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To expect sincerity from the LTTE is a joke

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.

New SLAF Chief proves President's impartiality

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.

Warehouse thefts

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.

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