Eelam Revolution, East and US (India)

US mulls military support to Lanka
By Shanika SRIYANANDA
Sri Lanka can look forward to US military assistance to crack down on LTTE terrorism as the United States is now considering to lift the arms embargo following the
recent release of child soldiers by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP).
The United States which has come down hard on terrorism, suspended air and maritime surveillance assistance to Sri Lanka last year citing two reasons - recruitment
of child soldiers by the TMVP and human rights violations.
US Ambassador Robert O. Blake told the Sunday Observer that there was a possibility of resuming military assistance to the government to defend the LTTE.
“US military assistance is currently suspended due to two provisions in the US law. The first being child soldiers. The TMVP has released over 50 child soldiers and
this is a very good sign”, he said.
Blake said that the US had welcomed the move publicly and hope they would release more.
According to UNICEF figures over 100 child soldiers were still in the custody of the TMVP, he said.
“The US believes that we will be able to lift that particular restriction and to continue to provide military assistance if the TMVP releases more children”, he said
adding that the United States is working closely with the government to improve its human rights record too.
Blake said that US military assistance in the areas of air and maritime surveillance has helped the government to detect LTTE arms shipments in the territorial waters
of the country.
The American Ambassador is positive that the US Millennium Challenge Corporation, which de-listed Sri Lanka, would also make another decision to consider to
fund Sri Lanka again.
“Hence that is another reason that we encourage the government to improve its record on human rights. This will enable us to cooperate more with Sri Lanka”, he
said.
Blake said that LTTE child conscription was done in a greater magnitude and the number of children with the LTTE was 15 times more than those who were in the
custody of the TMVP. Quoting UNICEF figures, he said that there would be over 1,600 child soldiers still in the hands of the LTTE.
“This is a very serious concern and the US has joined the UNICEF and other agencies urging the LTTE to release these children”, he said.
When asked whether there would be any change in Washington’s stand with regard to the support to Sri Lanka if the US Presidency shifts from the Republican to
Democratic, he said that the main interest of the US was to see an end to the national problem and the US approach to Sri Lanka would remain unchanged.
“The US approach to Sri Lanka is generally a bi-partisan approach and it would not be changed dramatically under Barack Obama or John McCain.
Either way the US will continue to have a strong and friendly relationship with Sri Lanka”, he said.

Politics not my cup of tea - US Ambassador
The United States reiterated its willingness to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa to achieve the desired task of the Commission of Inquiry appointed by the
President to probe into the killings of 17 aid workers and other human rights violations.
In an interview with the Sunday Observer US Ambassador Robert Blake said the US has no intention in interfering with the Commission and the US strongly believed
in the independence of the Commission.
Blake along with another diplomat was accused of holding a meeting with the commissioners said that the agenda of the meeting was only to discuss the ‘logistic
matters’.
Excerpts:
Q: Are you satisfied with the support that the US had offered so far to Sri Lanka and what are the strategic areas where the US and Sri Lanka should work closely?
A: Yes. The US and Sri Lanka are close friends for more than 50 years now. The US is a strong supporter of Sri Lanka’s fight against terrorism. We strongly believe
that Sri Lanka like all other countries has an obligation to defend its people against LTTE terrorism.
The US has provided military, law enforcement and other kinds of support to help the government to defend itself while believing that a purely a military solution
would not be the correct solution for this conflict.
The US believes that the answer to the conflict lies with a power sharing concept which can respond to the aspirations of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims. We also
believe that in this very important stage of the conflict, it is very important for the government to address the human rights issues as well.
The US also has concerns about Tamils who suffer disproportionately due to human rights violations. It is important to give them a sense of feeling that they could live
with respect and dignity here. So improving the human rights performances is also an important aspect of our dialogue with the government.
Q: The US supports developing countries. Sri Lanka has been battered and bruised by LTTE terrorism and how best the US could support in curbing terrorism?
A: I think I have just answered that question. The US is one of the first countries to declare LTTE as a foreign terrorist organisation in 1997. We have also helped to
investigate and prosecute people in the US, who were trying to provide arms to the LTTE.
