Defeating LTTE propaganda, need of the hour

Uditha Kumarasinghe

Coordinator of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) Jivinda de Silva says the WAPS is playing a leading role to counter false propaganda launched by the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora throughout the world on Sri Lanka.

WAPS Coordinator in an interview with the Daily News expressed his views on the moves taken by the WAPS in collaboration with various organizations formed by the patriotic Sinhala Diaspora to defeat the LTTE’s false propaganda campaign by educating the international community on the true nature of the LTTE terrorists.

Q: Can you elaborate on the moves taken by the WAPS to counter the LTTE’s false propaganda campaign?

A: At present, the WAPS in association with several organizations formed by the Sinhala Diaspora in countries such as UK, US, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand and Japan, have bravely rallied round to counter these false propaganda campaigns launched by pro-LTTE elements.

A large number of patriotic Sinhala Diaspora in New York and other cities have extended their support to the WAPS to defeat this ideology spread throughout the world by pro-LTTE elements.

WAPS has also conducted seminars in several countries to educate both citizens and the Sri Lankan Diaspora in those countries. In addition, we have regular meetings with Congressmen and Senators of the US regarding the ongoing situation in Sri Lanka. Our struggle is a continuous process to defeat LTTE terrorism.

Q: Have the WAPS activities been successful?

A: Of course, the efforts made by the Sinhala Diaspora who closely work with the WAPS also facilitated the ban of the LTTE in the US. When the LTTE is lying to the international community, we should correct it.

The LTTE attempts to win over politicians and officials in Western countries. Even some US politicians pressurize the US Government to sympathize with the LTTE and attempt to portray them as freedom fighters. This is a well organized propaganda campaign launched by the LTTE. Now WAPS is also ready to face this.

Q: What do you think of the undue pressure exerted by certain Western countries and INGOs on the internal affairs of Sri Lanka?

A: Certain Western countries and INGOs want to drag this issue in Sri Lanka by pressurizing the Government to go for a ceasefire. None of them are genuinely interested in sorting out this issue.

They attempt to create a conflict situation here. Then they can intervene in the internal affairs of the country. Some countries want to break this country to fulfill their own interests. But most people have not understood its implications.

We all should join hands to defeat this false propaganda campaign launched by the LTTE. We are voluntarily doing this job as we are greatful to our country which gave us free education from the kindergarten to the university and all other facilities.

Q: What is the prime objective of the pro-LTTE elements to spread this false propaganda machinery throughout the world?

A: Once we completed this military mission against the LTTE, this pro-LTTE diaspora will start their verbal war against Sri Lanka.

These pro-LTTE elements and even some western countries are working out their own agendas and are attempting to create a conflict situation similar to the Israel- Palestine one in Sri Lanka.

This pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora is trying to create an environment conductive for the LTTE to gain politically what they couldn’t achieve through three decade war. Therefore, we should not allow the LTTE to continue their false propaganda machinery.

Q: According to you, what kind of commitment should be made by the Sri Lankans here and abroad to defeat this false propaganda campaign?

A: First, as patriotic citizens, we all should join hands to defeat this LTTE propaganda machinery. The Sri Lankan Diaspora worldwide should also be well organized to defeat these sinister moves. The LTTE has full time workers in many countries to conduct their propaganda. The LTTE through their activists has distorted the truth and changed the minds of certain politicians and Government officials by misinforming them on the ongoing situation in Sri Lanka.

The pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora is funding the LTTE. This has geared up the LTTE’s campaign throughout the world very well. LTTE sympathizers conduct various demonstrations in several world capitals. They have even destroyed the statue of Nehru at the Indian High Commission in London and attacked the Sri Lankan Embassies in Norway and Canada.

I regret to say some members of the Sinhala Diaspora do not demonstrate ample interest on this issue unlike their Tamil counterparts. LTTE’s funds are strengthened by the Diaspora. In many countries, the Sinhala Diaspora has various associations which have direct links with the WAPS.

If the Sinhala Diaspora is united, it will facilitate the further strengthening of the initiatives taken by the WAPS to counter this false propaganda campaign of the LTTE. We have to re-mobilize people by creating awareness among them on the importance of this issue.

Q: What do you think of the humanitarian operations launched by the Government to defeat LTTE terrorism?

A: These humanitarian operations will put an end to LTTE terrorism very soon. But the most important issue is we should focus our attention on what should be done after the war is won. After the end of the war, LTTE syspathizers will start another war of words to promote the LTTE ideology of a federal state within Sri Lanka which the LTTE could not achieve through their bullets.

Therefore, a sophisticated propaganda machinery should be launched to counter them. At present, the Sinhala Diaspora attached to the WAPS is brave enough to face this challenge. But the entire Sinhala Diaspora should extend their support to WAPS to fulfill this task.

Jivinda de Silva has obtained his Masters from the Cranfield University of UK and served as a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Railways Department. He has been living in America since 1976 and worked as a Superintendent of the New York City Transit Authority. De Silva has extended his fullest support to the WAPS to defeat the false propaganda network of the LTTE.