The aftermaths of the war
by Rajan Philips
In the beginning, the Rajapakse government characterized its war against the LTTE as part of the global war on terrorism. In the middle, and muddle, it became the war to liberate the Tamil civilians from the clutches of the LTTE. In the end, the war morphed into a despotic assertion of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty against Western interference. In the aftermath of the war, the plight of the Tamil civilians in the Vanni has not improved in spite of their liberation, and the controversies between the Sri Lankan government and the Western world show no sign of abating.
[Tamil civilians stand in line to collect water in the Manik Farm refugee camp located on the outskirts of northern Sri Lankan town of Vavuniya Tuesday, May 26, 2009]
The war itself ended in a crescendo of violence amidst far flung controversy over the middle (16-17) weekend in May. The bloody finale had been politico-astrologically charted, auspiciously for the government and fatally for the LTTE, to occur after the Tamil Nadu vote on Wednesday, 13 May, and before the formation of the new Indian government the following week.
For the Sri Lankan government, the war euphoria, the anti-West rhetoric, and victory celebrations have been much needed detractions from its mismanagement of the economy, allegations of corruption, administrative collapse and concerns over attacks on journalists and anti-war critics. What began as spontaneous celebrations in the south after the defeat of the LTTE and the elimination of its entire leadership is now being state-managed to continue as a show of Sri Lanka’s independence against Western busybodies.
In an inexplicably ham fisted decision, the government even denied entry to the distinguished Canadian political leader, Bob Rae, when he arrived last week at the Colombo airport with a valid visa from the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa. Mr. Rae had been to Sri Lanka many times before, was a key advisor during the peace process and a forthright critic of the LTTE. A Rhodes Scholar like G. L. Peiris, Bob Rae had worked on peace and constitutional initiatives with the late Lakshman Kadirgamar, the late Kethish Loganathan, and Peiris himself. At one time, Mr. Rae headed the Forum of Federation, an international organization sponsored by the Canadian government that included in its ranks N. Ram of Chennai, the editor of The Hinduand a close friend of the present and previous Sri Lankan governments. As a Canadian politician, Mr. Rae counts thousands of Canadian Sinhalese and Tamils among his constituents and has helped many of them without partiality. The LTTE supporters have tried to discredit him and used to disrupt meetings in Toronto where he spoke critically of the LTTE. Now the Sri Lankan government has denied him entry into Colombo even though he landed there with a visa. The visa issued by the Foreign Ministry was apparently countermanded by the Defense Executive. Be that as it may.
Forebodings of defeat
The end of the war and the manner of its ending has left the Tamils in a state of “stunned emptiness” (to borrow Canadian journalist Doug Saunders’s apt description). Even those who did not support separatism and who abhorred the LTTE’s methods feel sunken by the ferocity of the government’s victory and the totality of the LTTE’s defeat. The Tamil diaspora, that has been staging street protests against the war in Toronto, Ottawa, New York, London and other Western cities, is finding it difficult to accept the end of the militaristic LTTE and the death of its despotic leader. The macabre details of the war’s climactic ending now revealed under the imprimatur of UTHR will confirm to many what the title of its latest report suggests - that the victory is marred and the defeat has forebodings
The biggest foreboding involves the Tamil civilians caught in the war – thousands of them have been killed without witnesses and about 300,000 survivors including 30,000 disabled are interned in camps under appalling conditions. The ministering of the 300,000 displaced people is the first test of how the government is going to deal with the Tamils after ‘liberating’ them from the LTTE. Already, there is something cruelly ironic about the internment and encampment of internally displaced Tamils: the irony that they are not free to return to their homes in spite of their liberation and in spite of their rights, and the cruelty that even after their liberation they are treated as LTTE accomplices until they prove otherwise. Not even elderly Tamils could be trusted, according to the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, because they could still be mentally under the LTTE spell.
