of a bus in Thiriyai and hacked to death. Tamils gradually moved out of the area by the constant threat of violence by the military. The area thus emptied of Tamils was then gradually settled with Sinhalese.
No longer able to carry of such blatant ethnic cleansing, Sri Lanka Government is carrying out the ethnic cleansing under the pretext of fighting terrorism as the world looks on.
26 December 2007
Sri Lanka: War against Terrorism towards a new Dimension
Thu, 2007-12-27 03:53 By - Leel Pathirana
“Sri Lanka has become the world's greatest Learning Lab for Countering Terrorism”By-Dr. Peter Leitner, President-Counter Terrorism Research Center and Professor National Center for Bio Defense of the George Mason University, US
After the three decade of the Sri Lankan LTTE separatist war which claimed more than one hundred thousand lives, since Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse assumed the office, war against Terrorism has taken to a new Dimension of targeting ‘Big Cats’ of the LTTE hierarchy.
The Government of Sri Lanka and the people are now confident that all three forces can eliminate the LTTE separatism before long and restore lasing peace in Sri Lanka, where all the nationalities can enjoy right of living in any part of the Country. Defense secretary Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapakse and General Vladimir Moltenskoy at the Defense ministry. (Photo: defense.lk)The Government is now under discussion of banning the LTTE, if they continue large scale attacks in the future. It is reported that President has stated, “one or more attack, we have no option”
It is really evident that November 26th aerial bombing around Jayanthi Nager in Kilinochchi, has done a massive destruction and made the LTTE leadership to suffer. LTTE leader has suffered minor injuries according to Journalist Mr. DBS. Jeyraj, and later various news reports also confirmed that he is injured and since the Tiger leader is already suffering from diabetes, his condition has got worsened and the LTTE is making attempts to evacuate him to a foreign country for further treatment.
The organizational structure of the LTTE has started to collapse and this issue reached to a high degree when their Head of the Political wing was killed by SLAF air strike. They have faced repeated dilemmas and now they have enemies within.
Integrated Military Intelligence of the Government is now exact on their sources of information, analyzing, approaching and targeting the enemies. Sri Lankan Navy could blow up the huge LTTE vessels carried arms in the international waters. Destroying almost ten vessels was a major loss to the LTTE for their future war against the Government and which could lead to loose the morale of their cadres and the Tamil Diaspora in the Europe and in the Middle East.
After killing of their Head of the Political wing SP Tamilselvan, Tamil diaspora in Europe and the Middle East have lost total confidence over the LTTE’s capability, whom they pledged for a homeland for them on their every annual Hero’s Day discourse by its leader. Now they have to face another problem of further funding to the LTTE’s warfare. After Europe, the second largest Tamil diaspora are employed in the Middle East, and most of them are doing under wage labor jobs or odd jobs, from which they are reluctantly compelled to remit 25% cent of their monthly salary to the LTTE warfare. The LTTE has directly sent some laborers to the Middle East for, work-and-send-money for them basis.
International Support to the Government
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse’s recent visit to Islamic Republic of Iran made him as a strong and determined Head of State with principle. This trip made somewhat earned the irritation of the US. Subsequently US highlighting human rights issues suspended their military assistance to Sri Lanka.
Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Pakistan, and India have come forward to assist Mahinda Rajapakse Government to provide military assistance to eradicate terrorism.
Russian delegation to Sri Lanka led by General Vladimir Moltenskoy’s recent visit was a great success to the country. Gen Molpenskoy, a veteran combat General in the Russian Army was formerly the operational commander of the Russian Forces in Chechnya.
Pakistan has increased its annual military assistance loan by US 31 million dollars. This will increase the total annual Pakistani assistance to US 80 million dollars. Sri Lanka being a good ally of the Pakistan the recent action taken by the Sri Lankan Government of conveying their opposition to the Commonwealth leaders meeting of Kampala suspending Pakistan as a member, was rightly looked with gratitude by Pakistan by Pakistan’s President Gen. Pervez Musharaff.
