Public must unite to fight against terrorism - Rambukwella

Keheliya Rambukwella, a politician from Kandy plays a vital role in President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government as a Defence Affairs Spokesman. He has always been outspoken and has raised his voice against terrorism. The Daily News interviewed Rambukwella who is also the Plan Implementation Minister at his office at the Media Centre for National Security last week after President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the inaugural meeting of the All Party Representatives Committee and the Panel of Experts entrusted with the task of evolving a solution to the North and East problem.

Ranil Wijayapala

Q: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has commenced a process of evolving a home-grown solution to the ethnic problem by convening the All Party Representative's Committee and a Panel of Experts. Do you think such an attempt will help bring the LTTE to the negotiating table?

A: With 25 years of experience we found that all attempts made by many political leaders had failed. So it is worth having a new approach. One might argue that much more flexible proposals were also made but rejected by the LTTE.

So, on that account the LTTE might reject everything and they will not fall short of terrorism if they want to. That cannot be helped. Terrorism has to be dealt with in a different manner. But as far as the proposals are concerned for the last 25 years about four or five leaders, took different approaches. But the final goal was the same.

It was to see a settlement to the North and East issue. Each one's approach was different. But the final goal was the same. Here, President Mahinda Rajapaksa's final goal is also the same. But his approach is different. Why not try to have a new approach and see whether we could bring the LTTE to the negotiating table once again. No harm will be done by making a new approach.

Q: The LTTE during peace talks with the UNF Government clearly stated that they will agree only to accept a federal model of solution to the North and East problem. But this Government seems to be moving towards a different type of solution. Do you think this as a move towards the right direction?

A: I don't think there is much of a difference. The LTTE has not even sounded what you say for a federal solution. But there are different models of federalism. There are 13 different models of federalism practised all over the world.

All have been successful in some form. That is why President Rajapaksa stated that while looking at some of the success stories of the 13 models why not evolve something that is more indigenous to Sri Lanka. And I don't see anything wrong in that as long as it fulfils the aspirations of not only Tamils but all citizens.

You will have to have a Sri Lankan identity and to see that the aspirations of the Sri Lankans are fulfilled. If there is a particular situation with regard to a particular community that can be looked into, and certain arrangements can be made in accordance with the normal democratic practices in the world while taking an indigenous way.

Q: There is a perception that LTTE terrorism can be dealt with only through a military solution. Do you think any type of home-grown solution can tackle LTTE terrorism?

A: To defeat terrorism the whole world must get together. The incident in Mumbai is a clear manifestation that terrorist groups will come under different banners and different labels. But, their final goal is the same at the end of the day. The final goal is destruction and todisturb democracy.

There has to be two groups in the world. One civilised world and other a terrorist group. These two have to be understood. Many countries in this region have experienced this in different quantities. Sri Lanka had done it for the last 25 years. Sri Lanka knows what totality that can be unleashed by terrorists. So this is the time we all should join hands against this cancerous menace of terrorism. While doing so, other issues related to culture and economy areas of various people can be looked into for resolution.

Q: What is your opinion on the UNP's refusal to participate at the All Party Representatives Committee to evolve a peaceful solution to the North and East problem?

A: Unfortunately, I think they are trying to play petty politics which is not right. The political forum is available. We can fight politically. All of us can fight and have quarrels for political affairs. But this has to be beyond politics. The JVP and the JHU cardinally and fundamentally were known as hardliners.

In spite of they being termed that way, they are also flexible to some extent because of the national issue. They have left their flag out sometime for certain issues and join hands with the public to see that the issue is resolved. It is very unfortunate that the UNP at this point is acting in this way.

The political forum can be fought differently. But this forum is fighting against terrorism. That has to be remembered.

Q: Does that mean that the UNP is supporting the cause of LTTE terrorism?

A: Well, indirectly sometimes it happens. Indirectly means knowingly or unknowingly, willingly or unwillingly.

Q: There is a fear psychosis among the public about security in Colombo and suburban areas since this is July, the month the LTTE used to launch attacks on civilian targets. What assurance can the Government give the people about the security?

A: In a situation where terrorism is at its highest level the highest amount of funds allocated in the budget is for defence. Look at the situation in India. Terrorism has to be eradicated. Terrorism has to be fought. Terrorism has to be renounced. There have to be civilised people to be join hands.

This kind of fear psychosis will prevail as long as terrorism exists. There is a big difference between Forces and People's Force. The people can join hands together and fight against terrorism. I think lot of incidents and unfortunate situations can be avoided then.

