Investigations into the deaths of 17 Aid Workers in Muttur

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Media Release 28 September 2006

The Governments of Sri Lanka and Australia have finalized the Terms of Reference (TOR) in relation to the providing of Australian forensic expertise into the investigations being conducted on the deaths of 17 aid workers belonging to the NGO ' Action Contre la Faim' in Muttur. The Terms of Reference provides the framework for the Australian experts to observe and, at the request of Sri Lanka authorities, to provide technical advice and assistance for the conduct of forensic investigations. The invitation extended to the Australian experts is in the interest of conducting a transparent and effective investigation. A report will be submitted containing the observations of the experts, upon the completion of investigations. The Australian forensic experts are expected to visit Sri Lanka during the first week of October 2006.

Source:http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/

Eastern people should decide their future: Mahinda

Friday, September 29, 2006,Daily Mirror

 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday expressed his willingness to hold a referendum to determine the position and the rights of the eastern people.

"Executive, judiciary, legislature or any other power cannot change the future of the eastern people," the President told a visiting British defence studies team.

"The destiny of the eastern people can only be decided by themselves. Even according to the Indo-Lanka agreement, the future of the eastern people had to be decided by means of a referendum," the President said.

"It is a myth if anyone believes that a person like Prabhakaran could decide the destiny of the eastern people, and no one can deny that democratic right of the eastern people," President Rajapaksa said.

Source:http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/09/29/front/06.asp

Sri Lanka Navy again proves its prowess

The DailyMirror
Friday, September 29, 2006
 

The Sri Lanka Navy again proved its prowess in the sea, exactly a week after the Navy and the Air Force in a joint operation sank a Tiger Merchant Vessel allegedly bringing arms off the seas of Kalmunai.

The navy craft on September 24 destroyed eleven Sea Tiger boats along with some 70 Tigers including fifteen cadres of the Charles Anthony Brigade, which is one of main infantry units of the Tamil Tigers.

The latest sea drama started at 8.30 pm on Sunday the 24th, when two Navy's Fast Attack Craft (FACs) who were on petrol in the sea off Mullaitivu had detected four large LTTE boats entering to the eastern seas from their sea base. Soon after, the Navy alerted the other naval patrol vessels in Kankasanthurai, Point Pedro, Alampil and at the same time informed the Eastern Naval Command in Trincomalee (COMEAST) and Northern Naval Command (COMNORTH). The COMEAST in turn informed the Navy Headquarters in Colombo, where the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda rushed to the Command room to prepare his men for yet another 'mission' to neutralize the LTTE capability.

Director Naval Operation (DNO) Commodore Susith Weerasekera and several experienced senior officers were already there at the Command Room. Exactly an hour after the first detection, two more FACs at Alampil also detected a fleet of Sea Tiger boats-comprising some 21 boats, including three suicide type boats and dinghy boats escorting the few boats heading south. With the second detection, eleven FACs from Trincomale under the command of Commander Prasanna Hewage on board P-492 FAC was on the way to the LTTE fleet. Around the same time, experienced Commander Suresh Ediriweera on board the P-473 FAC was also heading southwardly with six more FACs from the Northern Command. Later five more FACs from Foul Point and Chalai joined with the other FACs.

Instructions were also given to the first four FACs to come parallel with the LTTE boats and sail until directions come from the Colombo Command Room.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Command Room was assesing the situation on what the main purpose of the LTTE mission was. Vice Admiral Karannagoda and his men had instructed the COMEAST and COMNORTH to prepare for three possible situations.

1) Possible unloading of arms in Mullaitivu,

2) Possible unloading of arms in Vakarai and

3) Possible attack on Navy chartered passenger carrier 'Jetliner', which was anchored at the Trincomalee Harbour at that time.

These possibilities were intimated to the men in the high seas. Around 10.30 pm, on arrival of reinforcement from the Eastern and Northern Naval Commands, the FACs cut off the enemy boat cluster off Pulmudai and avoided moving them further south. One of the LTTE boats fired with a 23 mm gun that was installed on the boat that led the Navy to attack the fleet of the sea Tigers.

Then the much anticipated sea battle started and within few minutes intially two Sea Tiger craft caught fire . Then another boat was disabled due to the navy attack. Soon the Tigers on board the disabled vessel started to communicate with the Wanni command seeking more assistance. After monitoring and intercepting the communication the navy realized that the Sea battle was commanded by the third in command of the Sea Tiger wing 'Seliyan' and he was on board the disabled craft.

The Tigers communicated to the Wanni that the vessel was that with 'items' (most probably weapons) which was hit and requested assistance.In turn the Wanni replied and said "Bring the vessel somehow".

Then the cadres on board the boat said that it was unable to move fast as the boat had been attacked and hit by navy fire. But the Wanni instructed that they bring the boat, even if at a slower speed back to the base in Alampil.

The Tiger high Sea command was desperate to bring back the third –in-command and even feared Seliyan' was seriously injured or killed as he never communicated after the two Sea Tiger craft caught fire.As the 2 Tiger craft caught fire initially, the northernmost cluster of boats started its withdrawal as they could not face the fire power of the Navy's Fast Attack Craft.

In the meanwhile the Colombo Command requested the Sri Lanka Air Force support to monitor the area for a possible unloading of arms from the ship, as Vice Admiral Karannagoda believed that the LTTE was trying to divert attention in order to unload arms in a different location. Aerial reconnaissance confirmed that the Tiger attack was not a diversionary tactic.

After these reports, the Navy Commander came to the conclusion that the Tigers' main purpose was go to Vakarai or Verugal possibly with weapons and cadres for reinforcement.

Over the past few weeks, the Tigers in Vakarai area repeatedly demanded more cadres and weapons to the east, where the Tigers had been defeated by the government security forces several times.

During the sea battle, the Tigers continued to attack the navy with 23 mm guns and 30 mm Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGL). However the navy fire power was far ahead of the LTTE, resulting in the navy sinking nine Sea Tiger boats.

After five hour long battle, the Sea Tigers desperately started to flee and on completion of the confrontation only 14 craft were seen fleeing as two Sea Tiger craft caught fire initially and another nine sank along with the crew.

The withdrawing 14 craft included five badly damaged Tiger boats on tow. It is believed more than 70 Sea Tigers who were onboard 11 Tiger Craft were killed and over 30 injured. However, two days after the battle, the ground troops in Welioya after intercepting Tiger communication said that nearly 100 LTTE cadres had been killed including fifteen cadres of the Charles Anthony Brigade, which is one of main infantry units of the Tamil Tigers. Transporting cadres of the Charles Anthony Brigade clearly showed that the LTTE were carrying additional cadres to the eastern areas, where the LTTE faced shortage of cadres and the weapons.

During the battle a Fast Attack Craft was slightly damaged and five sailors suffered injuries and one was transferred to Colombo for further treatment.

Analysts believe that the Tigers were desperate to send troops and logistics to Vakarai/Verugal area after facing a humiliating defeat in the hands of the security forces during the last few months.

This sea battle is yet another addition to the continuation of 'Sea Tiger defeats' and at the same time a victory for the Sri Lanka Navy led by its commander Vice Admiral Karannagoda who had successfully carried out several missions in the recent past.

Prabhakaran wants to participate in peace talks, but fears that India would arrest him

The LTTE Leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, has expressed his willingness to participate at the peace talks with the Government, but expressed his fear that India would arrest him, informed sources said.

It is learnt that Prabhakaran had informed this situation to the Norwegian facilitators that he would be available, in some way, for consultations during the talks. Diplomatic sources confirmed that the LTTE Leader had claimed that due to this 'security considerations', he could not be present at the talks venue itself.

Daily Mirror learns that the facilitators had informed this matter to the government, which reportedly told the Norwegians that it understood the problem and was open to alternative arrangements for credible consultations with him.

Last Wednesday, the Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told at a media briefing that the LTTE Leader has positively responded to the government's call for the resumption of the stalled peace talks.

Prabhakaran has been wanted by Interpol since 1994 for Terrorism, Murder, Organized Crime and Terrorism Conspiracy and he has been wanted in India in connection with the 1991 assassination of former Indian premier Rajiv Gandhi.

Prabhakaran has operated in India, primarily in Tamil Nadu prior to 1990s. Since his return to Sri Lanka, he has not travelled abroad.

Navy and Air Force barred from speaking to media

Media Spokesmen of the Sri Lanka Navy and the Air Force have been barred from speaking to Media with immediate effect.

Daily Mirror learns that Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa in letters dated September 19 had ordered Navy media Spokesman Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake and Air Force media Group Captain Ajantha Silva not to reveal any 'news related to the national security'.

The secretary also stated that the action has been taken in view to stop several version of new related to the national security.

He also instructed to inform any news immediately to Government Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella, Director- Media Centre for National Security Lakshman Hulugalle or Military Spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe.

When reporters asked whether this would lead to a military censorship in the country Minister Rambukwella said that the government has no plan to impose any type of censorship on the media. "This is not an issue, we just asked them not to speak to the media as we already have a Military Spokesman for the job," the minister said.

However the reporters had expressed disappointment over the latest government action.

 Source:http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/09/29/opinion/02.asp

Sri Lanka war imperils civilians, tsunami aid-UN envoy

29 Sep 2006 04:15:35 GMT

Source: Reuters

 COLOMBO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - A deadly new chapter in Sri Lanka's two-decade civil war is putting the lives of thousands of civilians at risk and derailing efforts to rebuild areas devastated by the 2004 tsunami, a senior UN envoy said.

Nordic truce monitors on Thursday accused both the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of grossly violating the terms of a now tattered 2002 ceasefire, saying both sides were hampering investigations of rights abuses.

