Permanent military occupation of the North and East
By Sujeewa Amaranath
In an official gazette notification earlier this month, President Mahinda Rajapakse declared that the extensive network of army camps established during the war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will be made permanent. This indefinite military occupation of the northern and eastern provinces is aimed at the forcible suppression of the basic democratic rights not only of Tamils but of all working people.
The number of army camps in these two provinces, which have a population of about 3 million, has increased to 147. Two of the LTTE’s former strongholds—Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu—will become security force headquarters and permanent forward maintenance areas. Apart from the new military camps, at least a dozen new police stations will be established in the northern Wanni area captured from the LTTE.
Rajapakse claimed that his renewed war against the LTTE from mid-2006 was to “liberate” the Tamil people from the “clutches of terrorism”. The defeat of the LTTE last May has only brought a further trampling on democratic rights throughout the island. In the North and East, the permanent presence of the army means not just military camps but roadblocks, checkpoints and patrols and the systematic surveillance, harassment and intimidation of the local Tamil population.
Most of the population of former LTTE-held territories in the Wanni fled as the Sri Lankan army advanced. Towns and villages were devastated by the indiscriminate use of artillery and aerial bombardment. In the final months of fighting, more than a quarter of a million civilians were trapped in a small pocket of LTTE territory. A UN estimate puts the civilian death toll as more than 7,000 for the period from January to May 2009.
After the collapse of the LTTE resistance, the army herded 280,000 men, women and children into military-run “welfare villages” surrounded by barbed wire and heavily armed soldiers and operated as prison camps. About 95,000 people are still being held in these detention centres. Those who have been allowed to return to their devastated towns and villages are subject to police restrictions and have been given little aid.
As well as acquiring land for the new army camps, the government is planning to establish large high security zones (HSZ) around important installations such as the new headquarters in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu. Such areas are out of bounds for civilians and have previously resulted in the forced displacement of residents.
After the LTTE’s defeat in eastern province, the army established a HSZ in the Sampur area and prevented thousands of people from returning to their homes, farms and businesses. The government later declared a portion of the Sampur HSZ to be a Special Economic Zone, offering military protection to investors. In the northern Jaffna Peninsula, 15 high security zones have been established since the 1990s, covering 160 square kilometres or 18 percent of the peninsula’s land mass. Around 130,000 people have been unable to return to their homes as a result.
The government is currently detaining thousands of young Tamils without trial as “LTTE suspects” at unknown locations. Now it has announced plans to use these detainees as a cheap labour force under a program initiated by Justice Minister Milinda Moragoda to “rehabilitate” alleged LTTE cadres.
The Island reported on March 13 that more than 10,000 LTTE suspects will be “settled” in various prison labour camps including in the districts of Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Jaffna. One of the army’s “welfare villages”—Zone 5 of the huge Manik Farm camp near Vavuniya—will also be used.
According to the Justice Ministry, the spouses and children of LTTE cadres will be free to move in and out of the camps, but the detainees will be subject to strict security measures to ensure the “smooth functioning of the facilities.”
The government has already announced the establishment of a dairy farm at Suriyawewa near Trincomalee, involving about 500 former “LTTE cadres.” Ceylon Cold Stores, a large company manufacturing beverages and milk products, will invest in the project, but the army will be in charge.
The Island reported: “One of the most important aspects of the government initiative is to set up agricultural/livestock farms at Kandalkadu, Thrikonamadu which would be vested with the Sri Lanka army and air force. There would be six separate farms with each capable of accommodating 500 ex-LTTE combatants each, sources said, adding that about 11,000 acres would be allocated for this project.”
The involvement of the army and air force in these projects points to the further militarisation of all aspects of life in Sri Lanka, including the economy. Far from there being any demobilisation, the country’s huge military—one of the largest per capita in the world—is being kept in place and entrenched as a permanent feature, particularly in the North and East.
The government has also maintained all of the police state measures built up over a quarter century of war, including the state of emergency that gives the president extensive powers to detain people without trial, censor the media and ban industrial action. This apparatus is being kept in place not just to suppress the country’s Tamil minority but the working class as the Rajapakse government prepares to impose far-reaching austerity measures after the April 8 parliamentary election.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) is standing candidates in the election to begin to mobilise working people in defence of their living standards and democratic rights. The SEP demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all security forces from the North and East, the freeing of political prisoners, the dismantling of detention camps and the repeal of all repressive laws. A fight for these demands is necessary to unite Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim workers in the struggle for a workers’ and farmers’ government based on socialist policies. ~ courtesy: WSWS.org ~
20 Comments
As Long as there is the fostering of the TERRORIST MIND in Tamils there will be MILITARY PRESENCE in areas where Tamil concentrations are high. TNA and other SEPARATIST and SECESSIONIST TAMIL Politicians and Leaders have a choice to make... Give up their Demands for ETHNIC SEGREGATION or face UNLIMITED DECADES of MORE MISERY...
