LTTE attack: Finally, winners are Arms procurers and losers are the people

(October,25,Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The latest attack of the LTTE on the key Air Force Base in Anuradhapaura is something to be condemned by one and all, as it is the common people of the country who ultimately have to bear the brunt of its detrimental impact.

But, being the fifth in the series of Air attacks by it, and the Govt.’s failure to ward off and counter these attacks despite warnings by four previous similar LTTE operations, is something for which the Govt. too deserves equal condemnation for the same reason - that is, it is the people who have to face the country’s economic decline, leave alone the loss of lives of Forces and civilians.

It is no point, the President, Defence Secretary and the Govt. shouting hoarse against those who pinpoint the faults of the Sri Lanka’s Defence mechanisms, or trying to make lengthy explanations or belittle the incident after the damage is done. It is well for them to realize that:

As long as the Govt. does not win, it is a loser
As long as Guerillas do not lose, they are winners

It is not too long ago when the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya, made rhetorical speeches that he is going to wipe out the LTTE terrorists from the planet Earth, while not knowing that he has failed miserably in his strategies of preparedness and readiness against another LTTE attack.

Whenever, a reputed Journalist in good faith exposes the truth of a Security frailty, the Govt. immediately reacts by calling him a traitor and subjects him to the worst harassment. When the Opposition brings out a corrupt Deal allegedly of the Govt. surrounding arms purchases, and demands a Parliamentary select Committee, the Govt. makes every effort to stop it, resort to dilatory tactics or even orchestrate frame- ups against the accusers.

When this is the attitude of a Govt. ; certainly , it is only the Arms procurers , now under the Rajapakse Bros. monopoly who will be busy gaining in the business , each time the LTTE inflicts damage on the State Aircrafts and security equipments.This time the damage suffered as estimated so far is Rs 6600 million.!!