ENB-WEEK END-040508

After Muhamalai debacle, war on free media
Those who report non-existent victories are heroes, others unpatriotic villains
By Iqbal Athas
Just yesterday, the United Nations-designated World Press Freedom Day, to create greater awareness on the role of media in democracy and development, was
observed worldwide.
In Sri Lanka, listed by many international media rights groups as a country where media freedom is violated with impunity, the Free Media Movement (FMM) will
mark the occasion on Tuesday with a vigil for journalists and media workers killed in action. They will gather at 6.30 p.m. opposite the Fort Railway Station holding
flowers instead of placards.
Like in some other countries, in Sri Lanka there is little or no cause to celebrate World Press Freedom Day. Yet, it is an occasion to reflect on the increasingly
difficult role of the media in keeping the public informed of the many challenges before a nation, particularly the escalating Eelam War IV that is taking a heavy toll of
lives and a loss of limb for others. For those in the media, who have to undertake this arduous task, there are no flowers. Instead, they are frowned upon.
They become victims of vicious campaigns orchestrated by those who are embarrassed by nothing but the truth. There are all kinds of name calling and gratuitous
advice on words journalists should use and how they should perform their duties.
One of the locations where a bomb dropped by Tiger guerrilla aircraft fell. Picture shows slight damage caused to a roof and wall. Suspicious characters wielding pistols or grenades stalk outside their homes. When the Police discover them, superiors who then identify themselves offer seemingly
convincing alibis. They are stranger than fiction. It is made out that those involved were on an "official mission" though the resources they use, like motorcycles for
example, are in the names of civilians. Sometimes the stalkers provide unsolicited escort when one travels. They want to find out whom one visits and what for. It is a
regular occurrence.
This is by no means to suggest that the media should have unfettered freedom to do what they want. That such freedom comes with responsibility is a sine qua non.
Journalists are required to be factual in the accounts they provide. On the other hand, if the authorities deem there are errors or misleading statements, they have
recourse to a contradiction or a clarification. In addition, if the subject matter in question is serious enough, they have recourse to the law. However, such action, it
appears is no longer the norm.
Instead, frighten them and drive them to the graveyard of the living dead, seem the answer. Nothing bad reported, some believe, meant nothing happened.
Last week, The Sunday Times, revealed details of the Army's debacle in Muhamalai on April 23. In doing so, the official viewpoint was given equal if not more
prominence. That is to say that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had attacked the Army's defence lines at Muhamalai. In return, the Army had retaliated
capturing 600 metres of rebel territory it was claimed.
Then, The Sunday Times, which spoke to both officers and men in the north and in Colombo, revealed what was gathered independently from reliable sources. For
obvious reasons they spoke on grounds of anonymity. Similarly, several other media outlets, both in Sri Lanka and abroad, reported details of the Muhamalai debacle
going beyond official accounts. Some even reported higher casualty counts.
The report on this page last week disclosed the Army carried out an attack shortly after 2.30 a.m. on April 23. As revealed, Tiger guerrillas had feigned they were in
difficulty. A radio intercept indicated a guerrilla leader calling upon cadres in the first line of trenches to withdraw. In reality, the guerrillas had cleverly marked out the
co-ordinates of these trenches for artillery and mortar fire. When troops moved in to occupy them, shellfire rained. This is how more than a hundred soldiers were
killed and 355 (now confirmed) were wounded making the incident the worst since the Government launched its own "war on terror."There is a sequel now. An intelligence officer of a service arm, who runs the website of a leading Ministry together with colleagues from other services, has received a
new assignment. He wants to find out how The Sunday Times obtained information and who was responsible for giving it. He is armed with a list of names of those
"suspected." Hunting sources, particularly in embarrassing situations, is nothing new. Perhaps, one could argue, though debatably, that it is within the rights of those
concerned.
However, there is a difference here. Other ranks are tasked to ascertain from the neighbourhood on who visits the author. They are even advised to make note of
vehicle numbers and descriptions of visitors. This is not the first time other ranks have been given similar tasks. This is going to new lengths to cover up the bad news
by intimidating those who have to perform a duty as independently as possible. Saying that they demoralize troops when they report a debacle is hilarious. It is the
soldier in the battlefield who learns of it first and later the word spreads to their colleagues. Thus, it is the debacle that demoralizes them. Is this, therefore, the answer
when a campaign of disinformation or misinformation fails to keep the truth away from the public?
Yet, there is a good side. In the Security Forces there are a vast number of officers and men who want the public to know the truth. They put themselves on the firing
line to speak out in the national interest. They neither seek nor receive rewards.
The Sunday Times is not alone in being under insidious scrutiny over disclosures on the Muhamalai debacle. So is a leading television channel. A close monitoring of
its programmes has got under way and strong punitive action is to follow if they are found to "have erred." Army Headquarters sent out instructions this week to all
installations forbidding personnel from taking part in radio programmes. Some radio stations had run such programmes where listeners aired greetings to troops and
they in turn spoke from the battlefield about the odds they were braving. In some instances, soldiers also spoke out about shortcomings they were encountering.
