Flying Tigers Elevate Conflict to New Heights
May 4th, 2007
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
They took off from unknown locations within tiger controlled territory in the northern mainland of the Wanni; they flew hundreds of kilometres over hostile territory in the darkness of night ; they flew at low altitude to avoid being spotted on radar; and swooped down suddenly from the skies above their target area; they ejected their bombs on specific targets scoring 70% strike success; they flew back, missions accomplished , as pandemonium reigned below; they returned home and landed to be swallowed up into invisibility; they wait patiently for the next chance to soar again , strike and return home safely.
These were the small aircraft belonging to the fledgling air wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that has defied all odds by conducting three “known” sorties in five weeks. The air wing dubbed Tamil Eelam Air Force (TAF) by the LTTE has dropped bombs on specific targets in Katunayake , Palaly, Myliddy , Kolonnawa and Kerawalapitiya. The extent of damage inflicted by the TAF may be disputed but the awesome shock of it all has rocked the nation.The effect is greater than the cause!
The LTTE’s nascent air wing has actually flown four sorties so far to bomb targets. The first one was on August 11th last year when two planes flew over Palaly and dropped a few bombs. It was a flop as they were all completely off – target. The mission was part of an ambitious bid by the LTTE to paralyse Trincomalee and invade Jaffna peninsula simultaneously. That plan backfired and was aborted. The air attack also failed.
The LTTE was coy about it and did not claim it openly. The LTTE controlled media organs were made to carry a news story that Northern residents had seen two planes flying low. It was reported that rockets were fired at Palaly from the air. LTTE defence spokesman “Marshall” Ilanthiraiyan when asked about it answered indirectly saying the tigers would protect the Tamil people with all available resources on land, sea and air.
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) was derisively dismissive. The GOSL said that no planes were sighted and that Palaly was targeted by LTTE artillery from Poonagary. It was as if the LTTE wanted cheap publicity about non – existent aircraft. Since the LTTE did not openly claim an air attack and did not contest the GOSL version most people believed the latter. The LTTE media had tried to pull a fast one it was felt. In retrospect the failed August air attack seems to have been an LTTE trial run.
The second air attack came this year on March 25th. Two planes flew over Katunayake and dropped three bombs each on the Air Force base. Five of them exploded. The Engineering and maintenance facility hangars were specifically targeted. Three air force personnel died and seventeen were injured. Some of the airmen were injured in the firing by colleagues who were blazing away at an enemy they thought was on surface.
The GOSL stated officially that three bombs were dropped and only two exploded. It was claimed that the damage was minimal. The elaborate air defence system was activated and the tiger planes had fled it was claimed. Inspired leaks appeared in Govt friendly media that the radars supplied by India were defective.
Interestingly enough no media persons were shown the damage or lack of damage at Katunayake. Even the SLMM was not allowed. Notwithstanding denials by Colombo informed reports in the Indian media stated that some K-firs and Mi 17 and Mi 24 helicopters were damaged. It was stated that 40 % of aircraft stationed at Katunayake were rendered dysfunctional.
These assertions were hotly denied. In order to prove such observations wrong and also as retaliatory action the tiger controlled areas were bombed ferociously for more than a week. Despite the intensity and frequency of aerial bombardment few K-firs were involved. The MIG ’s and F – 9’s were the ones sighted by people on ground.
Sections of the media then reported that the LTTE had “night vision” but not the Sri Lankan air forc(SLAF). So the SLAF began night time bombing. Paralights were fired and in the glow bombs were dropped. Though the SLAF has been bombing the Wanni almost daily it was noted that very few K-firs were involved.
After almost a month of aerial bombardment it appeared to sections of the defence establishment that the LTTE had learnt its lesson. The tiger however crouches only to pounce. On April 24 th the TAF flew into action. This time two planes headed north dropping four bombs in the Palaly – Vasavilaan – Kadduvan areas and two in Myliddy.
Residents of Valigamam north and south living in areas around the Palaly – Kankesanthurai – Myliddy high security zone said they had heard a series of explosions. Columns of fire and smoke were visible in the night to people living in Atchuvely, Pathaimeni and Vallalaai areas.
The LTTE claimed that their planes had bombed ammunition dumps, fuel depots, food storage complexes and aircraft maintenance facilities. This was strongly denied by the Govt which said that the planes had fled when an air defence system was activated. Six soldiers were killed and around 30 were injured admitted the Govt.But this was due to a fleeing plane dropping a bomb on a bunker it was said.
Interestingly enough Colombo residents along Galle road observed an unusually high rate of ambulances plying from Ratmalana to the military and national hospitals. The GOSL which is yet to take journalists to Katunayake only seventen miles away from Colombo opted to take selected scribes two hundred and forty miles away to Jaffna by air. Three ministers were also in the contingent.
This team returned and soon the ministers and a few lap dogs were bellowing the GOSL line about the air attack. The watchdogs however remained non – committal. Jeyaraj (no relation) Fernandopulle was hilarious in a BBC interview. He said that the GOSL had conducted more than a hundred air raids while the LTTE had only done two. He also challenged the LTTE to drop bombs at daylight if they dared.
Marshall Ilanthiraiyan who had openly claimed LTTE responsibility for Katunayake attack did so in the case of Palaly – Myliddy too. He also remarked facetiously to media that the LTTE would not launch any air attack “tomorrow” because of the World cup cricket match. Sri Lanka was playing New Zealand in the semi – final on that day. Apparenly even the tigers root for our cricketers it was projected.
This was seized upon by sections of the media and soon people were waxing eloquent about how even Pirapakaran was watching the match and how Cricket was unifying the warring nation. Nothing happened during the semi – final and Sri Lanka entered the final after winning handsomely. Everything was hunky – dory and President Rajapakse went to West Indies to presumably bask in reflected cricketing glory.