The only expression of outrage from anyone of consequence has come from Sri Lanka’s outgoing Chief Justice, Sarath Silva, who publicly spoke against the internment of the displaced Tamils under subhuman conditions, in denial of their rights and without the protection of the law. Predictably, the government is treating his concerns as those of a man no more of any consequence. An otherwise intelligent government Minister, Mahinda Samarasinghe, has not only contradicted the retired Chief Justice but also blamed UNICEF for not providing adequate toilet facilities in the internment camps!
On 10 June a petition was filed before the Supreme Court on behalf of an extended family of grandparents, parents and children, old and injured young, and separately held in two detention camps, unlawfully and in violation of their rights, asking the Court to direct the state functionaries to allow the petitioners to leave the camps and return to their homes. A two-member Bench of the Court has directed the petition to be supported on 17 June.
The government minister who contradicted the former Chief Justice might now express vindication, but he should know that it is only a hollow vindication for it says something of the state of the country when its ‘citizens’ have to go to Court to be allowed to live in their homes. And the decision of the Supreme Court in this case would go a long way in demonstrating whether Sri Lanka is hopelessly under a rampant Defense Executive, or there are constitutional checks and balances still left in the country.
The petitioners in this case have poignantly pointed out that they are not homeless people but have three homes of their own and that they also have relatives in Jaffna and Colombo who would welcome them if they choose to move out of the Vanni. This is the situation with a majority of the displaced persons in detention camps. They are not looking for charitable handouts from Colombo’s chattering classes, but freedom to reunite with their families and return to their homes. The bleeding hearts collecting food and clothing in Colombo for the poor Tamils liberated from the LTTE are missing the point. They must, like Chief Justice Sarath Silva, express moral outrage. Anything less is moral copout.
The script according to N.Q. Dias
The government’s arguments for keeping the displaced Tamils in camps are sinister in intent and pathetic in their rationale. That they cannot be sent home before clearing the landmines is insult to injury for they have been living for decades in the midst of LTTE landmines and adjacent to military high-security-zones. The announcement that they would be allowed to vote in the meaningless municipal elections while remaining in the camps is an even bigger insult. Worse, allowing them to vote is not so much some innocently misplaced enthusiasm for Tamil democracy and franchise but a crude scheme for stuffing ballot boxes in the camps to boost the majority of the already anointed election winners.
A majority of the displaced people could not care less about voting but desperately want to return to their battered homes and start rebuilding. Their rebuilding could be supplemented by public infrastructure works. That is the only moral and efficient way to rebuilding the former war zone. That would also reduce the burden of ministering those who cannot look after themselves – especially those who are old and those who are injured, and there are plenty of agencies who are willing to look after them, including their own families in Sri Lanka and in the diaspora. If only the government would let them.
But according to UN staffers familiar with the situation, the government appears to be creating new towns out of the established camps, starting with the huge Manik farm in Vavuniya. Forest areas are reportedly being cleared, which in itself is environmentally criminal, and new infrastructure is being built, which is money spent unwisely, presumably to establish permanent colonies where the displaced people could live in new homes under perpetual surveillance. After obliterating the LTTE with a 200,000 strong army, the military leaders have announced the expansion of the army by another 100,000 new enlistments. The expanded army will ensure that the displaced Tamils are kept in their place. The script is according to N.Q. Dias.
The signs on the political front are no less depressing. The President’s three public speeches after the war have offered little hope for positive constitutional changes to devolve power to the northern and eastern provinces of the country where Tamils have historically formed the majority population. The hardliners in the government are arguing that these provinces no longer need special treatment because more Tamils are now living outside these provinces – in the south of Sri Lanka and in the diaspora, even though many of them left their natal homes because of the fighting and they have not forfeited their right to return to their roots.
