Irrespective of what each side wants to see happen, the most likely outcome will be a consolation price for both sides. There will not be an outright victory for SLG or complete defeat of the LTTE in military terms.
Nevertheless, the outright defeat for the LTTE will come, in the form of democratic, multi-party politics they will be forced to embrace within a unitary state with vastly devolved regional authority.
This is not to say that the present LTTE leadership will continue to hold sway. They won't. Yet the LTTE will continue to remain a force with significant military capabilities for the foreseeable future, even if a permanent peace dawns in SL.Such an outcome may be to the dislike of some or even many Sri Lankans whose expectations have been unrealistically raised as a public relations ploy by the present govt.
In the long run, things will get better, and Sri Lankans as a nation will learn to move forward when the dust settles and the money starts to flow.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
TAMIL TERROR UNDER GLOBAL THREAT
CANADA, the main financial base of Tamil Tiger Terror took another swipe at the LTTE front organizations when they banned the TRO, a well known source of funding for the world's most dangerous terrorist group.
In Italy, the police swooped thru a number of cities to round up over 30 LTTE operatives who were similarly engaged in raising funds for Tamil terrorism. In the UK, India and elsewhere governments continued to crack down on organized Tamil terrorism. http://www.theacademic.org/index.shtml. Malaysia requested for details of a LTTE terror ring operating from their territories to arrest and detain the culprits as well.
All these determined worldwide anti-LTTE activities coinciding with determined military action by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil Tigers will inevitably bring about a resolution to South Asia's longest running human tragedy. It will also close the chapter decisivvely on a carefully created peacenik myth that terrorism cannot be defeated militarily. It can, and Sri Lanka will be the very definite case in point.
The changing dynamic has some important implications to Sri Lanka. While without a doubt the decisive weakening, if not outright defeat of terrorism raises fantastic possibilities for the nation's development in all spheres, it also provides the much needed respite the voiceless moderate Tamil community has long waited for.
An outright defeat or simple marginalization of the Tamil racist terrorists will salvage the Tamil community from being held to ransom by barely literate mass murderers and allow for its qualitative and quantitative regeneration. It would allow the community to develop its leaders and provide a meaningful direction and inclusivity in the modern, increasingly inter-dependent world. It will also wean the greater Sri Lankan public and polity from the shadow of southern Sinhala chauvanism. All these positive prospects can come from the decisive military victory over the Tigers.
In Italy, the police swooped thru a number of cities to round up over 30 LTTE operatives who were similarly engaged in raising funds for Tamil terrorism. In the UK, India and elsewhere governments continued to crack down on organized Tamil terrorism. http://www.theacademic.org/index.shtml. Malaysia requested for details of a LTTE terror ring operating from their territories to arrest and detain the culprits as well.
All these determined worldwide anti-LTTE activities coinciding with determined military action by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil Tigers will inevitably bring about a resolution to South Asia's longest running human tragedy. It will also close the chapter decisivvely on a carefully created peacenik myth that terrorism cannot be defeated militarily. It can, and Sri Lanka will be the very definite case in point.
The changing dynamic has some important implications to Sri Lanka. While without a doubt the decisive weakening, if not outright defeat of terrorism raises fantastic possibilities for the nation's development in all spheres, it also provides the much needed respite the voiceless moderate Tamil community has long waited for.
An outright defeat or simple marginalization of the Tamil racist terrorists will salvage the Tamil community from being held to ransom by barely literate mass murderers and allow for its qualitative and quantitative regeneration. It would allow the community to develop its leaders and provide a meaningful direction and inclusivity in the modern, increasingly inter-dependent world. It will also wean the greater Sri Lankan public and polity from the shadow of southern Sinhala chauvanism. All these positive prospects can come from the decisive military victory over the Tigers.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
"ONE CHINA" ONE WITH "ONE SRI LANKA"
China ready to expedite funding for Sri Lankan infrastructure
Associated Press, Thu April 17, 2008 08:51 EDT . COLOMBO, April 17 (Kyodo) China, which has already committed more than $700 million on infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka - , has promised to expedite these projects and then consider further projects proposed by Colombo, a senior cabinet minister just back from China said Thursday.