But world cup cricket or not, some people had different plans. Even as Colombo and rest of the Country sat glued to their TV sets on April 28th – 29th night SLAF planes flew over the Wanni and dropped eight bombs in Viswamadhu. The bombardment ended at 1.00 am . On the same day at 1. 50 am two TAF planes dropped bombs over the Kolonnawa oil storage complex. They also bombed the LP gas facility in Kerawalapitiya at 2. 05 am.
The quantitative destruction caused by TAF was minimal but the qualitative damage was enormous. Sri Lankans were engrossed in front of their TV’s as Sanath Jayasuria and Kumar Sangakkara were batting when power went off as Colombo’s elaborate air defence system was activated.Power was restored at 3. am but a false alarm about tiger planes coming over the sea saw lights out again at 3. 15 am. This black- out lasted till 4. 00 am.The Country was wide awake and became fully aware of an “air raid” by the LTTE .
There was also panic bordering on hysteria among security personnel. Para lights were sent up and artillery fired in the air. Tracer fire lined up the sky brightly like a Guy Fawkes display. Foreign journalists who witnessed the scene have written humorously about how soldiers were firing away with their guns at non -existent planes in the sky. Several security personnel and civilians were injured in the fall – out.
Despite the boasting it became vividly clear that the security forces were totally unprepared and had no effective game plan. Many persons displayed cowardice. At Katunayake air port some security personnel locked themselves up in a pathetic display. The firing in the air for a long time after the tiger planes had flown away was nothing more than a loud joke.
The Govt as usual came out with its tale of activating defence systems and chasing the planes away. It was also said that most of the six bombs dropped had missed their targets. The ensuing fires were brought under control soon. The LTTE claimed the operation to be a great success.
The LTTE’s Ilanthiraiyan who had gone on record that they would not engage in an air attack on world cup nights had an “excuse”. He said the GOSL had bombed Viswamadhu . So the LTTE had retaliated he said. This claim by Ilanthiraiyan is not valid. The Viswamadhu bombing by SLAF was over at 1.00 am The TAF dropped bombs at Kolonnawa at 1. 50 am The tiger planes could not have scrambled that quickly and reached Colombo within 45 minutes.
This means that both the SLAF and LTTE had planned to bomb each other during the time people were watching World cup final. Even if Colombo had not bombed Viswamadhu on that night the LTTE would most probably have engaged in bombing. But the Vishwamadhu bombing provided Ilanthiraiyan with a convenient excuse as retaliatory bombing. The LTTE was only following the GOSL in this as the Govt often justifies its bombing as retaliatory or pre-emptory in nature.
The Govt resumed bombing the Wanni with fervour. Later in the week the LTTE claimed that it had shot down a Mig 27 in the skies over Iranaimadhu. There were reports in the media of seeing a smoking plane reeling in the air. The LTTE said the plane after being hit had flown out over the sea and fallen. The GOSL denied this flatly. But in what seemed a strange co-incidence the bombing of Wanni has ceased for the past four days.
The April 29th air attack by the TAF succeeded greatly in making people in the South particularly those in Colombo and suburbs realise its full implications . Though the damage was minimal the manner in which the security forces responded magnified the threat to massive proportions. It also demonstrated how ill – equipped and ill – prepared they were to tackle such a situation. The Govt’s proud boasts of activated defence systems compelling the enemy to flee rang hollow.
The Govt inspired media reports about installing radars and anti – aircraft guns in all vulnerable positions is a grandiose plan. In practical terms it is of little utility. It is a moot point as to how many places or points can be “protected” in this way. What Colombo fails to comprehend or simply tries to gloss over is the fact that the LTTE has an air capability of taking on any target in the Island. The TAF planes can fly north, south, east or west. They can drop bombs on virtually anything and need not confine themselves strictly to distinct military targets alone.
Against that backdrop the strategy to be adopted by the GOSL cannot be defensive alone. While some such preparations are necessary military analysts feel the LTTE air threat cannot be overcome that way. The logical option is to be on the offensive. Instead of being on the defensive the GOSL should go on the offensive and destroy the TAF aircraft thry say . For this the GOSL must conduct a massive ground – based drive into LTTE territory and destroy the planes is the idea suggested. Accurate bombing of planes on ground is also possible.
Theoretically the LTTE air threat can be eliminated only by going on the offensive and destroying the planes but in practical terms it is an almost impossible task. Chief among reasons for this situation is the fact that the GOSL lacks proper intelligence or information about the TAF. Whatever Colombo knows about the TAF seems to be woefully inadequate or totally erroneous.
One fact being trumpeted is that the LTTE has an air strip in Iranaimadhu. This is based on an Unmanned Aerial vehicle (UAV)spotting small planes on a makeshift air strip in Iranaimadhu. Thereafter Iranaimadhu was frequently bombed. It has been said on more than one occasion that Iranaimadhu air strip has been bombed out of sight and that LTTE air capability has been destroyed.
An interesting question that arises in this context is why the UAV’s or anyone else for that matter have failed to see any LTTE aircraft in any other place at any time. The planes have been there for nearly a decade but there is no such instance except Iranaimadhu. Was the LTTE that has been able to successfully conceal its air craft from sight slip up only in the solitary case of Iranaimadhu? Very unlikely!
The chances are that the UAV spotted planes in Iranaimadhu only because the LTTE wanted it that way. Mechanical UAV intelligence is no substitute for human intelligence. During “Operation Jayasikurui” the LTTE once set up in Mannakulam a cardboard cum hardboard structure of a camp as decoy. It was photographed aerially and the special forces launched a secret operation to surround and destroy it. It was a trap and the tigers lying in ambush made mincemeat out of the beleaguered soldiers.