"I am deeply disturbed by the report of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission that over 200 civilians have been killed, and thousands displaced, over the past two months in Sri Lanka," said Eric Schwartz, deputy United Nations special envoy for tsunami recovery, in a statement issued overnight.

Many foreign aid groups have had to abandon post-tsunami projects in the northeast amid the worst outbreak of fighting since the truce, which has killed hundreds of civilians, troops and rebels.

"Significant investments in reconstruction, so generously supported by donors around the world, are now imperiled," said Schwartz, deputy to the special U.N. envoy, former U.S. President Bill Clinton. "More importantly, many thousands of civilians are at grave risk, cut off from regular supplies of food and other assistance."

"It is critical that all parties to the conflict ease current restrictions on access to affected populations, cease hostilities and return to negotiations," he added.

The government and the Tigers insist they honour the truce and accuse each other of trying to force a full-blown return to a war that has killed more than 65,000 people since 1983.

And while both sides have pledged to eventually resume peace talks that have been suspended for five months, analysts and diplomats fear violence could well deepen first.

 

Source: Reuters

Norway continues efforts to restart talks

Friday, September 29, 2006

The Island By Shamindra Ferdinando Norwegian Special envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer is expected in Colombo over the weekend to explore the possibility of the resumption of talks between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. Bauer would hold talks with both parties, a Norwegian diplomat told The Island yesterday. "We are in the process of finalizing his schedule," he said. This is the first high level Norwegian visit since President Mahinda Rajapakse met Norwegian Premier Jens Stoltenberg in New York. Their discussions focused on the Oslo-led peace process with both parties agreeing to enhance bilateral diplomatic relations. Bauer is expected to visit Kilinochchi. The Norwegian official said that Minister Erik Solheim would not accompany Bauer. The visit comes against the backdrop of the recent Co-Chairs' missive that the talks should take place in Oslo early October. Despite reservations, The Island learns that the government would meet the LTTE in Oslo. A senior official said that the level of representation has to be decided. US Ambassador Robert O. Blake expressed the belief that the government would come for talks as envisaged by Co-chairs. "Sri Lanka has agreed to come for talks. Earlier the government criticized the Co-chairs statement. The government claimed that there were procedural irregularities of the statement in making commitments regarding dates and venue without prior consultations with the government. Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar denied this charge. Political sources said that the government was keen to explore the peace option. However security forces would not give-up recent territorial gains. Source: http://www.island.lk/2006/09/29/news1.html

JVP launched new front to defeat LTTE, stop foreign intervention

[TamilNet, Thursday, 28 September 2006, 09:34 GMT]

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Sinhala national Marxist political party Wednesday launched a new organization "Joint Front to Protect the Nation" (JFPN) to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and to work for the abrogation of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) signed with the LTTE in the year 2002

12 Trade Unions and Student Organizations including the Inter Sri Lankan Trade Unions Federation, Sri Lankan Estate Workers Union, National Bhikku Front, University Students Organization, National University Teachers Association and Multi Sector Employees Union joined the new front. The other objective of the new front is to save the country from foreign intervention.

The formation of the new front was officially announced at press briefing held Wednesday morning at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute located near the Independent Square in Colombo.

JVP parliamentarians Anura Kumara Dissanayake, K.D.Lalkantha and S.K.Subasinghe and representatives of student organizations and trade unions participated in the briefing.

Source:TamilNet

Sri Lanka's Humanitarian crisis in North steadily worsening says Monitors

Fri, 2006-09-29 01:52

Munza Mushtaq - Reporting from Colombo

Colombo, 29 September, (Asiantribune.com): The humanitarian crisis in many areas in the North is steadily worsening with limited supplies being brought up to Jaffna and into various LTTE areas leaving thousands of people without basic necessities and paralysed economic activity, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission said in its weekly report.

"Aid agencies are in general prevented from going into LTTE areas. With the monsoon season on its way it is likely that the conditions of people in general will get worse," the report said.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Vanni is deteriorating despite some relief coming through Omantai. Opening of A9 is crucial for the civilians both in Vanni and on the Jaffna peninsula, the report said.

Source:Asian Tribune

No official offer from Tiger leader - Govt

Friday, September 29, 2006

Daily News By Manjula Fernando and Rajmi Manatunga COLOMBO: Commenting on the latest development on the peace front with reports of the LTTE communicating their leader''s desire to resume negotiations, the Government yesterday said there will not be any response from their side until the offer is made official. "There is no concrete statement, it was just a verbal offer and there will not be any response until it is official," Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said. Addressing reporters at the weekly Cabinet Briefing the Minister admitted that the SLMM Chief communicated a proposition from the LTTE leader but it was far from official. Attributing the delay in resuming peace talks to the LTTE''s insincerity, the Minister added the LTTE was still manoeuvring a war strategy which saps the Government''s confidence. "It is vital to have a land supply route instead of a sea route," he responded to media queries stressing that the Tigers should leave their double standards and make a genuine effort to find a peaceful settlement. "This is also the call of the international community," he said. The Government was always open for negotiations but they must receive a genuine commitment from the Tiger leader. "There is no obstruction from the Government side," he reiterated. Referring to the renewed demand by the JHU in Parliament recently to boycott Norwegian facilitation, the Cabinet spokesman said they have not given thought to changing the peace facilitation and they were still maintaining their original stance with regard to the Norwegian role in the Peace Process. Source:http://www.dailynews.lk/

Sri Lanka military, rebels violate truce-monitors

28 Sep 2006 09:07:48 GMT

Source: Reuters

 COLOMBO, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's military and the Tamil Tigers have grossly violated a 2002 ceasefire in the past two months, Nordic truce monitors said on Thursday, accusing both sides of hampering their work.

The unarmed Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) said the military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had blocked access to areas to investigate rights abuses -- in itself a serious violation of the terms of the truce.

The monitors said in a ruling that the military had violated the ceasefire since late July when it captured rebel territory on the southern lip of the strategic northeastern harbour of Trincomalee.

The rebels had similarly violated the truce when they mounted offensive operations against the military in the northern Jaffna peninsula -- which is still besieged by Tiger artillery fire.

"Throughout the period (July 22-Sept 25), both parties have responded to the other party's actions in ways that are not conducive with the ceasefire agreement," Chief monitor Major General Lars Johan Solvberg said in the ruling.

"As a result of these actions, over 200 civilians have been killed and several thousand are internally displaced, creating a serious humanitarian crisis in the eastern and northern part of Sri Lanka."

The ruling also accuses both sides of a string of other serious violations, such as restricting the movement of civilians.

Solvberg told Reuters this week he was shocked and disappointed at the behaviour of both the rebels and the government.

The monitors have previously accused the security forces of being responsible for extrajudicial killings and the execution-style killings of 17 local staff of international aid organisation Action Contre La Faim in the east in August.

President Mahinda Rajapakse's administration has already accused Solvberg of overstepping his mandate less than a month into the job.

Hundreds of civilians, troops and rebels have been killed since late July in the worst violence since the truce gave way to renewed civil war, and Solvberg sees no will by either side to end the fighting.

Each side argues that they still honour the truce, and that their foe is trying to force a full-blown return to a war that has killed more than 65,000 people since 1983.

Source: Reuters

The plight of the Tamils and the Eelam obsession of the LTTE

The plight of the Tamils and the Eelam obsession of the LTTE
25 September 200

By Lloyd F Yapa

The present plight of the Tamils, the Eastern Muslims and Sinhalese is heart rending. Not that the rest of the population is living in comfort and security, except a few well- to -do people including some politicians. Hitherto it has been the practice to blame extremism in the South for this situation. But in the last decade or so conditions and attitudes in the country have changed. Internationally, any kind of terrorism is frowned upon and countries with social, political and economic stability are surging ahead with economic development.
But the LTTE, the people who fund them and a smattering of extremists in the South still think the conditions are the same as in the fifties to eighties for instance and adopt the same old strategies to achieve certain extremist visions and goals, which are definitely harmful to the economic well-being of the people. On the other hand the main goal of every citizen irrespective of his/her race or religion is to lead a life devoid of want and insecurity.
The major parties in the South also have not changed much due to poor leadership/ organization and lack of management ability. However, successful strategies are never static. Some of them appeal to the inner race and religious hatreds of people to win elections, while promising to give goods and services at subsidized rates, though government expenditure is much higher than its revenue. Most of the electorate being gullible, despite high literacy, falls for such promises, which can never be kept without creating instability, inflation and reducing government capital expenditure on development of physical infrastructure and services such as education and health, especially in rural areas, that could attract the setting up of industries, which in turn can create badly needed jobs. When prices rise in this manner and no jobs are created the people lose their purchasing power and become poorer. It is poverty ultimately, which compels people to live off the natural environment creating irreparable damage to it, leading to desertification and generates social tensions, which breed crime and prompt young people to take to terrorism.
If a company for instance follows the same strategies to achieve organizational goals year in and year out without revising them in anticipation of emerging scenarios and changing customer needs, it is sure to go bust. An oft repeated example is the mission and strategy of the railway companies that sprang up to open the Wild West of the United States of America. Some of them stated their mission (and strategy) is to develop transport (of passengers and goods) broadly, while some stubbornly stated they will remain in the railway business. When road transport, aviation and tele-communications developed, the former diversified and flourished, while most of the latter went bankrupt.
What is the writer saying? Let us admit for a moment that Southern extremism and discrimination against minority communities bred terrorism in the North. Are conditions at present the same? The majority of the Sinhalese, the Muslims and the Tamils of Indian origin now want to live in peace with all other groups as they have realized that continuous attrition among communities is an utter waste of time and precious resources, which can be used for achieving their goal of leading a better life, faster. In fact the latter two communities have been very practical and are integrating with the rest without being stuck in the past. But the LTTE and the dwindling extremist groups in the country are still living in the archaic past. When the LTTE broke off talks with the then UNF government giving flimsy excuses and coerced the Tamils not to vote at the last Presidential Election, they had clearly decided to go ahead with war and create a separate State (Eelam). Unfortunately the major parties in the South also still can play the same selfish political games to gain power, due mainly to the fact the people have never been taught nation building methodologies in the context of a plural society. India on the hand has never abandoned nation building efforts despite the amazing plurality of its society and to endeavour to produce a tertiary creative class with innovative skills and the teaching of English to maintain relations with the rest of the world and among themselves. Now they are reaping the benefits of this wisdom and are well on the road to become a major world economic power despite intensifying globalization. Here in Sri Lanka the people (while continuously bickering and feuding with each other) are keeping their noses pasted against the glass windows of the paranoid and protective palisades built around the country, and are gazing with wide eyed wonder at most of the rest of the countries whizzing past towards prosperity.
The LTTE and their financiers are therefore making the life of their own people still living in the country and others utterly miserable by following the same old strategy of waging war to create Eelam, although conditions have vastly changed. The major parties in the South also play the same political tricks and keep the people trapped in poverty and drive the Tamils into the arms of terrorists, without winning over the former and dealing separately with the latter. The main reason for this state of affairs is the lack of an active creative class and civil society organizations which can act as a counterpoise to the mostly illiterate, semi literate and corrupt politicians and even public servants, with no knowledge of modern governance and strategic management methodologies to deliver results.