So, the FBI, for an example, has conducted distinct operations that had resulted in the arrest of many people and those investigations are on-going. We also have a
central bank, which improves financial investigations to track down the money flow into the LTTE and help to stop those money from flowing in.
Then the most importantly we work with our friends in the military to help them to stop import of arms into this country.
We gave them a maritime surveillance system last year - a radar system - that will give the Sri Lanka Navy a much better picture of LTTE naval activities in their
waters and thereby give them the opportunity to detect LTTE shipments of arms. I must say they have enjoyed considerable success last year in sinking many of these
ships.
The ban on LTTE is extremely effective in terms of implementing the American law. People understand that we are very strict about forcing our laws which will
prosecute anyone who is believed to be illegally assisting the LTTE.
Q: Criticism had mounted when the East was about to be liberated. Now the Mahinda Rajapaksa government has created the right environment to give more power
to the people whereby they can look after their own affairs. What is your comment on restoring democracy in the East?
A: I think President Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan Government made very important progress over the past year. First they have expelled the LTTE from the East.
That is a positive development and secondly they have restored government services.
In the East they have reopened schools, hospitals and government institutions. Now there is a greater sense of normalcy in many towns in the East. People are out late
at nights, going for movies and for shopping which is a big achievement after 20 years. There is stability now, in that part of the country.
With regard to the election we always support the principle of free elections. It is important to allow the local inhabitants to represent their views. There have been
some controversies which were highlighted in the media.
The Opposition parties have alleged that there were many irregularities. The US is not in a position to judge since we did not have observers on the ground. But we
think that it is important for the government and the new Provincial Council to look into those charges seriously and act on them.
In the long run it is really important to consider what the people of the East believe. If they believe that it was largely a free and fair election and they support the new
council, then the international community should also be prepared to accept their decision in toto.
In terms of what happens after, I think that the new Chief Minister has an important challenge on his hand. First of all, he has to assure security, because on one hand
he is the chosen Chief Minister of the Eastern Province and on the other hand he is the head of the TMVP which still has armed cadres.
So, he is in a difficult position where he has to enforce state law as the Chief Minister and on the other hand a fairly large number of armed cadres. I think something
must be done and they can not continue to do illegal activities in the East.
Otherwise they would undermine the leadership of Pillaiyan and the transition that the TMVP is trying to make while being a para-military group and a political party.
So, we support the idea of them of being a political party. But that transition must be completed and certainly they can not be in both.
Beyond the challenge of security, I think that the new Chief Minister in order to secure the support of the people of the East, it is very important to show that he has
been given opportunities to serve all other communities in the East and pursuing development in a neutral way.
And I think that way he can ensure that there is harmony among these communities and also stability in the East, which will automatically reach to a greater
development and priority for the people of the East.
Q: Will the US continue with its support to develop the East?
A: Yes, we have quite a number of projects with the assistance of the private sector, for example the vocational training. We have just announced a major project in
Batticaloa to develop dairy industry and another to grow vegetables for exports.
We strongly believe that we need to help the people of the East and give them economic opportunities. We believe that there is a big role for the private sector to
play. We have proposed to give more assistance for the East and the US government is considering it now.
Q: You have always advocated a credible political package to meet the aspirations of the Tamils. How do you see the APRC proposal to implement the 13th
Amendment?
A: The East is a fine laboratory to show that powers within the 13th Amendment be devolved within the Eastern Provincial Council. But I think the government needs
to go beyond the 13th Amendment. Implementing the 13th amendment is itself will satisfy the aspirations of the Tamils.
The way they develop must be a significant power sharing proposals through the APRC using some other mechanisms. But I do believe that the APRC has made lots
of progress.
According to Prof. Vitharana over 90 percent of their work has been done and I think the APRC has been a useful mechanism to get the Southern consensus to
move forward. The most important thing is to come up with an idea which is really welcomed by the Tamils.