Likewise there is every possibility that the LTTE cleverly set the stage for Iranaimadhu to be regarded as the LTTE air strip. The GOSL claims it has “de – commissioned” Iranaimadhu several times through intense bombardment. But still LTTE planes are taking off and landing in the Wanni without hitch. If so either Iranaimadhu must be functional or the tigers have another location or locations for aircraft take – offs and landings. In it’s the latter, Colombo has been suckered over Iranaimadhu.
Another point to be noted is about the TAF and aircraft in its possession. Had the LTTE simply bombed and kept silent there would have been no clear picture or definite proof of what actually happened or who was responsible. The LTTE however claimed credit after the March operation. Moreover in a media – friendly gesture the LTTE provided pix of the plane allegedly used and “masked” TAF personnel posing for camera with tiger supremo Velupillai Pirapakaran.
Much of the speculation and analysis about the LTTE air wing is due mainly to those tiger revelations. Various media have promptly used those pix as authentic.Again the question that arises is how does anyone know whether the pictures are true or real? Were the planes in those pix actually the ones that flew on TAF missions? Are the masked guys in the pix actually Tamil Eelam Air Force members? Would the LTTE actually fly in a “painted” plane like that? Would the LTTE expose its prized air wing cadres to the world wearing thinly veiled masks? Are plane pix of one air craft or of many intended to confuse?
Much is now being written by self – styled experts about the LTTE’s air wing. Many of these facts by learned analysts contradict each other. One says the planes were obtained from South Africa. Another says they were acquired via Australia. There is also a lot of speculation about the number and types of aircraft in LTTE possession. There is speculation about where and how the planes take off and land and which fly route they use. Despite this glut of information the stark truth is that no one really knows anything tangible.
How many aircraft does the LTTE have? what kinds are they? Where were they purchased? How were they brought into the Island? Were they assembled or simply flown in? What innovative features have been added on to the planes? Who is flying them? Who does the maintenance? Where did the pilots and technicians study and train ? Are there “kamikaze” type black air tigers? How does the LTTE conceal their air craft? Where are they kept? How do they take off and land and above all from where ?
Where did the pilots practice nocturnal , low – altitude flying? What is the LTTE’s game plan with TAF? Why did they not use aircraft earlier when hard pressed? Is the LTTE able to sustain its air capability? Can the LTTE procure aviation fuel? Can the TAF survive anti- aerial artillery and air attacks for long?
These are but some of the questions regarding the so called Tamil Eelam Air Force. Harsh reality is that in spite of a lot of information being provided by experts and analysts there is no real knowledge about anything concrete. Everything seems speculative and in some instances available information may be inaccurate. Analysis on the basis of inaccuracies can only be imperfect.
So far the LTTE has been using two small air craft for air attacks. This may lead to the impression that the tigers have only two such planes. This could be wrong. The TAF may be using different planes and possibly different personnel in each operation. There could also be a number of planes in different sizes in LTTE possession. They could be used en masse at some future stage. Suicide planes crashing on to targets also cannot be ruled out
In such a situation the GOSL does not have sufficient information to evolve a battle plan to invade the Wanni and take out TAF asircraft. Even if it does the spirited defence by the LTTE at Muhamaalai, Palamottai, Mullikulam etc suggest that penetrating the Wanni wont be a cake walk.
The other option is to bomb the planes on ground. Again for that precise information about aircraft whereabouts is needed. If they are in underground hangars powerful “bunker – buster” type bombs have to be dropped with exact precision. In the absence of such intelligence only random, haphazard bombing is possible without any idea of where intended targets are.. Much of the bombing that went on is of this type and heaps increased burdens on the helpless people.
There is also an ironic complexity in the situation. The GOSL downplays the LTTE air threat to the Sinhala people. It pooh poohs the whole thing and claims to be on top of the situation. While downsizing the threat to its domestic constituency the GOSL exaggerates it internationally. Attempts are made to depict the LTTE’s air capability as posing a serious threat to the world thereby requiring concerted action to eradicate it.
The LTTE on the other hand plays ardently to the Tamil “gallery”. The expatriate Tamil cash cows are a specific target. So too is Tamil Nadu. The tigers after suffering many reversals on ground are playing the rise of LTTE air power as their trump card in a desperate political poker game. While projecting a larger than life image of its air wing and arousing Tamil expectations the LTTE is playing it low key with the foreign countries. This downplaying is necessary to avoid unnecessary provocation of any type.
This is because the LTTE knows that arousing concern or opposition to its air wing internationally can be dangerous. In the final analysis only lack of international support stands between the LTTE and its cherished goal of Tamil Eelam. Even if support for that is not forthcoming at this juncture the tigers would at least like to prevent the global community from coming down hard on them. For this the LTTE would like to remove irritants. In the case of its air wing the LTTE cannot and will not remove that “irritant” but would like it to be as less “irritating” as possible.
The dice however is loaded against the LTTE on this. The international community (IC)will not like a “non – state actor” like the tigers to posses effective air capability. The tragedy of Sep 11th 2001 where terrorists crashed airplanes on to the twin towers has changed the western world. Any organization with terrorist credentials having air capability will not be tolerated . The LTTE having such capability is a worrisome factor.
Yet there has been no formal condemnation of the LTTE in this respect. This is due to the fact that the LTTE has succeeded so far in avoiding civilian targets and casualties. More importantly there is no valid basis to condemn one party when the other party has been brazenly violating the ceasefire and engaging in bombing sprees since April 25th 2006.