Another outcome of the Muhamalai debacle were the instructions sent out to ambulances bringing in casualties from the Ratmalana airport to hospitals in Colombo.
They have been told to avoid the use of sirens. Wailing sirens have often been an indication to residents living along the route from the airport to hospitals to discern
something had gone wrong in the battle areas. It triggers off a string of telephone calls with people inquiring from one another about what has happened. The news
thus spread about casualties in a military encounter.
In the aftermath of the debacle, the Army has decided to raise a new 61 Division. Arrangements for this purpose have already got under way. More military
procurements will be required to raise and equip this new Division. At present the Army has eight Divisions - 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, Task Force 1 (precursor to 58)
and 59. The fact that a new Division is being added to the Army highlights the high priority the Government has given to its "war on terror." Personal constraints
prevent me from elaborating on this aspect.
As orders to raise the new Division have gone out, the Commander of the Army, Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka leaves today on a six-day visit to Pakistan. He is expected
to call on President Pervez Musharaff and hold talks with military leaders there. On Friday, Lt. Gen. Fonseka was among serving and retired military officers
honoured by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for "distinguished and loyal service." They received Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medals. See box story on this page.
Last Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Fonseka told senior officers attached to Army Headquarters that troops suffered casualties at Muhamalai but that was not due to his fault.
People who gave arms and ammunition to the guerrillas, he said, should be blamed.
He was speaking at a conference attended among others by Principal Staff Officers and Directors attached to Army Headquarters. This conference is held once in
four months.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka claimed that 47 soldiers were killed and 126 were wounded. Anyone can check the records, he said. He vowed to finish the Tiger guerrillas during
his tenure of office and was critical of those "giving information to the media." He declared, "we know who is giving information. They are from Jaffna, Anuradhapura
and Colombo. We are monitoring it."
He defended his decision to import a state-of-the-art Mercedes Benz at a cost of over Rs 44 million for his (the Commander's) use. As the Commander of the Army,
he said, he could not travel in a three-wheeler scooter, a Hi-ace van or a Toyota Corolla. He said he planned to purchase the vehicle upon retirement, a facility
Commanders are entitled to. Lt. Gen. Fonseka charged that the media were silent when others in the armed forces imported such vehicles and only focused on him.
Lt. Gen. Fonseka declared that 2,000 soldiers were killed and a further 4,000 were wounded in the fighting with Tiger guerrillas last year. "We have not given this to
the media. If anyone present wants to give it, they are free to do so," he remarked. He added that 5,000 Tiger guerrillas were also killed last year. He also spoke on
eradicating corruption and the need for discipline at the conference that lasted 90 minutes.
Just four days after the incidents in Muhamalai, Tiger guerrillas launched an attack on an Army column advancing north of the Weli Oya sector. The attack came in
the early hours of last Sunday. Later, at night two Tiger guerrilla aircraft, Czech-built Zlin-Z 143s, dropped bombs on two different locations. Of the five bombs
dropped, two fell inside the defended locality injuring one soldier, damaged the roofs of some buildings and caused slight damage to six vehicles.
Since then, there is a relative lull in the battlefields in the north. It is likely to remain that way at least until the May 10 Eastern Provincial Council election is concluded.
If there were contradictory claims earlier, the Government has once again re-iterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would be "finished" by the end
of 2008. What has not been declared is the second front the Government has declared war on - the media. There is, however, no deadline.
Thus, for the media as well as the Sri Lankan public who see, hear and read them, the challenges are many. Do they report non-existent victory after victory where
thousands of guerrillas have perished or tell the story to the public the way it happens. The former would make them celebrated heroes and the latter, unpatriotic
villains or " rapists of the truth" as they dub those who do not sing hosannas for them.
Senior officers decorated for unblemished service
Trumpets heralded and a band played the national anthem as President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his entourage arrived in procession on Friday afternoon.
The audience stood up. Two minutes silence was observed to remember armed forces personnel who made the supreme sacrifice.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces with recipients of the Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV). A proclamation was read out. Then began the investiture ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat to confer Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) honours on officers of
the armed forces. This is the first time in nearly ten years such an event was held.
A souvenir distributed by the Ministry of Defence at the occasion said the decoration is "conferred on senior officers of the Regular Forces of the Army, Navy and
Air Force for exceptional, distinguished and loyal service provided they count not less than 25 years of continuous, uninterrupted service and possess an unblemished
record of moral and military conduct."
According to the souvenir, "the Service Commanders will be the sole judges of the standard of conduct required and will be responsible for recommending only those
persons who are in every way worthy of the distinction and whose conduct has been irreproachable throughout their service."