I think that it is important for the government to consult a wide range of Tamils. We are not calling for negotiations with the LTTE. That is something that the
government has to decide.
It is important to recognize more than half of the Tamils are living outside the Wanni. I think their interests also should be respected as well. So, people like
Anandasngaree and other elected representatives in the government controlled areas are needed to be brought into this process and consulted.
Q: You mentioned the solution should be something beyond the 13th Amendment. So what is your proposal to end the national issue?
A: I think we need to distinguish as these are two different things. The President Rajapaksa’s proposal to implement the 13th Amendment is a good idea. But I don’t
really want to come up with a proposal because whenever I try to say something I am later accused of trying to dictate to the Sri Lankan people. The US does not
have any intention of doing that. It is up to the Sri Lankan people to decide what is best for them.
Q: What do you think that Sri Lanka is facing today - is it a war on terror or an ethnic problem? What sort of a solution do you suggest to end the conflict in the
island?
A: I think all these are loaded terms. I am reluctant to say this is an ethnic conflict but it is a civil conflict. I always remind people who are visiting from USA that
Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims lived together and continue to live peacefully together. Tamils are living in Colombo peacefully with their Sinhalese and Muslim friends.
So there is no ethnic conflict here. And certainly the government is defending itself against terrorism.
Q: It is clearly proven that the LTTE is not the sole representative of the Tamils. And also it has been proved the LTTE’s political agenda is different from the Tamils.
What do you have to say?
A: I do actually see there are important differences here. From my discussions with Tamils I know that over 95 percent of them support a solution within a framework
of a united Sri Lanka.
They are not seeking an independent Tamil Eelam which Prabhakaran is seeking. I think it would be very useful for Prabhakaran to give up this idea of seeking an
independent Tamil State and agreeing to negotiate with a united Sri Lanka.
I think this would give him lots of credibility to respond to lots of scepticism here in the South that the LTTE would never negotiate with the government. The LTTE
has a responsibility to show that they are prepared to negotiate in a genuine way.
Q: What is your view about the on-going military operations to liberate Wanni where people are living under severe hardship and the young and the old were being
conscripted by the LTTE?
A: With respect to the on-going military campaign, as I said earlier, the US do not believe in purely a military solution is possible. The 25-years long experience of
war here has shown that the LTTE is a rather formidable organisation and it is very difficult to defeat them militarily.
So the best way to reach a solution is through a political solution to address the aspirations of the Tamils and all the communities. And again the Tamils in Wanni and
rest of the country need sense of dignity and conviction in future that they will be able to have an important say over matters that concern them especially the areas
where they are predominant.
They should be able to have a high degree of self governance within a united Sri Lanka. I believe that is really a way forward to achieve a peaceful settlement to this
conflict.
Q: You have just mentioned that the military can not defeat LTTE and this was the assumption before the East was liberated by the military. So how can you say that
the military cannot defeat the LTTE in North?
A: The East was a different situation and the LTTE was spread out. But Wanni is more in the heartland of the LTTE. Here they have been prepared for many years to
face any kind of an attack.
Q: Do you still believe that Sri Lankan Security Forces cannot capture Prabhakaran?
A: I think you have to ask this question from the Forces. What I can say is that the US does not have any love for Prabhakaran. But it is going to be difficult for the
government to get him.
Q: He is the ‘Most wanted man’ by the Indian government for the killing of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In which way could the US help the government to
bring him to book?
A: I can not really say how, as we are not involved in any military efforts to capture him. We believe that the best way would be, not with the gun but through peaceful
means.
Q: Do you think that both Al-Qaeda and the LTTE, are ruthless terrorist organizations and how do you categorise the LTTE?
A: I would not say they are the same at all. I do not want to get into the business of comparing terrorist organisations because every terrorist organization is different.
And it is also important to address the LTTE in the Sri Lankan context.
Q: But some countries call the LTTE as freedom fighters?
A: I do not respect the freedom fighter argument. Certainly any group which is working for freedom, they should do it in a peaceful manner. They can not use violence
and terror. That is same with the LTTE and we have consistently said they must renounce terrorism and stop using violence.