Also the GOSL bombings have resulted in a humanitarian tragedy comprising massive displacement. death and destruction. The TAF bombings are a mosquito bite in comparison. The IC is annoyed with the Rajapakse regime for its poor record in human rights and constitutional reform. It may adopt a tactical silence for now till the regime changes or changes its ways
This does not mean that the IC will veer around to the tiger camp or let the LTTE off the hook. The IC is extremely concerned about LTTE intransigence also. Its air capability is a fearsome factor particularly to India notwithstanding the LTTE’s assertions to the contrary. The more the LTTE increases its air capability the more the IC will become anxious. Already signs of an international crackdown on the LTTE are visible in France, USA and Australia. These developments are not entirely unrelated to the LTTE developing its air capability.
Therefore the euphoria amidst sections of the pro – tiger Diaspora may be pre – mature or misplaced. Talk of a shift in the power balance is both incorrect and foolish. There never can and never will be balance of power between an accredited state like Sri Lanka and an organization like the LTTE. Theories about LTTE being on par with the GOSL were figments of calculated imagination aiming to lull the tigers into a complacency and false sense of superiority. This bubble burst in the east recently. Now fresh “air” bubbles are being blown.
Until very recently the overwhelming Tamil mood was that of despondency as GOSL aircraft bombed and artillery shelled civilian areas indiscriminately. The Sinhala hawks were up beat with the expectation that the LTTE was about to be vanquished. The doves were silenced. Some sprouted hawkish feathers. With the LTTE air attacks the moods are reversing.
The Tamil diaspora is euphoric. The Sinhala diaspora is fuming. The Govt is trying to prove that TAF attacks were failures because of purported minimal damage. What Colombo misses is that the LTTE attacks cannot be measured in those terms. It goes far beyond the damage done. The attacks are symbolic and have a political dimension.
The tigers have shown that they cannot be simply written off as a military entity. They may be down but are not out. The nascent TAF shows the tigers can rise phoenix like from the ashes. What is more the tiger message to Colombo, the Tamils and the world at large is that they will continue fighting for their goal whatever the consequences. They are the defiant ones.
What cannot be denied is that the LTTE has proved once again that it is wily, resilient, innovative and capable of power projection with inadequate resources. The air tigers or TAF have demonstrated that they can accomplish missions successfully against overwhelming odds. Given the current situation of confusion and panic in the South and the security forces inability to confront a new challenge the LTTE image has transformed into gigantic “Vishwaroobha” proportions.
Unlike the SLAF the LTTE’s TAF has not targeted Sinhala civilians. No Sinhala civilian has suffered directly. Yet there is mass panic bordering on hysteria. This palpable sense of confusion and fear is contributing to loss of morale among people and security forces. This is due to GOSL propaganda building up an “invincibility” myth of armed forces due to superior air power, fire power and man power over the LTTE. This myth has been pricked at least in terms of air power.
Consequently LTTE sections of the Tamil diaspora is going ballistic. The vociferous minority hogging the megaphone is shouting about Sinhala civilians having to suffer like Tamil civilians. Two wrongs cannot make a right. No one who has seen the suffering wrought on innocent civilians by aerial attacks will want that to be inflicted on other civilians. The need of the hour is to avoid targeting civilians.
There is also an upbeat mood in the Tamil diaspora that the war is won. People wish each other about the “birth of Tamil Eelam” over air. It is as if the entire situation has transformed in the LTTE’s favour and Tamil Eelam is within sight. Memories are dangerously short. Such moods have been witnessed in 1995 when the LTTE acquired surface to air missiles and shot down planes too. Ultimately it was the LTTE that got ousted from Jaffna.
The current state of affairs cannot remain static for long. Time and again during this conflict the South has displayed panic , confusion and even cowardice when confronted with new threats and dangers. There is virtual paralysis. But after a while there is a rallying point. Thereafter the South renews itself and steels its resolve to confront and overcome challenges. Without this collective characteristic the Sinhala people would not have evolved as an independent nation. This is the lesson that history both ancient and modern teaches us.
In that context observers feel that it is but a matter of time before the South gets its act together and faces up to the LTTE air threat intelligently and courageously. If Colombo adheres to IC requests and re – formulates its military approach to that of a politico – military approach , mindful of human rights considerations and appropriate conflict resolution, norms then International support could be forthcoming in a big way.
If and when this happens the current situation could change drastically in favour of Colombo. Until then however the present situation is one where the high – flying tigers through their air capability have elevated the current conflict to new heights. (pun intended).
Yet the Tamil people must understand that TAF fireworks displays cannot by themselves restore their lost rights. The displacement of more than 160, 000 civilians in the east and the regimes project of fragmenting and Sinhalaising the East is far more dangerous. Can the TAF stop that?
What the Sinhala and Tamil people must understand is that there is no military solution.There can only be a political settlement. The Island cannot be a mono – state of the Sinhala Buddhists; there cannot be two states of Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam either. What is required is a re- structuring of the Country on federal or quasi – federal lines. No other solution seems feasible.
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54 Comments
1. Rajini Rasikan | May 5th, 2007 at 7:09 am
Remember that hit song in Rajnikanth’s chandramukhi?
Kokku para para
Koli para para
Mainah para para
Maiyile Para para
Now we can all sing Puliye para para.
Sabash vaan puligal!
2. Wilbur Wright | May 5th, 2007 at 8:01 am
The flying tigers have scored without attacking International air port. The Govt has shortsightedly suspended night flying to KIA. Damn Shame! Terrible ecomomic loss to Country.
If flying tigers come by day will the Govt stop day flying at air port too I wonder?
