Worsening human tragedy!

– Thinakkural Editorial

(September 24, Cololmbo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has stated that the military strategies of the government of Sri Lanka cannot be compromised according to UN agencies and NGO’s. What message does this convey?

Obviously, the message is that the innocent civilians caught up in the war in Wanni are not going to get any relief, support, solace.

A war goes on in Wanni.There are serious attacks on Wanni. There are air raids and artillery and shell attacks causing displacement of people and even deaths The displaced people live under trees without basic facilities and even essential food items.

The non- governmental organizations and the UN agencies that were doing humanitarian services have left following a government directive. This exit by these organizations at a crucial time when their humanitarian services are most needed can worsen the human tragedy.

These organizations perform not only humanitarian services but also ensure the safety and security of non combatants in accordance with the international charters and traditions. That is why it is said that the exit of the NGO’s at this juncture can worsen the humanitarian disaster.

The message of the statement of the Defence Secretary conveys that the military operations will continue and that the war will be intensified.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya stated that the situation in Sri Lanka is not bad when compared with wars taking place globally. We do not know on what basis he has stated this.

According to a survey by Opsa university, Sri Lanka is ranked third among countries where there are wars causing the largest number of deaths in 2007. The survey further points out that Sri Lanka can be ranked first in 2008 survey following the exit of the NGO’s.

The Tamil people have lost their faith in the international community for its failure to act or respond with a sense of responsibility at this hour of their despair!

(An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily based in Colombo.) - Sri Lanka Guardian