"The persons who think that war is the only solution to defeat terrorism are not thinking of the factors which are in the way to win this war. The Government says that it is waging war on the LTTE. Unfortunately, the Government has not addressed itself as to why the LTTE is fighting against it. Since the Tamil community has grievances, the LTTE is backed by it not only within Sri Lanka, all over the world. It is headed by Prabaharan who has surpassed the war skills of Moshe Dayan, the Israeli General. Prabaharan is not Pillayan to prostrate himself before every Tom, Dick and Harry or to curry flavor with those in power to the detriment of the Tamil Community." _______________________
by R.M.Emaam
(June 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I wish to express my views on the present situation in the country. I always listen to the customary speech of the Prime Minister during the extension of the Emergency. His speech indicates that there is no room for peace.
Once in this house, an ex-Finance Minister, the Ronnie de Mel, said that peace on knees is better than war on feet. The present situation affects everyone irrespective of the difference of race or religion. I inform this House that the Muslims from the North, particularly from Jaffna, where I hail from, are the most affected. The Tamils do not have political rights and the Sinhalese do not have economic resources, but my community from the North does not have both. Since I am from this community, I urge the government to go for negotiations with the Tamil Tigers. The LTTE always expresses its willingness for negotiation.
I had the privilege of listening to an interview of the present Army Commander on the electronic and print media. In his recent interview on the ITN channel, he said that the LTTE being supported by the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, the expatriate Tamils all over the world and the Tamils in the Island. Again, in the same interview that appeared in the “Lankadeepa”, to the question as to how the LTTE was able to achieve victories, he said that in the battle field its leaders are in the front and, as per his words “labala” cadres or novices or privates are behind.
As per a verse in “Thinakkural”, before commencing a war, the power of oneself, the power of the enemy and the power of the persons who are behind him and the enemy must be assessed. Though the government says that it could wipe out the LTTE before December 2008, the battle scenario repudiates that thinking. It is an unwinnable war. It is a battle between two brothers over the sharing of property of their mother. Since the elder brother is trying to grab the whole thing, Sri Lanka has been pushed into the present deplorable situation. As per the said verse, the LTTE enjoys sufficient moral and physical support from the above sources I urge the government to think of this.
With these forces behind, the LTTE can continue to resist. As per another verse in “Thinakkural”, the leaders must lead the war for victories. The Army Commander had acknowledged that on his side, novices or privates are in the front line. According to that interview, the Commander has an inherent grudge against his commanders. As per the verse I mentioned last, unless leaders command their forces in the front, whatever number of weapons and soldiers would not bring victories. In the said “lankadeepa” interview, the Army Commander had further accepted the LTTE as a most formidable force. Also, I thank the Military Spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, for addressing the LTTE cadres as “LTTE members”, but spokesmen from the other forces address them as “terrorists”. Those officers are not gentlemen.
Why is the LTTE fighting? Why is it being supported by the Tamils and the Tamil-speaking persons? Barring Jayalalitha, it enjoys the support of the Tamils of Tamil Nadu. Barring the Douglas Devananda, it has gained the full support of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
It must be acknowledged that the Tamils have grievances. Though Tamil was made an officials language in 1988, even today it does not have official status in any government department. I wish to quote a simple incident. I, as a practicing lawyer who does conveyancing also, very often go to the Land Registries in Colombo and Mount-Lavinia where all the name boards are only in the Sinhala language, a language I do not know. This is the prevailing situation in almost all government departments.
Though the Tamils are learning Sinhala, the enthusiasm to learn Tamil is not seen in the Sinhalese brothers. In the third year anniversary supplement of “Rivira”, a columnist had acknowledged this fact.
The present military exercise will end up in fatality and their will be a mass loss of human lives. It will create a big wedge between the two communities. The persons who wish to eliminate terrorism through war do not have an once of knowledge of the realities of the ground situation. It is being pursued for monetary considerations. My view is held by several generals who led this war in the by gone era. It is a matter for happiness that a general who said this cannot be won militarily was a recipient of presidential honours recently. I admire his sagacity and openness. Due to the present conflict, the Muslims from the North are undergoing severe hardships.
