Archive for August, 2005
The assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar has brought in its wake a series of statements by world leaders. They denounce it very correctly as a terrible act of terrorism. They also want the perpetrators to be caught and brought to justice.
he assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar has brought in its wake a series of statements by world leaders. They denounce it very correctly as a terrible act of terrorism. They also want the perpetrators to be caught and brought to justice.The average Sri Lankan who reads all these statements will no doubt feel that the end of the road is in sight for what is termed a peace process between the Government of Sri
Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
There is no doubt in the minds of most Sri Lankans about who the perpetrators of this heinous act of terrorism were. Simple logic indicates that the peace process cannot continue if true justice is meted out to the perpetrators.
But what puzzles them is the doublespeak of the so called international community. They all insist that the peace process should continue. In hackneyed phrases repeated ad nauseam they say indirectly that the greatest tribute to Lakshman Kadirgamars memory is to continue talking to his killers.
Let us look at some of these pronouncements-
“Together, we must honour his memory by re-directing ourselves to peace and ensuring that the ceasefire remains in force,” – US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan – ” this tragedy will not weaken the commitment of the people of Sri Lanka to achieve a durable peace in the country.”
“The killing puts the peace process in Sri Lanka to a serious test. It is now of great importance that both parties to the conflict do their utmost to fully fulfil their obligations
according to the ceasefire agreement,” – Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Peterssen The Indian government statement “We have every confidence that the government and friendly people of Sri Lanka will rise to the challenge and defeat the forces which seek to undermine Sri Lanka’s unity and political stability.”
“Japan has been actively supporting the peace process in Sri Lanka and has respected Foreign Minister Kadirgamar as one of the key persons promoting the process. I strongly
hope for a calm response by all parties at this moment so that the move towards the peace process is not hindered,” – Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura said.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said – “This heinous act of terrorism must not be allowed to derail efforts to bring peace to Sri Lanka.” European Union Commissioner Ms. Benita Ferrero-Waldner – “We must all honour the
passing of Foreign Minister Kadirgamar by continuing his work for peace and maintaining
the CFA.”
French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy – “France believes that more than ever the respect of the CFA and the continuation of the peace process are necessary.”
Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew insisted that Kadirgamar assassination should not be allowed to derail the peace process. Pettigrew declared that perpetrators
should be brought to justice.
There is nothing wrong with these sentiments at face value. After all a joint peace process should not be jettisoned or allowed to be jeopardised by the killing of the foreign
minister of one party. Usually such killings are the handiwork of a third party aiming to disrupt the process. So the parties involved in the process should not allow a killing to
affect it. The only effective answer to the killers is to continue with the process and make it a success.
But in the case of the Kadirgamar assassination there is a crucial difference. The killing was not the work of a third party or outside force. It was perpetrated by one of the parties involved. It was not done during a time of war but during the course of a peace process. This is an assassination committed by one of the negotiating partners engaged in a peace process after having signed a ceasefire agreement that expressly forbids such acts. In short it is a blatant violation of the ceasefire and a terrible betrayal.
If such an experience had been encountered by any of these countries now profferring advice their response would have been different. Had Condoleezza Rice, Jack Straw, Pierre Pettigrew, Natwar Singh, Jan Peterssen, Nobutaka Machimura, Alexander Downer or Philippe Douste- Blazy been killed in a hypothetical situation under similiar circumstances there would have been hell to pay. But since this is Colombo the “advice” is different.
Insisting that the peace process should continue after the killing would have been correct if the act had been committed by an outside force or third party. It is entirely inappropriate when one of the parties involved has acted in bad faith. Asking the affected party to continue the process after an assassination is nothing but appeasement.
The doublespeak is indeed laughable when “continuing the peace process ” is coupled with “bringing perpetrators of the terrorist crime to justice”. If the perpetrators of this crime are really brought to justice then there can be no genuine peace process.