Q: The US and Sri Lanka are engaged in a common fight - combatting terrorism. But some critics say that the US has double standards when combatting terrorism
against the US and dealing with the terrorism in countries like Sri Lanka. What is your comment?
A: I really don’t agree with that. I think we have a very consistent approach and even in places like Iraq where we are confronted with a very serious terrorist
problem and we are in favour of a political solution there. The insurgency strategy of the US is based on using a wide range of tools to combat terrorism and it is just
not the military strategy.
In Iraq we are engaged in with certain strategies to bring down the levels of killing and violence both against American forces and other coalition forces. The ordinary
iraqis have come way down over the last years. Iraq is a major domestic issue an year ago in my country and now people have confidence that Iraqis are in a better
track and hopeful about their future.
So the policies are the same that we are advocating here in Sri Lanka and so I can say there would not be any double standards.
Q: In this situation what are the priorities of a country - combatting terror to save lives or safeguarding human rights?
A: Well. I do not think there is contradiction between the two. I think one has to devote. Clearly one has to defend one’s country against terrorism. That is extremely
important. For any government the most important priority is to defend its citizens. It is true in the US and it is true in Sri Lanka and every other country in the world.
But we also believe that it is possible to preserve human rights.
So, for example, one of the very difficult problems the government faces is to identify suicide bombers. How they find these people before they carry out their
murderous acts. And I believe that the way to do that is still to arrest, question in a humane way and if they are suspected of the crime produce them in courts.
But do not use extra judicial killings and other kind of things. And those acts will undermine the long term solutions. So, it is much better to use rule of law to address
terrorism. Accountability of rule of law is extremely important.
Q: Do you think that Sri Lanka has violated UN Conventions when strengthening bi-lateral relations with Iran?
A: I do not think so and not to my knowledge. But is up to the government to be aware of those resolutions.
Q: Iran is in rivalry with the US with regard to nuclear issues. Therefore how do you see the recent visit of the Iranian President to Sri Lanka?
A: Our concerns about Iran is well-known. President - Bush, Secretary of State - Rice and many our leaders are concerned about their nuclear capabilities. We
acknowledge their right to develop civil nuclear energy for energy purposes. But the US opposes nuclear weapons. Similarly we have expressed our deep concern
about the Iranian support for international terrorism particulary in the Middle East, especially the support for groups like Hisbulla.
We always want all our friends to make the same point for Iran. At the same time we understand that Sri Lanka has to develop relationships with Iran and we do not
have objections if they donate funds education projects in the South.
Q: We were made to understand that you had met the members of the Commission of Inquiry which probes into 15 cases of killings of Aid workers and other alleged
HR cases? What was your area of interest while meeting the commissioners?
A: Yes, we did have a short meeting with them, and the purpose of the meeting as Justice Udalagama has explained was purely a technical matter. The Commission
did not get the support of the IIEGPS and the Commission has the problem of how to continue the video conferencing to record testimony of witnesses resident
abroad. So the question arose as to whether the international community could continue to fund the video conferencing.
Since the US and the other partners in the IIEGP process happened to fund the process all along, we discussed the matter whether to fund the particular video
conferencing. So that was real the purpose of the meeting.
The US do not have any intension of whatsoever in interfering anyway with the Commission of Inquiry. We strongly believe in independence. I really do not share the
allegations that we are interfering with the Commission and we simply looked into logistic matters.
We support the Commission appointed by the President. And he has reiterated on many occasions that his commitment in seeing this commission achieve its desired
task. So we totally support the President in this regard.
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Who is Robert Orris Blake,
Jr. When little Kalina listened to fairy tales, he never did imagine that he would have a ‘future’ as a story teller. He read out stories everyday. Then again, he was
‘compelled to continue with the habit with his second daughter Zara and now one and a half years old Alexi is there and whenever dad appears at the doorstep,
receiving him, with the command “reeeeead” holding her favourite story book.