The Sri Lankan President has added credence to this view by declaring that there are no minorities in Sri Lanka and that all Sri Lankans are citizens with equal rights to live anywhere they want. The only distinction would be, he has ominously stated, between those who love their motherland and those who don’t. The latter disqualification targets the Sinhalese critics of the government more than it targets the remaining Tamil dissidents. Particularly vulnerable are journalists, media agencies and human rights NGOs. The threats against them appear to have increased dramatically after the war. The threats and their execution are not necessarily the work of the security forces or state operators but are carried out by the government’s political supporters who require no specific instructions but are encouraged by the prevailing culture of impunity.
Compounding this culture is the government’s decision to keep in force the Emergency Regulations and the Prevention of Terrorism Act even though the principal reason for their usage, the LTTE, is no longer there. The notorious regulations and the law have been and will be used against all Sri Lankans who politically disagree with the government, not just the Tamils.
17 Comments
There is a real hunger amongst both tamils and Sinhalese for a real democratic reform with strong human values. The sense of fairness and equitable justice to create a peaceful society is urgent need of this time.
The existing tamil leadership vying with each other for an opportunistic relations with Rajapakshe for few seats for themselves is to be totally discarded. They are all failed leaders and divisive in nature.
A new political leadership from younger generations with strong human rights ethos, upholding every human beings right to living, freedom of expression and pursuit of happiness. They must be unifyers across all divides like race, language and culture. It has to be built up from ground up.
That is the only way for real freedom for Sri Lanka. Till such time one mafia over powers the other mafia to supress the people at gun point. For a common man in the street, it does'nt matter it is a gun from LTTE or a gun from Rajabakshe brothers. They need freedom. A militaristic government will create another LTTE.
Remember the days when the militarily strong Government after defeating JVP created more dangerous LTTE. Before creating another monster hereafter, let us democratize the society with new blood and new thinking. Dump the corrupt power hungry old style politicians.
I feel we should make a media blitz against the SL government. Create movies, build rapport with both political sides (government & opposition) in every country. Contribute to their election campaigns etc. The current LTTE financial assets should be used to fund this activity.
We should create a movie starting from the 2002 ceasefire accord how the entire tamil struggle was crushed with a careful plan constructed and supported by global support. The entire episode of the last two months should be presented in this movie
The movie should be titled "UN's holocaust". We just putting theories everywhere but no actions!!.
Regards
Ajith
Phillips negates his own assertion that the IDPs have no protection in law by saying that the Chief Justice criticized the conditions faced by them in the camps. The fact that the government can be challenged in the courts of law, as has been done also negates his view. The picture produced in the article is "old", and conditions have improved, yet the task is immense. There is nothing illegal about temporarily holding these Sri Lankans in camps.
I do hope that the Tamils learn to accept democracy and learn to work within it for the benefit of all Sri Lankans and give up racial politics.
Sadly nothing much is likely to happen as far as the refugees are concerned. Going by statements made by the Military, probably they will have to stay in 'welfare camps' for the next couple of years since according to Kohona, they 'maybe mentally supporting the LTTE'. Others not so lucky may end up at Boosa or with the TID. Democracy and Human Rights is not in the vocabulary of this Government.
Perhaps we will see more celebrations, new roads being built, the Yal Devi reaching Yalpanam, Army Garrison towns being set up, Viharas being built, Bodhi Poojas being held, fraudulent elections being held etc. Uthuray Wasantha seems focused on securing the land only not for the people. Government politicians and catchers can make big money from these activities in the name of the IDP's.
Sri Lankan Government and President must be punished for commiting war crimes. Only then real peace will come to sri lanka. Other wise they getaway from these crimes only to commit these again.
And more racist actions such colonisation of tamil lands.
If the poor moderate Tamils expect that some sri lankan govenment is going to treet Tamils will after LTTE's gone. The are having a dream. Thats all.
The premise that govt knows what is best for it's people is very patronising.This is the problem facing many asian nations.People themselfs are very savy, given the oppertunity to make informed decisions they make the right ones.Recent example will be Indian elections.The best way forward is for Srilanka to have powers devloved to its citizens .Have checks and balances with constitutional and legal safe guards for freedom of speech,religion culture and to live and travel freely.