To go back to the dream of Eelam on the part of the LTTE, where are they leading their community, especially those living in the North and East under extreme conditions of poverty mainly due the frequent military skirmishes with the government security forces? Though certain intellectuals label some of the parties in the South as extremist, who can deny the latter's claim that the LTTE have taken over a part of the country's territory illegally by rebelling against elected governments and brutally getting rid of detractors in their own community and in the rest of the country? The international community including the Facilitators does not seem to understand this fact. Will the government of country and the rest of the people ever tolerate this situation? Can such a tiny entity prosper in this globalizing world, while being continuously threatened by its neighbours and being treated as an outcaste by the rest of the world? Will such a state be a viable proposition? Large scale production is important both to reduce costs and differentiate products and services to suit the needs of a large circle of customers to earn premium prices. Will this be possible without the co-operation of the rest of the country and the outside world? Will the Jaffna and Batticaloa Tamil people living in Eelam and the rest of the country tolerate a fascist dictatorship which resorts to murder of any dissenters, while adopting discredited development policies, being an extremely intelligent and hard working community?. Will they ever be able to break the shackles of grinding poverty and insecurity, especially among the Tamils in the North and the East, if such a regime becomes a permanent feature? The answer to these questions is a definite no. In fact leaders like Neelan Tiruchelvam, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Ketheswaran Loganathan and others who had the foresight that the time is ripe for a political solution to allow all communities to realize their desire to live in peace to reach the goal of a better life for all, have been brutally eliminated by the LTTE, while committing genocide against the Eastern Muslims and Sinhalese, who are considered as obstacles in the way of taking possession of the Eastern Province.
A great number of the supporters of the LTTE in the West are intellectuals exposed to the modern nation building methodologies adopted there. It is their duty to forget the past, take stock of present realities and persuade the LTTE to abandon their unrealistic goal of achieving Eelam, (which is going to spell disaster for Tamils, Muslims and others living in Sri Lanka, because of continuous attrition with the South) and join the political mainstream. They must genuinely demand and obtain a substantial devolution of power, (certified and guaranteed by the international community) which cannot be wrested away from them by the Centre. If the LTTE then permits multiparty democracy, constructive dissent and prepares a practical plan for uplifting the standard of living of all the people living in the areas administered by them, irrespective of race or creed in collaboration with the Centre, they would then even eventually be able to win elections and form successful democratic administrations as in South Africa and Northern Ireland. This will pressurize the recalcitrant political parties in the South also to join the process with enthusiasm and alacrity. As in the case of India, if structural and policy reforms are also introduced, the well to do professional Sri Lankan Diaspora with entrepreneurial and other higher skills also will gradually come back to the country along with other investors helping to accelerate economic development and poverty alleviation, (especially of the people rotting way in various refugee camps).
One of the main solutions advocated by certain groups to resolve the lack of unity in the South is the formation of national government. This is very simplistic, as different parties getting together to form a government can pull the country in different directions as demonstrated by the various weak coalition governments we have had in the recent past. What is required is a consensus on strategies to resolve the main national questions such as the ethnic conflict and economic development at least for alleviation of poverty, mainly among the leaders of the major political parties in the South in consultation with all the other political parties and stakeholders, as any group left out may resort to spoiling the implementation of any agreement reached. Once the strategies are arrived at by these leaders with the help of a group of relevant experts with the goal of creating stability to realize a faster rate of economic growth, the APC has to come up with actions which could implement them. It is this formula which will have to be presented to the LTTE for negotiation on a give and take basis.
One of the very first issues to reach a consensus on is the revision of the constitution, more specifically for changing the Proportional Representation System (PRS), for the formation of strong governments committed to effective implementation of devolution and for good governance and achieve a faster rate of economic growth. Some minority parties appear to be against changing the PRS. But if it is bad for the nation, will it be good for them?
If the LTTE loves their people as they seem to claim, they should abandon their unrealistic goal of achieving Eelam and agree to substantial devolution. This applies to the political parties in the South as well. If this happens, Sri Lanka will be a completely different and pleasant place to live in for all communities in 5-10 years' time.

Source: the Dailymirror

Fear, hunger stalk Sri Lanka's Jaffna Tamils

27 Sep 2006 08:44:00 GMT

JAFFNA, Sri Lanka, Sept 27 (Reuters) - First driven from their homes by a Tamil Tiger warning, then forced to move back as the military emptied schools-turned-refugee camps, many residents in Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula are hungry and afraid.

Cut off from the rest of Sri Lanka by rebel territory, surviving on dry rations shipped in by the state and living under the pall of daily murders and abductions, 9-year-old Calista Emmanuel's mother is too afraid to send her daughter to school.

Mindful of a boycott on lessons imposed by the pro-rebel Jaffna students union, instead she makes her sit on the roadside near their coastal home to sell chicken drumsticks, coconuts and mangoes to bring in a few rupees.

"There is no normal life for us," she lamented. "If there was normalcy, there would be no shortage of food, no long queues. How can children go to school when their stomach is empty and they are awake from 3 a.m. because of shelling?"

The government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have both pledged to resume peace talks after a five-month impasse, but a new chapter of the island's two-decade civil war continues to flare.

The military fires sporadic artillery and multi-barrel rocket fire towards rebel territory. The Tigers fire artillery and mortar bombs. Each side always accuses the other of provoking confrontations, and analysts fear the violence will only deepen.

Civilians -- hundreds of whom have died in crossfire in the north and east since the worst outbreak of fighting since a 2002 ceasefire erupted in late July -- are trapped in the middle.

"This is a sad experience. I am still scared to live in this house," said newly-married Donald Nelson Wilfred, 29, standing by his beachside home in Jaffna. He was turfed out of a school where he had sought refuge after the Tigers warned the neighbourhood to clear out ahead of an imminent attack.

"Life was easy at the school," he said. "Our problem is we have to obey two masters."

Rights officials say 131 civilians have been killed on the peninsula since August, and that another 50 have "disappeared". Some people leave their houses at night to take refuge in churches for fear the rebels' naval arm will attack military outposts, before heading home at first light.

Many residents in almost entirely Tamil Jaffna town are gradually adapting to fuel, food and electricity shortages and a daily curfew, but many complain they are either not receiving food handouts or that rations are insufficient.

Fortnightly ration cards allot 4 kg of rice, 3 kg of flour, 1 kg of sugar and 750 grams of lentils per person over the age of 5. Unemployed receive them from free, while others must pay.

The town is in lock-down. Heavily armed soldiers man checkpoints at seemingly every corner, armoured trucks roar through town at high speed, and items like baby milk powder are out of stock.

 Source: Reuters

Prabhakaran agrees to talk "because his days are numbered" - Rambukwella

Thu, 2006-09-28 03:28
From our Political Correspondent

Colombo, 28 September, (Asiantribune.com): 51-year-old Velupillai Prabhakaran, has at last agreed to make himself available for talks and consultations whenever necessary, according to official sources.V. Prabhakaran explained that he may not be able to be present due to security reasons at the venue but he would make himself available for consultations during the talks.

Briefing the media on this latest development Keheliya Rambukwella, the government's chief spokesman on defence matters said: "We need concrete positive commitments from the leader of the LTTE to resume talks. He has given that."

Rambukwella said that the government understood his problem and was willing to accept alternative arrangements for steady and reliable consultations. The government was insisting that no future talks will be held with his proxies. It maintained that Prabhakaran should make a personal commitment to enter into sincere talks without reneging on flimsy excuses.

Rambukwella also said Hans Brattskar's visit last week to the rebel-held town of Kilinochchi had proved positive.

"He came back with certain positive suggestions," the minister said. "The president will look at it in the next few days." President Mahinda Rajapakse will not be available for the next couple of days, he added.

Prabhakaran, according to Rambukwella, has come forward to give these assurances because he knows that "his days were numbered."

Prabhakaran deliberately avoided meeting even LTTE-friendly Erik Solheim and other leaders. This was a tactic he used to avoid giving commitments.

According to Rambukwella, Prabhakaran had agreed to meet the chief Norwegian Peace Envoy, Erik Solheim, and keep a direct line open to him.

