Way to weaken terror

As could have been expected, the Government is drawing on strong law and order measures to combat terrorism, without re-imposing the ban on the LTTE.

While predicting the adoption of this approach by the State yesterday, we said that it was the best possible course of action to adopt in the circumstances.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's address to the nation on Wednesday evening threw more light on State thinking and its objectives, while also outlining the Government's obligations.

Listening to the President, the majority of citizens may have realised why it is so important to bring back laws such as the PTA.

"No human rights will be infringed. The new laws will only defeat the LTTE's fascist thinking. The laws will encourage democracy in the Tamil political arena," the President explained.

As observed by us yesterday, no peace-loving persons or groups need fear these law and order measures. The well-meaning and peace-loving could continue as usual with their exemplary lives. For, they need to fear nothing from any quarter.

Those violating the laws of the land and engaging in crime and violence, such as the LTTE, however, need to fear the law and order measures to be enforced. For, terror would not be tolerated by the State.

In fact, laws such as the PTA, would strengthen the hand of the State against inveterate perpetrators of evil, such as the LTTE. The new law and order measures are aimed at bringing such purveyors of terror to heel.

Moreover, as explained by the State, these measures are perfectly in keeping with our UN obligations and are geared to facilitating our search for a negotiated settlement.

There is no question of the State turning these measures into instruments of coercion against the blameless. In fact, the rights of the latter would be preserved and promoted, when the forces of terror are defeated.

All in all, the new regulations would be consistent with the Rule of Law and be instrumental in keeping the door to a negotiated settlement open.

As long as the Tigers remain committed to a violent solution, they would be brought to heel on the basis of the PTA and rendered accountable for their misdeeds, but they would not need to fear these laws if they intend negotiating in earnest.

Besides, the possibility is great that if the Tigers are weakened through the imposition of the new law and order measures, they would finally consider negotiating seriously.

The recurring recalcitrance of the LTTE, necessitates the introduction of these regulations and their firm enforcement. The State cannot absolve itself of the duty to govern and do so very firmly. The national interest needs to be perpetually upheld through a sustaining of law and order.

However, the Tigers base their conduct on contrasting parameters. They give the impression of only understanding the language of violence.

This is the reason why the Government has no choice but to be tough with them. It is up to the Tigers to disprove this position.

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