Tuesday, August 5, 2008

SAARC AND OTHER THINGS

SAARC was yet another milestone which no one in Sri Lanka seems to understand the value of. Other than pandering to the over-inflated egos of some politicians, this forum has achieved nothing of significance for Sri Lanka, while it yet again cost the tax payer dearly. At least this time, the government seems to have heard the voice of the voters and there were some comments about making SAARC into a meaningful entity.
The LTTE's unilateral cease-fire turned out to be a joke, even among some of the visiting dignitaries. One had even humorously inquired why the glorious leader of eelam was not invited to join the party. Quite credibly, the SLG didn't miss a step in their military operations even while the regional summit was on.
The military is proving to be a match for the task at hand. Already formidable forces are moving rapidly towards Pooneryn at the northernmost point on the western coast, while at least two brigades are on a continuous assault into the Killinochchi district. Special forces are operating in deep battle space and have successfully crippled the LTTE leadership's movements.
The coming weeks will most likely see an escalation in the conflict as the SL Defence Forces will be required to fight their way through populated areas to avoid civillian casualties. The LTTE has meanwhile intensified their re-inforcements by forceful conscription of civillians both as combatants and human shields to protect the terror leadership from the Sri Lankan military.
This developing situation needs pro-active efforts on the part of Sri Lankan government to warn civillians in the affected areas to avoid falling into the LTTE trap. The President or the senior political leadership must make prominant appeals to the civillians to fall behind military lines and seek protection and assistance.

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