It adds: "The standard required for a grading of irreproachable shall be a personal record clear of entries during the whole of the qualifying period and no
recommendations should be submitted when this condition has not been fulfilled.
"Every recommendation shall include a description of the exceptional, distinguished and loyal service rendered by the person recommended for such award. The
number of awards each year shall be controlled at the discretion of the Secretary, Defence.
"The Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya will be an exclusive award and will normally be awarded to officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonels and above in the Army and
equivalent, in the Navy and Air Force."
Here are this year's recipients, some of whom have already retired from service:
Sri Lanka Army
Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka Major General Lohan Gunawardena (retd.)Major General Nihal Jayakody (posthumously)Major General Anton Wijendra (retd.)General Shantha Kottegoda (retd.)Major General Susil Chandrapala (retd.)Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi (retd.)Major General Parami Kulatunga (posthumously)Major General K.B. Egodawala (retd.)Major General Sunil Tennekoon (retd.)Major General Sivali Wanigasekera (retd.)Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi (retd.)Major General D. Ratnasabapathy (retd.)
Sri Lanka Navy
Vice Admiral Wasantha KarannagodaRear Admiral Wasantha TennekoonRear Admiral M.R.U. SiriwardeneRear Admiral T.S.G. SamarasingheRear Admiral D.N. DharmaweeraRear Admiral B.A.G.J. PeirisRear Admiral P.L.N. ObeysingheRear Admiral D.W.A.S. DissanayakeRear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema (retd.)Surgeon Rear Admiral N.G. Atulugama (retd.)Rear Admiral H.S. Rathnakeerthi (retd.)Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera (retd.)Rear Admiral Nandana Thuduwewatta (retd.)Rear Admiral L.D. Dharmapriya (retd.)Rear Admiral Upali Ranaweera (retd.)Rear Admiral H.R. Mayadunne (retd.)Rear Admiral S.R. Samaratunga (retd.)
Sri Lanka Air Force
Air Marshal Roshan GoonetillekeAir Vice Marshal P.B. PremachandraAir Vice Marshal Ravi ArunthavanathanAir Vice Marshal N.H. Gunarathne Air Vice Marshal G.Y. de Silva (retd.)Air Vice Marshal Lal Perera (retd.) Air Vice Marshal Lalaka Peiris (retd.)
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US expresses serious concern over Iranian President's Sri Lanka visit Sunday, April 27, 2008, 12:46 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.Iranian President Ahmadinejad arrives in Sri Lanka tomorrow for a two-day official visit. Apr 27, Colombo: The United States has expressed its serious concerns to Sri Lanka over growing close ties and diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of
Iran. This comes on the eve of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's scheduled state visit to Sri Lanka tomorrow.
Media reports, quoting US State Department spokesperson Tom Casey, said the US “has clearly disclosed their concerns over the Iranian President’s South Asia
visit.
“We would hope that the Indian Government or any government that was engaging with the Iranians, including with President Ahmadinejad, would call on him to meet
the requirements that the [United Nations] Security Council and the international community [have] placed on him in terms of suspending their uranium enrichment
activities and complying with the other requirements regarding their nuclear programme,” Mr. Casey said.
He also urged the South Asian nations to urge Iran to end what he termed as “unhelpful activities” with Iraq.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow for a two-day official

Muhamalai Battle: Untold Story
Hard facts speak of gloomy picture Madhu capture overshadowed by heavy toll in north Letters highlight the plight of Tiger conscripts Ranga Jayasuriya
Notwithstanding the overdose of government propaganda, the only sensible explanation available for the horror drama that took place ahead of the Northen Defence
Lines on Wednesday was that it was a tragic repetition of history.This is not the first time that a military operation to advance the Northern Forward Defence Lines ended with heavy casualties. This is the third occasion, in one and a
half years that troops emerged bruised in the northern front Yet, lessons from past mistakes appear to have little effect. This does not mean to suggest that the LTTE emerged unscathed from the attack. According to reports, casualties are high on its part. Yet, Zombie sacrifices had
been part of its military strategy throughout history.Irrespective of the fact that the government’s propaganda mill works overtime to project what happened in Muhamalai as a “victory,” the hard facts speak of a
different picture.Away from the limelight of state media, hundreds of soldiers are nursing their wounds; they, the valiant men of the Sri Lanka Army fought fearlessly and paid with life
and limb. Should their sacrifices be forgotten, not to be talked of in order to ensure the feel good attitude of the public?