India has also offered US 100 million-dollar credit-line to Sri Lanka for the procurement of military supplies from India mainly to strengthen the Sri Lankan Air Defense System. Technical Team from Czech Republic had arrived in the Island to service and completely overhauls MBRL (Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers) they provided to the Government earlier according to a Sinhala language newspaper.
When look back to the history of the war with terrorist, it seems like previous regimes fought a conventional warfare without targeting the ‘Inner Core Leaders of the LTTE’ or there must have been various reasons where politics were involved. People forgot the war with the terrorism and only they saw sealed caskets were coming in to the villages. Why we lost the War then? This question yet to be answered in the future.
Meantime I would like to pose a very simple question from the international community. Which is, if the International community is expecting a lasting peace in Sri Lanka, this is what unfolding before their eyes now?
Liberating the entire East after almost 27 years under the jackboots of Prabakaran with very limited civilian casualties, isn’t it a major victory to be discussed, celebrated or to be rejoiced? Government is on process of building up infrastructure of the entire East and has earmarked reserved billion of rupees, for the resettlement programs of the (IDC) Internally Displaced Civilians, reopening schools, improving government transport facilities, providing better health care, electricity, water and sanitation facilities etc…
Also new Police stations have been opened up for people’s protection and facilitate for their day-to-day livelihood in order to build the confidence in their midst.
Background of the 2005 Presidential Election Campaign
Mr. Rajapakse’s victory in November 2005 was a very significant one in Sri Lanka’s political history after 1956. His Victory could make a turning point of the Sri Lanka’s 25 years old separatist war.
He is today considered the second ‘Nationalist Leader’ after late Mr. S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake. He is the first President to rise from the south. Even though he hails from a popular political family, he is not the same aristocratic class as the Bandaranaike dynasty that led the SLFP since it was founded in 1952.
Mr. Rajapakse’s role on Labor union and also Human Rights activism played a major role during the JVP’s second uprising in 1987-89, in lobbing for human rights and somewhat his clandestine trip to Geneva has made him the image of a Human Rights Activist and Working Class Hero
He rose strongly at the 2005 presidential election addressing various nationalist and socialist forces by signing a series of agreements such as Mahinda Chinthana. His main objective was bringing a lasting peace to the country. Despite his narrow margin victory over Ranil Wickramasinghe at the election, he managed to stand out as a Man Of Common Masses despite certain media labeled him as a Sinhala hard-liner.
- Asian Tribune -
“Sri Lanka has become the world's greatest Learning Lab for Countering Terrorism”By-Dr. Peter Leitner, President-Counter Terrorism Research Center and Professor National Center for Bio Defense of the George Mason University, US
After the three decade of the Sri Lankan LTTE separatist war which claimed more than one hundred thousand lives, since Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse assumed the office, war against Terrorism has taken to a new Dimension of targeting ‘Big Cats’ of the LTTE hierarchy.
The Government of Sri Lanka and the people are now confident that all three forces can eliminate the LTTE separatism before long and restore lasing peace in Sri Lanka, where all the nationalities can enjoy right of living in any part of the Country. Defense secretary Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapakse and General Vladimir Moltenskoy at the Defense ministry. (Photo: defense.lk)The Government is now under discussion of banning the LTTE, if they continue large scale attacks in the future. It is reported that President has stated, “one or more attack, we have no option”
It is really evident that November 26th aerial bombing around Jayanthi Nager in Kilinochchi, has done a massive destruction and made the LTTE leadership to suffer. LTTE leader has suffered minor injuries according to Journalist Mr. DBS. Jeyraj, and later various news reports also confirmed that he is injured and since the Tiger leader is already suffering from diabetes, his condition has got worsened and the LTTE is making attempts to evacuate him to a foreign country for further treatment.
The organizational structure of the LTTE has started to collapse and this issue reached to a high degree when their Head of the Political wing was killed by SLAF air strike. They have faced repeated dilemmas and now they have enemies within.
Integrated Military Intelligence of the Government is now exact on their sources of information, analyzing, approaching and targeting the enemies. Sri Lankan Navy could blow up the huge LTTE vessels carried arms in the international waters. Destroying almost ten vessels was a major loss to the LTTE for their future war against the Government and which could lead to loose the morale of their cadres and the Tamil Diaspora in the Europe and in the Middle East.
