It will be nonsense to think of eradicating the LTTE
Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne
The government, while discarding all appeals for a ceasefire is hell bent on finishing the LTTE. The LTTE cannot be finished as it is a movement in the hearts and minds of the Tamil people. It represents the strongest commitment to the Tamil right to self determination and Tamil freedom. Even those who disagree with the LTTE’s violent methods or with its political programme for Tamil liberation, still hail it as the most formidable opposition to Sinhala repression. So, it will be nonsense to think of eradicating the LTTE. UNP leaders led by the then defence minister thought of finishing the JVP by eliminating over fifty-thousand JVP suspects with the leadership. It is claimed that Wijeweera was burnt alive by a military group. But today modern dissidents of Wijeweera and other JVP leaders virtually run the government of Mahinda. The ghost of Wijeweera is behind the president at all times. Champika Ranawaka and Wimal Weerawansa today, represent the last political message of the Deshapremi Janatha Viyaparaya, the brainchild of Wijeweera. In that sense both Champika and Wimal are legitimate political children of Wijeweera. The rump JVP is left in the ditch without being able to go along with these two. It does not represent the JVP past or present. While howling for a better war it is barking at the government for repression! So we can count it out. But the real JVP represented by the chauvinist duo, Champika and Wimal, is doing great. So, the dream of the UNP leaders to eliminate the JVP has not been fulfilled.
Similarly the dream of Mahinda to eliminate the LTTE by brutal repression of all who are associated with the LTTE will be a void in the coming period. In the case of the LTTE, it represents the real anger of the Tamil people against discrimination, humiliation and oppression by Sinhala chauvinism. The JVP was correct to an extent. It protested about oppression of Sinhala society by the Anglo-Saxon Western upper classes. But it was and is wrong to the hilt in hating Tamil society for its demand for equality and self determination. Strangely enough it is the wrong side of the JVP that is flourishing today both inside and outside of the government. However the anger of the Tamil people over the ruthless attacks made by both the state and the pogroms cannot be dispersed by decimating the LTTE. The latter will enhance the hard feelings within Tamil society. It will pour out in the future not only in Lanka but also in India as a gigantic Dravidian movement.
Already unknown to many, a demon is haunting India; it is the demon of neo Brahmanism. This resurgence of Brahmanism is less connected to Hindu self assertion but more to the rise of global capital. The crisis in global capital is demanding a massive human sacrifice as in the previous global capitalist setback. After the economic crash in 1929, the capitalist system faced a massive crisis. Then the rise of Nazism and Hitler was for a purpose. Freud says in human history every crisis has demanded a human sacrifice and massive bloodletting. Maybe the rise of neo Brahmanism in India is the new ideology necessary for human sacrifice that may come, if the liberation of mankind does not take place in time! The rise of the Dravidians will be one of the most important challenges to the designs of neo Brahmanism. Taking the rule of Freud seriously one could say that the sacrifice made by the Tamils today is for the victory that will come in the future against neo Aryan Brahmanism. Of course I am just speculating, but the truth is that Tamil consciousness in the world has expanded due to the repressive war of the Mahinda regime. All global capitalist powers including India will be forced to repent in time to come for their aggressive participation in human suffering of this order. The LTTE cannot be blamed for not surrendering to the Sinhala army of the chauvinist regime. If thousands die due to the attacks of the army the blame will squarely fall on the government and its masters. America, India and others shed crocodile tears about the massive human tragedy after doing everything possible to repress the Tamil speaking people.
It is sad to watch the UNP and other so-called liberals happily waiting to see the effect of the tragedy on the government. There is no attempt to press for a ceasefire. In effect they give their support to the aggressive war efforts of the government. In this scenario there is no other way out except the programme of the Left.
28 Comments
Finally the facts are filtering through.What a waste of human life. This is what happen if you put narrow minded people in power who can only look at the small picture. We Need more people like Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne to get the message to mass population who have been bluffed by a handful of Idiots who think their cowboy style of running the the country is only way. please open your eyes and look wide and far.
Heavey hand treatment and the faith of 85,000 families or 3,550,000 individuals end stories are going to decide International Communities policy makers about the future of Tamil comunity whether or not they should live with Sinhalese government or have to split from the majority.
You cannot erradicate terrorism, drug dealers murderers and crooks in the world. If we could not have to have a police forse jails in the world. We can control the scum and destroy them where ever they are found and there by establish peace and security of a a nation. To give in say cannot is utterly foolish and bloody stupid.