Grinding halt
In a country where public life gets to a grinding halt over a government enforced mourning, over the death of some unsavory politicos, should the public be kept in the
dark on what happened ahead of the Northern Defence Lines on that fateful day?Worse still, the efforts for a cover up have done more damage than damage control.Websites, both pro- Tiger and pro opposition and foreign news agencies of international repute reported the casualty figures of the troops much higher than the
officially stated figure. We understand such a situation is inevitable in the absence of verifiable sources-though the underpinning political motives and loyalties of handlers of some of these
websites could also not be ruled out. All this contributed to an absolute confusion in the aftermath of the Muhamalai battle. If not all, at least a significant portion of people of this country are discerning
enough to contrast fact from fiction. Yet, they were also at a loss, bombarded by conflicting reports.Surely, people, who send their children to the battlefront and fund the government’s war chest deserve more than the government concocted propaganda.Narrating this account, we try to do justice to them and to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice, yet, we are also faced with the same constraints.Here is the story.Two hours after the dawn of Wednesday, troops embarked on an ambitious mission. Soldiers of the battle hardened 53 Division and 55 Division broke away from their defended localities in the northern Forward Defence Lines in Kilali and Muhamalai. The security forces Forward Defence Line runs from Killali-Eluthumattuwal in the west to Nagar Kovil in the East. Muhamalai where there was an entry-exit point for
civilian travel on the Alpha 9 road during the not -so -distant days of the peace process is located in the centre.The Forward Defence Lines of the LTTE is located 500 meters away from the security forces line, running parallel to it.Under the cover of darkness they moved towards the Forward Defence Line of the Tigers. Military sources said the advance of the 53 Division, which forged ahead
along the stretch south of Muhamalai, was delayed due to heavy trapping and anti personnel mines.Whereas the 55 Division moved with relatively lesser resistance and captured the Forward Defence bunker line of the LTTE. They were advancing along the stretch
North of Muhamalai. Military source said troops captured the LTTE Forward Defence Line by sunrise of Wednesday.“By six in the morning we had brought reinforcements and built bunkers in the captured positions,” a middle ranking military officer said.
Resistance
However, from 9 am, the resistance from the Tigers began to mount. Artillery and mortar fire began to rain. This hindered reinforcements for the troops holding the frontline. Furthermore, the locations of captured Tiger bunkers are generally registered in the maps of the LTTE.This enabled the Tigers to bombard these positions accurately using their artillery and mortar batteries. Counter battery fire targeted the LTTE’s mortar and artillery
positions, yet, mortars continued to rain. Despite heavy fighting, a team of soldiers belonging to the 5 Vijayaba Infantry Regiment and 1 Gajaba Regiment of the 53
Division, who took control of the first Defence Line of the LTTE, advanced further into the Tiger territory. They moved 150 meters ahead of the LTTE FDL, closing on the secondary Defence Line of the LTTE.This heavily fortified bunker line is located several hundred
meters behind the FDL. During the past several months as the Special Infantry Operation troops of the Army stepped up regular attrition attacks on the Forward Defence Line of the LTTE,
the Tigers left their FDL sparsely guarded.To supplement that, the Tigers fortified the secondary Defence Line. Trenches were built to hinder the advance of the Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Tanks of the
newly established Mechanized Infantry Regiment.A trench line links the Tiger FDL with their secondary Defence Line. Soldiers were approaching the secondary bunker line when a boat fitted with a medium calibre
gun emerged from the direction of Kilali.A military official said the LTTE fired at the troops with a five Zero gun mounted on the boat.Later in the evening, the pro Tiger websites flashed pictures of the soldiers fallen in a trench line.By noon, resistance mounted on troops holding the FDL of the LTTE.A rain of artillery and mortar fire had cut off the reinforcement to the front line. Some valiant soldiers who braved the mortar fire fell injured in the middle of the
ground.The Army called for air support. MI 24 attack helicopters and fighter jets bombed LTTE mortar and artillery positions. Two artillery gun positions located in Sorampattu, 10-12 km inside Tiger territory were targeted by the fighter jets.Ground troops said the artillery attack from the location ceased after the air attack.An operational base was also targeted.
Short of ammunition
But, 81 mm and 60 mm mortar continued to rain on the ground. Tiger bunker lines, now occupied by the soldiers came under heavy attack from a Recoilless Gun.
