Great tragedy and no solution!

- The Sudar Oli Editorial

(September 22, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) In 1979, the then President J.R.Jayawardena dispatched Brigadier Weeratunga to Jaffna to destroy the LTTE within six months. But under the disguise of crushing the LTTE, it was the innocent civilians, who were caused to suffer, arrested and imprisoned.

Every President, who succeeded President Jayawardena engaged in military strategies against the LTTE. Even there, it was the Tamil people who suffered. These military strategies in a way helped the LTTE to emerge stronger.

29 years later, having captured the east, President Rajapakse has directed the security forces to capture Wanni. President Rajapakse told the foreign media that the war will not end until the LTTE is completely wiped off, that there can be negotiations only when the LTTE lays down the arms and surrenders and that he would arrest the LTTE Leader Prabaharan and hand him over to India.

Already a large number of civilians suffer immensely due to air raids by the air force. Several thousands of people have been displaced and forced to live as refugees. There are efforts to evict Tamils, who live in Colombo temporarily. NGO’s had been evicted from Vanni. This can lead to serious tragedy.

Two major political parties in Tamilnadu namely, DMK and ADMK, indirectly support the Lankan government in its moves. In addition to India, Pakistan and China, too, support the Sri Lankan government in its war against the LTTE. This is a victory for Rajapakse’s diplomacy.

All the three countries – India, Pakistan and China – have problems among themselves and are unable to solve the problem that has existed over the last 50 years. Kashmir is a major issue between India and Pakistan. India and China have quarrels over the boarder.

Therefore, with the support of these three counties, Sri Lanka cannot resolve the ethnic problem. There can be no solution. There can only be a human tragedy.

(An English translation of the Editorial in The Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo) - Sri Lanka Guardian