Bringing the perpetrators to justice does not mean that only the assassin or assassins and the support network in Colombo should be apprehended and punished while the real masterminds who planned and ordered the assassination go unpunished. There is a saying in Tamil ” Eithavan irukka ambai Novanen?” (Why blame the arrow instead of the archer).
When Rajiv Gandhi was killed in Sriperumbhudoor on May 21st 1991 there was a huge outcry. Investigations revealed that the LTTE was responsible. When charge sheets were
compiled and indictments filed there were three categories of accused persons.
At the primary level were those actively involved in the act and directly involved in the execution like Dhanu and one – eyed Sivarasan. Most of them were dead before the
case came to trial. At the secondary level were those who had helped the killers and complicit in the assassination indirectly. 26 such persons were charged and sentenced to death initially. The appeal reduced sentences for most except four . One woman Nalini’s sentence was commuted to life on humanitarian grounds.
At the tertiary level were the conspirators who had planned and ordered the killing. They were the LTTE leader Pirapakaran, Intelligence chief Pottu Amman and womans brigade commander Ahila. They were in Sri Lanka beyond the reach of Indian justice. India however did not let them off. Their names were separated from the original indictment
and declared as proclaimed offenders. They are now wanted by Interpol as proclaimed offenders absconding justice. New Delhi routinely raises the matter with Colombo.
It is clear therefore that in operations like this the conspiring “brains” rather than the committing “brawns” bear more responsibility. India has clearly demonstrated this.
In the case of the Kadirgamar assassination too the real conspirators should be brought to justice. If he had been killed by a suicide bomber then how would justice have been
done? The Indian example should be followed. The footsoldiers are not the only guilty party. Those really culpable are the “generals”. The command and control structure of the organization that ordered the killing should be brought to justice. But what is happening here is that Colombo is being asked to talk to the perpetrators as well as
arrest them.
If these “advising” countries are indeed serious then they should realise that what they are saying is contradictory. When one party to the process has committed the crime only
one of two results is possible. If the real perpetrators are to be punished the process cannot continue. If the process is to continue then the real perpetrators cannot be
punished. Insisting that both should happen simultaneously is asking for the impossible. This is international doublespeak at its worst.
Spare us then Ladies and Gentlemen of the international community of this pontificating hypocrisy at this time of grief!
This grief however cannot give way to blind rage. What would the LTTE like to happen? What effective response is possible?This is what the Liberal Party has to say – “Given the magnitude of the tragedy that has befallen the Sri Lankan state, it is vital that our leaders react with wisdom and justice, but also with a firmness that makes clear that
there are limits to indulgence. Clearly the Ceasefire Agreement is no longer seen as binding by the LTTE, and equally clearly the Norwegian monitors are incapable of
understanding or standing by their obligations. However, abrogating it is perhaps what the LTTE wants the government to do. “Rather, the government should proceed within a legalistic framework, perhaps in the manner in which the United States proceeded in 2001, after the tragedy that befell them.
Firstly they ensured, not only that the world at large understood the enormity of what had been done, but that it was prepared to act on this understanding. Secondly, they issued an ultimatum that was universally recognized as just, that the administration responsible for the terrorist outrage should surrender those who had planned it.”
What the Country needs now is not a jettisoning but an urgent review of the ceasefire..The LTTE and security forces must be made to honour it fully. It must also be accepted
that the greater part of the blame lies with the LTTE. The international community instead of parroting the “peace process” squawk must find ways and means of disciplining the LTTE.
After all the sound and fury surrounding Kadirgamars murder subsides Sri Lankans will find two questions facing them.
Is the peace process to continue at the expense of true justice being meted out? is one. Is Justice to be done (if possible) at the expense of the peace process ? is the other.
Sri Lanka cannot have it both ways.
A very difficult choice indeed!
Meanwhile let us hope that the collective wisdom of the international community would show us a way through which the peace process would progress constructively while true
justice is meted out to “all” those involved in the Kadirgamar assassination.
