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DateLine Saturday, 3 January 2009

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The liberation of Kilinochchi

The fall of Kilinochchi, the Tigers' main administrative hub and the so-called de-facto 'capital', to the Security Forces marks a watershed in the current humanitarian mission aimed at liberating the Northern Tamil civilians from LTTE tyranny. Hours earlier, the Forces had liberated Paranthan, another vital Tiger bastion.

That the valiant Forces would take control of Kilinochchi was never in doubt, though there were many who openly stated that it would be an impossible task for the Security Forces. There was fierce fighting all the way, though in the end the Tigers' dwindling arsenal and cadre numbers were no match for the superior firepower, viable strategies and sheer determination of the Security Forces.

The Tigers, on the other hand suffered from desertions, low morale, lack of direction and leadership and a paucity of firepower. The incessant rains that lashed the Northern Province did slow down the troops physically, but strengthened their mental resolve to capture the enemy stronghold.

The conquest of Kilinochchi, while certainly not the end of the current phase of humanitarian operations - Mullaitivu and Elephantpass are about to be liberated soon - marks perhaps the most significant moment in the long drawn out conflict. It marks the zenith of a military campaign that began with the Mavil Aru operation two years ago. The Forces succeeded in liberating the entire Eastern Province in that phase of the operation and there is hardly any doubt that they will achieve the same goal in the North. Today, the East has a civilian administration replete with local bodies and a Provincial Council. This indeed is the goal of the Government and the Forces in the North as well.

The Government's foremost priority has been protecting and liberating the civilians in the North from the grip of the LTTE. This is, in fact, why the operation was called a humanitarian mission. The Government very clearly instructed the Forces to strictly adhere to a Zero Civilian Casualty Policy, arranged a humanitarian corridor for the civilians to enter cleared areas and sent truckloads of foods to the uncleared areas.

War experts have noted that the battle for Kilinochchi would have been over much sooner if not for the civilian factor. As the Human Rights Watch exposed in a recent report, the Tigers had used the civilians as a base for recruitment and subjected them to untold hardships. The Tigers' use of civilians as a human shield has been universally condemned. In this context, it is indeed gratifying that the Forces had engaged in their mission causing hardly any civilian casualties.

The one major factor that enabled the Forces to strictly adhere to these policies and battlefield tactics was the astute political and military leadership that backed them 100 per cent. As Commander-in-Chief and Defence Minister, President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave political leadership and freedom to the Forces. The military leadership, helmed by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, himself a seasoned military campaigner and the Tri Forces Commanders, was exceptional to say the least. Although the regaining of territory is mostly a task for the Army, one should commend the 100 per cent cooperation extended to the Army in this campaign by the Air Force and the Navy as well as by the Police (including the STF) and the Civil Defence personnel. The Air Force, by pounding Tiger installations and strongholds and the Navy, by intercepting Tiger arms movements, rendered an invaluable service.

We should reflect for a moment on the immense sacrifices made by the Forces at this juncture. They went into the battlefield knowing very well it would not be a cakewalk. Many soldiers made the Supreme Sacrifice for their Motherland while many others have been injured and disabled, some for life.

We should be grateful to their families too for giving their sons and daughters to the Forces for this noble mission. Even in the heat of battle, never once they forgot the humanistic aspect of the whole operation - the whole country watched on television how Forces personnel treated injured and surrendered Tiger cadres. The Tiger cadres were astonished as they had been brainwashed into thinking that the 'Sinhala Army' was a heartless outfit. Where does this magnificent victory of the Forces leave the Tiger cadres who are still fighting? Their only option is to surrender to the Forces as President Rajapaksa stated yesterday in his address to the Nation. Fleeing northwards will be a fruitless exercise as the Forces are poised to regain every inch of territory in the North. The cadres who surrender will not only save their lives, but also get an opportunity to be rehabilitated and enter society some day as reformed individuals.

As for Tiger leader Prabhakaran, the only option is give up his violent struggle even at this late stage, lay down weapons and enter negotiations. He will have nowhere to run soon. The Government has made it clear that renouncing violence and abandoning weapons are prerequisites for any talks. All Governments, including this one, have engaged in talks with the Tigers with the genuine intention of bringing peace, only to find that the Tigers have left the table proffering a flimsy excuse. The Forces' victory in Kilinochchi has undoubtedly driven the final nail into the LTTE's coffin and a complete surrender and decommissioning of weapons on the Government's terms is the only logical choice left for it.

Defeat of Hamas would be no victory

If Hamas is destroyed, a more radical group will replace it. Israel’s security depends on wiser action. I have just three wishes for the coming year. The first is for the Israeli government to realise once and for all that the Middle East conflict cannot be solved by military means.

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Year 2009 - Reality and expectations

It is once again time to prognosticate. Perhaps even to wonder in bewilderment at the issues of 2008 and hope that somehow, we will transcend the setbacks of another unhappy year in a brand new calendar year.

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President Mohamed Nasheed:

A new era in Maldives

Sri Lanka-Maldives relations achieved another major milestone yesterday as Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed began a State visit to Sri Lanka.

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Propitious Paranthan and beyond

“We have great confidence that the determined path we have traversed so far will result in a sustainable peace to our country and people....

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