This is, indeed, a big breakthrough for the government. Getting Prabhakaran to come to the negotiating table with a firm commitment is something that Erik Solheim, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Ranil Wickremesinghe failed to achieve. He was giving them the run around, dodging all commitments and postponing talks with flimsy excuses.

The international community and the local NGOs too went along with him endorsing his excuses and blaming the Sri Lankan government for not giving into his escalating demands.

Analysts too agree that Prabhakaran has hit rock bottom and he has nowhere to go except to talks. With
(1) increasing losses in the battlefield,
(2) increasing international hostility and isolation and
(3) direct snubs from India and Chennai he has no other option, according to analysts. Rambukwella added: "The international community, which till recently viewed the LTTE as either freedom fighters or rebels, is now seeing it as a terrorist group.

Pin-pointing the new approach Rambukwella said: "Twenty-five years of experience of backtracking by the LTTE makes us cautious about any assurances from it. We are not prepared to play any more games." The government was insisting on a commitment from the supremo himself.

Downgrading the roles of Balasingham and Tamilselvan, Rambukwella said that the government could not accept what others said.

The Government has been negotiating with Anton Balasingham, or Prabhakaran's former bodyguard like S. P. Tamilselvan, leaving ample room for him to stay aloof from commitments made by them. The absence of Prabhakaran at talks was seen as a serious drawback for peace negotiations.

Rambukwella added that the government was in the process of getting together a broad front of political forces from the south to find a solution to the Tamil problem. "The Tamil people should seize this opportunity to come to a settlement," Rambukwella said.

This latest development was announced after Prabhakaran met the God-man Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of the Bangalore-based Art of Living Foundation on September 21 or 22. He was flown in and out of Killinochchi in a Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter. The Norwegians who came to know of this were peeved that Prabhakaran had agreed to meet the Godman and not the man who wanted to be God in the peace process, Erik Solheim.

At this stage it is not clear as to who changed Prabhakaran's mind. Was it Godman Ravi Shankar or was it Hans Brattskar who went later to Killinochchi?

But cynics point out that neither was responsible. The credit should go to the new ground realities created by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.

Official believe that the current international climate and the ground situation are not favourable for Prabhakaran to play his old games.

Skeptics, however, argue that Prabhakaran cannot change his spots and he could still be playing this card to buy time.

Source:Asian Tribune

LTTE sending feelers for talks, says Colombo

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Tuesday said that through Norway, the official facilitator of peace talks, it has received "positive signals" from LTTE on resumption of the stalled dialogue.

Policy Planning Minister and Defence spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella told a news conference here in response to a question that the Government has been conveyed in "some form a commitment" from the LTTE supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran that the outfit is ready for talks on terms of the Government.

In the wake of the September 12 announcement of the Sri Lanka Co-Chairs in Brussels that the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government and the LTTE are ready for "unconditional talks," Colombo had taken exception to some of the "factual accuracies" in the statement and maintained that dialogue can not re-start unless some of its "concerns" were met.

Sri Lanka Government wanted a firm commitment from Mr. Prabhakaran that fresh round of talks would not be utilised by his organisation for military gains. In addition it wanted the international community to devise a mechanism for credible cessation of hostilities and wanted the privilege of deciding the venue and date of talks by the democratically elected sovereign Government. Last week the Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka had travelled to Kilinochchi to discuss issues raised by the Government.

Source: The Hindu

Indian Minister of Panchayati Raj (Local Government) Briefs the APRC and Panel of Experts

SCOPP Report 27 September 2006

Hon. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj (Local Government) in India met members of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) and Panel of Experts at the Peace Secretariat today. Minister Aiyar was accompanied by Indian High Commissioner HE Ms.Nirupama Rao, Deputy High Commissioner A. Manickan, and other officials from the Indian High Commission. Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President also attended the discussion. Hon. Professor Wiswa Warnapala, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and member of the APRC welcomed the Indian Minister. In his address, Minister Aiyar explained the concept of Panchayati Raj and described its implementation in India. The Panchyati Raj is a system of local democracy through local councils known as Panchayats that has been established by the Indian Constitution. It provides a mechanism for devolution from the central government to people at the local levels. Minister Aiyar provided insights about the methodology, principles, and practical issues regarding this system of devolution. At the conclusion of his address, Minister Aiyar responded to questions from members of the All Party Representative Committee and the Panel of Experts, and offered to provide further assistance and cooperation to them in the future.

Source: http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org

Keheliya hits out at SLMM

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Daily Mirror The Government yesterday slammed Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission chief Lars Johan Solvberg for making comments beyond his mandate. "Maj. Gen. Solvberg has no right to speak on behalf of the international community," Government Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said referring to comments made by the SLMM Chief to a news agency saying that the 'international community is losing its patience because of the continued violence in the country and that both the Government and the LTTE were responsible for it'. Mr. Rambukwella said more than the SLMM and the international community, the people of the country were losing their patience as it was the people who were actually facing the crisis for more than two decades. He also condemned the SLMM for equating the Government, which was democratically elected by the people, with the LTTE, which is branded as a terrorist group in the world. He said the Government would take up the issue with the SLMM and the Norwegian facilitators at the right forum soon. "We regret the SLMM comment very much and we are seriously taking up the matter with it shortly", Mr. Rambukwella added. Source:http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/09/28/front/2.asp

Muslim community organisations in Sri Lanka's Pottuvil claim STF innocent

Thu, 2006-09-28 01:51

Munza Mushtaq - Reporting from Colombo

Colombo, 28 September, (Asiantribune.com): Several community organizations in the Eastern province have expressed their conviction over LTTE's involvement in the massacre of eleven innocent Muslim civilians in Pottuvil on September 16th, the ministry of defence said.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapakse has been informed in writing by many such community organizations including Akkaraipattu Pradesha Fish Vendor's United Credit Co-op Society Ltd, Akkaraipattu Traders Association and the Akkaraipattu Jummah Grand Mosque that the heinous crime was undoubtedly perpetrated by the LTTE terrorists, denying the speculations on Security forces involvement.

The organisations have alleged that there are LTTE backed group of racketeers engaged in large scale illegal timber business in the area to commit the crime. The Special Task Force (STF) has taken stern action to prevent this illegal business which had been continued for a longtime. It is reliably understood the racketeers had been funding the LTTE for providing illicit timber cut down from the national forests until the STF probed in to the business.

Irked by these moves, the STF said that some racketeers were organising agitations putting the civilians in the forefront.

The Akkaraipattu fish vendor's society while condemning the crime stated that this massacre was aimed to ignite tension between the Muslim and the Sinhalese in the Eastern area and to destabilize the ground situation in favor for the LTTE.

They said that this was opted to weaken the development in the Eastern province.

The Akkaraipattu traders association stated that this brutal crime was an LTTE effort to tarnish the good image of the security forces. The organizations also reiterated that the attempt was to disturb the rapid development processes put in place by the government in the area.

The Akkaraipattuwa Jummah Grand Mosque priests while condemning the massacre said "we vehemently deny LTTE's accusation leveled against the SL security forces as it is clear that no organization other than the LTTE could commit such atrocities.

Source:Asian Tribune

Mass Demonstration for Peace opposite the White House

Wed, 2006-09-27 14:05

Daya Gamage – US National Correspondent for Asian Tribune

Washington, D.C. 27 September (Asiantribune.com): A mass demonstration in protest brutal killings, ethnic cleansing and forcible recruitment of child soldiers by Sri Lanka's separatist Tamil Tigers (LTTE) and to support the Sri Lanka peace process undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka is scheduled opposite the White House, the official residence of U.S. President George W. Bush, on Wednesday, 4 October 2006.

The demonstration is being organized by the Sri Lankan American community in the Greater Washington area.

In recent months, Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in Washington and New York and Sri Lankan American community groups have stepped up their public diplomacy campaign to apprise U.S. lawmakers, media and civic and rights groups of their country's struggle to bring a peaceful resolution to the National Question by the government, and separatist Liberation Tigers' continued acts of terrorism to obstruct that process.

The Sri Lankan government, at the political level, and the country's missions in the United States, at diplomatic level, has launched a vigorous public diplomacy campaign to convince the U.S. at various levels that the Tamil Tigers do not represent the entire ethnic Tamil minority population and that a majority of Tamils, about 54%, are living peacefully among the majority Sinhalese community outside the north and east of the country and that the separatist Tamil group, the LTTE, is holding the remaining Tamil population living in the north and east captive denying them the basic human and democratic rights.

The country's president Mahinda Rajapaksa used his visit to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly in mid-September to convince the U.S. government and lawmakers that Tamil National Question, which his administration has given priority, is a separate issue to that of terrorism unleashed by the Tamil Tigers.

Now, the Sri Lankan American community domiciled in the Greater Washington area will be at the threshold of the White House to peacefully express their sentiments to the United States government to help Sri Lanka to eradicate Tamil Tiger terrorism to facilitate the resolution of the political problem faced by this South Asian nation.

The demonstrators, while commending the United States administration for its recent arrests of LTTE agents in New York, are expected to air their protest of Tamil Tigers brutal assassinations, ruthless suppression of captive Tamils in the areas under its control in the north and east of the country and the abuse of democratic and human rights of the minority Tamils living under their influence and control.

The demonstration will be held on Wednesday, 4 October 2006 between 11 am and 2 pm at the Lafayette Park opposite the White House in Washington, D.C.

The organizers advise those who intend attending the demonstration to travel by Metro to Farragut North or McPherson Square, as no parking is available in the vicinity of the White House.

Source:Asian Tribune

TNA holds sit-in-protest in SL parliament against abduction, killing in NE

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 September 2006, 05:38 GMT]
The sitting of the Sri Lanka parliament has been disrupted Wednesday when parliamentarians of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Wednesday morning around 9:30 a.m . began a sit-in-protest against the abduction and killings of Tamil innocent civilians in the North East.