August 16th, 2005
Helen of Troy succeeded in uniting the warring Greeks in common cause against Troy to regain her
from Paris.
Mervyn Silva the hero of Hambantota has succeeded in uniting Up Country Tamil political parties in
common cause against him.
It was fair Helen’s beautiful “face” according to Marlowe “that launched a thousand ships”.
In Mervyn’s case it was his caustic “loose” tongue that launched a five thousand protesters in
Colombo on August 8th.
The Ruhunu Puthra has been a source of mirth and amusement for all Sri Lankans from the time he
entered Parliament. Now the deputy minister of Labour relations and Foreign Employment has
demonstrated that there is some good in him too. He has succeeded in bringing Arumugam
Thondaman, Priyasamy Chandrasekeran, Mano Ganesan, MS Sellasamy. V Puthirasigamani, Muthu
Sivalingam and a host of lesser known Up Country Tamil political leaders to the streets of Colombo in
protest demanding Silvas removal or resignation.
The demonstration was jointly organized by the Ceylon Workers Congress, Up Country Peoples Front
and Western Province Peoples Front. Others like Vasudeva Nanayakkara and members of the TNA
and UNP too participated. Many shops in Pettah and Kotahena were shut.The protesters assembled in
Fort and marched to Kollupitiya.Efforts to present a petition directly to the President failed. Premier
Mahinda Rajapakse however met some of the protesters and received a memorandum directly.He
promised to deliver it to cabinet and urge follow up action. “We will not allow any one to insult others on
the basis of their race and religion,” he told the demonstrators
But Mervyn made of sterner stuff was unfazed. The man who refused to tender an apology for his
insulting remarks continues to be defiant.
” I am not afraid of any protests made against me by anyone, I am a true Sinhalese” he told Norman
Palihawadene of the “Island”.” I did not insult the Indian people but the UNP is behind all these
demonstrations” he charged.
It all began when Malaka Manoj the mighty son of Mervyn showed off his martial prowess at a five star
hotel in Colombo. “Mama Mervynge Putha” he thundered when punching some narcotics busting
Policemen.
The Police narcotics bureau filed charges and the case was heard initially at the Fort Magistrates court.
The valiant father of the valiant son was at the courts too. He picked a quarrel with some journalists at
the court premises and launched a verbal tirade.
According to journalists Mervyn Silva tried to assault Surenthiran the “Virakesari” staff photographer.
His choicest abuse was reserved for journalists of MYV. Sakthi and Sirasa. Apparently Mervyn was
annoyed by a Sisira TV sound byte concerning his son aired the previous night.
After pitching in right royally Mervyn took on “Maharajahs Organization” the owners of all MTV, Sakthi
and Sisira. Assuming in his infinite ignorance that Maharajahs was “Indian” Mervyn put his foot in his
mouth truly, madly and deeply. The founding family of Maharajahs was not from India but from
Sandilipay in Jaffna. They are very much the children of Sri Lankan soil like Mervyn and like the deputy
minister did not need visas to stay in the Island.
This point however was of no consequence to Mervyn who seldom gets his facts correct. Perhaps he
thought these Maharajahs were related to the Air India Maharajah !He proceeded to warn Maharajahs
harshly in undisguised racist overtones.
” Those cursed immigrants of Indian origin. This is Sri Lanka. Those who came from foreign countries
and are exploiting those living in the country, cannot live here the way they want to,” Silva ranted
referring to the Maharaja Organisation.
” Go tell the top people, the Maharajas, that if they want their visas to Sri Lanka to be cancelled, then
ask them to clash with me. Those cursed immigrants,” he raved. Unfortunately for Mervyn his
threatening remarks were unknown to him being duly recorded for posterity’s benefit.
This was not the first time that Mervyn shot his mouth off and it certainly wont be the last time either.
Leopards dont change spots nor tigers their stripes. The Mervyns of this world do not change their
ways nor fools their folly.
Even Mervyn had gone a little too far this time or so it seemed.