The gun had apparently been fitted to a jeep for fast mobilization.According to military sources, the LTTE had fired mortar and artillery from over eighty locations. The fast mobilization of mortar and artillery guns, needless to say,
enabled, the LTTE, to a greater degree, to evade counter battery fire and air attacks.By 1 pm, mortar and artillery fire had been stepped up; the troops holding the captured bunker lines had sustained considerable damage. Their reinforcements had
been cut off by the rain of mortar and artillery fire. Some were running short of ammunition. They had met with stiff resistance from the Tigers guarding their
secondary bunker line.With resistance mounting, they decided to pull back. During the withdrawal, with so many wounded waiting to be evacuated, they were compelled to leave the dead.Later, the Army announced that 38 security forces personnel were missing in action. 28 bodies were later handed over by the LTTE through the International
Committee of Red Cross.Five bodies were later recovered by troops.The attack and its aftermath were overshadowed by confusion courtesy an apparent government effort for a cover- up.Initially the security forces tried to project the attack as retaliation to a Tiger attack
First official announcement
“This morning LTTE terrorists launched an attack on Army FDL from North and South of the A 9 route at MUHAMALAI. The Army troops in retaliation launched
a fresh offensive, killing 52 terrorists and wounding a large number. The troops were able to capture and consolidate the positions newly captured Fifteen soldiers died and 74 injured during the confrontation.”This is the first official announcement on the Muhamalai battle issued by the government’s Media Centre for National Security (MCNS).The same line of the story had been maintained when the security forces commander, Jaffna and field commanders addressed journalists of state media institutions.However, very few appeared to have believed that story. Therefore, another line was later adopted. Accordingly, the troops had pre-empted, following reports of a
heavy LTTE buildup ahead of the security force’s FDL.As we stated earlier, the casualty figures of the security forces are shrouded by confusion.MCNS in its website stated, hidden somewhere in a lengthy statement, that:“Those closely-fought battles claimed the heroic lives of forty-three soldiers and wounded one hundred and twenty more. Reports also confirmed that some thirty-
eight soldiers, most probably got trapped in the clashes, had gone missing since Wednesday (23) morning.” It further stated: “Defiant Army troops, serving in and around Muhamalai , Jaffna in the aftermath of fierce and tough clashes and offensives that went on till
Wednesday (23) forenoon between Tiger terrorists and valiant troops, have completed and re-established their re-deployment positions consequent upon induction
of reinforcements as dusk fell on Wednesday (23)”Independent verification of these figures had been a daunting task, mainly due to conflicting reports; most of which suggested higher casualty figures than what was
officially announced by the government.However, we understand, 370 soldiers were wounded in action, of which nearly a half was classified as P3 injuries aqua walking wounds.174 classified as P 1 (serious) and P 2 (somewhat serious) injuries; 169 were airlifted to Colombo for treatment.117 soldiers and officers were admitted to Jayawardenepura hospital. 32 security forces personnel were admitted to the National hospital and eight to the Eye
hospital.However, the valour of the soldiers who fought fearlessly against all odds deserves to be preserved in Lankan memory.I spoke to several brave men who were undergoing treatment at the National hospital. Some of them have lost their limbs being blown off by anti personnel mines;
some have been hit by projectiles of mortar and artillery shells. Yet, they were undaunted and focused in their cause.A young soldier, an SIO, who took part in the first assault mission at 2 am, said his team approached the Tiger bunker line with little resistance. His team approached the trench line. Two female Tiger cadres were firing from the bunker. Just after he removed the pin and lobbed a grenade into the bunker, he
was struck by a projectile of an 81 mm mortar attack.Five soldiers were wounded in the attack, yet, the bunker was captured. The young soldier’s left arm has been fractured.Many military officers were full of praise for their men. They forged ahead in the battle front disregarding the looming threat, simply because of the dedication for their
cause.
Toll on the LTTE
A day before the Muhamalai battle, an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) was destroyed when it was engaged in the LTTE Defence Line in Muhamalai. The ill- fated
IFV was believed to be attacked by a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). Four crew members were wounded in the attack.The military operation had its toll on the LTTE. According to military sources, LTTE casualties are higher and it will be many months before they are replenished.MCNS reported on Friday that 157 LTTE cadres have been killed of whom ninety eight names had been announced by the LTTE, according to monitored
transmissions.Similarly a total of about 300 LTTE cadres had reportedly sustained injuries during the clashes, it addedMCNS posted names of 98 LTTE cadres, which it said were announced by the LTTE. During the mission, soldiers of the 55 Division who stormed the LTTE’s FDL recovered 6 bodies of fallen LTTE cadres, including three female cadres. A letter was recovered in the possession of one of the slain Tiger cadres named Sarojani Devi. The letter was addressed to her mother and it provides an insight into
the plight of young women who were forced to the frontline of the battle. She went on to lament in the letter: “Mother, I cant live without you. I don’t have a life here.
Mum, please try to bring me home. There is no day which I don’t cry. Now, it is almost a year since I was conscripted. I don’t want to serve any more. Mum please
try to bring me home.”
The capture of Madhu
On Thursday, the Security Forces entered the sacred Madhu shrine premises without a fight. According to military sources, several small teams had been deployed
by the security forces to monitor LTTE deployment in the vicinity of the sacred shrine, during the past several weeks.These small units have monitored that the LTTE was gradually vacating the area.The withdrawal of the LTTE has been accelerated as troops cut off supply routes to the shrine which had been deserted by the clergy who shifted the holy statue of
Our Lady of Madhu deep inside the Wanni. The last string was the capture of Palampiddi, located 8 km North of Madhu.On Thursday, at about 1 pm, soldiers of the 7 Ceylon Light Infantry and Singha Regiment entered the church premises.Initially it was feared that fighting would flare up in the church premises as the LTTE showed indication to hold on the ground. Hence the military strategy was to cut
off their supply routes.According to latest reports, soldiers have vacated the sacred Madhu shrine and the surrounding No Fire Zone. Military sources said the clergy will be invited to
resume religious activities in the near future. It will also be requested to return the statue of ‘Our Lady of Madhu’ which had been moved from the beleaguered shrine
early this month.
