A moment for solidarity

We have seen on television moving images of hundreds of thousands of civilians crossing over to the cleared areas from the No Fire Zone (NFZ), where the LTTE terrorists kept them hostage as a human shield. No sooner the Security Forces breached the defences and provided them with an opening, the civilians poured in. This was in sharp contrast to LTTE propaganda that the civilians remained in the NFZ on their own accord.

Contrary to the 'blood on the beach' propaganda of the LTTE and its sympathizers worldwide, what has actually taken place is the biggest hostage rescue operation in the world. The civilian casualties were caused by the LTTE itself, which exploded human bombs and fired at civilians who tried to flee towards freedom. By all accounts, the civilians were longing to come to cleared areas all this time. Only the LTTE's guns stood in their way. However, even the guns and bombs of the LTTE have not been able to stop the civilians this time.

The footage of thousands of civilians crossing the lagoon towards the area controlled by the Security Forces has convinced the world community that claims of genocide of Tamil civilians were simply false. We have also seen TV and still pictures of Forces personnel caring for the innocent civilians who had crossed over. It is in this context that there are growing calls worldwide for the LTTE to surrender and let the remaining civilians leave.

The UN and many countries have condemned the LTTE's use of civilians as a

human shield. The LTTE should immediately lay down arms and renounce its terror tactics, Ambassador Claude Heller, the President of the UN Security Council has said, summing up the views expressed by the Members of the Security Council at an informal briefing on Wednesday.

The UN has called on the international community to extend all assistance to the Sri Lankan Government to deal with the influx of civilians fleeing from the LTTE's hold. The Government has also urged the international community for emergency aid to assist those civilians and to exert pressure on the LTTE to free an estimated 20,000 civilians still being held hostage in an area of less than 13 square kilometres.

All the civilians who had crossed over and those still in the No Fire Zone are our own brethren who had lived under the tyranny of a terror group. They are still in shock, having gone through a traumatic period. We have to ensure their welfare until they are resettled, which cannot be done overnight.

The Government alone cannot be expected to complete this monumental task. There is no doubt that many countries will assist this process. Medicines, semi-permanent shelters, water-purification plants and sanitation facilities are needed for the IDPs, in addition to everyday essentials.

We recall how the whole nation came together as one after the December 26, 2004 tsunami. There was a massive outpouring of sympathy and solidarity, as those unaffected by the calamity scrambled to help the survivors. The rich and the poor alike were helping those in distress, regardless of the victims' ethnicity or religion.

We need the same response now. The entire Nation must rally round the Government and the Security Forces at this hour as they care for the civilians who came over. It is our duty and responsibility to help the Tamil brothers and sisters who have embraced freedom. They need our blessings and assistance to rebuild their lives and realize their dreams, shattered by Prabhakaran's murderous gang. Public donations for the civilians are being accepted and transport facilities have been arranged. All civic conscious citizens must participate in this exercise. We need to be by their side as they begin their lives anew in a land that will soon see the dawn of peace and reconciliation.

Reconciliation can heal the wounds of war that have scarred this resplendent isle of early 30 years. As the LTTE, in the words of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, "is consigned into its rightful place as the most ruthless terrorist organization that has failed in history", it is time for Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims to end any imaginary divisions and unite to seek prosperity for their Motherland.

We can start this process of peace and reconciliation by extending a hand of friendship to our brethren from the Vanni who have finally embraced liberty after decades of suppression.