He said the ''body language'' in talks with the Chinese leadership had been ''excellent,'' with China deeply appreciative of Sri Lanka - 's support for the ''One-China'' policy and its goodwill in resisting Olympic protests.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama also accompanied Rajapakse for the Boao Forum.
[www.theacademic.org]
Associated Press, Thu April 17, 2008 08:51 EDT . COLOMBO, April 17 (Kyodo) China, which has already committed more than $700 million on infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka - , has promised to expedite these projects and then consider further projects proposed by Colombo, a senior cabinet minister just back from China said Thursday.
He said the ''body language'' in talks with the Chinese leadership had been ''excellent,'' with China deeply appreciative of Sri Lanka - 's support for the ''One-China'' policy and its goodwill in resisting Olympic protests.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama also accompanied Rajapakse for the Boao Forum.
[www.theacademic.org]
TERRORISTS PANIC OVER ARMS DEAL WITH SLOVAKIA
HERE's an interesting article from The Hindu
Panic in LTTE over arms deal with Slovakia: Colombo
B. Muralidhar Reddy
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s military on Wednesday claimed that at least 38 LTTE cadres and four soldiers were killed in fighting in the north while the Air Force said its jets bombed Tiger positions in the Muhamalai sector of Jaffna district.
According to a Defence Ministry statement, “counter-terrorist offensives” in the Jaffna and Wanni theatres killed 12 LTTE cadres and inured 8 others. On the Vavuniya front, troops engaged a terrorist bunker in the Navatkulama area with small arms and rocket propeller grenades (RPGs) last forenoon and claimed that two terrorists were killed, it said.
In another development, the government has claimed that there is “absolute panic” in LTTE circles over the “recent arms deal” with Slovakia. An Information Department report claimed that members of the Britain-based LTTE front organisation — British Tamil Forum (BTF) — protested in front of the Slovakian Embassy in London opposing the deal.
“A letter was handed over to Slovakian Diplomatic staff by Mr. Ivan Pedropillai a senior figure within the LTTE hierarchy in the United Kingdom and one of the LTTE’s main fundraisers who has generously funded most of the meetings organised by the BTF,” it said quoting unidentified sources.
Panic in LTTE over arms deal with Slovakia: Colombo
B. Muralidhar Reddy
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s military on Wednesday claimed that at least 38 LTTE cadres and four soldiers were killed in fighting in the north while the Air Force said its jets bombed Tiger positions in the Muhamalai sector of Jaffna district.
According to a Defence Ministry statement, “counter-terrorist offensives” in the Jaffna and Wanni theatres killed 12 LTTE cadres and inured 8 others. On the Vavuniya front, troops engaged a terrorist bunker in the Navatkulama area with small arms and rocket propeller grenades (RPGs) last forenoon and claimed that two terrorists were killed, it said.
In another development, the government has claimed that there is “absolute panic” in LTTE circles over the “recent arms deal” with Slovakia. An Information Department report claimed that members of the Britain-based LTTE front organisation — British Tamil Forum (BTF) — protested in front of the Slovakian Embassy in London opposing the deal.
“A letter was handed over to Slovakian Diplomatic staff by Mr. Ivan Pedropillai a senior figure within the LTTE hierarchy in the United Kingdom and one of the LTTE’s main fundraisers who has generously funded most of the meetings organised by the BTF,” it said quoting unidentified sources.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
COMMUNAL HARMONY IN CANADA
TORONTO, Canada, for many years a financil resources center for Tamil Tiger tribal racist terror in Sri Lanka, is turning a new leaf. On April 13th, Sri Lankans across the board, Sinhalese and Tamils alike joined together to celebrate the traditional New Year.
The event was organized by a democratic Canada based tamil organization and was attended by over 500 Sri Lankans.