3. Ulf Larsen | May 5th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Very interesting read. I agree that the TAF threath is largely symbolic but a very effective at that, seems that the tourist industry in Sri Lanka already have been hard hit. It will be interesting to see further developments in this regard as the economy seems to be the soft point; a coordinated attack on both the airport and the port of Colombo with Sea Tigers would possibly saturate the defence and create a situation equal to that happened after the airport attack in 2001.
I also strongly agree with the writer that there is no lasting solution but a federal one. The LTTE can not be beaten militarily and even if Sri Lanka accepted Tamil Eelam India would stop it. The better if these simple facts could be accepted and acted on by all sides.
4. dias | May 5th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Even if the LTTE is totally decimated, the nation could never move forward unless a restructured “fair” political solution is implemented. Absent a fair solution, it will only be a matter of time until another breed of cats emerges. Symmetric devolution within a federal-like setup appears the most appropriate and must be acceptable to the majority of Sinhalese + majority of Tamils + majority of Muslims.
The saddest part is, while practicable solutions that are acceptable to all communities are quite conceivable, the focus appears to be on military alternatives.
5. Sudharshan | May 5th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Very painstakingly researched and thoughtfully written like all other articles from the author. I whole-heartedly agree. If interested to solve the issue it has to be done at the negotiating table.
6. vishvajith | May 5th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Well said DBS, the last para says it all.
Cheers.
7. Sachi | May 5th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
First article that i like from Mr Jeyaraj
good work, keep writing and give adivice to tamil people and the ltte.
8. True Patriot | May 5th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Though the wirter has shown his professionalism in this article, he too as a Tamil shows his premitive instinct by exagerating the joy of being air born. Instead of direct expression he says the forighn journalists have found the way of retaliation as hilarious.
However I must thank him for his statement below. This ofcourse he writes as he is intelleigent than many narrow minded, selfish and arogant nothern tamils.
“There is virtual paralysis. But after a while there is a rallying point. Thereafter the South renews itself and steels its resolve to confront and overcome challenges. Without this collective characteristic the Sinhala people would not have evolved as an independent nation. This is the lesson that history both ancient and modern teaches us.”
“Baada Walatada Baada Genadee Peratama Yamu Lanka”
9. North Indian | May 5th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
Dear author of this article,
I read your article from top to bottom. At the bottom, you say that there cannot be two states in Sri Lanka – No Tamil Eelam is possible.
If Rajapaksha, a practical man as described by the Ltte leader, decides to give Tamil Eelam, what will you say?
If the Sinhala politicians love their people and country, it is better to have a state for the Tamils, you call it any way with open boarders. Both Sinhala and Tamils can move freely between the two countries. They could be like Singapore and Malaysia.
Economic developments and enhancement of the society are to be focussed in political deliberations.
Making another human being cry is a wrong thing in life. But unfortunately, all the political parties in Sri Lanka, have been involved in violence. But now some of them claim that they have given up their violence and joined the government for their ‘petty’ interests.
LTTE is stuck with the goal, even proposed by EPDP, TULF and even Karuna.
Politics are for men, not men for politics.
Please comment on this comment.
Singh Doran
10. Niroy | May 5th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
We need a solution but not a military solution.., Bombing the area where the tiger are dosent mean ur killing them..Just killing the inocent poor ppl..I feel for all the poor tamil ppl!
Why dosent the Gov understand this is not the way to fix the problem? Look at the war around world? and learn..that u can not solve a problem like this with war..,,even if u win over the Tamil Tigers..there will still be bombs going off around the capital..like in india..u can never get rid of them 100% no matter wut u do..
Shanthrika left the country after her time was over.soo many ppl died..now this new President Rajapakse is in the game to kill more..with his new idea.. I thought the people that runs the country caer for ppl and for our countries future?
It looks like they really are dumb and only want to steal moneyy and get out!
I dont understand wutz with these Gov ppl but i really dont want the inocent ppl to be hungry and die for stupid reasons..This not a game ppl around the world and in the country need to come to geather and solve this mess!!
11. Niranjan | May 5th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Not only the tamil diasporas are happy about TAF but also the whole tamils over the whole world, of course apart from some odds. This is Pribaharan sinthaney.
12. nimi | May 5th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Power came on at 3.00am. An airplane was sighted flying over Bambalapitiya close to the junction at around 3.15pm. The plane was chased by what witnesses described as anti aircraft fire. The plane was seen by at least 35 people. The only unusual aspect was that they claim that the plane had its navigation lights on. Security forces also opened fire again at this time. I doubt that this was a flase alarm unless the plane was a government craft.
13. Thanabal | May 5th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
One of the major implications from the Air raid was economic disaster (tourism and New investments). As you stated, the damage done by TAF cannot be meassured by what happen on the target but what is happening in the country.
In 2001, one such attack on Colombo International Airport brought the CFA into existance. I don’t see any such change in approach by Rajapakse Inc. but ceratainly both Tamils and Sinahalese will feel the effect very soon
14. Kanthan | May 5th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
MR. DBS YOUR ARE DOING GOOD JOB WRITE MORE
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE
15. Arvinth | May 6th, 2007 at 1:02 am
It?s an air show for the Eelam LTTE?s & our LTTE pay roll politicians.
But it?s a big threat for our country, mainly southern region (Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka) we have to take it serious. Only they have to fly across Palk Strait or Gulf of Mannar just 30 miles.
For the Eelam Tamils this may be an air show, but for our nation this is not for good. Our politicians & the government have to think about our security & integrity. We are not Srilankans or Eelam Tamils. We are a united nation living in a democratic country. We are watching our neighbor?s all political games.
So, for us Srilankan Sinhalese or the Eelam LTTE all are same. We have enough lessons.
