Monumental rescue mission
Sri Lanka yesterday witnessed a
monumental landmark in its history when the country’s Security
Forces succeeded in pulling off the biggest known human rescue
mission at any time anywhere in the world.
Tens of thousands of civilians who were held prisoners by the
LTTE, yesterday, breathed the fresh air of freedom thanks to one
of the bravest manoeuvres by an armed forces in the known
history of mankind
It was certainly the biggest hostage drama in recorded
history and every Sri Lankan to a man no doubt would be proud of
this mind boggling achievement which put their country on the
world map and brought honour and glory to the Security Forces.
At the time of writing, tens of thousands of civilians were
still pouring into the Government controlled areas after the
Forces breached the last earth bund blocking access into the No
Fire Zone beginning what is certainly one of the biggest human
exodus reminiscent of biblical times. Television showed men
women and children enmasse carrying with them their meagre
belongings walking out to freedom a la Cecil B de Mille
masterpiece of yesteryear.
According to latest reports when the Forces overran the earth
bund at Puthumattalan on the edge of the No Fire Zone tens of
thousands of civilians broke free and surged out of the NFZ even
as the LTTE kept firing at them. But not even the incessant
firing by the LTTE were able to halt this massive avalanche of
civilians in their quest for freedom from the harrowing ordeals
they were put through during the past few months when they were
used as a human shield by their so called liberators.
Reports also said that clashes had broken out between the
civilians and the LTTE cadres who were trying to staunch the
avalanche. From the trend that is being witnessed it is doubtful
if all the LTTE guns will be able to stop this massive exodus.
As we commented yesterday in this column, the civilians have
had enough. Not for them, any longer are the promised land of
Eelam or any other utopian dreams. Their sole intent is to
escape fast into a new dawn of freedom. This they have now
achieved ending their long struggle against tyranny and
oppression.
No doubt all eyes of the world will be on Sri Lanka
marvelling at the magnitude of the achievement of its Security
Forces - even though grudgingly in certain quarters, and also
pondering on the mind boggling humanitarian drama that is
unfolding.
Our solders have come in for high praise from world’s
military powers with some describing Army Commander Lt. General
Sarath Fonseka as the best military Commander in the world for
his insistence on zero casualties while battling the most
ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.
This praise and commendation has now proved to be not
misplaced. For the Army had taken great care not to open fire
even when the LTTE was using its heavy weapons from the No Fire
Zone, fearing harm to the civilians.
It was only the other day that the Television showed the
Forces enjoying Avurudu fare with the civilians who has escaped
the LTTE. No doubt this camaraderie and togetherness would be a
harbinger of a greater bond between the Tamils and the majority
community now that all barriers are fast being dismantled paving
the way for a new beginning in a united Sri Lanka.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief can justly
be proud of this monumental achievement of the Armed Forces.
There were both overt and subtle pressures to halt the on
going humanitarian operations or at least to go slow on the
current offensive. Shuttle diplomacy by roving ambassadors,
vocal protests in Tamil Nadu failed to sway the President from
his single minded goal to rid the country of the scourge of
terrorism. In this, he was assisted by Defence Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, himself a battle hardened warrior, and the
unswerving commitment of the Three Service Commanders.
As for Velupillai Prabhakaran it is immediately not clear
what his next option is. But even he should realise that this is
the end of the road for his Eelam dream. The Tamil people on
whose behalf he professed to have fought, have now abandoned him
and the LTTE.
There is now no way that he could achieve his separatist
dream. In any event, there will be no people to populate this
utopian state. They have now crossed the Rubicon and have
expressed the desire to be willing partners with the majority
community. As President Rajapaksa said he can now only jump into
the deep blue sea or take cyanide and end his miserable life.
The exodus has sounded the death knell of Tamil Eelam. It is
now time for everyone to embrace our Tamil brethren who had come
into their midst after their harrowing experience, with open
arms and start building fresh bonds that would ensure they all
live as brothers and sisters under one banner in a single
nation. |