Initially it was the journalistic fraternity that took umbrage against the deputy ministers antics. A one
hour demonstration was held opposite the Fort railway station by journalists. Placards were waved and
slogans raised that Mervyn should apologise to the media and respect media freedom.
Soon the issue went out from the realm of media freedom. The matter became part of the politics of
racism. All Sri Lankans except for the Vedhas, Burghers and Malays share a common Indian heritage.
Sadly those of more recent Indian origin have been victimised by those whose ancestors came set foot
here earlier. Their citizenship was cancelled and franchise denied. Various agreements were signed
without their representatives being consulted. Families were uprooted arbitrarily and transplanted on
Indian soil.
The Plantation Tamils or Up Country Tamils as they are called remain the most backward and most
exploited ethnic community in the Island. Theirs is a pathetic plight despite toiling for centuries in the
tea and rubber estates. They were stigmatised as illegal immigrants and stateless people. “kallathoni”
was a racial slur employed against them.
Mervyn Silva hit a raw nerve when he erroneously referred to the Indian ancestry of the Maharajahs.
Community based organizations began reacting against the perceived “anti Indian” remarks of Mervyn.
Area branches of trade unions began passing resolutions condemning it. Tamil political leaders began
criticising Mervyn. Letters were sent to Mervyn, the SLFP and President Kumaratunga.
Western Province Peoples Front leader and Colombo district MP Mano Ganesan wrote a strong letter.
Representations were also made to the Indian High Commission urging intervention as the national
honour of India was compromised.
A public apology was demanded. Action against Mervyn was called for.
The man who claims that the blood of Dutugemunu runs in his veins remained unrepentantly “dutu”. It
would have been graceful and dignified to have apologized. The matter would have ended there. But
Mervyn refused to do so.
Instead he expressed regrets in his own clownishly convoluted style
Mervyn sent a letter of apology to Mano Ganesan, leader of the Western Province Peoples’ Front;. He
said he did not mean to hurt the Indian Origin Tamils.
Later, on another public occasion, Silva said that he respected the people of Indian origin and added
that like the Tamils, the majority Sinhala community were also immigrants from India.
“The Sinhala community to which I belong are Aryan immigrants from North India. I was an Indian in my
last birth,” he said, displaying his Indian connection.
But he adamantly refused to withdraw his idiotic remarks and tender an unqualified public apology..
Meanwhile neither President Kumaratunga nor the party hierarchy showed any sign of reprimanding
Mervyn or making amends. For the Bandranaikes this man was a sycophantic joker not to be taken
seriously. They may have even relished his unfettered slavishness. The way he backs out from their
presence, prostrating himself at Chandrikas feet, offering a perfumed “present” to Anura etc were all
indicators of this.
In fairness to the President she may have thought that no one on earth would have taken Mervyn
seriously. She may have never have imagined that “apey” Mervyn was worthy of being a target of a
massive protest demonstration.
But then this is what Jawarhalal Nehru thought too when he described the pronouncements of Dravidian
patriarch “Eeveraa” Periyaar as “nonsense”. The Dravidian followers felt insulted and launched a
massive protest compelling Nehru to apologise gracefully.
Likewise the Up Country parties too seem to have given Mervyn an importance he hardly deserved.
There are many serious issues facing the up Country Tamils. Reasonable wages, adequate work
hours, housing, schooling, sanitation, child labour, security etc are but some. Then there is the Kotmale
project.
The Up Country Tamil parties have taken up different stances at different times. They are yet to form a
united front to address these serious issues facing the plantation proletariat.
But they were able to protest unitedly and vehemently over Mervyn. Truly Silva has achieved the
impossible.
The poor plantation people can only hope that the unity achieved to avenge an insult will continue and
help redress the fundamental grievances of livelihood.
But let us wait and see whether some action will be taken against Mervyn or whether the issue will
simply fade away.