Ambassadors are said to be those lie abroad for the sake of their countries and also rub shoulders with kings and queens and have little time or no time for the masses
but the US Ambassador Robert O. Blake is a diplomat who is ready to devote his tight schedule for reading stories for children.
The Harvard educated US Ambassador, who has a M. A. in International Relations from the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, is a ‘Master’
story teller. “My three daughters aged six, five and one and a half have inspired me and my wife Sofia to read stories. We love reading stories for children”, Blake
said.
Some of the book sellers at the ‘Book fair’, who were aware the reading skills of the Ambassador couple invited them to read stories for children at the fair.
Responding to the invitation Ambassador Blake with his two daughters enjoyed the session that day. “I agreed to read stories which I do everyday. I strongly believe
that encouraging children to read and be excited about books is a very important aspect of the educational process”, he said.
Despite his responsibilities as the Ambassador of the US, he is ready to sit down with children at any given time to read out a story. “If any thing is there to do with
reading with children I will be there”, he said.
Being the 23rd US Ambassador of Sri Lanka, he was earlier the US representative in Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt and was the Deputy Chief of Mission in
New Delhi, India before his posting to Sri Lanka. “I’m having a very delightful time in Sri Lanka.
I have been impressed by the warmth and hospitality of Sri Lankans, we have travelled widely around the country”, he added saying they were very much impressed
by the diversity, mountains, beaches and cultural sites like Dambulla.
“It is a tremendous country with wonderful people”. That was the view of the Ambassador Blake who said that he can spend weeks at a stretch in Dambulla listening
to the chirping of birds and then walking around ancient sites.
Dambulla being his favourite in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla cave Temple, Sigiriya and Kandalama are the other places that he likes to be in.
Blake, Jr. is a typical family man but never boasts that he is a son of a US career diplomat.
To this seasoned career diplomat, who said that politics was not his cup of tea, said that the most challenging task in his job, being the Ambassador of Sri Lanka,
trying to encourage people to pursue a peaceful solution to the national problem.
Blake, who received minor injuries from a mortar bomb blast while on a helicopter visit to Batticaloa, to attend a development meeting along with Italian Ambassador
Pio Mariano and the German Ambassador in February 2007, said that, “If Sri Lanka can progress in achieving peace before I leave, I will be one of the happiest”.
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* United States of America is a strong supporter of Sri Lanka’s fight against terrorism.
* A power sharing concept is the answer to the conflict.
* The ban on LTTE is extremely effective.
* Those who are assisting in providing arms and money from the US were prosecuted and the FBI is conducting further investigations.
* The US will prosecute anyone who is believed to be illegally assisting the LTTE in the US law.
* Liberating East is a major achievement after 20 years.
* If the people of the East believe that the elections were free and fair the international community should be prepared to support the New Eastern Provincial Council.
* The new Chief Minister has a challenge - maintaining the security as the Chief Minister and also disarming the TMVP cadres as the head of the TMVP.
* The East is a fine laboratory to show the devolution of power under the 13th Amendment.
* Over 95 percent of Tamils want a solution within a united country.
* The LTTE is not the sole representative of the Tamils nor their freedom fighters.
* The US does not have double standards in dealing with terrorism on its own soil and here in Sri Lanka.

THE HINDU
Prabhakaran must give up demand for separate Tamil state: US Colombo (PTI): The US has asked LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran to give up demand for a separate Tamil state saying the community wanted a solution to
the over two-decade-old ethnic conflict within a "united" Sri Lanka.
"...I think it would be very useful for Prabhakaran to give up this idea of seeking an independent Tamil state and agreeing to negotiate with a united Sri Lanka," US
ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake said.
Blake said from his discussions with Tamil people in Sri Lanka, he thinks "95 per cent of them support a solution within a framework of a united Sri Lanka.
"They (the Tamil people) are not seeking an independent Tamil Eelam which Prabhakaran is seeking," Blake told the Sunday Observer Newspaper.