The parliament met Wednesday with the Speaker W.J.M.Lokkubandara in the chair. Soon after he came to the podium, Mavai Senathirajah, Jaffna district parliamentarian and the general secretary of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchchi (ITAK) made a statement in regard to the terror campaign carried out the Sri Lanka forces in connivance with some para military groups in the North East, with the abduction and killing of Tamil innocent civilians daily in the North East.

Thereafter TNA parliamentarians walked into the well of the house and sat in front of the Speaker's podium in protest against the abduction and killing.

The normal business of the House has been disrupted since then, parliamentary sources said.

 

Source:Tamilnet

EPRLF, PLOT, TULF ask India to become pro-active once again

Wed, 2006-09-27 07:27

By M Rama Rao reporting from India

New Delhi, 27 September (Asiantribune.com): After the pro-LTTE, it is the turn of anti-LTTE Tamil leaders. Three of them, D. Sitharthan of the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), T. Sritharan of the Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) president V. Anandasangaree MPs are now here in Delhi.

And their message, like that of TNA delegation, which was here last week and left after a snub from Indian Prime Minister, is 'be pro-active and help end Sri Lanka crisis'.

The Institute of Peace and Conflict studies played host to the new visitors from the island.

D. Sitharthan told a conference organized by the Institute that Sri Lanka Tamils pray that India once again involves itself and brings about peace (in the island). Fellow Tamil chipped in thus: "India must help in getting Tamils devolution of power and democratic space in the northeast (of Sri Lanka)".

Anandasangaree shared his disbelief that why India is not utilizing its influence on the ruling (Sri Lanka Freedom Party -SLFP) and the opposition (United National Party -UNP) parties to push them to devolve political and administrative powers to the Tamil minority.

"Everyone I have spoken to in Sri Lanka", the TULF leader went on to say, "will support an Indian model (of devolution of power".)

President Rajapakse and opposition leader Ranil Wickramasinghe are willing to settle for a federal system based on the Indian model to share power with the Tamil minority, he said though recent media reports from Colombo have suggested that the Rajapakse and his advisors are looking at some European and Latin American models of devolution as well.

Like him, Sitharthan also felt that most acceptable solution could come from accepting the Indian model. Despite his organisation's militant background, he was categorical in condemning the LTTE's assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, whom he described as a sincere visionary keenly interested to see Sri Lanka Tamils live with honour and in peace. Rajiv's vision is yet to be fulfilled, he remarked.

Anandasangaree, who stated at the very outset that he considers India as his mother land, added acceptance of Indian constitution model would silence politicians in Tamil Nadu who tend to support the LTTE.

In his view, starting with the Indian model of neither being truly federal nor unitary in concept and approach would give lot of confidence to the Tamils who have been at the receiving end all these years.

"Our dark days are almost over and very soon we will be heading towards peace,' he said expressing confidence that peace would be realised in the emerald island, where , he told his interlocutors, ordinary Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims have lived together as brothers for centuries.

Dalit Panthers Demand

Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) has criticised the Manmohan Singh government for not talking to the TNA MPs. "The Tamil MPs (from Sri Lanka) are not members of the LTTE. They are representatives of the Eelam Tamils and they only know the prevailing position in Sri Lanka," Thirumavalavan, General Secretary, DPI, told reporters in Chennai on Tuesday.

"Over the years, India was only holding talks with Lankan Sinhalese leaders like Mahinda Rajapakse, Ranil Wickremasinghe and Chandrika Kumaratunga. But, not with Eelam Tamil MPs", he remarked and asked Delhi to revisit its Sri Lanka policy and factor in what he called ground realities.

The DPI leader was critical of the 'invitation' to EPRLF, TULF and the PLOTE, saying 'these organizations are not active in Sri Lanka at present. "They do not really know what is happening".

Source:Asian Tribune

Thileepan, Shankar commemorated in NorthEast

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 26 September 2006, 23:22 GMT]
The nineteenth death anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan, a political leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, who fasted unto death in 1987, and the fifth death anniversary of Col. Shankar, a senior commander and the founder of the Tiger air-wing, who was killed in a Sri Lankan Deep Penetration Unit triggered Claymore mine in Vanni in 2001, were commemorated in NorthEast on Tuesday. Hundreds of people took part in token fasts. Temple and church bells were rung at 10:48 a.m. The leader of the LTTE, Mr. V. Pirapaharan, paid homage to Thileepan and Shankar at a commemoration event.

Lt .Col. Thileepan fasted in front of the Nallur Temple, in Jaffna district for 12 days sacrificing his life on 26 September 1987.

LTTE Leader V. Pirapaharan pays homage to Lt. Col. Thileepan, a political leader of the Tigers and Col. Shankar, the founder of the Tigers Air Wing.

Remembrance events were held at the District Secretariat compounds in Kilinochchi, Iranaimadu, Mankulam and in Mullaithivu in Vanni.

Political Head of LTTE's Women Wing, Thamilini, Jaffna District Political Head C. Ilamparuthi, Head of Tamileelam Judiciary E. Pararajasingham (Para) and Head of Tamileelam Heroes Secretariat, Pon. Thiyagam, addressed the audience.

"In the history of our liberation struggle, year 1987 witnessed a series of major challenges. Among the challenges, Thileepan marched forward with confidence and stood up for the policy. With his ultimate sacrifice, he shaped the political thinking of the whole people and strengthened the willpower of the Tamil nation," Mr. Para said in his address.

"The military psy-ops, propaganda, counter-insurgency tactics and thousands of paramilitary cadres of a superior military power, skilled in warfare, could not destroy Eealm Tamils willpower that sustained the struggle and multiplied our ability to resist the Sri Lankan state as a result," he further said.

In Batticaloa, LTTE's Political Head of Batticaloa District Daya Mohan, addressing the audience at Moonkilattu heroes cemetary for Batticaloa-Amparai war heroes in Udayarkattu, remembered the Thileepan's non-violent fast-to-death campaign before a war broke out between the Tigers and the Indian forces.

"Tamileelam national consciousness was strengthened by the non-violent sacrifices of Thileepan and Batticaloa mother Annai Poopathy in a unique way," Mr. Daya mohan observed. Tiger Commander Umaram lit the traditional flame and the flame of sacrifice was lit by Nalan, the administrative head of the elite commando Jayanthan Brigade of the Tigers.

 

Source:Tamilnet

India lauds Rajapaksa Government's resolve to build consensus on ethnic issue

B. Muralidhar Reddy

On basic principles, India and Sri Lanka share the same vision India is ready to share with Sri Lanka our "own experience of unity in diversity, plural democracy and devolution."

COLOMBO: India has appreciated the resolve of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government to build a consensus on the ethnic problem within a united Sri Lanka and on the basis of maximum devolution of powers.

New Delhi also offered to share its experiences with Colombo, said Union Minister for Panchayat Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports Mani Shankar Aiyar on Tuesday.

Delivering the 47th SWRD Bandaranaike memorial lecture on `South Asian politics, especially Southern Asia,' he told a packed audience that the abiding Indian commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka was an "unvarnished truth."

Quoting from the Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao's August 15 message, the Minister said India is ready to share with Sri Lanka our "own experience of unity in diversity, plural democracy and devolution."

Mr. Aiyar said that violence would only beget more violence and vitiate the climate for political dialogue, and the only way forward was a peaceful, negotiated settlement. "We believe that today more than ever, special efforts are required to strengthen the ceasefire and work towards a devolution package that could command consensus among the major political parties, restore ethnic harmony and expeditiously address the legitimate aspirations of all sections of Sri Lankan society," he said.

Geographical reason

The Minister quoted from the speech made in January 1950 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at a public reception in Colombo. It read: "... it seems to be quite inevitable and right that there should be the closest relationship and cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Geography compels it. Our history and common culture make it inevitable..."

Mr. Aiyar reminded the audience that Nehru had used the word Sri Lanka at a juncture when it was known within the country as Ceylon and it was a reflection of the level of understanding and closeness between the two countries.

The Minister said there could be differences of perception between India and Sri Lanka but on the question of basic principles they shared the same vision. "We have 2,500 years of common history and civilisation," the Minister said.

Mr. Aiyar was all praise for the work of Mrs. Rao in the consolidation of India-Sri Lanka relations and said she had specially been chosen by New Delhi as the new Ambassador of India to China. "Beijing and Islamabad are the two prestigious assignments for any Indian Foreign Service officer and it is recognition of her capabilities," he said.

Dwelling on the theme of his lecture, the Minister traced the roots of the fall of Asia from the pre-eminent position of being the vanguard of human civilisation during three centuries of colonialism and said it has all the potential to regain its lost glory.

"I have no doubt in my mind that the 21st Century belongs to Asia. Look at the economic growth in so many countries of Asia in the last few years," Mr. Aiyar said. In the context of the trials and tribulations of Europe in the last 300 years, the Minister said "narrow definition of nationalism on the basis of ethnicity" is a very dangerous concept.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Aiyar took part in the ceremonies related to the Bandaranaike's 47th death remembrance. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Minister Anura Bandaranaike, Ms. Sunethra Bandaranaike and leading members of Sri Lanka Freedom Party attended ceremonies at the Horagolla Bandaranaike Samadhi in Attanagalla, 40 km away from Colombo. Mr. Aiyar attended a dinner hosted by Mr. Rajapaksa where he exchanged views on the current situatiON.

