Information War

By Chandi Sinnathurai

(February 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) For a long while every one knew, including the world powers, the plight of the Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka are at stake. Even now, no one seem to be sure as to how many civilians are being killed every day in the Tamil territories.

There is no independent organisation allowed into the war zone to verify. Hence, many are given to 'educated' guesstimates. As the plight of the civilians deteriorates the information war seem to escalate by the hour. Everyone has to gobble up information that is simply given. Often, it is believed to be exaggerations coupled with massaged numbers, as it happens, in any conflict. Truth and facts become the first casualties in the fog of war.

On the other hand, the geo-political powers, as usual, are playing their games in style. The unilateral appointment of a Peace envoy to Sri Lanka from Britain is now rejected by the Cabinet Committee. Sri Lanka has warned Britain not to interfere in their internal matters. While innocent civilians are dying in huge figures, powers that be are running in circles. History seem to repeat it self, and the haunting memory of Rwanda comes to one's mind.

The genocidal war is no longer an internal affair. To think that is sheer hubris.

A respected scholar in an e-mail said to this writer yesterday about the Sri Lankan war, "From the little that is dribbling through, the situation seems truly appalling."

The problem is, what ever is coming thorough, its coming in dribs and drabs. No one is able to discern whether its a fact or a propaganda ploy. Sadly, there isn't an Oriana Fallaci on the ground to give independent reportage. The situation is appalling for the Tamil civilians - but the world is trapped in the slogan of war on terror.

The government propaganda is that it is the Tigers who are terrorizing the Tamils, not allowing them to leave the jungles. On the other hand, the Tigers are saying, it is the Government troops that are indiscriminately killing scores of civilians. Both parties have moral responsibility towards the civilian population. Tigers are the protectors of Tamils, and if so, they cannot be seen to be doing such appalling acts to their own. The Government has responsibility of protecting its citizens. The troops cannot be killing off its own civilian population.

In short, the blame game should stop. This appalling genocidal feud must stop. The dialogue must commence. Immediately.

Every one is talking about a political solution to this conflict. But, any sound political solution, must be viewed not from the tyranny of the majority, but from the preferential option of the poor and the subaltern people who are suffering the most.

That will be the honourable humanitarian intervention on the part of the international community.

-Sri Lanka Guardian