With elections around the corner the Mervyn issue seems to be one that all Up Country Tamil parties
would focus on. Other weighty matters require solutions that these parties cannot deliver. But Mervyn is
one big punching bag for everybody to take a whack.
Who knows the issue may even bring all Up Country parties to the UNP fold for the next polls.
No one knows whether Mervyn Silva will be penalised in any way for his remarks. But one thing we know
he will be with us not only in this birth but in the births to come too.
As he told a press conference – Should he be killed, however, he would like to be reborn in Sri Lanka
“in this holy land”– as none other than Mervyn Silva.
Until Mervyn transcends “Sansara” Sri Lankas destiny is intertwined with that of his.
August 9th, 2005
Helen of Troy succeeded in uniting the warring Greeks in common cause against Troy to regain her from Paris.
Mervyn Silva the hero of Hambantota has succeeded in uniting Up Country Tamil political parties in common cause against him.
It was fair Helen’s beautiful “face” according to Marlowe “that launched a thousand ships”.
In Mervyn’s case it was his caustic “loose” tongue that launched a five thousand protesters in Colombo on August 8th.
The Ruhunu Puthra has been a source of mirth and amusement for all Sri Lankans from the time he entered Parliament. Now the deputy minister of Labour relations and Foreign Employment has demonstrated that there is some good in him too. He has succeeded in bringing Arumugam
Thondaman, Priyasamy Chandrasekeran, Mano Ganesan, MS Sellasamy. V Puthirasigamani, Muthu Sivalingam and a host of lesser known Up Country Tamil political leaders to the streets of Colombo in protest demanding Silvas removal or resignation.
The demonstration was jointly organized by the Ceylon Workers Congress, Up Country Peoples Front and Western Province Peoples Front. Others like Vasudeva Nanayakkara and members of the TNA and UNP too participated. Many shops in Pettah and Kotahena were shut.The protesters assembled in Fort and marched to Kollupitiya.Efforts to present a petition directly to the President failed. Premier
Mahinda Rajapakse however met some of the protesters and received a memorandum directly.He promised to deliver it to cabinet and urge follow up action. “We will not allow any one to insult others on the basis of their race and religion,” he told the demonstrators
But Mervyn made of sterner stuff was unfazed. The man who refused to tender an apology for his insulting remarks continues to be defiant. ” I am not afraid of any protests made against me by anyone, I am a true Sinhalese” he told Norman Palihawadene of the “Island”.” I did not insult the Indian people but the UNP is behind all these demonstrations” he charged.
It all began when Malaka Manoj the mighty son of Mervyn showed off his martial prowess at a five star hotel in Colombo. “Mama Mervynge Putha” he thundered when punching some narcotics busting Policemen.
The Police narcotics bureau filed charges and the case was heard initially at the Fort Magistrates court. The valiant father of the valiant son was at the courts too. He picked a quarrel with some journalists at the court premises and launched a verbal tirade.
According to journalists Mervyn Silva tried to assault Surenthiran the “Virakesari” staff photographer. His choicest abuse was reserved for journalists of MYV. Sakthi and Sirasa. Apparently Mervyn was annoyed by a Sisira TV sound byte concerning his son aired the previous night.
After pitching in right royally Mervyn took on “Maharajahs Organization” the owners of all MTV, Sakthi and Sisira. Assuming in his infinite ignorance that Maharajahs was “Indian” Mervyn put his foot in his mouth truly, madly and deeply. The founding family of Maharajahs was not from India but from Sandilipay in Jaffna. They are very much the children of Sri Lankan soil like Mervyn and like the deputy minister did not need visas to stay in the Island.
This point however was of no consequence to Mervyn who seldom gets his facts correct. Perhaps he thought these Maharajahs were related to the Air India Maharajah !He proceeded to warn Maharajahs harshly in undisguised racist overtones.
” Those cursed immigrants of Indian origin. This is Sri Lanka. Those who came from foreign countries and are exploiting those living in the country, cannot live here the way they want to,” Silva ranted referring to the Maharaja Organisation.