 

Source:The Hindu

Sri Lanka: LTTE and Karuna in UNICEF bad books

Wed, 2006-09-27 02:09

Munza Mushtaq - Reporting from Colombo

Colombo, 27 September, (Asiantribune.com): Latest UNICEF data has disclosed that approximately 1545 children continue to be under LTTE custody, while another 101 have been recruited by LTTE renegade leader Karuna Amman.

"As of August 31, 2006, there are 1545 outstanding cases of under age recruitment by the LTTE. Of these, 643 are under the age of 18, and 902 were recruited while under 18 but have now passed that age. As of 31 August 2006 there are also 101 outstanding cases of under age recruitment by the Karuna group," the UNICEF website said.

A spokesperson attached to UNICEF Sri Lanka said that these statistics were just one third of the actual statistics. "We have only incidents abductions which were reported to us by the children's relatives or parents. And so we estimate these to be one third of the actual number," she said.

At the Oslo round of Peace Talks in November 2002, UNICEF was given a mandate to monitor child rights violations of the ceasefire agreement. As part of this mandate UNICEF compiles and verifies data on child recruitment, as reported usually by family members, and makes this information available regularly to partners, working with them to advocate against child recruitment.

UNICEF continuously checks its database on under age recruitment to ensure its accuracy. UNICEF only withdraws recruits from its database when it is able to verify their release through an official letter of release, or by establishing that the child is reunited with his or her parents.

Source:Asian Tribune

Air force hits Sea Tiger base

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Daily Mirror By Sunil Jayasiri Air force jets yesterday carried out fresh attacks on a sea Tiger base in Vellankulam in Mannar destroying the base, a day after the Navy destroyed a flotilla of Sea Tiger craft off Pulmoddai Sea, Military spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe said He said the air force pounded a training camp belonging to the LTTE Sea Tigers north of Videththelthivu and destroyed the target. Brigadier Samarasinghe said the latest bombing sortie was carried out following ground reports that Tigers were using the base for training operations. Meanwhile, Pro-LTTE TamilNet confirming the air raids said two air force Kfir jets carried out aerial bombing on the village of Vellankulam in the LTTE controlled Mannar district and said there were casualties. Source:http://www.dailymirror.lk/2006/09/27/front/5.asp

Medawachchiya find thwarts claymore attack on VIP

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

The Island By Norman Palihawadena The driver of the Dolphin van, arrested at the Medawachchiya check point last Friday, has told investigators that he was tasked by the LTTE hierarchy to look for a red coloured car which often plied along Galle road between Galle Face and Mount Lavinia and also in and around lanes on either side of the Galle Road with an STF backup vehicle The dolphin vehicle, when checked, had a well camouflaged container near the fuel tank in which a powerful claymore mine, detonators, wire rolls, remote controllers and a mobile telephone were discovered. He also told the Police that he was unaware of the identity of the VIP in the red car but was instructed to inform his colleague of certain definite locations the vehicle would pass daily. He was also told by the LTTE that once the definite location was identified his colleague would set up the claymore mine targeting the victim. The colleague who travelled with him escaped. Police discovered that the suspect had made 14 calls to his Tiger colleagues in Colombo on the mobile phone they recovered from his possession. Police are now attempting to track the calls. Five kilos of meat was also kept in the luggage of the van to attract the sniffer dogs so that they would go for the meat instead of explosives, but the well trained dogs did not go for the meat. Source: http://www.island.lk/2006/09/27/news1.html

Tigers in STF uniform behind the Pottuvil Mascare

Tue, 2006-09-26 02:38

Colombo, 26 September, (Asiantribune.com): Latest reports from Pottuvil claim that Tamil Tigers wearing STF Police uniforms were seen moving around sending threatening signals to the Muslims who intend resettling in the Pottuvil area.

It is the common practice of the Tamil Tiger cadres to disguise themselves either in Sri Lakan Army uniforms or STF uniforms and intimidate or even attack the Tamils and Muslims in the North and East to blacken the image of the Sri Lankan armed force.

Many residents of Pottuvil has vouched that they have seen the LTTE men in STF uniform moving in their four-wheelers as well as in motorcycles in the LTTE controlled areas.

They said that they have seen more than two dozens of them in a convoy of two vehicles, on one four-wheel drive and a van piloted by 2 motor cycle escort in the front and two motor cycles following them behind the fast moving vehicles on the 17th September late evening.

Residents who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals said that on the following day (18/09 – the day of the massacre of 10 Muslims) they saw the LTTE convoy returning. They also said that they heard many LTTE cadres openly boasting that they have taught a bitter lesson to the Muslims, who use to betray them and also passing information on them to the Government forces

The new evidence coming from sources, including Muslims and Tamil community groups makes it clear that the LTTE was behind the massacre of the Muslims.

This is also confirmed by the statement by Kareem Nilam Mohideen the only Muslim civilian who survived the LTTE attack and now undergoing treatment at the Amparai.

Source;Asian Tribune

Subramanian Swamy puts LTTE on notice, offers an out of box advice to Tigers

Subramanian Swamy puts LTTE on notice, offers an out of box advice to Tigers
Mon, 2006-09-25 05:08
From our Bureau

New Delhi, 25 September, (Asiantribune.com): Janata Party President and former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy is not surprised by LTTE efforts to win over India to its side in the decades old ethnic crisis rocking Sri Lanka. But they cannot hope to curry favour with New Delhi, he said and put the Tigers on notice.

"Within the Indian establishment there is a determination that if LTTE carries out another assassination in India, we shall use tactical nuclear weapons on Kilinochchi and wherever else Prabhakaran is known to be hiding", he said in a startling disclosure.

"The US and Israel know about this contingency plan", the former minister stated without elaborating. He further said the damage (from such an attack) could be contained to civilian population by using a 'low tonnage of the bomb' and 'by issuing a 24 hour warning' to people to clear out.

As if on afterthought, Swamy said, much would depend (executing the plan) on 'who and which party is in power' at that point in time.

He has an out of the box advice to them if India is to take a're-look' at the Tigers and 'do business with Sri Lankan Government. And it is that Prabhakaran and his intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman must surrender to face trail in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and that 'residual LTTE" must commit itself to democratic means by laying down arms.

In an interview to "Asian Tribune," the Harvard professor turned politician expressed the view that if Karuna, Devananda, and Chandrahasan don the mantle of the Tamil interests in the island, India could again 'do business' with the Sri Lanka government and help resolve the ethnic issue in the island nation..

Has India given legitimacy to TNA by entertaining a visit of its MPs, he was asked. His reply was a categorical no. "As elected MPs of a SAARC member country, they are free to visit any South Asian county without visa. So there is no giving legitimacy (to TNA)" he pointed out. He was glad that the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh snubbed the LTTE proxies 'by cancelling the 4 pm appointment fixed with them'.

He put the onus for the visit of TNA MPs and their itinerary including the scheduling of a meeting with the PM on MDMK leader Vaiko, whom he called an Indian stooge of the LTTE.

"The Manmohan snub," Swamy said, should wake up the LTTE not to waste
time wooing India unless it falls in line with the Indian conditions and provides a 'credible evidence' of having done so.

Answering another question, Subramanian Swamy, who was the commerce
and law minister in the Chandrasekhar Government, said India would not spare the Tigers leader if he is up to his old trick vis-a- vis India.

"Within the Indian establishment there is a determination that if LTTE carries out another assassination in India, we shall use tactical nuclear weapons on Kilinochchi and wherever else Prabhakaran is known to be hiding", he said in a startling disclosure. "

The US and Israel know about this contingency plan", the former minister stated without elaborating and added that the damage (from such an attack) could be contained to civilian population by using a 'low tonnage of the bomb and by issuing a 24 hour warning to people to clear out". As if on afterthought, Swamy said, much would depend (executing the plan) on 'who and which party is in power' at that point in time.

He went on to say: "LTTE probably in its self-interest has learnt that no Indian government, however highly placed in our government are their agents, will forget Rajiv's assassination".

While on the issue of Rajiv assassination, Subramanian Swamy said that he is not the only one in India wanting to bring the LTTE to justice. "Already India has formally rejected the apology of the LTTE for the Rajiv assassination. I am not the only one in India wanting bring the LTTE to justice. The bureaucracy is determined on it. Even Congress leaders meet me in the dark to encourage me to continue the demand. It is only a matter of time".

India is not Sri Lanka, he remarked while answering another question. He is surprised that though Sri Lanka leaders are killed like flies at regular intervals, Colombo is 'ever ready' to negotiate with the killers on even 'a slight pressure from the unemployed and otherwise bored diplomats from Norway'.

"Such debasement and lack of national self-respect I have not seen anywhere else in the world", the Janata Party leader, who is a globe trotter," said.

Asked about the incongruity of TNA parliamentary leader R.Sampanthan and his colleague Mr. Mavai Senathirajah 'safely depositing' their families in Tamilnadu, Subramanian Swamy did not see anything amiss, not even a security threat.

Pointing out even Prabhkaran's parents lived in Tamilnadu even after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, he said, India doesn't target families. Only when they indulge in political activity, will they be asked to leave India. When Prabhkaran's parents started campaigning for their son, they were asked to leave, he
recalled.

Answering the larger issue of solution to the Tamil Problem in Sri Lanka, he said, "I just cannot see why your majority is refusing to change the Constitution to devolve power, for example the way India has". . Even India's Constitution is a unitary one but it has subsidiary Federal provisions.

He also made it clear that after what President Premadasa did to us, "we Indians will never do anything upfront for the Sinhalas". If Sri Lanka devolves power acceptable to the Tamils, then he is sure a future government of India will bring justice to Prabhakaran and his cohorts world over. He is equally confident that a change of government in India 'may be sooner than you may think'.

