Terrorism:

Silver Lining

Charith Seneviratne

Sri Lanka has been plagued by terrorism for over two decades now which has brought death and destruction in abundance and hindered the progress of the country seriously. For a predominantly Buddhist country this is more than a bitter pill to swallow. Had Prabakaran been considered to be an honest and trustworthy figure there is no doubt the majority of Buddhists might have conceded to accept any demand of the LTTE for a lasting permanent peace.

It was not the case to be. We are in the middle of an attrition war, if not won, would destroy our social fabric. It was a hobson’s choice for the true Sri Lankan. Division of the country would not end in amicability and friendship but just sleep walking to future border conflicts, invasions and wars leading to much worse tragedies than now to our future generations.

Our politicians have taken more than a decade or two to realise that the LTTE has to be crushed militarily to stop this carnage. Nothing can mitigate the pain and sorrow Sri Lanka has endured as a nation as a result of the terrorism but a few hard facts have emerged through this burning wreck to give us some consolation.

Sri Lanka had only a ceremonial army until the terrorism struck the country, a small group of thugs waving sticks and guns could have taken Sri Lanka over anytime then.

India has been struggling to contain separatism in many states for so long and if Tamil Nadu were to form an independent state then the prospects for Sri Lanka would have been very grim.

It would have been just a cakewalk for them on the very next day when we were saddled with the ceremonial army. LTTE has brought this realism to the fore for us fortunately and if the unthinkable does happen in the future such callous judgement from Tamil Nadu is unlikely to happen anymore. Credit goes to LTTE for raising this matter internally because an external force could have made grave consequences to Sri Lanka.

Our army has now become strong and has gained credit the world over for its professionalism. It may currently be one of best fighting units in the world in jungle warfare. No Sri Lankan in his or her wildest dream ever would have imagined to allocate such an enormous budget for the defence especially when the nation is struggling with such severe economic hardships. No political leader ever would have dared even to mention such a need in the defence budget in normal circumstances. However, the LTTE gave us the wake up call that was needed and in spite of all the hardships the Sri Lankans have risen up to transform the military to a fighting unit with a huge defence budget.

The war may be soon over but the harsh realities of the modern unstable world dictate that we should not only maintain but in fact increase the budget for the defence to prevent the terrorism to raise its ugly head again. We do not want our future generation to suffer as we did by any means. The best example for this strategy could be taken from our neighbouring India where people still starve to death and are forced to eat rats in some tribal villages due to poverty.

Notwithstanding these India maintains the world’s fourth largest army and sends rockets to moon at staggering costs. There is no opposition to a sky high defence budget as Indians have learnt to put the country first policy after several wars. Lack of a war threat to Sri Lanka made our previous leaders to neglect the military. Once the army has beaten the terrorists the Navy should get the top notch in our future defence strategy. When some unfortunate nationalities in the world fight to call a land of theirs we have a gem of a land to protect and safeguard.

There are other huge benefits that came along with the terrorism. Winning this war will definitely change the whole psyche of Tamil Nadu. Until recent times we were looked down upon by some Tamil Nadu people as sort of a mini state that could be manipulated to their whims and fancies rather than as a sovereign nation.

It is probably a reflection of their own realism that they can never be a sovereign nation that they tried to consider us to be.

However, no word of discord ever uttered from Sri Lanka to hurt their feelings for fear of reprisals from the centre and therefore no wonder it was taken for granted by them that they could interfere in our internal affairs with impunity.

Holding Sri Lanka to ransom by threats of invasion, crossing the walk straits with goons and flotillas of boats and fasting unto death exectra were common place.

We have shown in no uncertain terms where is our rightful place in contrast to theirs during this war. This war has given the nation the rare opportunity to shine as a sovereign independent country against all odds showing strength and character to the whole world. Terrorism has opened the eyes of this sleeping nation to rally round the government and the military to take effective steps to safeguard the country. A new sense of patriotism and pride has reawakened the nation from sleeping slumbers.

The whole country has bravely padded unto a war front with immense sacrifices recognising and acclaiming our political and military heroes.

Americans and Western nations would have been proud to have in their lands at a time of such a war those patriotic sentiments uttered by our citizens and poll results generated in favour of war notwithstanding the great sacrifices and calamity.

Nowhere in the modern history in Sri Lanka such patriotic forces have bonded the nation together as independence from the colonial masters was given on a platter without a military struggle. Sri Lankan diaspora has taken the fight to the international borders shouting and waving flags just as seen in a thrilling cricket match abroad.

Terrorism paved the way for such patriotic fervour to the people.

The knowledge and expertise the Army gained through inching across every nook and corner in the whole Northeast would be an added blessing in future security planning for the country.

Cinema and television have come to the forefront of nations in the modern world to project its nationalistic and proud image. Their movies and soap operas are full of stories depicting bravery and patriotism to the motherland. Sri Lankan Cinema unfortunately has failed miserably in this front probably due to lack of heroic material in the history of modern Sri Lanka.

This void is now amply fulfilled with heroics and bravery from our military and political fronts, which could be made to surfeit of stories to infuse and develop our film industry and to inject pride in our future generations. Therefore, this war could turn out to be a boon to our film industry now in dire straits.

Terror has brought our self-confidence and valour to the fore.

It brings nothing but sheer joy to the true patriotic Lankans to see how our political and military leadership withstood and resisted the immense pressures and threats brought on them by so called Co Chairs, European and American establishments, Christian Churches, INGOs, NGOs and human right activists, all misguided.

Looking back at these developments I am certain our future generations will hold us in awesome admiration and gratitude!