In Sri Lanka we had in the past a corrupt despots who allowed the illicit emigrants to operate freely and acumalate arms . Naturally the starving Indians just flooded the country.
The presenty Goverment is doing a perfect job and we ahve no doubt they will ELIMINATE and ROOT out the Tamil terrorism from our island once and for all and no doubt will establish national security , peace and stabilty so that all citizens of Sri Lanka could leave a peaceful life.
Loose cowardly talks leads people astray and would better to SHUT UP and let the government do their job
God Bless Sri Lanka
This article is very interesting. It appears to leak what us in the Sri Lankan and Indian tamil communities around the World are discussing - A greater Tamil nation outside of India, comprising N/E Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. We all tired of North Indian domination of politics and development especially when Tamil Nadu is India's most industrialised states and growing and the militant religious chauvinsm in Sri Lanka. The writer has it spot on on the gathering winds of the next few decades. After all tamils are all one and the lands we claim are historical places of habitation. Given the high literacy and economic output of tamils, maybe our destiny is better in our own hands.
Raj
There is a saying that one need not unduly worry about ones enemies as one knows where they stand with them.Here is a pseudo friend of the Tamils who all enemies of Tamils (if there are any as claimed by the writer) will hope the Tamils will embrace lovingly so that they would be able to sit back and relax whilst the the good Doctor leads the Tamils to extinction.What more could you expect from a discarded communist who was responsible for the carnage in the South of Sinhala youth who sacrificed their lives for nothing but foolish ideology.One thing must be said of Wijeweera,he didn't shamelessley hide behind innocent women and children to save his skin.There are two words that would best describe men of this ilk;"Rabble Rousers".He should be deported to Tamil Nadu to join Vaiko as his chief political adviser.
It's sad to see that DR. Karaunarathne has not yet understood the difference of the cause of JVP and that of the LTTE.
On the other hand he talks of discrimination to the Tamils from Sinhalese. Then what he thinks the JVP was fighting for.
The JVP rose against the poor policies of the past Governments. Sri Lankan people regardless their race suffered a lot. We can't take it as discrimination. It happens every where in the world.
The Tamils and non Tamils who support LTTE have taken this as discrimination just to tell that they are fighting for freedom. What nonsense, the both Indian and Sri Lankan Tamil extremists are struggling to build a monoethnic only Tamil country in the world. They think that it could be first rooted in Sri Lanka with the support of people like DR. Karunarathne and thereafter to join Tamilnadu. It will never happen. They should realise that except a few who sacrifice their nation to money as fools the rest of the Sinhalese love their only country.
wekkramabahu. when u open your mouth think what u speek. because we like tamil brothers and sisters. but tigers never stop kiling people. u know all about this things. they are all srilankans but they want to have there on land. can u ask them to relese civilians. so then u right. if not we have to think u also geting mony from them to open ur mouth. ok.tks
Wickramabahu if LTTE or any other organisation from tamils or Muslims erupt again in future, to use terroism or violent activities,our forces very well ready for them.Until the tamil people do understand to live with harmony with sinhalese,any kind of group use violence must eradicate.
There is no discrimination in Srilanka or problems common to one race. The only problem we have in our country is poverty.You talking nonsense
At least there are a few from the Sinhala side able to understand the Tamil position in perspective. My friend Babu – and his loyal comrades Thiru and Linus – continue to fight bigotry and racism in its many manifestations and facets against all odds. It is to the disadvantage of the political culture in Sri Lanka that Bahu’s talents are not available at the higher levels of governance to usher in a more plural and progressive society. As Schindler, who secretly fought pseudo-nationalism and bigotry during WW2; saving thousands of innocent jews and whose humanism was celebrated universally restoring the good name of the great German people - the names of Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne and our other Sinhala brothers and sisters who fearlessly speak against injustice to Tamils, will be hailed at a time to come by a Sinhala society that will unshackle itself from the evils of communalism, racism and the demon of bigotry. It is at such a time the innocence and the inherent goodness of the Sinhalese will be acknowledged within and outside. But for the moment, it looks like the zombie jamboree will hold sway with an over inflated triple armed force and Police whose top and their political masters amass unbelievable wealth in the conduct of a so-called war with a force of over 200,000 fully armed against an enemy of less than a few thousands. No wonder Sri Lanka is a favourite of the world’s arms industry that dumps all the obsolete and under-grade stuff at highly inflated prices utilizing willing collusion at the highest levels here. “Long Live the War” will be the toast of those Generals, Commanders and other uniformed chiefs when they visit their political bosses regularly in those nights celebrating their loot in those surreptitious wining and dining orgies – in Cbo 7, Singapore, London, Moscow, Kiev, California and many other centres of sheer and adulterated gaiety where the buxom Anarkali, Sangeetha, Pavithra and the like add colour and lust to those gatherings..
Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan
Dr. Kodisinghe argued that the JVP rose against the poor policies. I am of the opinion that the same argument goes with the rise of LTTE too. It is very unfortunate, though.
Discrimination is one of the many factors and we must put it in proper context to see the correct meaning of it. Some kind of discrimination is highly sensitive and inflammatory than the other one. Then again it is hard to express one's feelings in words.
Dr.Karunaratne is encouraging terrorism when the world is fighting against terrorism. He doesn't know that Prabaharan had murdered thousands of Tamils who were moderates and against his views and those Tamils who stood against his leadership. Prabaharan did not fight for the Tamils but for himself. In the 90s he used the Tamil people to flee from the North when the Army was approaching and as a result many thosands perished on their way to the Vanni. Now he is using Tamil people to safeguard himself by blocking them not to leave the NFZ in Puthukudiyruppu.
The Doctor doesn't know majority of the Tamils do not accept Prabaharan and his men. They keep silent through fear. Only those Tamils who benefits through Prabaharan try to show their support.
Prabaharan took up arms to fight an elected government, so let him face it. The people who supplied arms to him to fight the government now wants a ceasefire.
What a joke dcotor?
Rooting out Terrorism is not possible without addressing the root cause. In case of Sri Lankan Tamils, they do not want to be part of South Gov. Solve that to eradicate terrorism.
Do you all know how many men you need to start terrorism? Just 10. Now think of eliminating Terrorism, is it possible without addressing the root cause? It's an illusion!
No one seems to think when a LTTE or Sri-Lankan armed forces member dies, that it's indeed a loss to the Sri-Lankan society.
People are so narrow minded each ethnic cheering the fall of the other ethnic member.
So much unity in our Island. Thanks to the Mahinda Chinthanya.
Wondering what will he do once the war is over and people start to question their lives struggles?
He might not finish this war lest, it might trigger genuine questions of survival.
Tamils or Sinhalese, we are all Sri-Lankans and belong to this island, this is their land as much as ours!
Mr. Sellam,
Nice try but FYI,
There is no Tamil name called Sellam.
Please try some other name.
Why not try Sellang? this would suit you very well since you want to disguise yourself as a Tamilian.
Wasn't it you who once wrote about Tamils being as "Kalla Thonis" few years back and got a nice response from Dr.KC?
We can consider posted comments as proof to confirm that still there are many do not understand the reality, history and the new world trend. Dr Wickremabahu is 100% right.
Dear DR. Karaunarathne,
I salute you Sir… for being a sincere friend of oppressed people, in this case the Tamil speaking people of Sri Lanka.
I have my strong doubts if SL Government can win Praba, and I believe Praba has cornered the SLG in a way that they will never be able to get out of. What is happening around the world now is a good indication which direction it is heading. True thousands and thousands of innocent people are being killed and SLA moving forward….but no one still knows who the final winner will be. If Tamils get what they fight for even if LTTE loses militarily it has won, because it is what they fight for…achieving the goal….in whatever form it is…is the real winning.
But one thing is certain….there are plenty of Tamil world billionaires, such as Anathakrishnan from Malaysia, Shiv Nadar from Delhi, India etc., and for the first time Sinhalese are also going to join the worlds Billionaires club, they are Mahinda & Gothabays Brothers, Sarath Fonseka and the like. And many are going to join worlds millioners club from Sri Lanka, which includes people like Karuna, Douglas etc. And above all for the first time in the history, ordinary Sri Lankan people are going to become the paupers of the world.
Dr Karunaratne,
The UNP government was successful in bringing JVP back into mainstream politics. They only expected to eliminate terrorism. If the government wanted to eliminate political parties, TNA would have been the first to go. Many attempts were made in the past to force LTTE into mainstream politics. As you may recall during CBK's government, there was much speculation that an offer was made for LTTE to govern north for 10 years without any elections. But LTTE continued with its violence. They must be regretting it now.
