For too long Western powers have been twisted round 'the little
finger of the LTTE terrorists'. Norway and other Western Governments
always trusted the terrorists more than the democratically elected,
legitimate Government of Sri Lanka.
These terrorists were pampered, trusted, protected, given asylum,
supplied with weaponry and treated with absolute respect. On the other
hand, every word and action of the GOSL was looked on with suspicion and
mistrust.
"Like holding onto a tiger's tail (koti walige allagaththa wage)".
Once you hold a tiger's tail one cannot let it go for fear that it will
devour you! This is exactly what has happened to Norway and the West.
On June 4, 2006 Prabhakaran's daughter was celebrating her 20th
birthday in UK and naturally the father needed to be with the family.
We know how Prabhakaran sent his daughter to UK. Geneva Talks (became
Oslo Talks) were coming up and the dates were fixed in very close
proximity to the date of the birthday.
Thamilselvam demanded that their delegation must be given VIP
diplomatic security to go through airport authorities and Norway gave
into their request by 'accompanying them' through the airport.
We also know how Norway accompanied Prabhakaran through Maldivian
Immigration when they took him to Norway one year ago - so this is not
anything new to Norway. The LTTE delegation left Sri Lanka on June 3,
2006 and accomplished their agenda. The talks in Oslo, was only an
excuse to get out of the country.
The talks apparently were not to discuss the peace process, but the
role of the SLMM and GOSL announced their delegation headed by Palitha
Kohona well before the date of departure, Head of the Peace Secretariat
which is as high as need be to discuss the role of SLMM.
The terrorist delegation waited until they landed in Norway (at great
cost to whoever who paid the bills) to refuse to meet the GOSL
delegation for talks.
They refused to sit with representatives of the EU countries on the
SLMM team merely because EU banned their terrorist operations in those
countries. Will Norway, the SLMM and all countries that have danced to
the tune of LTTE terrorists understand even now, that they have never
been sincere in their mission and they have let down the entire Tamil
community in Sri Lanka and the world by false propaganda purely because
they want to command power through the use of weapons.
Without this, they have no leg to stand on within the Tamil
community. This is the truth and we need to accept the truth as it is.
The whole of Sri Lanka has suffered for 30 years due to the likes of
Prabhakaran, Thamilselvam and Anton Balasingham who are all enjoying VIP
treatment for being terrorists.
While they are living in luxury - the rest of the country is living
in fear, the Government cannot carry on any progressive agendas to
uplift the economic and social development of Sri Lanka. The price we
have paid is extremely dear!
LTTE must be treated as criminals and not heroes. They have never
ever had any intention of agreeing to peace or laying down their arms
for the sake of the majority citizens of this country who never wanted a
war in the first place.
If any agreements have been violated - it has always been the LTTE
who initiated the violations, who murdered people brutally, who
destroyed Government properties irresponsibly.
Naturally, in defence the GOSL has every right to act for the welfare
of her people and if any Western individuals, Governments, aid agencies
were to criticise our Sri Lankan Government, then must first think "what
would we do to stop terrorism in our countries?" The same must apply to
Sri Lanka and standards and yardsticks must not change merely because
Sri Lanka is an Asian developing country.
If the yardstick is changed due to the vast amounts of money the West
gets from the sale of arms to the LTTE terrorists - then they must
realise that they will continue to be abused and ridiculed at the hands
of these terrorists.
It is time for Western mediators and Governments to think seriously
about their role and also to decide whether or not they will continue to
pamper and protect LTTE terrorists?
All those Western countries which are harbouring LTTE terrorists and
offering them asylum, permitting them to be elected as parliamentary
representatives in countries like Norway, supplying them weaponry to
fight a legitimate Government in Sri Lanka, must know that in 10-15
years time, they will be demanding a 'Tamil Homeland' even in your own
countries.
Be prepared for this now and act wisely or else you will have to
regret later. It is then, that Western countries will learn their lesson
at a very great cost and eat humble pie.