Excerpts from Dr Swamy's replies to the questions AT had e-mailed

Question 1. Before assassinating Rajiv Gandhi LTTE sent Kasi Ananandan and Arjuna Sittampalam from London to meet him to put him off guard. Is the LTTE up to its old tricks again in sending the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs to meet new Indian prime minister? This cannot be ruled out because the LTTE has been in the habit of lulling their victims into a false sense of security just before they are targeted. They even offer garlands before assassinating them.

Dr. Swamy: Nothing dirty and vile can be ruled out as far the LTTE is concerned. But within the Indian establishment there is a determination that if LTTE carries out another assassination in India, we shall use tactical nuclear weapons on Kilinochchi and wherever else Prabhakaran is known to be hiding.

The US and Israel knows about this contingency plan. The damage can be contained to civilian population by the low tonnage of the bomb and a 24 hour warning by leaflets asking people to clear out. Of course, much would depend on who and which party is in power at that moment in time. But I assume the LTTE probably in it's self-interest has learnt that even though they had an agreement with Rajiv Gandhi's widow, no Indian government, however highly placed in our government are their agents, will forget Rajiv's assassination. India is not like Sri Lanka where it's leaders are killed like flies at regular intervals, and yet the government of Sri Lanka is ever ready to negotiate with the killers on even a slight pressure from the unemployed and otherwise bored diplomats from Norway! Such debasement and lack of national self-respect I have not seen anywhere else in the world.

Question 2: Tamil National Alliance is known in political circles as the proxy of the LTTE. Though they are elected parliamentarians their election has been even described by the European election monitoring mission as rigged by the LTTE. So should India give legitimacy to this group of MPs who denied the Tamil people to express their popular will democratically and non-violently?

Dr.Swamy: Yes they are in fact Tiger Nominated Agents. As MPs however declared elected, of South Asia they can come to India without a visa unless there is some explicit security reason as was there was in Eelavethan's case. There is no 'giving legitimacy' in this. But the PM's snub by cancelling their 4 PM appointment fixed by the Indian stooge of the LTTE, Vaiko, should wake up the LTTE not to waste time wooing India. The only way India will re-look at the LTTE is if [a] Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman surrender to Indian authorities for facing the Rajiv assassination trial [b] there is credible evidence the residual LTTE has laid down it's arms and committed to democratic means. May be if Karuna, Devananda, and Chandrahasan form a new leadership, India can do business with the Sri Lanka government.

Question 3: TNA parliamentary leader Mr. R.Sampanthan and the other member in the delegation Mr. Mavai Senathirajah have transported their families to reside in Tamil Nadu. Even Selvan Adaikalanathan, another TNA MP and former leader of TELO, and also some other leading TNA members have deposited their families in Tamil Nadu fearing the consequences of Prabhkaran's unwinnable war. If India is concerned about the security of the Tamil people why are only selected pro-LTTE agents given refuge in India and not the poor Tamils persecuted by the LTTE? Aren't the presences of the pro-LTTE agents also a security threat to India?

Dr. Swamy : If they do any pro-LTTE activity, please let me know. I shall move in the matter. Otherwise India does not target families. Even Prabhakaran parents were here since Rajiv's assassination. But when they started campaigning for their son, they were asked to leave.

Question 4: You have advocated time and again that India should send its troops to Sri Lanka to pick up LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran and his intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman – the two key men in India's list of wanted criminals. So far Indian Government has failed to even send a note to Sri Lanka demanding the extradition of Prabakaran and Pottu Amman. When do you think India will take appropriate action to bring these two criminal to justice?

Dr. Swamy: That is because of Anton Balasingham's network connections with Sonia Gandhi's mother, a Mussolini fascist called Paola Maino and the contract killing of Rajiv Gandhi.

But that is going to change soon. Already India has formally rejected the apology of the LTTE for the Rajiv assassination. I am not the only one in India wanting bring the LTTE to justice. The bureaucracy is determined on it. Even Congress leaders meet me in the dark to encourage me to continue the demand. It is only a matter of time.

Question 5: If India' fails to take action what course of action do you propose taking? Will you consider filing action in the Indian Courts to compel the Indian Government to take appropriate action to initiate extradition of the two convicted murderers of Rajiv Gandhi?

Dr.Swamy: I can do something in the matter including getting implemented the execution of four convicted LTTE/DK persons in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, if the Sinhala majority genuinely begins to share power with the island Tamils. I just cannot see why your majority is refusing to change the Constitution to devolve power, for example the way India has. Even India's Constitution is a unitary one but it has subsidiary Federal provisions. After what President Premadasa did to us, we Indians will never do anything upfront for the Sinhalas. You devolve power acceptably to the Tamils, and I am sure a future government of India [which may be sooner than you may think] will bring justice to Prabhakaran and his cohorts' world over.

Source:Asian Tribune

Sri Lanka President assures a political solution under one flag in a united country, and power sharing with Tamils

Tue, 2006-09-26 04:41
London, 26 September, (Asiantribune.com): In an interview with 'Tamil Osai,' BBC Tamil Services, President Mahinda Rajapakse said there will be a political solution under one flag in a united country with sharing of powers with the Tamils of Sri Lanka.

This statement was made by him when he stopped over in London on his way back home from the NAM meeting in Havana and later from the 61st UN General Assembly meeting in New York. President also emphasized tart there are no separate boundaries that can change hands, he said

While announcing that Government of Sri Lanka is ready to talk with the Tamil rebel outfit - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, President said before that its leader V.Prabakaran must give a clear undertaking that LTTE is ready to come forward for talks.

Excerpts of the interview with President by Tamil Osai is given below::

Question : It has been informed by Norway that talks will be held with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Is there any condition to be laid on your side regarding your participation in the talks?

President Mahinda Rajapakse : There are no such things as pre-conditions, but we need an assurance. Last time when we went for talks in Oslo, Tamilselvan and all others said that they were ready for talks and when I sent my delegation there for talks, they have said, "No .. no .. we are not ready to speak with the Sri Lanka delegation."

A similar situation should not arise one more time in the future. Liberation Tigers must come forward to give a clear undertaking. That has to come only from the LTTE Leader V.Prabakaran. The undertaking must be given by Prabakaran. He must have to say that they are ready for the talks with the Government.

Question : According to the Ceasefire Agreement in force, both sides have to remain within their stipulated boundaries. At present you are going to talk on a different field situation. Therefore are you intending to talk about any new ceasefire agreement?

President: Mahinda Rajapakse : Boundaries …? There are no such separate boundaries within Sri Lanka. There is only one boundary for the whole of Sri Lanka. Regarding talks I am not aware what they intend to talk. But first these killings and the loss of lives and all other things must be stopped and after that, I think we can talk about other matters. Because, I intend to provide a political resolution Mahinda Rajapakse ; Boundaries …? There are no such separate boundaries within Sri Lanka. There is only one boundary for the whole of Sri Lanka.'

In this connection I have already constituted an All Party Committee regarding this issue. To help those in the Committee I have also appointed experts. Therefore that Committee may put forward some proposals and resolutions. After that we will send them to the Liberation Tigers as well as to the people.

Question: It is Ok….. What type of political solution you intend putting forward? Is it possible for you to elaborate a little on this subject?

President Mahinda Rajapakse : What ever the proposals, it has to be within a united country. We cannot divide the country. The solution must have to be under one flag and one country. At the same time power has to be devolved. We have already said about this. We are also ready to share power. On this basis we have provided basic concepts to them.

Therefore all the political parties have to come up with a proposal or a resolution in this regard. With regard with me, I am not willing to give my own personal proposals or resolution. Therefore let this Committee come up with its proposals and resolutions. My party is also represented in that Committee.

Question: As you have the support of those advocating extremist policies with you, it is being viewed by a section of the Tamils that there would be pressure forthcoming from these extremist political parties in the policies of your government. What is your response to the fear expressed by a section of the Tamils regarding this?

President Mahinda Rajapakse : Those who come up with such talks must bear in mind one thing very clearly. When those political parties insisted that Norway has to be thrown out of the facilitating acivities, I haven't done anything like that.

Either my Government or my Party is neither affected by other political parties nor afflicted by their influence. Only the people can create the necessary effect on us.

We have our policies. We will implement them. However these Political parties have never told that it was not good to hold talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. So far they haven't compelled us like this.

Question : Violence is on the increase in the North and east where Tamils predominantly live. According to human right activists, that killings and abductions are rampant especially in Jaffna. Even in the east INGO workers involved in relief works too have been killed. What is your opinion regarding this state of affairs?

President: Mahinda Rajapakse : These are all the propaganda undertaken by the Tamil Tigers. This is of course their propaganda. Don't believe their propaganda. You yourself, go directly there and see for yourself. Find out the true state of affairs from the people directly. So far we have brought out about five thousand civilians. Even today nearly one thousand has returned to Trincomalee. If they are interested in coming towards the South, we will bring them. Why can't you go over there and meet the people. Find out from them what actually happened over there? We haven't committed any excesses. I have confidence in the people's rights, people's basic human rights. Therefore I will never allow any basic rights of the people being flouted by the armed forces.

Question : You have expressed opinions that you will appoint a Commission to investigate the killings of the relief workers in Muthur. Will that be on and above the forensic investigation that is being at present carried out by the Australian forensic experts.

President: Mahinda Rajapakse : That was an arrangement especially for Muthur. That is why we have invited them. They will assist us in the investigation of the matters connected with the relief workers of the INGO organization.

Regarding the other issues we have appointed a special investigative commission. We have invited persons belonging to international communities to be observers of the activities of this special investigative Commission. We have even invited one person from India for the same.

