The best course currently

Even prior to this newspaper hitting the streets the country would probably know of the decision taken by the Government on the LTTE. This comment would only focus on the numerous considerations which the State would have had to bear in mind in taking such a decision.

To ban or not to ban the LTTE? This was the prime and most exacting poser. The horrendous track record of the LTTE as a terror group would have strongly suggested the first course of action - that is, to ban the LTTE. In fact, the Tigers' blood-curdling terror would incline anyone and any entity to adopt this course.

The taking of the lives of numerous persons of value to Sri Lanka from all walks of life and communities, clearly condemns the LTTE as a most degenerate and inhuman organisation which needs to be neutralized once and for all.

The attempt on the life of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, thus, convinced many that enough is enough. The Tigers must be condemned to the political wilderness, seems to be the general consensus currently.

The State would, no doubt, have considered this point of view very seriously. The LTTE is a palpable and definite threat to civilized living and should be rendered ineffective and paralytic.

However, there are other and competing imperatives on the State. The most important of these is to negotiate an end to the conflict and if a ban is clamped on the LTTE, there would not have been a way of working out a political solution. Therefore, not banning appears to be a sensible option.

The State cannot afford to take a short-sighted view of these issues. It needs to take a holistic view of the situation facing it. It needs to take a long-term view of the country's interests. After all, a political solution would suit all, best.

That said, it does not follow that the Tigers could be allowed to continue wildly on their murderous course. Hence the need to bring back the Prevention of Terrorism Act and other strong law and order measures which would keep the Tigers in check.

Law abiding, peace-loving persons have nothing to fear from these measures. It is only those who plan and activate evil designs and schemes, such as the LTTE, who need to fear laws, such as the PTA.

Those who lead peaceful, calm and socially-beneficial lives could carry on with their lives as usual. Only the criminally-inclined and degenerate need to fear laws such as the PTA.

Those who would now cry "foul" at the PTA and other measures would do well to call on the LTTE to fall in line with the requirements of civilized living and help negotiate an end to our conflict.

Breathing hot air at the State would serve no purpose, for, the State has taken the best course in the circumstances.

Contrasting performances in India

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Inspiration from across the oceans

When the LTTE leader V. Prabhkaran delivered his annual speech at an undisclosed location in Wanni on his stance with regard to the North and East conflict on November 27, a grand celebration was taking place in Kathmandu, over the end of Maoist insurgency in Nepal which haunted the country for more than a decade.

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