After killing of their Head of the Political wing SP Tamilselvan, Tamil diaspora in Europe and the Middle East have lost total confidence over the LTTE’s capability, whom they pledged for a homeland for them on their every annual Hero’s Day discourse by its leader. Now they have to face another problem of further funding to the LTTE’s warfare. After Europe, the second largest Tamil diaspora are employed in the Middle East, and most of them are doing under wage labor jobs or odd jobs, from which they are reluctantly compelled to remit 25% cent of their monthly salary to the LTTE warfare. The LTTE has directly sent some laborers to the Middle East for, work-and-send-money for them basis.
International Support to the Government
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse’s recent visit to Islamic Republic of Iran made him as a strong and determined Head of State with principle. This trip made somewhat earned the irritation of the US. Subsequently US highlighting human rights issues suspended their military assistance to Sri Lanka.
Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Pakistan, and India have come forward to assist Mahinda Rajapakse Government to provide military assistance to eradicate terrorism.
Russian delegation to Sri Lanka led by General Vladimir Moltenskoy’s recent visit was a great success to the country. Gen Molpenskoy, a veteran combat General in the Russian Army was formerly the operational commander of the Russian Forces in Chechnya.
Pakistan has increased its annual military assistance loan by US 31 million dollars. This will increase the total annual Pakistani assistance to US 80 million dollars. Sri Lanka being a good ally of the Pakistan the recent action taken by the Sri Lankan Government of conveying their opposition to the Commonwealth leaders meeting of Kampala suspending Pakistan as a member, was rightly looked with gratitude by Pakistan by Pakistan’s President Gen. Pervez Musharaff.
India has also offered US 100 million-dollar credit-line to Sri Lanka for the procurement of military supplies from India mainly to strengthen the Sri Lankan Air Defense System. Technical Team from Czech Republic had arrived in the Island to service and completely overhauls MBRL (Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers) they provided to the Government earlier according to a Sinhala language newspaper.
When look back to the history of the war with terrorist, it seems like previous regimes fought a conventional warfare without targeting the ‘Inner Core Leaders of the LTTE’ or there must have been various reasons where politics were involved. People forgot the war with the terrorism and only they saw sealed caskets were coming in to the villages. Why we lost the War then? This question yet to be answered in the future.
Meantime I would like to pose a very simple question from the international community. Which is, if the International community is expecting a lasting peace in Sri Lanka, this is what unfolding before their eyes now?
Liberating the entire East after almost 27 years under the jackboots of Prabakaran with very limited civilian casualties, isn’t it a major victory to be discussed, celebrated or to be rejoiced? Government is on process of building up infrastructure of the entire East and has earmarked reserved billion of rupees, for the resettlement programs of the (IDC) Internally Displaced Civilians, reopening schools, improving government transport facilities, providing better health care, electricity, water and sanitation facilities etc…
Also new Police stations have been opened up for people’s protection and facilitate for their day-to-day livelihood in order to build the confidence in their midst.
Background of the 2005 Presidential Election Campaign
Mr. Rajapakse’s victory in November 2005 was a very significant one in Sri Lanka’s political history after 1956. His Victory could make a turning point of the Sri Lanka’s 25 years old separatist war.
He is today considered the second ‘Nationalist Leader’ after late Mr. S.W.R.D.Bandaranayake. He is the first President to rise from the south. Even though he hails from a popular political family, he is not the same aristocratic class as the Bandaranaike dynasty that led the SLFP since it was founded in 1952.
Mr. Rajapakse’s role on Labor union and also Human Rights activism played a major role during the JVP’s second uprising in 1987-89, in lobbing for human rights and somewhat his clandestine trip to Geneva has made him the image of a Human Rights Activist and Working Class Hero
He rose strongly at the 2005 presidential election addressing various nationalist and socialist forces by signing a series of agreements such as Mahinda Chinthana. His main objective was bringing a lasting peace to the country. Despite his narrow margin victory over Ranil Wickramasinghe at the election, he managed to stand out as a Man Of Common Masses despite certain media labeled him as a Sinhala hard-liner.
- Asian Tribune -
No comments:
Post a Comment