Source:Asian Tribune

Muslims and Tamils in Eelam War IV

Mon, 2006-09-25 04:21

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

"Right and Wrong, justice and injustice, do not wear ethnic badges or wave national flags"
Eric Hobsbawm (Interesting Times: A Twentieth Century Life)

The East cannot be saved from the LTTE without the support of the province's Muslim community. In the previous Eelam Wars, whatever other follies we may have committed, we did manage to keep the Eastern Muslims on our side. The debacle of Pottuwil, horrendous and tragic, can loose us the support of this vital community in the Fourth Eelam War.

Last week's massacre of ten Muslim men does indeed bear the hallmarks of the Tigers; but there can also be 'copycat killings'.

Rightly or wrongly, a substantial segment of Pottuwil Muslims seems to believe that the culprits are the Lankan Forces. This is why an urgent investigation is needed. An international inquiry is the better option; though we have the local expertise, we seem to be somewhat lacking in credibility. The Human Rights Commission which has offered to investigate this crime can no longer claim to be 'independent' because of the irregular manner in which its members were appointed. If the regime continues in its refusal to permit an international inquiry, the already suspicious Muslims may see in it a confession of guilt and an attempt at cover-up. Such a perception can further alienate the Eastern Muslims, making them vulnerable to Tiger machinations. Incidentally the situation has worsened with the Wednesday's clashes in which 14 Muslim protesters were injured due to STF fire. According to the Hindustan Times "the reports from the spot said the crowd of Muslims became restive when the local chief of the STF tried to prevent them from observing a hartal". A few more incidents of this sort, and the Tigers would be able to make a comeback in the East, even despite the Karuna factor.

From the very beginning the Tigers wanted to ensure that the character of the Fourth Eelam War is akin to that of the First Eelam War – a contest between the Sinhala Army/state and the Tamil nation – with the LTTE playing the role of protector and liberator of the Tamil people. Such a war would compel Tamil civilians (including the ones who are far from happy with the Tigers) to see the Sinhalese as the alien occupier of their land, at least some of the time. Similarly if the Armed Forces feel that they are surrounded by a hostile populace, they would be more prone to attack civilians with or without reason. After all if the Armed Forces see a potential enemy in every Tamil man, woman and child then ere long they will start taking action against this ever present enemy. And the Tigers will be waiting with their video cameras, propaganda teams and their recruiting agents!

However even the LTTE may not have expected a crisis to erupt between the Lankan Forces and the Eastern Muslims, this early into the Fourth Eelam War. The Eastern Muslims traditionally had good relations with the Lankan Forces, including with the STF. It will be worth the government's while to look into how this situation changed so drastically in Pottuwil. It is being said that the first seeds of mistrust were sown when the JHU types from outside the area constructed a Buddha statue in the Muslim majority town of Ullai in early 2005 and the Armed Forces were charged with 'protecting' the statue from harm (very much like what happened in Trincomalee). If true, it is possible that this incident made the Muslim residents of the area regard the Armed Forces in a new and not so favourable light – as protectors of Sinhala Buddhist interest rather than Lankan interests.

The Importance of the Muslim Factor?

The Tigers want an East sans its Sinhalese and Muslims. The separate state the LTTE is envisaging is a profoundly anti-democratic one – dominated by the Tigers politically, organisationally and ideologically. The current ethnic composition of the East is a serious impediment to this all important goal, since the Muslims and the Sinhalese would insist on their own political representatives, especially the Muslims. This would provide a window of opportunity for the UNP, SLFP, SLMC, NUA and even the JVP, thereby seriously challenging the Tigers' political monopoly in their state. The Tigers thus need to remove negate the Muslim factor, if they are to successfully homogenise the East.

Given the psychopathic politics of the LTTE, this makes inevitable a policy of ethnic cleansing, aimed at clearing the province of the Muslims and the Sinhalese. This was done, successfully, in the North and the LTTE obviously envisages a repeat performance in the East. That way the Tigers can get rid of the majority of the non-Tamils in the East, while perhaps allowing a numerically small and politico-organisationally de-empowered minority to remain, in order to refute the charges of ethnic cleansing.

Thus if the souring of relations between the Lankan state and the Muslims is not rectified, the outcome will be a tragic one for both sides. The two sides need each other in their own interests. They are mutually dependent and their safety and well being rest on their ability to understand and accept this interdependence.

Without the backing of the Muslims the Lankan Forces cannot save the East from the Tigers. And without the help from the Lankan Forces the Muslims cannot save themselves from the LTTE. There is no future for Muslims in an East dominated by the Tigers just as the Lankan state cannot hold the East if it looses the support of the Muslims. Therefore the two sides must continue to work together in their own enlightened self-interests.

The Lankan government may or may not accept the homeland concept. But this cannot change the reality on the ground. The North-East is populated mostly by Tamils and Muslims. Consequently the security of Lankan troops is dependent not just on firepower but also on the goodwill (or at least the absence of ill will) of the people of the areas in which they are stationed. That is another good reason why urgent steps should be taken to mend fences with the Eastern Muslims. If we fail to mend fences with Eastern Muslims, then we may loose the backing of Pakistan and our other Islamic friends.

And if Eastern Muslims feel that they are at risk from both the Tigers and the Lankan Forces, they may decide that they have no option but to take steps to ensure their own protection. The last thing either Sri Lanka or the Muslim community needs is a creation of armed Muslim militants. It does not pay to antagonise the Eastern Muslims because they hold the key to the safety and stability of the province.

The recent tragic events in Pottuwil could constitute a mere footnote in history; or they could go down in history as the turning point in the relations between Muslims and the Lankan state. It is not yet too late for the Lankan state to rectify the errors of the last week and win back the trust and support of the Eastern Muslims. The decision to transfer the OIC of the controversial STF unit was a good one; but this is not enough. The massacre must be independently investigated (which in the current context require an international component) and the culprits, irrespective of their identity, must be punished.

If this is done Pottuwil will fade from the collective memory of Eastern Muslims. But if this rectification and redemption process does not happen, if the anger and the mistrust of the Muslims are allowed to fester, the Lankan state will find itself bereft of a key ally in the East at best and faced with a second armed insurgency at worst.

Anti-Tiger Tamils

One factor which can impede this LTTE attempt to polarise the Fourth Eelam War along Sinhala vs. Tamil lines is the presence of anti-Tiger Tamils. They present a considerable problem to the Tigers both politically and militarily, especially in the East. The Tigers fully appreciate this danger which is why during the Third Peace Process they occupied themselves with killing as many anti-Tiger Tamils as possible.

The consistent politico-military efforts by the Tigers to negate this factor failed because the political issues raised by the anti-LTTE Tamils were really existing ones which found a resonance within the Tamil community. But a war in which the civilians are targeted indiscriminately and the critical absence of a political solution to the ethnic problem can undermine the anti-Tiger Tamils in way that all the lethal violence of the Tigers could not.

The Tigers do not care for the well being of the Tamils. In fact the Tigers want us to target Tamil civilians because such incidents are of inestimable politico-propaganda (and eventually military) value for them. Every time the Lankan Forces target Tamil civilians or use disproportionate force the Tiger characterisation of the Fourth Eelam War as a war by the Sinhala state/army against the Tamil people is strengthened. If human rights violations by the Armed Forces proliferate and if the culprits go unpunished ( i.e. a continuation and an escalation of current trends) then the Tamil people will begin to see the Lankan Forces (and the Lankan state) as the enemy (even despite the crimes of the Tigers).

The following words by Viktor Klemperer, anti-Nazi Jewish intellectual (who was saved from being sent to a death camp by the Dresden fire bombing) encapsulates the dilemma of contradictory identifications faced by North-Eastern Tamils: "They (the Americans) drive quickly and nonchalantly… We the liberated creep along on foot…we who only yesterday were the oppressed, and who today are called the liberated, are ultimately likewise imprisoned and humiliated. Curious conflict within me. I rejoice in God's vengeance on the henchmen of the 3rd Reich… and yet I find it dreadful now to see the victors and avengers racing through the city which they have so hellishly destroyed" (To the Bitter End – emphasis mine). Prof. Klemperer had every reason to wish for the defeat of Nazi Germany and he did wish it. But when the defeat came and he watched the victorious Americans in the conquered land he found himself doing something he had not done for years – thinking as a German, and sharing some of the pain and the humiliation of a vanquished race. His inner conflict would not be unfamiliar to Tamils, even to many anti-Tiger Tamils. This is why we need to act with extra sensitivity towards Tamil civilians, if we want to win them over to our side and to the idea of an undivided Sri Lanka.

The Tigers are not interested in devolution; as they put it they have no objections to Sri Lanka being a unitary state since their Eelam will also be a unitary state! Devolution is for those Tamils who are opposed to the Tigers and Tiger Eelam. The anti-Tiger Tamils are the ones who really need devolution precisely because they are opposed to Tiger Eelam and want to live in a united Sri Lanka. All the devolution in the world would avail Tamil people little if they are handed into the keeping of the Tiger. On the other hand pluralist democracy cannot be meaningful in a multi-ethnic country if it is not accompanied by substantial devolution.

This is the lesson of 1956, 1972 and 1978. In all three instances anti-Tamil measures were enacted legally by a legitimately elected government with the requisite parliamentary majority. Democracy itself is thus not a sufficient safeguard for Tamils. It must be accompanied by a power sharing arrangement which prevents the majority from using its numerical superiority to impose on the minorities.

The need to convince the Tamil people that we have learned from our errors and will never repeat them is of critical importance as the Fourth Eelam War progresses. A Sinhala Sri Lanka can push even anti-Tiger Tamils (and Muslims) into the hands of the LTTE, making bifurcation inevitable; only a pluralist Sri Lanka which is willing to share power with her minorities can defeat separatism.

Source:Asian Tribune