Of them, the Muslims from Jaffna are the most affected. As a representative of theirs, I wish to appeal to the Government to negotiate with the LTTE. Due to the war, the coffers of warlords are overflowing with foreign capital whereas we, the Sri Lankans, are becoming poorer and poorer day by day on account of this war. Due to the intransigent attitude of the warlords, youths who have not passed their prime age lose their lives in the battle field. The lifespan of a person is three scores and ten. Unfortunately, the life of the combatants on both sides does not span for even one score.
The persons who think that war is the only solution to defeat terrorism are not thinking of the factors which are in the way to win this war. The Government says that it is waging war on the LTTE. Unfortunately, the Government has not addressed itself as to why the LTTE is fighting against it. Since the Tamil community has grievances, the LTTE is backed by it not only within Sri Lanka, all over the world. It is headed by Prabaharan who has surpassed the war skills of Moshe Dayan, the Israeli General. Prabaharan is not Pillayan to prostrate himself before every Tom, Dick and Harry or to curry flavor with those in power to the detriment of the Tamil Community. Pillayan, who sent a lorry laden with explosives to the Dalada Maligava, was given a rousing welcome by the prelates. Unfortunately, the persons who got involved in this crime unwittingly have received jail terms of over 19 years.
The government should negotiate with the LTTE to find a permanent solution to this problem. The Government should not believe bankrupt politicians or opportunists. Since the LTTE is ready for peace, the Government should welcome it. I wish to say that the present alliance between the cutthroat Tamil groups and the Government will not go on for a long time. Unless this problem is settled with the LTTE, no power in the world could restore peace in our country.
( The writer is a Member of Parliament to the Tamil National Alliance)
- Sri Lanka Guardian
by R.M.Emaam
(June 19, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I wish to express my views on the present situation in the country. I always listen to the customary speech of the Prime Minister during the extension of the Emergency. His speech indicates that there is no room for peace.
Once in this house, an ex-Finance Minister, the Ronnie de Mel, said that peace on knees is better than war on feet. The present situation affects everyone irrespective of the difference of race or religion. I inform this House that the Muslims from the North, particularly from Jaffna, where I hail from, are the most affected. The Tamils do not have political rights and the Sinhalese do not have economic resources, but my community from the North does not have both. Since I am from this community, I urge the government to go for negotiations with the Tamil Tigers. The LTTE always expresses its willingness for negotiation.
I had the privilege of listening to an interview of the present Army Commander on the electronic and print media. In his recent interview on the ITN channel, he said that the LTTE being supported by the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, the expatriate Tamils all over the world and the Tamils in the Island. Again, in the same interview that appeared in the “Lankadeepa”, to the question as to how the LTTE was able to achieve victories, he said that in the battle field its leaders are in the front and, as per his words “labala” cadres or novices or privates are behind.
As per a verse in “Thinakkural”, before commencing a war, the power of oneself, the power of the enemy and the power of the persons who are behind him and the enemy must be assessed. Though the government says that it could wipe out the LTTE before December 2008, the battle scenario repudiates that thinking. It is an unwinnable war. It is a battle between two brothers over the sharing of property of their mother. Since the elder brother is trying to grab the whole thing, Sri Lanka has been pushed into the present deplorable situation. As per the said verse, the LTTE enjoys sufficient moral and physical support from the above sources I urge the government to think of this.
With these forces behind, the LTTE can continue to resist. As per another verse in “Thinakkural”, the leaders must lead the war for victories. The Army Commander had acknowledged that on his side, novices or privates are in the front line. According to that interview, the Commander has an inherent grudge against his commanders. As per the verse I mentioned last, unless leaders command their forces in the front, whatever number of weapons and soldiers would not bring victories. In the said “lankadeepa” interview, the Army Commander had further accepted the LTTE as a most formidable force. Also, I thank the Military Spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, for addressing the LTTE cadres as “LTTE members”, but spokesmen from the other forces address them as “terrorists”. Those officers are not gentlemen.