The biggest threat to the masses is the all powerful centralised Govt .Not people themselfs.
Who is going to protect the democratic rights of the tamils? If we want to see the two ethnic groups living peacefully in the island of Ceylon in their own traditional homeland,then the civilians, military or the bikkus must be dealt hard. moreover if you cannot live with the another ethnic group, slowly but surely you cannot live with yourself and we will see this in the long run.
Another good analysis by the author. Will triumphant Gothapaya's regime will listen or get enlightened ? No.
Now that they have militararily won over the Tamils and displaced them and confiend them to camps with the help of so many countries, they are preapred to sideline and ridicule some of these countries and going the North Korean Style. The other countries are preapred to give more money and diplomatic support The news below from Colombo page supports that :
Sri Lanka to recruit 50,000 soldiers soon
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
June 13, Colombo: Although the LTTE was defeated by the Sri Lankan security forces, the Army, Navy and Air Force will continue to recruit and will recruit about 50,000 soldiers soon.
Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukkwella said that already the recruitment drive was underway all over the country.
He said that action has been taken to recruit more soldiers in order to further strength these forces and also to have a tight security arrangements in the recently liberated area at least for another ten years.
… the military leaders have announced the expansion of the army by another 100,000 new enlistments….
Whether we like it or not we have to learn to accept good things coming out of the current messy situation in Sri Lanka.
Lets first accept the fact that Sri Lankan people (Tamils, Singhalese or others) don’t ever feel comfortable with Indians. India is partially responsible for magnifying this current situation and India already paid heavily for its irresponsible actions.
Now lets accept the fact that most of our 300 K IDPs never ever directly interacted with Sinhalese people before. It was not their fault either. Another million or so of our people in North and East are also living in almost similar situation but in their own places.
If 100 K new young recruits with no wartime experience from South come to North and East to serve for Sri Lanka is not a bad idea. After all majority of 200 K service men already in the forces would run away within a year or so from our area.
To Ram,
The picture is old,the fact there are tamils living in SL is a great tribute to his majesty MR,the west and Human rights watch dogs no nothing about human rights .In fact the first documented legal system and human rights code of conduct was in Mahavansa.
Ram are Ram or Ravana? Who are you try to fool? Yourself?
Murali and Rajan, You guys at least now stop preaching racist ideas and give up pro LTTE attitude and help the IDP's the way you help and nourish murderous LTTE by giving thousans of dollars monthly.The IDP camps might look like nazi concentration camps to you, but nobody get killed as did by nazi's.The SL government or forces do not want to kill innocent tamils.
There is no traditional tamils land here in SL[maybe in TN in India]. This is Srilankan land and anybody can live anywhere they want.If you cannot help IDP's please shut up mind your own business and let SL government to do it with the help of UN.
IF NOT try to create an ealam in Toronto with the help of Canadians and bring back there your kith and kin.
Thiru, You know before Indian election last month,TN politician Jayalalitha spoke in a rally and said ,if she won the election she definitely send her forces to conquerer Srilanka. She did not said it is Indian force or her very own TN force.But security heads in Srilanka took it very seriously.She must surely have a powerful army.Or maybe she jokes like other TN politicians.
Anyway SL president as commander of forces order the tri forces to recruit more soldiers so that SL forces can face any threat from Jayalalitha.Although she lose this time she might come to power next time after 5 years. So be prepared,that is why SL recruit more soldiers.
I do not understand why the author refers to N.Q. Dias !?
He is long gone well before the LTTE was even born. It puzzles me.
Moderate political culture had been lost long time ago. Now what we have is a political culture espousing extra judicial methods. Sinhalese and Tamils together have to fight against the system to bring meaningful democracy. Can it be through moderate means, is a big question left to the future. Any how Law of nature, the Dhama, will take precedence. Violence begets violence with greater scale and destruction. Srilanka is doomed.