'Sincerity' - is not a word in the vocabulary of LTTE terrorists but
they are great at manipulations, if you wish to be manipulated, that is
what they are going to the West right now!
DARMITHA,
Kotte.
The Sri Lanka Air Force is fortunate in that it has today one of its
best officers as Commander. The appointment of Air Marshal Roshan
Goonetileke as the new SLAF Chief has not come a moment too soon.
Son of former SLAF Chief Air Vice Marshal Harry Goonetileke, and a
seasoned flyer, Roshan has today reached the peak of his career. His
achievement proves President Mahinda Rajapaksa's determination to ensure
that all promotions in State service are done strictly on merit.
The SLAF has come a long way having started with a tiny fleet of 12
Chipmunk trainer aircraft in 1951.
In those balmy days our Air Force had only two squadrons, the main
duties of which were patrolling Sri Lanka's maritime areas looking out
for illegal immigrants, destroying ganja plantations, mercy flights
during emergency situations and participating in the ceremonial fly past
on Independence Day.
From such small beginnings the Air Force has today become a
formidable force with over one hundred modern aircraft on its fleet.
The SLAF now is a fully technically oriented organisation as any
other Air Force. Its current role as the protector of the country's air
space and thereby its sovereignty and territorial integrity has become
more significant than ever before.
The April 1971 insurgency was the SLAF's first combat experience,
which seems like child's play when compared to the challenges it has
faced since 1983. There's no doubt that it would confront even more
serious challenges in the coming months.
It is to the credit of officers like new SLAF Commander Goonetileke
that the Air Force has manifested professionalism and dedication of the
highest order, earning for itself the nation's gratitude.
In recognition of his distinguished service and bravery, Roshan
Goonetileke has earned the USP (Uttama Seva Padakkama) and the gallantry
medal, RWP (Rana Wickrema Padakkama) twice.
In this context, it is sad to recall that some retired military
officers cast aspersions on Mr. Rajapaksa during the past Presidential
Election campaign alleging that he was a Sinhala Buddhist Chauvinist and
extremist who perhaps could not be trusted to give promotions to those
who deserved them.
Regrettably, even certain retired SLAF commanders were involved in
this malicious campaign. It is no exaggeration to say that they
supported a section of the church and a business tycoon both of whom
wanted Christians to Awake and prevent a Rajapaksa victory.
The conflicting views on national security expressed during TV
political debates by retired military officers engaged in
electioneering, gave us an insight into unhealthy political
undercurrents in the armed forces.
These contradictions reflected the scant attention that past
Governments paid to defence matters even after the outbreak of the
LTTE's terror campaign.
Commenting on this Major General Gratiaen Silva, VSV, (ret.) bemoaned
at the time: "Sadly, some retired officers (not all) suddenly get
galvanized into action - some without realizing the full implications of
their participation in these political exercises."
L. A. MOHAMMED HANIFFA,
Gampola.
Before I left Dubai to spend a month's holiday in Sri Lanka, I handed
over a package to be shipped to Colombo to a 'reputed' shipping agency
with branches in many countries in the Middle East. I cleared the
package from their warehouse in Colombo on April 4, 2006.
However, when I opened it at home I found that 1/2 bag of basmathi
rice and 10 kgs Maisoor dhal had been stolen from my package at the
warehouse.
I later came to learn that this type of pilfering is a regular
feature where even valuable items are stolen leaving the consignee a
sadder but wiser man, as no amount of representations to the company
bring back the lost items.
It has to be inferred that the 'pilferage' takes place with the
connivance of the supervisory staff. I believe this type of pilferage
could be stopped altogether, if two persons are allowed in.
One could be by the package and see that no one takes anything out of
it, while the consignee attends to other matters like paying 'duty' etc.
The company concerned should look into this matter, if it is to
preserve its good name here and abroad.
P. D. R.,
Dehiwela. |