Why is the LTTE fighting? Why is it being supported by the Tamils and the Tamil-speaking persons? Barring Jayalalitha, it enjoys the support of the Tamils of Tamil Nadu. Barring the Douglas Devananda, it has gained the full support of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
It must be acknowledged that the Tamils have grievances. Though Tamil was made an officials language in 1988, even today it does not have official status in any government department. I wish to quote a simple incident. I, as a practicing lawyer who does conveyancing also, very often go to the Land Registries in Colombo and Mount-Lavinia where all the name boards are only in the Sinhala language, a language I do not know. This is the prevailing situation in almost all government departments.
Though the Tamils are learning Sinhala, the enthusiasm to learn Tamil is not seen in the Sinhalese brothers. In the third year anniversary supplement of “Rivira”, a columnist had acknowledged this fact.
The present military exercise will end up in fatality and their will be a mass loss of human lives. It will create a big wedge between the two communities. The persons who wish to eliminate terrorism through war do not have an once of knowledge of the realities of the ground situation. It is being pursued for monetary considerations. My view is held by several generals who led this war in the by gone era. It is a matter for happiness that a general who said this cannot be won militarily was a recipient of presidential honours recently. I admire his sagacity and openness. Due to the present conflict, the Muslims from the North are undergoing severe hardships.
Of them, the Muslims from Jaffna are the most affected. As a representative of theirs, I wish to appeal to the Government to negotiate with the LTTE. Due to the war, the coffers of warlords are overflowing with foreign capital whereas we, the Sri Lankans, are becoming poorer and poorer day by day on account of this war. Due to the intransigent attitude of the warlords, youths who have not passed their prime age lose their lives in the battle field. The lifespan of a person is three scores and ten. Unfortunately, the life of the combatants on both sides does not span for even one score.
The persons who think that war is the only solution to defeat terrorism are not thinking of the factors which are in the way to win this war. The Government says that it is waging war on the LTTE. Unfortunately, the Government has not addressed itself as to why the LTTE is fighting against it. Since the Tamil community has grievances, the LTTE is backed by it not only within Sri Lanka, all over the world. It is headed by Prabaharan who has surpassed the war skills of Moshe Dayan, the Israeli General. Prabaharan is not Pillayan to prostrate himself before every Tom, Dick and Harry or to curry flavor with those in power to the detriment of the Tamil Community. Pillayan, who sent a lorry laden with explosives to the Dalada Maligava, was given a rousing welcome by the prelates. Unfortunately, the persons who got involved in this crime unwittingly have received jail terms of over 19 years.
The government should negotiate with the LTTE to find a permanent solution to this problem. The Government should not believe bankrupt politicians or opportunists. Since the LTTE is ready for peace, the Government should welcome it. I wish to say that the present alliance between the cutthroat Tamil groups and the Government will not go on for a long time. Unless this problem is settled with the LTTE, no power in the world could restore peace in our country.
( The writer is a Member of Parliament to the Tamil National Alliance)
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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Emaam,
You seem to miss the simple fact that the majority (no just Sinhalese) of Sri Lanka and the world do not want the LTTE divide this country just because the LTTE wants it to do so with terror. There can only be one armed group in a unitary, peaceful country, and that group is the defence forces of that country. If LTTE wants peace (which is our right) for the Tamil people as they do in your "dreams", they will have to give up the arms and make it a political struggle. Anyhow, we are running out of poor Tamil children in the Wanni, it's time the "Diaspora" send their's to "Thambi" along with their Dollars!
A very sad analysis. There are ni facts but some prsumptions only further tanil terrorists were never genuine in talks and they always found one reason or another to walk away. Now if tamil terrorists wants to talk peace there is a simple way. Give up arms and drop the HOMELAND myth. Say sorry to 24524 sinhalese ethnically cleansed from north since 1983 and equal amout of muslims. Say sorry for killing 101 innocent worshippers at the secred Boa tree in Anuradhpura. Apologise for killing 42 buddhist monks in Arnathalawa show remorse in bimbing the Temple Of Tooth in Kandy the list is endless. What about that little girl in Dickman's road? Those innocent villagersin Kabithigollawa, Buttala whare the people running from the ill fated bus was gunned down in cold blood. There is more and much more and above all tearing into pieces the social fabric and deny the RIGHT TO LIVE of millions of Sri Lankans. It is easy to say talk but let us not get into this peace talk trap again. We had enough of PEACE TALK.
