Image: People in Wanni.Two civilians were killed and 12 wounded in indiscriminate artillery shelling by Sri lanka Army targeting civilian settlements in Murasumoddai area on Friday (Jan 2). The picture taken on yesterday after the attack.(January 03, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) The LTTE has lost its headquarters Killinochi to the Sri Lankan Army. Both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE have confirmed the news. While the government has claimed it as a major achievement, the LTTE has termed it as a ‘tactical retreat’.
The LTTE cites the past event of losing Killinochi in 1996 and recapturing it in 1998 as an example for this ‘tactical retreat’ and boasts with confidence that it would again capture Killinochi.
But this may not happen because between 1998 and 2008, the LTTE has lost its cadre strength, financial resources and also the inventory on arms and ammunition has come down drastically.
On the other hand, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, despite some internal problems, is commanded by a very resolute President, who is determined to win the war at any cost. He has motivated both the Armed Forces and the Sinhala majority with a steely resolve.
The other Tamil groups and the innocent civilians have been keeping quiet over the Army’s offensive against the LTTE, as they have been yearning for peace and felt enough is enough over the ongoing strife for the last twenty five years.
The LTTE, which started its mission on a healthy note with sensible aspirations managed to get the support of India, which even trained them.
But somewhere in between the militant outfit deviated from its track, probably due to the misleading influence of ‘western missionaries’ facilitated by Norway and went against its own blood brothers (other organisations) and stabbed India at its back.
This over ambitious and autocratic mentality of the LTTE had resulted in division among Tamil organisations, disunity among Tamil civilians and withdrawal of help by India.
Ultimately, the LTTE had earned the wrath of the Indians in general and the people of Tamilnadu in particular when it assassinated many other Lankan Tamil leaders and finally former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Though it became the largest and the most well organised terror outfit in the world and sustained the conflict during the tenures of Chandrikha Kumaratunga and Ranil Wickramasinge, it seems to have lost steam against the more resolute Rajapaksa, who did the best thing of diplomatically driving out the ‘western missionaries’.
The international ban on the LTTE, the curb on its financial resources and the control on its fund-raising activities have also helped the Sri Lankan government.
The LTTE started feeling the pinch — both in terms of men and money —— a couple of years ago, and since then it has been on the losing side.
In between it was able to strike on Sri Lankan Air and Naval bases a few times successfully with the planned operation of Air-Tigers and Sea-Tigers, but then, it could not sustain the onslaught.
After creating a rift within the LTTE, Sri Lanka was able to take complete control of Eastern Province, where it successfully conducted elections as well.
Then the LTTE lost Paranthan and Iranmadu successively and now Killinochi despite causing heavy casualty on the Sri Lankan side and now it is on the run towards Mullaitivu.
Ever since the defeat of LTTE has become imminent, the pro-LTTE parties in Tamilnadu, have been putting pressure on the Central government to ensure a ceasefire.
The Centre, for its part, has been handling the pressure situation deftly by arranging for the supply of relief materials to the Sri Lankan Tamils while simultaneously staying away from the offensive on the LTTE.
Even while talking with Colombo, India focused on the welfare of the Civilian Tamils, but stayed away from the LTTE. Now since Prabakaran is on the run, Tamilnadu’s pro-LTTE parties would exert more pressure on New Delhi to immediately ensure ceasefire.
After having accomplished so much, it is most unlikely that Rajapaksa would agree for a ceasefire, as evidenced by his last warning to the LTTE to surrender unconditionally.
But, he must also understand that he needs to move on two tracks from now onwards —continuing the offensive against LTTE and also ensuring a peaceful political solution to the Tamil community as per his commitment.
India must ensure only this aspect of the issue, by forcing Sri Lanka to rewrite its Constitution for a federal form of governance giving equal rights to Tamil community thereby ensuring the safety and security of their ethos for the peaceful coexistence of Sinhalese and Tamils.
Editorial - the News Today, an evening paper based in Chennai, India. - Sri Lanka Guardian
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