We don?t want their political game;
when the present Srilankan president Mahinda Rajapaksha came to the power LTTE helped him by advise the Tamils not voting to the Ranil Ratnasinhe & now the same president bombing LTTE control area (and bomb his own civilians, the structure of the country), with the help of Karuna group recon trolled the Eastern country LTTE control areas, with the help of another Tamil group EPDP (it?s leader also a former militant who killed Dalit Indians in Chennai & now holding a minister post) wipe out all LTTE supporters & sympathizers in Northern country and in the capital wipe out the Tamil businessmen with the help of the Karuna group & the EPDP by kidnapping them for huge ransom, abducting & killings.
? And now more than all the Government of Srilanka buying weapons from Pakistan & China, bomb his own country by Israel made Kefir bombers by the Pakistani trained pilots
? When the well trained American Air force missing the targets with the sophisticated laser guided bombers in Iraq & Afhan, the world?s best Israeli Air force missed the targets in last year Lebanon bombing, the LTTE with the help of the just used single propeller planes had successful three missions & by the young pilots.
This is our neighbor?s politics, but we have to safeguard our country & our citizens.
Arvinth, Trichy.
16. Bell Vannan | May 6th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Yes, I agree with the writer that the Tigers have elevated the conflict to new heights and so as MR. I am sure that the writer will agree with me and the Tamil population , with SLFP?s current devolution of power, GOSL too has elevated the conflict to NEW heights.
DBS ! You are the only Tamil journalist who knows the Tamil?s grievances.
17. nathan | May 6th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Next attack by TAF may well be on May 17 – New Moon – when it will be pitch dark. But by then if govt troops have acquired ‘night vision’ capability, it will be dangerous.Govt may acquire slower planes with cannon/machine guns to chase & destroy.
Tamils – diaspora or residents – need not be euphoric.The SinhalaBuddhist polity – both govt & opposition, will never confer ‘equality’ to minorities,in every sense of the word.Tamils have to fight & acquire same, or perish. IC couldnt care less – to them,this is merely another ‘conflict’ in a ‘developing’ third world country.India will never enter the fray – it has its own problems.
18. Ardneham | May 6th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Both Mahendra Percy Rajapakse & V.P.are playing
the same game – Politics of Governance to meet
their personal Agenda (Chintanaya?).
Not even three years away one can see an end to
this crisis by the happenings today.
19. Mohan (South of England) | May 6th, 2007 at 10:52 am
I have some great Sinhala & Tamil friends. The issue here cannot be solved by any means but by a change of heart on both sides. This change only come from surrendering our lives to God and following in his footsteps. True peace starts in one’s own heart and is spread across the world by living a life of Love. Come on let us help each other and not Kill each other because in the end the country that suffers is Sri Lanka…..
20. Ruwan | May 6th, 2007 at 11:04 am
There is power balance, otherwise why the world suddenly care of Tamils now?
The situation last few years, what happend to Tamils and how the world response?
Rembember the reality.
But, now they want to settle this, because the power balance is against the SL gov.
21. Ilamathy | May 6th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Our leaders were asking for a federal set up 50 years ago. I dont think we are still in the same situation. The current govt is proposing something which was rejected by Tamils 30 years ago.
What a joke? Do we have to wait for another 20 years to make realize Sinhalas that there should be a Federal set up?
Also a note on Sinhala mass. They are backing MRs militory solution by 60%. We are not a Western democracy to live under a federal set up. Sinhala politicians (of cause backed by the Sinhala votes) are self centered and they are not ripe for a situation like a Western democracy. Its loo late.
Remember that in the past 50 years any rights Tamils got were not ‘given’ by somebody. They were ‘won’ by the Tamils because of their fighting capacity. Do not think even in the future any rights will be given.
22. ilaya seran senguttuven | May 6th, 2007 at 11:25 am
How long are the Sinhala people going to be “conned?” That loud-mouthed imbecile Ranjan Wijeratne once took all Sinhalese for fools and said Prabakharan has been killed by his men under this “brilliant” leadership – and, that is the end of the story. Many Sinhalese believed his yarn. It was only the other day the Army said the LTTE is finished and only mopping operations are on.
1st they said the North will be brought to control in 3 months.
This is now changed to 3 years. Why has Lalith Weeratunga been sent post-haste to Delhi 2 days ago? Why is the virulently anti-tamil priest Elle Gunawanse now in charge of MR’s
propaganda? By tomorrow MR will announce he is further diluting the SLFP proposals bringing back the “Unitary” character of the State. The Correspondent of the Fortune Magazine who was here on the night of the Kolonnawa/Kerawalapitiya incident says MR must go gracefully
or “he will be laughed out of office” That is the view of those outside studying the Lankan issue.
23. raj rajendra | May 6th, 2007 at 11:25 am
The great Tamil ruler Raja Raja Solan had a agreat maritime fleet.
Why can’t the Tamils have there own air fleet, after all it is to protect themself from their oppressors.
24. Ruben | May 6th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
[What the Sinhala and Tamil people must understand is that there is no military solution.There can only be a political settlement. The Island cannot be a mono - state of the Sinhala Buddhists; there cannot be two states of Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam either. What is required is a re- structuring of the Country on federal or quasi - federal lines. No other solution seems feasible.]
Even if there is a federal system, the SL politics is full of corruption, No honesty and not interest in serving the public. It is all corrupted beyond a point of return.
LTTE should get the maximum self rule, independently make desicions without depending on central govt.