Blake said giving up the idea of a separate state, would give Prabhakaran "lots of credibility to respond to lots of skepticism here in the South (Sri Lanka) that the
LTTE would never negotiate with the government."
The US envoy said Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims have been living together in a peaceful manner in the country.
"I always remind people who are visiting from US that Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims lived together and continue to live peacefully together.
"Tamils are living in Colombo peacefully with their Sinhalese and Muslim friends. So there is no ethnic conflict here. And certainly the government is defending itself
against terrorism," he said.
In reply to another question, Blake said US believes that the answer to the conflict lies with a power sharing concept which can respond to the aspirations of
Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims.

EXISTENCE OF MUSLIMS IN THE EAST & THEIR SECURITY IS A QUESTION IN PILLAIYAN’S ADMINISTRATION
Sunday ,25 May 2008( Posted : 04:05:18GMT)
(MIC – Sri Lanka) This article is mainly focussed on the prevailing situation of Muslim community in the East especially in the Batticaloa District after the instalment of Pillayan regime by the Govt. of Sri Lanka.
Northern and Eastern provinces in Sri Lankan have witnessed much debacles and destruction in its long way to find a political solution for its perennial ethnic issue for which the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eealm have been waging an armed struggle which lasts for more than 30 years.
During their course of struggle, the Muslim community domiciled in Jaffana peninsula from time immemorial were driven away at gun point within hours sacrificing their ancestral homes and valuable belongings.
In the past in order to carve out a political solution to this ethnic issue, multiple numbers of peace talks and all party conferences were in both local and transnational scales were held. But the chief warring faction has always betrayed the conditions stipulated by both parties in the peace talks and was always instrumental for the resumption of a fresh destructive war with the Govt. of Sri Lanka and hence they have been branded as the most ruthless and cruel Tamil Tigers in the international forum.
When the erstwhile Eastern leader of the LTTE Mr. Karuna Amman was having a dominant force among the Tamils in the East, he did not fail to unleash violence and atrocities on the innocent Muslims who were living with the sense of brotherhood, maintaining a remarkable attitude of ethnic harmony.
In course of time, Internal clashes and tussles for power had influenced Mr Karuna Amman who became a renegade from the LTTE and declared as the sole Leader of the Eastern Province and started to function independently ignoring the commands and instructions of the Supreme Leader of the LTTE.
After a brief enjoyment in power, Mr Karuna fled the eastern province leaving his cadres and comrades in lurch in the East and Mr Pillayan who functioned as the second in command of Mr. Karuna Amman took control over the east and reinforced his strength by reorganizing his cadres and other peripheries.
Muslims in the East with a new administration of Pillayan had a sigh of relief hoping the massacres, atrocities and persecution afflicted on Muslims by the so called LTTE cadres with the tacit approval of its supreme leader would end and their 35 thousands of acres of cultivable land which became inaccessible due to life threat would be handed over to their owners in order to enjoy their cultivation in which they have been farming for a long line of generation.
In this backdrop, Muslim Leaders and community heads aspiring to establish healthy link with the Tamil community through TMVP had held many peace talks and discussions. The unity and integrity and ethnic harmony were highly emphasised in their talks and the necessity of having healthy relationship for the betterment of future generation of both communities were highlighted in all the discussion, they had with the Tamil military leadership.
But the talks and discussion with the Tamil military leadership the Muslim leaders had in the past were merely reduced into writing and they were not honoured at any event to demonstrate adherence to the agreement and to respect the community.
The rank and files attached to TMVP were mostly uncouth and uneducated who did not respect human values and other brethren community and were only trained to speak in terms of threats and weapons. They started to rampage into Muslim areas with sophisticated weapons and threatened them at gun point for extortion.