” Go tell the top people, the Maharajas, that if they want their visas to Sri Lanka to be cancelled, then ask them to clash with me. Those cursed immigrants,” he raved. Unfortunately for Mervyn his threatening remarks were unknown to him being duly recorded for posterity’s benefit.
This was not the first time that Mervyn shot his mouth off and it certainly wont be the last time either. Leopards dont change spots nor tigers their stripes. The Mervyns of this world do not change their ways nor fools their folly.
Even Mervyn had gone a little too far this time or so it seemed.
Initially it was the journalistic fraternity that took umbrage against the deputy ministers antics. A one hour demonstration was held opposite the Fort railway station by journalists. Placards were waved and slogans raised that Mervyn should apologise to the media and respect media freedom.
Soon the issue went out from the realm of media freedom. The matter became part of the politics of racism. All Sri Lankans except for the Vedhas, Burghers and Malays share a common Indian heritage. Sadly those of more recent Indian origin have been victimised by those whose ancestors came set foot here earlier. Their citizenship was cancelled and franchise denied. Various agreements were signed without their representatives being consulted. Families were uprooted arbitrarily and transplanted on Indian soil.
The Plantation Tamils or Up Country Tamils as they are called remain the most backward and most exploited ethnic community in the Island. Theirs is a pathetic plight despite toiling for centuries in the tea and rubber estates. They were stigmatised as illegal immigrants and stateless people. “kallathoni” was a racial slur employed against them.
Mervyn Silva hit a raw nerve when he erroneously referred to the Indian ancestry of the Maharajahs. Community based organizations began reacting against the perceived “anti Indian” remarks of Mervyn. Area branches of trade unions began passing resolutions condemning it. Tamil political leaders began criticising Mervyn. Letters were sent to Mervyn, the SLFP and President Kumaratunga.
Western Province Peoples Front leader and Colombo district MP Mano Ganesan wrote a strong letter. Representations were also made to the Indian High Commission urging intervention as the national honour of India was compromised.
A public apology was demanded. Action against Mervyn was called for.
The man who claims that the blood of Dutugemunu runs in his veins remained unrepentantly “dutu”. It would have been graceful and dignified to have apologized. The matter would have ended there. But Mervyn refused to do so.
Instead he expressed regrets in his own clownishly convoluted style Mervyn sent a letter of apology to Mano Ganesan, leader of the Western Province Peoples’ Front;. He
said he did not mean to hurt the Indian Origin Tamils.
Later, on another public occasion, Silva said that he respected the people of Indian origin and added that like the Tamils, the majority Sinhala community were also immigrants from India.
“The Sinhala community to which I belong are Aryan immigrants from North India. I was an Indian in my last birth,” he said, displaying his Indian connection.
But he adamantly refused to withdraw his idiotic remarks and tender an unqualified public apology..
Meanwhile neither President Kumaratunga nor the party hierarchy showed any sign of reprimanding Mervyn or making amends. For the Bandranaikes this man was a sycophantic joker not to be taken seriously. They may have even relished his unfettered slavishness. The way he backs out from their
presence, prostrating himself at Chandrikas feet, offering a perfumed “present” to Anura etc were all indicators of this.
In fairness to the President she may have thought that no one on earth would have taken Mervyn seriously. She may have never have imagined that “apey” Mervyn was worthy of being a target of a massive protest demonstration.
But then this is what Jawarhalal Nehru thought too when he described the pronouncements of Dravidian patriarch “Eeveraa” Periyaar as “nonsense”. The Dravidian followers felt insulted and launched a massive protest compelling Nehru to apologise gracefully.
Likewise the Up Country parties too seem to have given Mervyn an importance he hardly deserved.
There are many serious issues facing the up Country Tamils. Reasonable wages, adequate work hours, housing, schooling, sanitation, child labour, security etc are but some. Then there is the Kotmale project.