Well, Mr. Channa, the answer to your question on N.Q.Dias is another question. Who is Gomin Dayasiri? And what is his role with the JHU, the present regime as well as the SLA?
To:Channa,
"I do not understand why the author refers to N.Q. Dias !?........."
Please refer to the Island feature article titled “Into the turbulence of Jaffna” on the following link.
http://www.island.lk/2008/10/05/features2.html
"Into the turbulence of Jaffna
(a chapter extracted from the author’s unpublished memoirs, titled "Dilemmas")by Neville Jayaweera".
This will answer your question.
Ratnam Ganesh
To : Rana | June 14, 2009 01:01 PM ;
Your comment is hilarious or a " Kehal Mal Kathawa ". Both Gotha and Sarath were on record that they do not care about TN political jokers and for them what matters is the relationship with Delhi. Gothapaya's interview with Sunda Times ( Srilankana owned news paper ) on 7th June 2009 summs it up all. ( excerpts given below )
So recruitment of more soldiers have hidden agenda along the thinking of
NQ Dias and more , probably with East Asian genorous aid and their diplomatic support. Even SL diplomats are recommending to GOSL solutions like " RUBAN SETTLEMENT " for the Tamil IDPs ( political and war victims who have their own homes to go back to and can go back to their own livelihood ( farming, fishing, masonary etc ) with minimum handout ).
" RUBAN SETTLEMENT " concept was adapted in Ache and Thailand for Tsunami victims. Probably it works there. IDPs in NE of SL do not need that. Their rights must be respected ( but Sarath N Silva on record that they do not have the rights because of GOSL ). Majority of them must be settled in their homes within 180 days as promised by GOSL.
Below is the excerpts from SL Sunday Times.
---------------
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090607/News/sundaytimesnews_110.html
Excerpts :
What was your approach to international pressure to stop the war. You have been blunt with them, haven't you?
A: When we got to the latter stages, we had many, many military successes and I was so sure we would finish this so I did not want to give any chance for any force to rob these victories from us, so I was very blunt with them and was not going to give in at all. I was not ready to give in at any stage to anything or anybody. I knew that it was the President’s position as well. We knew exactly what to do. Of course there is an important factor here. That is the Indian factor. From the very beginning, from day one, we kept India very well briefed and we prevented any suspicion being created whether it was because of our relationship with China or Pakistan or anybody else. We created a mechanism between India away from the contacts of the Foreign Ministry for us to develop a close relationship mechanism between the officials. Their trio comprised the Indian Foreign Secretary, National Security Adviser and Defense Secretary. On our part we had President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Basil Rajapaksa and myself. We developed two teams and we were exchanging views and meetings.
We visited India many times, they came here and we discussed many issues which were coming up .We understood the sensitive issues that were coming up closer to the Indian elections .Tamil Nadu was putting pressure. We understood that and did certain things that helped them. Throughout these years we developed this friendship and worked very closely. Whatever other pressures there were, we knew that these friendships will help us overcome that. We knew India's concern is not for the LTTE. They wanted the LTTE to be defeated, but their concern was the Tamil population here. We did many things to prevent civilian casualties and they (India) were very appreciative of the decisions taken in the latter stages such as the one to stop the use of heavy weapons.
You mean the government decision to stop air attacks and use of heavy weaponry was co-related to the Indian elections?
A: No, not the Indian elections. The no-fire-zone and the decision to stop air attacks and use of heavy weapons was a self imposed decision to prevent civilians casualties. It came from us. In the Security Council the President, the Commanders discussed and came out with this idea of a safe zone. India appreciated it. So that was very helpful.
But the decision came soon after two Indian officials met with the President. Was it to help the Congress government at the election in any way?
A: Even before they came, we had decided to do this. Nowhere in the international humanitarian law does it say you have to have a no fire zone, nowhere does it say you cannot use air power or heavy weapons. It only says that where civilians are involved to act responsibly to minimize civilian casualties. Only the Sri Lankan government has done this. These are examples other countries should follow.