This article’s illusory arguments are seriously flawed. It makes the assumption that with the demise of the LTTE every political, economic and social aspect in the North and East will organically revert back to normal. I am afraid without the government giving the lead, economic prospects in these areas will take decades to even revert back to the levels of the pre-LTTE era (even in the pre-LTTE era these areas were miles behind the south in economic terms).
The military expansion is also a very important aspect to protect these expected economic gains as the writer seems oblivious to the fact that LTTE partly derived its financial muscle by extorting from local business by way of protection money. The state cannot afford to loosen its grip as any remnants of the LTTE must also now be destroyed. I am afraid the army is there to stay in the North and East till at least economically these areas are in par with the rest of the country. It will also continue with its protective operations until there is a paradigm shift in the concept that the North and the East is a god given homeland of the Tamil populace and the cancer of the separatism is excised from the body politic of Sri Lanka forever.
The Sri Lankan state cannot relax its grip on this area as the powerful Diaspora is still active and is hell bent on discrediting any efforts to bring these areas into economic fruition. As to the unfounded allegations that the young ex-LTTE cadres are being utilised as cheap labour, the evidence is very fragile indeed. The Sri Lankan authorities have been very successful in re-habilitating former child and adult soldiers back into society with skills that will give them a better start in life, better than what they underwent during the grip of LTTE power in the earlier part of their lives. The Sri Lankan government has been applauded by the United Nations no less, for the indigenous programme that has given these former soldiers hope, respect, skills and confidence to re-build their shattered lives.
Unfortunately for these ex-soldiers their rehabilitation takes time and to expect miracles after nearly thirty years of LTTE dictatorial rule within less than a year of liberation is unrealistic. Please also remember that Sri Lanka is signed up to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) principles and has won plaudits for being the beacon of light in South Asia, especially in employment practices unlike the neighbouring countries where exploitation of child labour is systematic.
Why aren't civilians of the Tamil population involved in the development of their areas and provided jobs and employment. Instead we see the Govt moves to control all development activities through the forces and sideline the local population. Isnt this a recipe for disaster? Is there no attempt to build trust and understanding between communities?
What the writer of this article fails to understand is (I dont think he is ignorant,but that's how some people earn their living)that the whole of Sri Lanka belongs to all the nationalities that live there,and it is not the sole property of only one group of people,unless of course you collaberate and condone the "Tamil Homeland" concept.The "homeland" concept is never acceptable as it fails to recognize the "homelands" of other peoples in the country and it is not compatible with the known history of Sri Lanka.
Maintaining military camps should not be a cause for concern for anyone as the military is there to protect the civilians.
Please don't make this as another Sinhala Tamil issue.These 11,000 people once scarified their lives and fought for a cause for the Tamil people.They believed their leaders and they left their family and friends to fight for this cause.
Now,we have to make sure they have employement,education,and finacial stability to face the rest of the society and lead a normal life as you and me.Remember most of them were under 15 years old when they joined LTTE.
So,while rehabilitating them we have to make sure they are getting use to other activities other than the GUN.
We need develiopments and there is not going to be Sinhala land and Tamil land.There is one land that is Sri Lanka.We have to live like one nation and please allow that to happen without seperating our nations.
None of the Governments camne to power since independance did anything to the North.Let the Government build cities,factories,condos Banks,ofices,factories ,offices and let Tamil,Sinhalese,Muslims,Burgers,Malays all of them to live where ever they want.NO More Seperate state.Lets the West try to divide our country.It would not happen
we are one nation one people one army and one law that is srilanka nation srilankan people sri lankan army and sri lankan law if any body couldn't tolerate it get out of our country and go to your sponsor's countries . we do not have a perfect country yet , you cannot use that to divide the it but you can contribute to make it a perfect idealistic country in the world
God bless Srilanka
Well Spoken Lasan
This is nonsense I personally believe we should have these camps if these racist tamils keep coming up with bogus nonsense like this well screw them.. Sri Lanka is a united country and any citizen of lanka should be able to live anywhere they want not just the tamils who can come and buy land and establish businesses all over the coutry. If you pathetic loses cant help build this nation as Sri Lankans I suggest you leave the country and seek asylm or wateva somewhere else cuz we dont need ppl filled with hate and racism in our land. If you have no gratitude for our valient war heroes just get lost after all they are the ones who freed you from 30 years of suppression. The governments activities may not be always right but atleast they are trying and doing it (developing the area) for you ungrateful ppl, after all if you could take 30 years of imprisonment why cant you just wait a few months for things to improve and for the people in the north and east to have a normal life.