Also the innocent Tamil people were forcibly brought on the lands belonging to Muslims in the border villages and made them to occupy by instigating racism on their minds and to assist them if any consequences encountered from both Muslims and Govt forces. When the Muslim owners of the land approached their lands with legal documents, they were ignored and innocent people were assaulted and chased even in the presence of Govt forces. Thus in the past, the so called Pillaiyan s cadres were instrumental to create communal riots between Muslim and Tamil community by blatantly violating the past agreements and talks arrived at the superior level between the communities. So, however the Muslim community showed their highest degree of tolerance with the sole aim of forging good relationship between both communities, they were merely discarded and the rights of Muslims were infringed.
Muslims in the Batticaloa district have had terrible experiences with the Pillayan’s armed cadres and many dear lives and properties were deprived from them by their barbarous acts unleashed on Muslims.
The latest incident of massacre and upsurge on Muslims in Kattankudy in the East by the armed cadres of Pillayan after his swearing in as the Chief Minister of Eastern Province couple days back in Colombo are brought to the lime light to the people concerned.
On Thursday, the 22nd of May, 2008 at 11.50 am, the TMVP area leader of Araympathy namely Mr Palanithamy Sasitharan alias Shanthan while on his way from Batticaloa towards Arayampathy with his assistant Mr Parasuraman who was a pillion rider were pursued and shot to death by unidentified armed group on Batticaloa – Kalmunai road in front of the Bus stand, Kattankudy.
When the cadres were struggling for their lives, some pillayan cadres with weapons rushed to the scene from Arayampathy, the southern part of Batticaloa and transported them to the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa. The innocent people engaged in their routine business did not take much care as this incident is the orders of day nowadays. But the situation became worst as the Pillayan cadres started hunting for Muslims in Arayampathy who were actively interacting with other Tamil brethren in business. The cadres became violent and blood thirsty and opened fire on two innocent Muslims and hacked to death a pavement trader at the Arayampathy Market.
The pandemonium prevailed everywhere and the innocent people who ran for their lives were waylaid and assaulted and attacked. The so called armed cadres rampaged into Muslim border villages and threatened to kill the villagers. The hectic and busy bazaars of Kattankudy and Batticaloa turned to stand still and the people became panic stricken. The Pillayan cadres fully armed with sophisticated weapons were roaming in the Batticaloa district in the presence of the Govt forces who took the role of onlookers. They also went to the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa and freely used abusive words on Muslim patients and threatened to kill them.
Later a group of armed cadres in the Batticaloa Bazaar barged into the Muslim traders’ shops and gave a threatening order to put shutters and go homes. Most of the innocent traders and Muslim pedestrians on the street sensing the alarming situation resorted to the nearest Muslim Jumma mosque screaming in fear. Later they were escorted by the Sri Lankan security Forces to their destinations as the armed cadres were waiting to bounce upon them.
An eerie silence prevailed in the Batticaloa district within hours and only so called TMVP armed cadres were seen in white vans as blood hounds looking for Muslims.
In the meantime, a number of incidents were reported to say especially some Muslims who were on their way home were missing and others were mercilessly beaten irrespective of their age and physical condition. In some instances some of the Sri Lankan Security Forces stationed in the Tamil areas were immensely helpful by keeping the innocent Muslim men under their custody in their camps when the Pillayan cadres were hunting for Muslim blood.
The Security Forces having sensed the gravity of the situation clamped an indefinite curfew in the Kattankudy police area in order to avert further eruption of violence by the Pillayan cadres.
On the day itself (22.05.2008), a group of eminent Muslim people and theologians of Kattankudy gathered at the Grand Mosque namely Meththaipalli Jumma Mosque to find an urgent solution for this unfortunate incident. A Muslim delegation met with the representatives of TMVP namely Messrs Ragu (personal Secretary of the Chief Minister), Seelan, Asath Mowlana at the Bishop house of Batticaloa including the high ranking police officers and in this meeting both parties discussed the incident in detail and arrived at an agreement to help maintain peace and keep their people under control without leading way to violence and the Bishop was also one of the signatories in this agreement.