There seems to be a paucity of moderate writers and politicians anywhere on the tattered landscape of Sri Lankan moral consciousness. Instead of accepting that both sides in the conflict have need to re-examine their own short-sightedness and its subsequent complicity in the problems at hand, there is a constant rush to legitimise the deplorable actions of those who carry weapons in the name of thinly disguised chauvinism and racial elitism.
There can be no moral compass of decency that points to the use of terror, be it the unconscionable actions of the LTTE or the conveniently dismissive actions of the GoSL in their abuses of human rights and systemic marginalisation of the very citizens it claims to protect, especially the Tamil minorities in the North and East.
It is time for the people of Sri Lanka to accept that a middle ground, one of inclusiveness and devoid of ethnocentric posturing, is the only reasonable solution to a problem that cannot be solved only by the barrel of a gun.
Hopefully, but unlikely, the Government will take the critical first step in showing a wisdom and humility that is the true sign of personal and collective social justice... a justice that is sadly in very short supply throughout Sri Lanka.
Whether there is LTTE or not, the animosity of the oppressed is not going to go away unless the legitimate aspirations of the Tamils are met. What is needed is true statemanship and genuine actions from the majority. If not The next war will be even more ferocious, not in the sense of violence, but in their breath and the methods that are going to be adopted.
Time will be the best judge..... May god Save Sri lanka and Eelam.
Oppressed comes from all races, religions etc. The division of oppressed by race, religion, caste etc is maintained by the oppressor to perpetuate oppression.
Tamil sessionist movement lead by LTTE is such a tool to perpetuate oppression of all oppressed Sri Lankans. Imagine if all the oppressed in Sri Lanka were united (rather than killing each other) what would have been the outcome. From memory, PLOTE once talked about this.
It appears that Bahu has taken a contract from the oppressors to perpetuate the conflict by propping up Tamil racism & separatism.
All oppressed in Sri Lanka.....beware of the wolf in sheep clothes.
Mr JP
why did you forgot prabha uncle he is already a billionaire. with the money he got he should have build the north like colombo to tamils to live there in one peaceful country . no one will object for that.
upul
It is because of idiots like you that this war has dragged on this far. Every time the LTTE is pushed to the limits, you stupid opportunistic good for nothing lot would come with some excuse to let them off the hook. Why don't you just shut up and let the GOSL take care of the LTTE? Tell me one, just one useful thing you have done for the country since you left the University!You live in a world that does not exist all your life. I remember you telling as person that you would end up with over 2.5 million votes just before the 1994 elections. And you ended up with less than 50,000! that's how realistic you are. that's the state of your mind. Just leave the war to the people who knows how to do it. You say you are a politician, but you don't even have a 0.00001% idea about that, so what's your knowledge in the war!
Force only begets force. Military solution will only perpetuate the cycle.
The writer is in the mind set that LTTE is the sole representatives of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. This very sadly the untruth. There are other tamil political organizations (which do not point guns at people like the LTTE) whom the tamils like. The Eastern province Chief minister and MP Mr. Vinayagamurthi Mularitharan are examples to name a few.
I think Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne is a failure - To say that there is discrimination of Tamils in Sri Lanka is a white lie. For me, I do not care that my boss is a Tamil; my client is a Tamil and my Doctor is a Tamil. But I do not think LTTE has a role in Sri Lanka. They have to be eliminated. However, I strongly think the GOSL should make life normal for all citizens and govern the country through good governance.
The oppression faced by a Sinahala youth from lowly "berawaya" caste is largely similar to a low caste Tamil from Vanni or Vakarai.
Both these groups faced discrimination in education, employment, social acceptance etc. 60,000 Sinhala youth rebelled and lost their lives and a similar number of Tamil youth also have lost their lives to date.
Therefore, interpretation of this discrimination along racial lines as done by LTTE and their separatist backers helps the oppressors (there is no race division among them. They may wear the vetti & shout various slogans during day time. But they meet at the same cocktail party in Western garb at night) by locking the oppressed youth in racial cages. In this way the oppressors can continue without any danger to themselves.
Bahu by supporting the Tamil sessionist terrorism simply help the continuation of oppression & discrimination.
Beware of the wolf in sheep clothes.....
Hats off to you Dr.Karunaratne. It is nice to see that not everyone is narrow-minded.
LTTE never bi finish,,when all tamilpeople be finished you can si LTTE are finished..LONGE LIVE TAMIL PEOPLE ...LTTE ADIL LIDER...and TAMILHOMELAND and KURDISH and KURDISTAN ..PKK.PJAK