No damage in LTTE raid: ColomboB. Muralidhar Reddy
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Early morning swoop by the Tigers
Ahmadinejad arriving on Monday
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COLOMBO: In an early morning swoop on Sunday, two light aircraft of the LTTE dropped three bombs on the forward defence lines in Welioya even as the Tigers
and the forces were locked in a fierce ground battle.
The military claimed that the bombs dropped by the Tiger aircraft caused no damage.
“During the wee hours the SLAF [Sri Lankan Air Force] air defence network radars detected 2 light aircraft of LTTE which were airborne and heading towards
Welioya. In accordance with standard operating procedures, [the] SLAF interceptor aircraft were made airborne in the direction of the intruding enemy craft.
However, enroute to the area it was observed that the LTTE aircraft were fleeing and heading back,” said the Defence Ministry here.
In the Black Tiger raid on the Anuradhapura airbase in October 2007, the Tigers deployed their “air wing” combined with the ground forces. The Tigers have not
released details of the Sunday “aerial operation.”
Separately, the military claimed that at least 16 LTTE cadre were killed when troops thwarted two-pronged LTTE offensive attempts to breach the military defences
at Welioya.
It said the troops dismantled an LTTE artillery attack launched towards Galkulama and Sinhapura villages at Weiloya.
In another development, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to arrive here on Monday on a two-day official visit. Though it is billed as a bilateral
visit — President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in Iran in November last year — Colombo is marketing it as a milestone in strengthening economic relations.
At the end of his visit, Mr. Rajapaksa announced that Tehran had pledged $1.5 billion assistance to fund the expansion of an oil refinery and several developmental
projects.
The high-profile visit of Mr. Rajapaksa and the promised financial assistance by Iran was considered important in the light of the ongoing row between Washington
and Tehran over the latter’s nuclear programme.
Sri Lanka Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogolagamma told a news conference here that Colombo attached great importance to its ties with Tehran.

North Lanka would be liberated from LTTE soon: Rajapaksa
Colombo (PTI): Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said the LTTE domination in the northern part of the country would end soon and asked the people to
vote for the government-backed alliance in the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the eastern region.
"The security forces are advancing step by step in the northern theatre too. Soon the people there too would be liberated," Rajapaksa said in his May Day rally on
Thursday at Dehiattakandiya in Ampara district of eastern Sri Lanka.
"The Eastern populace is poised to hand over a resounding victory to the Government at the May 10 Provincial Council Election to continue the momentum of the
Eastern Resurgence programme," Rajapaksa said.
"We know the Easterners are a grateful people. They will show that on May 10. They will never let Prabhakaran take back the East. A vote for the Government is a
vote for peace and development. A vote for the Opposition will be an endorsement of Prabhakaran. We need your support to take the development process
forward," he said.
This year's May Day celebrations in the East should be dedicated to the heroic forces who spearheaded the humanitarian mission to liberate the people who were
living under LTTE clutches for more than two decades, the President said.
He said a Government victory in the East would further encourage soldiers to liberate the Northern masses as well.
Rajapaksa said the East would become the fastest developing province in Sri Lanka in the near future.
Rajapaksa said now it was the turn of the working class to spearhead the development drive in Eastern Sri Lanka and assured all steps necessary to back the Eastern
Resurgence.
"Some have pacts with Prabhakaran to betray the East. We will never allow that. The Eastern people will never allow that," the President said.
The government-backed alliance spearheaded by the anti-LTTE group, Tamil Makkal Vidhuthalai Pullikal (TMVP) and the Sri Lankan Muslim Congress (SLMC)-
led alliance supported by the opposition United National Party are expected to be involved in a close finish in the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Elections.
Over 10 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in the elections that would cover Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara districts. While 40 per cent of the voters
constitute Tamils, about 38 per cent are Muslims and the rest 22 per cent Sinhalas.
The East, which was fully liberated from the LTTE in July 2007, will be having its first provincial council elections on May 10.

Survey finds broad support for larger India role in Sri Lanka
Saturday May 3 2008 00:00 IST P K Balachandran
COLOMBO: Cutting across ethnic lines, there is significant support in Sri Lanka for a greater Indian role on the island, both in the political and economic spheres, a
survey by the Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives reveals.
Conducted in March in all but the war-torn northern province, the survey found majority support from all communities except the Sinhalese for Indian participation in
peace negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Only 47.8 per cent of the Sinhalese backed that tactic whereas 62.9 per cent of Sri Lankan (indigenous) Tamils; 61.1 per cent of Indian-origin Tamils; and 70.6 per
cent of Muslims sought India’s assistance in peace talks with the Tamil Tigers.