The decline and fall of overseas based tamil racist terror, which harmed the Sri Lankan tamils more than anyone else, has begun.
The event was organized by a democratic Canada based tamil organization and was attended by over 500 Sri Lankans.
The decline and fall of overseas based tamil racist terror, which harmed the Sri Lankan tamils more than anyone else, has begun.
Monday, April 14, 2008
CANADA CRACKING DOWN ON TAMIL TERROR FUNDING
SIGNS are increasing that Canada's patience with LTTE backed illegal activity including drugs, guns and human smuggling on their territory is coming to an end. Two years after raiding the Tamil Rehab Organization, a well known source of overseas funding for the Tamil Tigers, the Royal Canadian Mounties have completely sealed off the premises.
Similar action is being taken in various parts of Europe and the US considers the TRO to be a terror financing outfit.
WTM (World Tamil Movement)'s mouthpiece refused to comment to media fearing a leak, reports day.
"...The president of the WTM's Ontario branch, Sitta Sittampalam, also declined to comment yesterday. "I was asked by my lawyer not to reveal anything on this matter," he said. "I'm not in a position to divulge anything."http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=443481
Similar action is being taken in various parts of Europe and the US considers the TRO to be a terror financing outfit.
WTM (World Tamil Movement)'s mouthpiece refused to comment to media fearing a leak, reports day.
"...The president of the WTM's Ontario branch, Sitta Sittampalam, also declined to comment yesterday. "I was asked by my lawyer not to reveal anything on this matter," he said. "I'm not in a position to divulge anything."http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=443481
Sunday, April 13, 2008
DEFINING GOOD AND BAD GUYS IN SRI LANKA..
..FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A MID WESTERN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN
MY doctor finally decided it was time to quit his practice and retire on a beach. He certainly should be able to do so, given the lucrative practice he's had for decades.
Getting introduced to my new doctor was an eye opener. Younger Dr. Schneider was not the typical mid-westerner to whom 'world' meant the landscape from Florida to California. He even knew that there was more to the world. He even had heard of Sri Lanka and had an idea of what has been going on there. His first questions after inquiring where I was from gave me an idea of how simplistically the average American defined events and people in their world.
Dr. Schnieder wanted to know whether I was a 'Tamil Tiger'. I told him I was from 'the other side'. To that he responded ' ah, so you are one of the good guys'.
As we discussed more about the conflict in Sri Lanka, it was almost amusing to note how he debated within himself whether or not to accept my insistence that not all Tamils are terrorists. I even brought out the argument that not all cholesterol is bad, in order to convince him how easy it is to mistake one for the other, and the absolute necessity for clear understanding of the issue prior to passing judgement.
Given the amount of effort I put into convincing him that all Tamils are not terrorists, here's hoping that at least one American has learnt that all societies cannot be categorized along the lines of good and bad based on the actions of a few.
MY doctor finally decided it was time to quit his practice and retire on a beach. He certainly should be able to do so, given the lucrative practice he's had for decades.
Getting introduced to my new doctor was an eye opener. Younger Dr. Schneider was not the typical mid-westerner to whom 'world' meant the landscape from Florida to California. He even knew that there was more to the world. He even had heard of Sri Lanka and had an idea of what has been going on there. His first questions after inquiring where I was from gave me an idea of how simplistically the average American defined events and people in their world.
Dr. Schnieder wanted to know whether I was a 'Tamil Tiger'. I told him I was from 'the other side'. To that he responded ' ah, so you are one of the good guys'.
As we discussed more about the conflict in Sri Lanka, it was almost amusing to note how he debated within himself whether or not to accept my insistence that not all Tamils are terrorists. I even brought out the argument that not all cholesterol is bad, in order to convince him how easy it is to mistake one for the other, and the absolute necessity for clear understanding of the issue prior to passing judgement.
Given the amount of effort I put into convincing him that all Tamils are not terrorists, here's hoping that at least one American has learnt that all societies cannot be categorized along the lines of good and bad based on the actions of a few.
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