Q: What concrete steps has the Government taken towards this process of mobilising people against terrorism?

A: We have set up vigilant committees. We have launched awareness programmes. We got the transport sector into this programme. We will be continuing with this. Parents of school students were brought into this. This is a national situation. It is not an individual game ball or a political game ball.

Terrorism is something that we all have to get together and attack, renounce and eliminate. That can be done not only by the Forces or the law enforcing groups. It is the public that can help whatever the Government in office.

Q: What message does the Mumbai incident convey to the Sri Lankan community?

A: The message is very clear. Terrorism is terrorism. They can come under different names. Al-Qaeda, LTTE, other fronts or whatever groups practise terrorism as their motive to achieve their cynical targets by destruction and killing people, destroying economies, destroying countries, destroying families and destroying innocent civilians.

Now that is the modus operandi or what the terrorists believe in. So you have to identify it. In India some time ago the Golden temple was bombed. It was led by the Sikh militants. And today a Sikh is the Prime Minister of India. Now in a largest democracy these are not issues they are embarking on.

This is just pure terror. This very clearly shows that it is time that Indian situation has given a regional shake up. Because every single country in the region has experienced this in different quantities. India having the largest democracy has devolved power effectively yet they have a terrorist problem in their country. So, the globalisation of terrorism has to be understood.

They learn from each other and improve by correcting their mistakes and are hand in hand with each other. It is not something that is local. One cannot say LTTE is a local problem and it must be handled locally. Globally it is affecting and you can see that.

Q: What role do you think Sri Lanka can play in uniting the region against terrorism?

A: There is a forum to renounce terrorism and ban any terrorist organisation in SAARC. India being a regional leader can play a very vital role. By compulsion there are certain moves India has to make to keep their political stability. But they also must be told that one day it will come back to them.

It once happened to India when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. So terrorism has to be renounced. You have to understand what terrorism is. Political issues can be discussed separately.

Q: What is the Government's position on the Tamil civilians fleeing to India? This has become a serious issue with the number of civilians fleeing to India being on the rise.

A: There are two things with regard to this issue. Civilians through fear go there due to easy access. On the other hand the LTTE, themselves perhaps use this as a ploy, having given thought to political complexity in Tamil Nadu, to make use of this situation for their advantage. Most of them are from the areas where the Government Forces have no accessibility. So they are leaving their so-called liberator.

They are leaving the liberator and going somewhere else. Because the liberator is not going to liberate them.

Q: There is criticism that the Government has not taken additional measures to win the Tamil civilians. What is your opinion on this? What steps has the Government taken to win Tamil community?

A: The Government has to take serious note of all these affairs that are taking place. But the fact is that whatever steps the Government takes it is the publicity or the propaganda machinery of the LTTE who says there is no. When we look at the Pesalai and Sampur incidents.

There had been steps taken and there had been shelter provided. There had been assistance extended to them. It was not given enough publicity. I think the President believes that after providing funds and making it a public affair is not very ethical. But the fact is that we have looked after them and we are looking after them and we will look after them in future. But one has to remember that since 1994 more than 400,000 people have migrated to Colombo from the North and the East. Actually they are happily living in the South.

There are no restrictions. They have left the so-called 'liberator' and happily living with the so-called 'oppressor'.

Q: Reports from the uncleared areas say that LTTE is carrying out an extensive campaign in providing military training for the civilian population there. How can the Government interfere in this situation and liberate them from the clutches of terrorism?

A: We have made certain appeals to the public there. On the other hand this is one of the reasons civilians are fleeing to Tamil Nadu. Because they want to escape from the clutches of the LTTE. Children are being taken away by the LTTE by force. These are acts of terrorism.

The Government is trying its best. Many people are moving out of the so-called LTTE areas to the Government controlled areas. They prefer to be under Security Forces or live in Government controlled areas as they feel they are very much safer and very much better off than in the LTTE controlled areas.

Q: There are reports that lapses in the intelligence network in the Security Forces have resulted in the assassination of top most military officials. What is your opinion on this?

A: Nobody makes assessment of what the Government and the Forces have prevented. Because it is not given publicity. If not for the Forces and the Police many incidents should have taken place by now. You have hundred things and you detect 99 and one goes off and then they blame both. It is very unfortunate.

It is not the time to blame each other. This is the time to unite ourselves and fight against this menace of terrorism.