According to the last, and incomplete, 2001 census, Sinhalese comprise 82 percent of the island nation’s population of 17 million. Sri Lankan Tamils form 4.32 per
cent; Muslims 8 per cent; and Indian Tamils 5 per cent.
Political observers say the welcome given to Indian participation in the peace process follows the failure of the West-backed and Norwegian-brokered peace bid
between 2002 and 2004.
India’s participation in Sri Lanka’s development projects was welcomed by 68.7 per cent of Sinhalese; 56.7 per cent of Sri Lankan Tamils; 63.0 per cent of Indian
Tamils; and 75.9 per cent of Muslims.
If the Sri Lankan Tamils are a bit lukewarm, it is because they want to first see peace return to their habitats in the north and the east, before India steps in with
economic assistance.
The three communities differed widely on the question of an Indian role in military operations against the LTTE.
While the Sinhalese and Muslims wanted Indian military involvement, the Sri Lankan Tamils and the Indian Tamils were against it. While 58.5 per cent of Sinhalese,
and 61.5 per cent of Muslims approved an Indian military involvement, only 7.2 per cent of Sri Lankan Tamils and 4.9 per cent of Indian Tamils did.
Apparently, the Tamils remember the 1987-1990 period when the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was in the north and east, forcibly thwarting a move to
secure an independent “Tamil Eelam,” and allegedly committing atrocities.
The survey revealed strong support for President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s anti-West foreign policy among the Sinhalese (77 per cent) and milder support among the
Muslims (49 per cent) But there was opposition from Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils, with only 21 percent of the former, and 6.7 per cent of the latter,
supporting it.
The survey found that 91.4 per cent of the Sinhalese were satisfied with the way Rajapaksa was conducting the war against the LTTE. However, only 7.3 per cent of
Sri Lankan Tamils; 1.7 per cent of Indian Tamils; and 45.5 per cent of Muslims expressed satisfaction with his military strategy.====================
Break Wanni-Colombo logjam Two developments in the Sri Lankan theatre need to make Delhi and other world capitals, particularly Washington and London, sit up and end the dichotomy that has
characterised their reaction to and relations with Colombo.Firstly, senior Lanka Minister Jeyraj Fernandopulle, the only Roman Catholic in the Rajapakse government was assassinated on April 6, just outside Colombo. His
religion had lost relevance for the LTTE as he facilitated the Pillayan Group's entry into mainstream politics. Otherwise they would not have eliminated him so soon
after the Madhu church episode exposed the clergy for yet another time to the criticism that the Church in Tamil belt remains sympathetic towards the Tigers. Also,
through the targetted killing the LTTE wanted to signal that they are not dead as the government has been claiming for the past several months. This is a normal tactic
of all insurgent groups under pressure as the Indian experience in Kashmir and northeast of the country shows.
The second development is no less significant though it took place miles away in the United States. The Washington Times has put the spotlight on how the Tigers
have made inroads into the US to help bankroll and equip their operations back home in Sri Lanka. In a manner of speaking, there is no big deal about the WT
report. That the LTTE runs a well oiled world-wide network spanning some 54 countries is by now well documented. Tigers' operations have considerable visibility in
UK, France, Australia and the Scandinavian countries. Jen Haberkorn's despatch is significant nevertheless because for the first time the US has acknowledged LTTE
as one of the most dangerous and deadly extremist organizations that has been an inspiration even for al Qaeda in Iraq.
Yet, the reaction to the killing of Jeyraj Fernandopulle appears just a routine or what can be termed as a proforma statement. The United States, European Union,
Canada and India have denounced the attack that also killed 13 others and left nearly 100 wounded. "The United States denounces this vicious and reprehensible
terrorist attack on civilians in the strongest possible terms," a US embassy statement said in Colombo. "Its perpetrators have achieved nothing other than to cause
further suffering among the people of Sri Lanka. Only a political solution, not continued violence, offers the way forward to end the country's conflict".
EU's Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner voiced similar sentiment and stuck to the usual refrain, "The EU continues to believe that there can
be no military solution to the conflict in Sri Lanka and only a negotiated settlement can open the way for a lasting peace".
Canadian foreign minister Maxime Bernier held out the homily, "It is clear that violence will not bring lasting peace to Sri Lanka". And South Block in Delhi tried to
hide its dilemma behind semantics as the killing of a second minister and fourth politician this year coincided with the trauma of film maker Thushara Peiris. He was
attacked at the gates of Gemini Studio (Chennai) when he went there to collect a print of his film on Prabhakaran. Whether the film reflects Sri Lankan national pride
- abimanaya - as reports in Colombo media claim is not relevant but what is germane to the discussion is the film exposes terrorism.