The Up Country Tamil parties have taken up different stances at different times. They are yet to form a united front to address these serious issues facing the plantation proletariat.
But they were able to protest unitedly and vehemently over Mervyn. Truly Silva has achieved the impossible.
The poor plantation people can only hope that the unity achieved to avenge an insult will continue and help redress the fundamental grievances of livelihood.
But let us wait and see whether some action will be taken against Mervyn or whether the issue will simply fade away.
With elections around the corner the Mervyn issue seems to be one that all Up Country Tamil parties would focus on. Other weighty matters require solutions that these parties cannot deliver. But Mervyn is one big punching bag for everybody to take a whack.
Who knows the issue may even bring all Up Country parties to the UNP fold for the next polls.
No one knows whether Mervyn Silva will be penalised in any way for his remarks. But one thing we know he will be with us not only in this birth but in the births to come too. As he told a press conference – Should he be killed, however, he would like to be reborn in Sri Lanka “in this holy land”– as none other than Mervyn Silva.
Until Mervyn transcends “Sansara” Sri Lankas destiny is intertwined with that of his.
August 9th, 2005
Whatever his merits and faults may be indecisiveness is certainly not an attribute of Velupillai Pirapakaran. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam supremo is neither weak nor vacillating like the Shakespearean prince of Denmark.
In recent times however the feline numero uno seems to be facing a dilemma like Hamlet. Should the tigers continue “to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” in a no war – no peace scenario or “to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them?”
Though warmongers among tiger camp followers and fellow travellers – most of them safely ensconced in the cooler climes of the west – would like war the choice is not starkly simple for the Sun God as it was for the Prince.
For one thing the LTTE is not the sole aggrieved party suffering slings and arrows. While the tigers complain about the safety of their cadres LTTE assassination squads continue to kill and maim unarmed people suspected of subscribing to contrary political opinion.
Philippiah a 56 year old father of three was killed in Atchuvely. He was formerly of the Peoples Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam. 22 year old Nixon was gunned down in Yarlpaanam. He was a distributor of the Tamil weekly “Thinamurasu” published by the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party.
Even as the LTTE was merrily bumping off these perceived “opponents” the 24 Sri Lankan soldiers and three Scandinavian monitors in a fleet of armoured vehicles were escorting Trincomalee tiger political commissar Elilan safe and sound to Kilinochchi.
Then there is the question of “opposing troubles and ending them”. Can the tigers end all their troubles by taking up arms again and opposing them? What is the guarantee that things may not take the direction the tigers want? Would it not be better to remain in a “no war – no peace” atmosphere for some more time instead of jumping from the pan to the fire?
These are the doubts assailing the LTTE supremo and at least some sutonomus thinkers of the tiger hierarchy. All the pros and cons of reverting to war are being seriously weighed. All possible scenarios are being analysed and options evaluated. Ultimately it is the “thesiya Thalaiver” (National leader) s decision that would be carried out.
If it is war then like Tennysons light brigade the tigers will plunge into war.”Their’s not to reason why, theirs but to do or die”.Sadly the tigers do not have the luxury of even thinking “someone had blundered”. For their leader is infallible and can do no wrong or commit any mistake.
The tigers are beating the drums of war in a carefully crafted strategy.
The chief component of this design is the move to create an illusion that the Tamil people of the North – East want war. No people on earth particularly civilians who underwent the travails and trauma of war for decades will want war again. The Tamil people living in the potential war zone of the North – East know what lies in store for them if war erupts.The bombings, shellings, massacres, ecomomic embargoes, denial of fishing, agricultural and transport rights, cordons, searches, arrests, detentions, torture, killings, draconian provisions of the terrorism act etc are all fresh in their minds.
Yet the LTTE has been orchestrating demonstrations, meetings etc in the name of the people demanding war.Engineered mass petitions are being sent to the tiger chief urging war. The tiger controlled Tamil media is whipping up themselves into furious paroxysms entreating war. The ridiculous nadir of these moves was the Vavuniya convention. Parliamentarians and priests competed among themselves to warn of war and want war.