Emaam,
I appreciate your article.
Here are couple of questions for you based on what you believe.
You want Sri Lankan Government to negotiate with LTTE. I believe you mean "stop the military activities and negotiate for a peaceful resolution".
1. Was it the Sri Lankan government negotiators who walked away from the process very last time when they met in Oslo? Or was it the LTTE?
If you look at the history of negotiations between Sri Lankan government and the LTTE what you see is that whenever they were weak LTTE wanted to negotiate. However during so called "peace times" they re-grouped replenished their war needs and started all over. Eelam war IV was nor different. Now that the Military has the upper hand, LTTE wants to negotiate again. For any body who can think, and have a brain of the size of a mosquito it is obvious why LTTE wants to negotiate now. We probably shouldn’t be surprised that you, being a TNA member, are asking for the same.
You in the following quote laments about the fate of Muslims from Jaffna.
"..Of them, the Muslims from Jaffna are the most affected.."
2. Did Sri Lankan government evicte Muslims with in 24 hour from Jaffna so that LTTE can have the ethnically pure Eelam?
You are talking about "cut throat Tamil Groups" that the Sri Lankan government has alliance with.
Would you have any other “label” for Tamils who would abandon violence and find other means to solve this ethnic issue?
I think the Singhalese do not want peace.Period. They only understand something else which if say will never get into their minds. Let them taste it.
Emmam you are one of those badly misled or trying badly to mislead the mass, as what you are saying is utterly false as anyone just have to look at the recent history of this conflict.
Can you please answer these simple questions if you think you know the issues.
1. Can you name the Tamil grievences that is unique to the Tamil population in Sri Lanka.
2. How many times GOSL negotiated with the Terrorist LTTE in the last 25 years and what was the result?
3. How come Chelvanayagam started this divisive agenda in the early 1940s when Sri Lanka was under British?
4. How come Indian Tamils started separatism during the 1920' in India and then exploited in USA?
5. Do you know the meaning of "Psychopathic Killers" and if so do you know it suits Killer Prabha.
6. DO you know more Tamils who were against LTTE were killed by LTTE than any other force in Sri Lanka?
7. Do you know LTTE is wiping out the Tamils from North?
8. Can you explain to me how majority of the Tamils live in the South among Sinhalese?
9. Can you tell how come there are no Sinhalese living in the North and what happenned to them?
10. DO you honestly believe Tamils in the areas of LTTE are free and happy, if so what happens to the children of these areas?
I have many other questions to ask you and I will ask you later if you can answer these.
rohanana,
I am not sure Emaam will answer your questions.
He will not waste time with these sorts of questions as they are factually incorrect and seems like questions from someone who has been listening to Keheliya Rambukwella for too long.
I myself don’t agree with everything Emmam has written but there are some very good points. Unfortunately the “family” who are in power don’t give a damn about the people of the country and the majority of the people, I mean by that the Singhalese, who are either not bothered or too ignorant to understand the implications that the “family” and their friends are leading this country towards. We will see where the “family” ends up in 5 years from now.
Lankan
Why don’t you go and put yourself on the frontline and see what happens. Karuna and Pillian were the worst culprits of recruiting children than all the other LTTE military men put together. Go and ask any Thamil in East and they will tell you the truth. Now they are doing the same thing with SLA approval.
RanjitT
Every Singhalese person killed so far are all innocent but the Thamils killed are all terrorists? As long as people like you live in SL, don’t think you live there, the country will not go forward.
Sam,
2002 ceasefire was agreed after SLA started running for cover combined with the 9/11 effect. No government of SL every started peace talks when they were on top. It’s utter rubbish to suggest that. Read articles by DBS Jeyaraj, who is not a fan of LTTE, and UTHR (J), which even your government supports, to improve your knowledge of this conflict
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