The end of the War, the beginning of Peace

By. Sunil J. Wimalawansa

(May 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka is one of Asia’s oldest democracies. Over the past 2,000 years, there had been multiple invasions into Sri Lanka from neighboring India. As with the current reign of Tamil Tigers (LTTE) terror, these prior invasions were all successfully overcome by brave Sri Lankans. The LTTE was one of the world's most violent and disruptive terrorist outfits. With careful, meticulous planning and innovative counter-insurgency tactics, the Sri Lankan armed forces systematically destroyed the LTTE infrastructure and terrorism. The thirty-year spell of carnage created by the LTTE is finally over.

Elimination of LTTE Terrorism:

During the process of eliminating terrorism, trapped and retreating LTTE took hostages with them; the LTTE’s final trump card. With this, over 240,000 innocent people were took hostage, among them the elderly, the infirm, the children still in their mother’s arms. Their callous brutality shows in the grievous eyes of the people who have managed to escape their iron grip. Systematic pilfering of food and provisions even the milk food meant for infants, and using these to fatten their own cadres the LTTE exhibits callous disregard for the civilians’ welfare. A part of these provisions are sold back to the civilians, but those who have no money to buy these off the LTTE, are left with no alternative but to starve.

The Sri Lanka Government finally decided to wipe out the virulence of terrorism from the Land which has suffered for 30 long years. LTTE was responsible for the grief over the loss of countless civilian lives, limbs, and economic devastation through numerous suicide bombings and other covered acts. The patience of the entire country had been tested enough and this menace had to end here. In the wake of this momentous decision by a brave leadership and a strategic military offensive, the LTTE receded into the jungles selfishly taking with them the largest group of civilians hostages in the world, to save their own skins in the face of death.

To rescue this large number of hostages from LTTE terrorists, coupled with the military approach, the government of Sri Lanka created a “no-fire zone”. This unfortunately, later became the “hostage zone” of the LTTE. It was in fact a misnomer to call it as “no fire zone”, since the LTTE continued to deploy heavy weapons resulting in the killing and maiming Tamils civilians; in fact was genocide. As a consequence of the terrorists’ refusal to release the civilians, armed forces gradually re-captured this hostage zone, liberating thousands of civilians.

During the process of this rescue mission, intermingling with the escaping civilians from the LTTE hostage, many frightening cadres have also moved out in to government controlled areas. Hence it is necessary that the government vet these escapees to make sure that these terrorists will not revert back to the ways of terrorism.

Who is Doing What?

Recent successful elimination of terrorism was masterminded by a team consisting of the defense secretary and the three armed forces commanders. It was successful, because it was the effort of a large and a coordinated team work. This was also directly or indirectly facilitated by several friendly nations around the world among many others, Pakistan, Japan, Russia, and China.

In spite of this late stage, some countries especially Norway (wolves in sheep’s clothing) continues to be obstructive, and supportive of the LTTE’s terror tactics. Sri Lanka must be thankful to several other countries that helped her in various ways including at the United Nations Security Council, provision of gasoline, soft-loans, etc. enabling eradication of terrorism. It is also noteworthy that some US and European politicians including the ardent Tiger-supporters from Norway are continued to make efforts preventing wiping out of this ruthless terrorist outfit. Question many asking is would they do the same, if they managed to corner all Al Qaeda leaders? If not, people want to know why this double-standard from the West, and why they were trying to prevent the elimination of LTTE terrorism from Sri Lanka.

Winning the peace:

It will be a long task for the President of Sri Lanka to win over Tamils in the affected areas in a short period; yet, if he is to turn military triumph into enduring peace, he must do this. All attempts should be made to unite the divided population in the shortest possible time period. In fact, now he has an unprecedented opportunity to do this. Moreover, the Parliamentary and Presidential elections will be held within the year, and it is expected that it will give him and his cabinet the mandate and power to transform Sri Lanka into a society of peace, as it was not too long ago.

Rapid infrastructure development, fair resettlement with internal stability, provision of basic human needs, job creation, and simultaneous social and economic development are the key components in achieving the permanent peace in the affected areas, as well as in the country. It is essential that the government take these facts seriously and act intelligently, for the long term economic and social success, and the much awaited long lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

-Sri Lanka Guardian