Undoubtedly, there are good and bad politicians. There are good and bad bureaucrats and diplomats. May be amongst sleuths and journalists as well, there are good
and bad. But a terrorist is a terrorist and terrorism is a scourge. This truism is relevant as much in Delhi's context as that of the Washington and London. All the three
have borne the brunt of terrorism, Delhi more than the other two. So much so, it has to be more forthright in finding ways and means to end the spectre of violence
that has been haunting Colombo. Creation of Perumal clones is no solution whether it is by India or by Sri Lanka. Moreover when there is no question of balkanizing
Sri Lanka either now or even in the past.
Devolution of powers to the provinces and from provinces to local bodies is a subject on which there is bound to be divergence of opinion as the Indian experience
shows. Modern nation state, despite unshackling of the economy, continues to favour centralised administration. Frankly, the feudal mindset up of South Asia, where
good old Princes and Zamindars of yore are replaced by ministers and elected representatives in that order will not easily allow decentralisation. And the bureaucracy
knows the art of protecting their turf. Retired bureaucrats play quite a helpful role in perpetuating myths since a section of the media patronises them as 'independent
voices'.
This is one reason why Indian political leadership should take the initiative to break the logjam. It should not allow itself hostage to politics in Tamilnadu where
incidentally, far away from the media glare, even in Chennai, the Sri Lankan Tamilian is not a darling. This is something very few will like to acknowledge on record
but we cannot erase a ground reality.
On his part, President Mahinda Rajapakse should not remain a hostage to the politics of Southern consensus. He has his own politics of survival and he unabashedly
plays to the Sinhala gallery. But as the International Crisis Group says in its latest report, Sinhala nationalism has waxed and waned in response to the political
context. "At times, there has been strong Sinhala support for a negotiated settlement. Nevertheless, competition between the two main parties (the United National
Party, UNP, and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, SLFP) and their inability to neutralise smaller nationalist parties have prevented governments from compromising with
Tamil nationalists".
Consensus politics is a euphemism the media is fond off. In the world of real politic, it is more a game of give and take and some compromise tailor made to local
needs. Whether Delhi and Chennai likes or not, Rajapakse finds himself in a position where he could end the SLFP's penchant for 'ethnic outbidding' and at the same
time safeguard the rights of Tamil minority for a place of honour and pride under the Sri Lankan sun.
An unmistakable reality of Sri Lankan scene over the past three decades is that the LTTE has been equally important in blocking the elusive "southern consensus". All
peace initiatives have failed because of its intransigence and because of its over riding faith in violence as a means to achieve its goal. The LTTE leadership will do
well to realise that the world has moved a long distance after 9/11 and that the West, particularly the United States, is no longer prepared to live with terrorism of one
kind or the other. The global cop has clearly demonstrated a willingness to go to any extent to protect his perceived and real interests.
The Washington Times report quoted at the outset should serve as a timely reminder to the LTTE of the limitations they will come face to face with soon. This report
and the Jeyraj Fernandopulle's assassination underscore the reality namely Tamil issue in Sri Lanka is a political imbroglio. It must be addressed politically by the
LTTE and by Colombo alike, not through games of one-upmanship but through a clearly demonstrable and sincere resolve for peace and progress. The onus for this
as much on LTTE as on Colombo. Other players, old and new, have a role. And it is not playing their own games.
M Rama Rao, -Syndicate Features

Task Force 'more powerful' than IC
Minister rejects accusations that EPDP is involved in rights violations The Task Force appointed by Sri Lanka President for north is more powerful than an Interim Council, its chairman said.Social Affairs Minister and the head of the Task Force, Douglas Devananda, told BBC Sandeshaya that he was given ‘unlimited powers’ to develop the north.
“My limit is sky and my sky is the president,” the minister said.
The Task Force is comprised of Presidential Advisor and president’s brother, Basil Rajapaksa, and Resettlement Minister, Risath Badiurdeen.
Consulting other groups
Intellectuals, religious leaders, former militant groups and Sri Lankan diaspora will be consulted in developing the north under the Task Force, minister Devananda
said.
My limit is sky and my sky is the president
Minister Douglas Devananda
He also hopes to hold talks with the leader of the Tamil United liberation Front (TULF), V Anandasangari.
The TULF leader who long proposed “Indian model” in resolving Sri Lanka’s national question, the minister said, has recently changed his mind to support an interim
measure.
“There hasn’t been any attempt towards a political solution since Indo-Sri Lanka accord,” Mr. Devananda told BBCSinhala.com.
Local police unit
The powerful Task Force, he said, hopes to establish a separate police unit in the north as an attempt to establish peace in the volatile region.
The Task Force expects to hold talks with the TULF leader
The Task Force also expect to re-open the main supply route to Jaffna, the A-9 highway, which has been closed since 2006.
“If I could do that, I think it will be a great step in ending the war,” he said.
The minister, who is also the leader of the Ealam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), denied accusations that EPDP is involved in human rights violations in the north.
Describing the accusations as “politically motivated”, Mr. Devananda expressed hope that the establishment of a regional police would help reduce rights violations.