25. Roopa Chetty USA | May 6th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Indian Brahmins cannot dictate to Eelam Tamils. They got used to dictating to the Tamil Nadu cinema culture in the state assembly. We never can have stupid people like Jeyalalitha or Muthivelu Karinanithi. Those jokers prosper in India with the Brahmins help
So, Tigers should move forward ..and prepare to defend against any aggression. possibly a very active nuclear program that will make N. Korea and Iran and the Pakis look like some stupid joke. We have enough intellectual resource ..we better do it.
26. Arvinth | May 6th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Yes, Raj Rajendra the great Tamil ruler Raja Raja Cholan had a great maritime fleet & the Cholas went too far to Malabar, Indonesia. Now the Tamils, have their own air & naval fleet, but here a question if a Tamil Mafia style (more than that) terrorist organization having this all to protect Tamils? Then in Srilanka, why more Tamils killed by these LTTE than the Srilankan military?
And why they killed our Prime minister & now start to kill our fishermen, start to kidnap them?
After all only these international smuggling (pirates) are having all this for their own survival & to protect themselves from their oppressors such as democratic, peace loving humans.
Arvinth, Trichy.
27. Jan K | May 7th, 2007 at 12:00 am
No one has the right to say that there can’t not be separte Elam in the island of SL. Tamils have the right to determine their future, if they don’t do it now it will never happen. On the same token, the Singalese masses should understand the grievances of Tamils and think about cooperating in building two powerful and prosperous independent states.
28. Ran Che | May 7th, 2007 at 12:01 am
We must remember that we are talking about SRILANKA and not about a Sinhala Buddist Nation or about Tamil Elam.
A solution is essential as it is the people who are suffering and not the Politetions.
All people of Srilanka should unite and call for peace and settlement.
Inaddition the people of Srilanka should call for law and order.
It is your country and you are the ones who make it or crush it.
if we do not settle it it will be a TIT FOR TAT process and the people suffer – never mind tamils or Sinhalese.
Do not make this land a missery – I left it 24 years ago.
29. Arvinth | May 7th, 2007 at 12:03 am
Dear writer of this article Mr. Jeyaraja, for last decade I read your articles from Frontline in Srilanka matters. I have a question why the LTTE air tigers attacked 3 times only when the Srilankan president was away from the country & last lime when he was in Grenada watching the World cup cricket? (this time I told to my Srilankan – Eelam Tamil friends that your president going away from the country, may be this time LTTE will do their “Air gymnastic”-Air show again)
Any deals between them?
Anyone knows?
Arvinth, Trichy.
30. pravin | May 7th, 2007 at 2:04 am
this is a glorious time for eelam tamils…n tamilnadu tamils like me…we should be proud to see tamil pilots on air.the glorious chola dynasty of the past is coming yet again in the name of pirabakaran.it seems nothing is impossible for TAF
i thank jeyaraj saar for a informative article.
31. Nathan | May 7th, 2007 at 7:12 am
DBS! A positive change in your style of writting. Thank you. Please keep up the good work and may God Blesss You. The solution is not near. But one thing is sure, if more people write like this, sure to bring the solution nearer.
32. Chatura | May 7th, 2007 at 8:19 am
I’ve liked most of the articles of D.B.S.J. He is a talented and resourceful writer. Very sadly to all the Srilankans no one in the government or in LTTE will listen or heed to these articles or advise. There is no money to be made, much to loose listning to this type of writers. Reading People like D.B.S.J, Thisaranee G., U.T.H.R.Jaffna, Anandasagaree are a watershed for all reasonable people of Srilanka.
This is a conflict where the brother is pitted against brother by a few who mint money on the lives of innocent Srilankans.
33. Krishna G | May 7th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Your article reflects similar to Indian Bramhin view.
Like the Brahmins you are also advocating for solution in a united Sri Lanka.
Long live the Indo lankan Journalistic fraternity
Krishnan
34. canadapuli | May 7th, 2007 at 10:14 am
this is the first article i enjoyed totally
35. RAVI | May 7th, 2007 at 11:24 am
TAMIL PEOPLE DO NOT NEED FEDARAL SOLUTION .
TAMILS NEED TAMIL EELAM BECAUSE BOTH SIDE KILL EACH OTHER HOW TAMILS OR SINHALIES LIVE IN SAME COUNTRY
36. Thamilthai | May 7th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
They are ones who dont want to talk whole heartedly see what happened in the past they agree and ignore every thing. We cant trust them. See what is happening now. For talk IC and UN should put pressure on Srilankan Govt. blocking SMM and the British agent. Like UK stopped the aid it should stop selling arms
as well. All the other countries should do the same.
37. murder DBS please | May 7th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Please inform me of whereabout of DBS. TIger intels are IN SEARCH OF HIM. Anybody kills will be given US $ 200,000. please be aware about this bounty on his hamathooroo fucked head.
murder101@hotmail.com
38. M.Ramkumar | May 7th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
On DBS question on “Can the TAF stop sinhalaising the East “.
Tigers cant. but peploe dont realize it.
39. rasika | May 7th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
I Love reading your articles. They are profetional, impartial, unbias and most importantly true picture of whats’ hapening. Good work sir. For me you are the best jernalist in SriLanka. keep up the good work.
Rasika
40. chandrabala | May 8th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
That was a superbly crafted piece.
You are the first person to put the whole thing in perspective.
Thanks.
Chandrabala
41. . T.S.S. Sindhuja | May 8th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Enjoyed reading your article on TAF and found the questions raised very interesting. It actually makes you think…
Sindhuja
42. Confucius | May 8th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
A lot of points that I gather from this articlle by the author, for which he is the king.
43. Thanabal | May 9th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Those war mongers in Colombo are goibng to see the LP gas price going UP, UP and UP in the sky as TAF. Well done TAF. Just throw some stones from Air, the SL Armed forces will do the rest.