Once again a vociferous minority is propelling the Tamil people ecstatically to impending doom while the overwhelming majority – silenced in the name of liberation – watches this march of folly in repressed agony.
Adding further impetus to this push for war are the theatrics engaged in by LTTE bigwigs. The “Beria of Tamil Eelam” Pottu Amman makes regular public appearances in conduct most unbecoming of any normal intelligence chief. Pottu and other tiger commanders “jaw – jaw” about prospective “war – war”. Thamilselvan growls for the 158th time since the ceasefire that the Tamil people are losing patience.Political cadres are withdrawn from Govt controlled areas in the East.
While the outward appearance of imminent war is diligently projected on stage backroom moves are on through the partisan good offices of Oslo to strike a gainful bargain with the so called International community and Colombo. The LTTE expects the International community to fund some pro – tiger organizations for the ostensible purpose of post – tsunami reconstruction. The Supreme Court intervention on P – TOMS has strengthened the tigers claim in this respect. Quid pro quo will be a guarantee of tigers not going to war for a specific period.
The LTTE also wants Colombo to deliver. Tiger political strategist Anton Stanislaus Balasingham in an interview outlined four problems affecting the ceasefire. Dismantling high security zones, disarming paramilitaries, safety of political cadres and safe transport of tigers betwen North and East are the four points. If these are not guaranteed or implemented soon the ceasefire will not hold he says. Scandinavian monitors concur in another version of His Masters Voice.
Except for the security zone demand none of the others relate to problems suffered by the Tamil people. They are all about issues affecting the LTTE. Even the security zone issue has a military dimension. The tigers want them dismantled not for the people alone but for their own reasons too.The tigers are ready to resume war and make the people suffer for such self – centred objectives.
The redeeming factor in this scenario is that some sections of the LTTE at least are concerned about the international situation. They feel that the USA led West as well as India will back Colombo if war continues. If the LTTE gains militarily the International community could redress the balance of power in more ways than one. A unilateral declaration of Independence will be useless without some international backing. Furthermore such a UDI could be an open invitation for active international intervention in the Island. If that happens all tiger hopes will urn dupes.
Another option is to make a lightning strike. Some strategic military targets will be knocked out. Some key real estate will be taken over. All this within three to ten days. Then the LTTE will suspend war and go back to peace talks again. But it would be in a position of strength having shown what it is capable of to the World and Colombo.
Again the doubt is whether the security forces are such easy pushovers as the tigers imagine. The proposed swift strike could fail and protracted conflict ensue. Angered international opinion could turn hostile and pugnaciously uncompromising. If so the LTTE will be in deep trouble.
Then there is the economic aspect. The LTTE is virtually minting money through rapacious taxation.The “tourism” of Tamil expatriates is very profitable. Much commercial activity has commenced directly. The lucrative sea food export for example is now monopolised by the LTTE. All this would be affected if war breaks out. Then there is much foreign aid coming in with a lot more in the pipeline.
Even as the LTTE chief ponders over these possibilities there is a serious, overarching reason prodding him on the road to war. 41 months of uneasy peace is debilitating the movement slowly yet steadily. The LTTE knows that this “containment” is only enervating. The reasons for this have to be discussed on another occasion. The crux of the matter is that Velupillai Pirapakaran knows that prolongng this state of affairs can do irredeemable harm to his movement and ideals.
So there he is now sitting on the banks of Iranaimadhu and contemplating the future. Continuing the current status quo is weakening the LTTE. Resumption of war could also harm the LTTE. Which of these options would prove the lesser danger and when? When his mind is made up the tiger chief will command his minions. Appeasement policies may postpone the inevitable but cannot prevent it.
As for the long suffering, silenced Tamil masses they are not going to be consulted by the LTTE about resuming war. But if the tiger chief asks them and they dare to answer the question about going to war they will have only one word of advice – Dont!.
August 2nd, 2005