For some, everything Sri Lanka Govt. doing for the benift of the county, its nation and safe guard its soverignity is deemed suppression of basic rights of Tamils.What a silly joke it is. Will somebody tell me how many Military bases Indian central Govt. has in Tamilnadu? Panjab? Kashmir? or How many American Military bases are there in in each state of USA and Indian Ocean and in Arab Sea? (just forget about their various type of inteligent bases through and all around the world) This writer seems to be a stupid to write those crap to inteligent public.Dollar are much heavier than your own consciousness?
We are a managed country, not a lawless Country, and Administrative and security infrastructure must exist every where. The security forces are for the security of the country and the Government of the day would decide it's make up and it's deployment patterns.
There are Military camps all over the country, not only in the North east, so what's the big fuss about it? The locations of the Camps is a matter of strategy for legitimate reasons and can't be questioned. The writer, who seems to be very knowledgeable, is biased for reasons known only to himself.
The North and East has caused all the problems for Sri Lanka by the ex ltte terrorist and their helpers/supporters.The Tamils who were not involved with them are happyily relocated and want to live a peaceful life with everyone. The presence of the Military must be recognised by all as a deterrent in case of furture incidences in Sri Lanka as a whole.Trust must be repaired. This one country is for all. The division and aspiration of some madman has ruined the Tamils and the whole of Sri Lanka. We cannot allow such act of treason to Motherland.Let this lesson be clear to all. We all must learn to live a peaceful and United Sri Lanka with aspiration for all to the benefit of Sri Lanka.Period.
Devinda, My salute!!!!!!1
Sri Lanaka is a soveriegn country which is untouchable. Don't forget, that we are not only reading those you publish. We are watching.
IN SINHALA SRILANKA
SRILANKAN SOVERIGNITY=HUMAN RIGHT ABUSE
INTERNAL PROUBLEM=GENOCIDE OF TAMILS
BUDDHIST=INTOLETANCE
gamini,gajaya,eddy Ryan ,Praveen K,seeni,longus,
Not only we are reading,watching but following you in a white van. be warned always look behind your back.
Mr. Eddy,
As you say if the country is for everyone how come the antion is declared as sinhala buddhist nation. Why not like india a non secular nation?
Why all presidents and prime ministers are sinhalese? If u take India most prime ministers or presidents are from minorities.
Why the armed forces are virtually sinhalese one.
Dont just pretend that you are democratic.
Some people here has written as if the problems were due to LTTE. But thats not the truth. Infact the LTTE is the result of the problem.The problem started in 1940s with independence and sinhala govts( if not sinhalese) suppressing the minorities. Now LTTE seems to be right. Even the devolution govts were preparing to give is dropped by Mahindas regime after LTTE. So it is proven unless Minorities are powerful these govt will not give anything to minorities.
What happened to APRC. How shamelessly you behave forgetting all this. If you have just in your heart think.
Karikalan
Mr.Devinda,
The sinhala army is illegally occupying the eelam. Would you mind if the british did this when the occupants of ceylon fighting for independance?
Why you are showing justice and talk of racism. Its not tamils who started, but the sinhala govts since independence.
Do you rememer the riots created by sinhala state in 1950s till 1983. burning of jaffna and its south asia's latgest library.
They are the one declared sinhal only act and declared sinhala budhist nation. Then how can tamils who had their own country united by british just tolerate this. Ask the sinhal govts to withdraw from tamils land and give equal rights as in india , uk or swiss. Then there will be no problem. But you just want minorities under you, and you behave like masters.
So the move has to come from sinhala leaders to make it happen, not with minorities.
Karikalan
Dear Gajaya,
Do you know
1. India has regional govts which has its own police and land powers
2. India is a non secular country although there are more hindus(80%) than buddhists(73%) in srilanka.
3. India has army which consisists all the ethnicities, even regiments of Kurka and sheiks and so on.
4. has had more presidents and prime ministers from minority than majarity.
5. India has indepenant election and police commission whicheven PM cant interfere with.
Now tell me can you compare india with srilanka. srilanka is a racist nation with sinhala buddhist supremacy ideas.
But the fact is it does not belong to sinhalese who came from orissa. The are illegally occupying this nation. Atleast they have to give eqal rights to all, otherwise they have to go back to orissa,.
Karikalan
The writer seems to be persuaded that the part of the country claimed by the terrorists as exclusively their own, should remain so even after they were comprehensively defeated on the battle field. I beg to differ. As Rahul Gandhi recently said (with regard to Indians) a citizen has the right to live and work anywherein the country, and to establish this the security forces may have to have permanent camps in these areas. There are no exclusive ghettoes or Bantustans in Sri Lanka.
The writer seems to be persuaded that the part of the country claimed by the terrorists as exclusively their own, should remain so even after they were comprehensively defeated on the battle field. I beg to differ. As Rahul Gandhi recently said (with regard to Indians) a citizen has the right to live and work anywherein the country, and to establish this the security forces may have to have permanent camps in these areas. There are no exclusive ghettoes or Bantustans in Sri Lanka.