44. C.S,Kumar | May 11th, 2007 at 4:39 am
why is that no one realises , understand or publishes that Tamil?s have been pushed by the sri lanakan govt to war due to suppression of Tamils, their freedom, their dignity and honour. I came to Uk to study in 1974 because even if I get 5A’s in A-level I would not have the opportunity to go to uni because I am a Tamil. why not the foreign Govt including UK who made the first mistake in giving full power to Singhalese, did not intervene in 1953 when the Singhalese Govt despite their promise changed the law to make Singhalese the first language. And why the IC did not intervene earlier before all these human loss, prevent the current situation. why is that while the Singhalese Govt killing , raping and maiming the next generation of Tamils in Jaffna and at same time saying we are protecting the Jaffna Tamil people from the Tamil tigers how can they protect our own people from our own army, it is misguided propaganda in the minds of Singhalese Govt and sad thing is IC to believe this . why all the IC are still willing to provide loans and aid except UK to the Gosl, why not stop the funding and make the gosl to go bankrupt and then talk about peace . instead of hand cuffing a military force which is trying to protect its own people form the animals with no compassion ( riots during 1953,1983 ) and call themselves Buddhist . why is that Mr. R.Boucher wants to stop TAF and not ask the gosl to stop the air raid on Tamil people. why is that Tamil does not have same right to protect themselves while no one else is helping us. there can be a single Sri lanka with two separate governments since 1953 the Tamil people have been suffering and we are willing to trust the gosl to provide us the equality as the western countries provide to their immigration population, the immigration population of UK enjoys more freedom than Tamils in sri lankas since 1953. May be the future world with understanding, compassion and courage will help the plights of Tamils in Sri lanka but the looking at the current world I don?t think it will happen soon.
45. Dingiri | May 11th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
C.A. Kumar, …”I came to Uk to study in 1974 because even if I get 5A’s in A-level I would not have the opportunity to go to uni because I am a Tamil.”
Kumar,
Why do you write such deleberate untruths when you know it is a lie? So a Tamil who got 4-As would not get in to Uni? Tamils from Jaffna require the same aggregate mark as a Sinhalese from Colombo to get into UNI (Medicine or Engineering) say 280.. wheras a Tamil from Vavunia, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar Nuwara Eliya or Hatton has to get only 180 marks to get in for Medicine.
The University entrance system is such that it sets higher entry criteria for districts with developed educational infrastructure while setting lower criteria for rural areas with less developed educational fascilities. This is called affirmative action and exists in the US and Australia as well.
When Tamils from every district other than Jaffna benefit from this system and Tamils from Jaffna are no more discriminated than Sinhalese from Colombo why do you see this as a racist policy of the Sri Lankan govt?
Incidentally when I was in Peradeniya Engineering faculty in 1986 49% of the class were SL Tamils compare this with 13% proportion of the population and I think they are getting a pretty good deal. (Education wise)
You can only cause more hatred by spreading deleberate lies like these.
46. mahaththaya | May 12th, 2007 at 6:27 am
SL Tamils are the most selfish people in the world. If anyone porperly anlyse their so called discrimination, he/she will understand how selfish gang they are.
Biggest cry for the quota system of education. If you analyse ststistics of the education department, you will understand, aways tamils are enterterd to the UNI than any other comiuinity irrespective of population density.
When I was in pera Uni, nearly half of the batch was from SL tamils. No sinhalese of muslim agitated against to that.
Because others were so tolarent and accept the rule of law.
Those selfish tamils must knock their heart and ask, why are they really seeking refuge status in well develop countries !!! not in india!!!!
Biggest problem sinhalese has is, thie tolarence and forgiveness… otherwise this LTTE is burried in the hell long back.
47. Arvinth, Trichy | May 16th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
In Today’s “Times of India” news it says that “The government on Tuesday informed Parliament that naxalites were working in close coordination with some terrorist outfits operating in J&K and were also in touch with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka”.
As I know the Liberation Tigers (LTTE) have some links/ connections with the naxalites & other terrorist outfits here. And in early days mostly all the Eelam Tamil Liberation Organizations had some links/ connections with the naxalites except the Trichy businessman & the Eelam MP Adaikalanathan’s party, whose leader & more than 1000 members killed by the LTTE (not only killed….burned to death with tires, killed in bed (sleep).
In this juncture in this forum why these readers have unnecessary arguments?
48. victorrajan | June 4th, 2007 at 6:05 am
puligal paranthu odathan seyum
but
tamil puligal parakkaum seyum
after 2007 no one can beat our vaan puligal
our motto is going on
prabhakaran vaalga valamudan
49. subash | September 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
This is the real example of air mission.But not like SLAF, making targets on the civilians
50. sharmila | September 22nd, 2007 at 3:27 am
very good Vaanpuligal.
Keep it up
Cheers
51. mamama | October 15th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
SLAF eaim is not civilians, but they dont know how to put bom thats y that is falling in civilians,
52. shu | October 24th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Please continue war! Both side doing well! Our congratulations!!!
As used to do, we sell out wepons to one party, and anti-wepons to other party. You both fool leaders fighting using them.
At the end of the day, our country is developed using warm war of foolish tamil and sinhalese leaders blessings.
Tamils! pls do demand what Sinhalese never offer and unreasonable, even if you can live with them.
Sihalese, never give up! they asking not for something but all..
Happy war!
-Wepon dealers!!!!
53. Jack Wong | November 14th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Great job LTTE keep up the great work. Win Eelam for the tamils.
54. SIVAKUMAR.K | November 20th, 2007 at 8:19 am
NAALAI NAMADAI. VERTI NAMADI