A call to the Muslims of Sri Lanka

By Noor Nizam

(November 25, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Now that there is a presidential election declared, who will win is the question in the minds of the electorate of Sri Lanka , be it the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and or all others who have the right of franchise in Sri Lanka , the right to vote. Respecting the political trend and analysing the build-up of all political/governance issues facing the Nation since the presidential elections of 2005, what ever may come, Mahinda Rajapaksa will win again. Mahinda Rajapaksa has proven himself as a statesman who can withstand and overcome any challenges both nationally and internationally, even in adverse situation and polarize the trust of the people and the Nation. The pity of Sri Lankan politics in the present scenario is just petty selfishness and greed of some of the national politicians, to be dreaming to sit in the chair of President, PM or Executive PM who have now grouped themselves to lead an opposition. They are not the least bothered about the progress and prosperity of the nation at large and the people in general, be they Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burgers or others.

Why this political presidential election question has arisen today in the history of Sri Lankan, when peace and prosperity has begun to blossom in the little island of Serendipity since may 17th., 2009, where the terrorist have been eradicated and the war against terrorism won. Sri Lanka winning he war against terrorism was never even in the thoughts of the mighty USA , the UK , France , Israel , Germany , and Russia that Sri Lanka would ever win this war. Even the Irish, the Norwegians, the Swedes and South Africa , believing in the potential of the might of the LTTE, now only proven as the paper tiger it was, believed that little Sri Lankan had no way other than coming to books with the international community and the INGO and NGO brokers to share the land of Serendipity under ceasefire and peace accords for devolved governance in the future. Nevertheless, countries like India, Pakistan, Iran and the Maldives did believe, that if the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa was given the help needed, in whatever way possible, the war against terrorism can and will be defeated in Sri Lanka.

For the so-called international community’s security forces that has challenged the Cheneyan rebels in Russia, the Maoists in Nepal, Hamas and Hizballah fighters in Palestine, Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias in Colombia, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Gaza, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in Kashmir, Krudistan Workers Party in Kurdistan, Al Qaida in Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia and the Bhabbar Kalsa (Sikhs movement) in India, what the Sri Lankan security forces achieved in defeating the LTTE over a period of three and a half years, since Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office, as the President in 2005, was unbelievable. This was an arms conflict that was going on for 3 decades where even the Indians lost around 1000 peace keeping forces fighting the LTTE.

Then what was the miracle that made the Sri Lankan security forces to make such a victory over the world’s most ruthless and well-armed terrorist organization in the world?
The LTTE was a terror organization in operation since 1983. They had thousands of military trained cadres and ran their own military training camps both in the jungles of the East and Northern regions of Sri Lanka . They were privy to the most lethal sophisticated military hardware, workshops to manufacture indigenous explosive devices and bombs not second to the ones built in ammunition factories of the west and operated a fleet of rouge merchant vessels that brought in all required supplies, whatever the maritime barricades the nation’s legitimate navy employed.

News items, video clippings, photographs, digital images released both by the local news media and international news correspondents covering the conflict zones have recorded the vast amounts of arsenal and military hardware the LTTE had at its disposal, hidden in the jungles to fight the conventional Sri Lankan security forces who faced so much resistance that many thousand soldiers had to pay a supreme sacrifice to save the nation from the ruthless terror group. The Army media unit confirmed the presence of these arsenal in the hands of the LTTE and the international media published photographs of many of the arsenal captured by the security forces from the LTTE or left behind in the Wanni when they were fleeing during the last stages of the battles in March, April and May 2009.

Among the many things President Mahinda Rajapaksa mentioned during the elections campaign in 2005, was that the government will fight against the LTTE terrorism and free the Sri Lankan citizens, specially the Tamils from the claws of the LTTE tiger. On winning, he revamped the Army with the induction of his brother younger brother Lt. Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the Secretary Defence. The President ensured the necessary funds to update the war machinery with new and modern military hardware and resources. The international diplomacy that was put in place to enable countries like Pakistan, Iran, China, USA, UK, Israel and India supply required military items and materials to support Sri Lanka in its war against terrorism as planned and implemented by the Ministry of Defence, was an approach of accomodative diplomacy, but also realistic in it’s approach, giving priority for the nation to find an indigenous resolution to the issue.This approach enabled Sri Lankan security forces to obtain even the best radar system to track down low flying objects and high speed watercrafts from Canada, a nation that was more biased towards the LTTE, due to the presence of the largest Tamil population living outside Sri Lanka. In addition, the human resource capacity of fighting soldiers were increased with more recruitment and training. But the biggest strength President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave this national cause was harnessing the fullest backing and the support of the people, be they Sinhalese, moderate Tamils, Muslims or Burghers, free of political party loyalties, behind the forces.

Yet, the man of the hour was Lt. Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who played the pivotal role by coordinating the matters with Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Forces and giving vision to the political thoughts of the President by striking a balance between patriotism and nationalism. This enabled Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Defence Forces to contribute the very best towards making the victory of the fight against the LTTE a success and victory for the Nation of Sri Lanka on May the 17th., 2009.

It was the partnership and the well coordinated efforts of this endeavour that was indeed the miracle that made the Sri Lankan security forces to make such a victory over the world’s most ruthless and well-armed terrorist organization in the world.

If that be so, then again the principles of this victory will definitely be radiated in the forth coming presidential elections. There is no doubt that, as a result, what ever may come, Mahinda Rajapaksa will win again.

Let me stress at this point that there are definitely many issues that concern the Sri Lankan Muslim Community, both in the North, North Eastern and South of Sri Lanka and in general that of the Muslim Community. The issues of the IDP’s in Puttlam specially and in general in the East and the land issues in the Eastern Province , specially in the Ampara District are of priority. It is my opinion that the Sri Lankan Muslim Community should support MR, who is a strong candidate and a good political leader to WIN in this election. We should NOT be subjected to deception again by the UNP or UNF, as we were taken for a ride on the Peace Process by Ranil and the Norwegians which is one of the many good examples to remember. I was one of those who strived hard since 1977 and then worked closely with the Chandrika government and Mangala Samaraweera's "SUDU NELUM" movement since 1995 to bring about PEACE in Sri Lanka . The Devolution of Power proposals were sabotaged by certain selfish politicians and academics, including, and as a result of the “deceptive politics” of Mr. Mangala Samaraweera.

History should not repeat to the minorities.

-Sri Lanka Guardian