It is highly disappointing to the Muslim community that the incident taken place aftermath of this discussion i.e an armed gang break opened a whole sale provision shop of a Muslim trader in the Pansala Road, Batticalao and burnt it after plundering the things and cash worth of 1.2 million. In the late evening two textiles namely “Sattar Tex and Marliyas” of Muslim Traders operating in the heart of Batticaloa was set on fire and the proprietors with the protection of the Security Forces acted immediately and doused the fire with partial burning.
Now the participants in the agreement got shocked and question about the implementation of the agreement which was signed with the fullest co operation of both parties and breached within a couple of hours.
On 23rd May 2008 Friday the Mr Hizbullah, had brought Mr Pillayan and his assistants to the interior of the grand mosque namely Meera Jumma Mosque in which 103 Muslim devotees were massacred in 1990 by the LTTE, while they were in prostration to their Almighy ALLAH.
Mr Pillayan after the prayer stood among the Muslims in the mosque and tendered a public apology to the Muslims for all that have taken place by the armed cadres. The Muslim relying upon the pledge given by Pillayan departed with peaceful mind that there would be no violence from the Pillayan cadres and normalcy would prevail as per the pledge of given by him.
But in the evening, different alarming stories kept on pouring to say abduction and assault of Muslim people were taking place by Pillayan people. Some armed group have forcibly entered into a village namely Sigaram in the southern part of Batticaloa and set fire on some houses belonging to Muslims.
In summary, TMVP led by Mr Pillayan are still suspecting that the perpetrators of this killing should be Muslim and it was planned in Kattankudy. It is a baseless allegation on Muslims to put blame on them. In the past, the LTTE cadres have carried out many shooting incidents in the soil of Kattankudy with the sinister motive of putting the blame on Muslim. It is a prevalent scene that a series of shooting incidents taking place everywhere by the LTTE cadres and recently in the Batticaloa town some Security personnel were shot dead and the perpetrators are still not arrested by the Police.
It is an unfounded allegation levelled against Muslim community for this incident by Pillayan cadres who were waiting for an opportunity to erupt communal violence among both communities for their personal gain as this incident had taken place only at the Kattankudy area.
The Muslim intellectuals, Community Leaders and Religious dignitaries condemn these dastardly and bestial acts inflicted upon Muslims by the armed cadres of TMVP.
Further they are dismayed and highly frustrated on the lethargic and unmindful attitude of the Muslim Politicians who trumpet themselves as the saviours of Muslim community did not dare to raise their voice even on this critical juncture when their brothers and sisters are getting killed and these politicians are keeping a mum over this appalling incident without releasing any statement of condemnation to any media on the TMVP with the sheer motive of retaining the portfolios and other benefits doled to them by the Government.
After Pillayan’s swearing in as the chief minister of the Eastern Provincial Council, the incumbent Govt is projecting a picture to the world that they have restored democracy and the people are breathing a wind of freedom. The prevailing realistic situation in the east seems to be contrary to the Govt’s boasting. But in fact the people’s voice are being suppressed and Muslims are still under constant fear due to TMVP’s presence with weapons in the Muslim areas.
As long as the Pillayan group are carrying weapons in the east with the tacit approval of the Government, the blossom of peace is hardly to achieve. Further, their continuous presence with weapons would lead to the point of frustration and loss of hope on the Muslim Politicians and the Government and they may be compelled to resort to any decision for their private defence.
Therefore the Govt has the bounden duty to act upon immediately in order to establish peace and tranquillity in the East by taking some pragmatic measures.
1. The perpetrators of this killing should be arrested and legal actions should be initiated in order to avert casting mutual suspicions on both communities.
2. The Pillayan armed group should be disarmed forthwith and their cadres need to be educated and rehabilitated.
3. The safety and security of Muslim areas especially the border villages in the Batticaloa should be ensured.
4. Escort facilities should be provided for the commuters by deploying forces on the public roads. 5. Business establishments and stalls and places of worship and public entertainments centres in the Muslim areas should be constantly watched by the security forces and if necessary patrolling arrangements should be provided.
6. All and necessary steps to provide security for Muslim community should be constitutionally ensured b the Central Government and if necessary a Muslim security unit to be formed in Police areas.