Ground realities

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Colombo based diplomats on Thursday called upon them to understand the ground realities in Sri Lanka with respect to the conflict in the North.

What are these realities?

Firstly, that the LTTE which fought for a separate state is now confined to a mere 4.5 sq kms of land in a narrow coastal strip and are surrounded by the Sri Lankan Army.

Secondly, the LTTE, nevertheless, continues to fight endangering the lives of the civilians in that narrow strip of land.

Thirdly, it is not only continuing the fight but also keeping the population hostage. It is also shooting at civilians who try to escape. In this context the international community concerned about the plight of the civilians could do only one thing.

That is, to call upon the LTTE to let go the civilians, lay down arms and surrender to the Government. As the President explained, a call for a ceasefire is counterproductive at this moment. History has amply proved that the LTTE has used all ceasefires to re-group, re-arm and re-start the war on a more ferocious note.

A ceasefire now would give oxygen to a dying Tiger and resuscitate it to fight another day, leaving Sri Lanka exposed to the threat of terrorism permanently. It will not ease the stranglehold of the LTTE on civilians.

Fourthly, nearly 200,000 civilians have crossed over to the Government held territory braving all attacks by the LTTE as a result of the successful humanitarian operations of the Sri Lankan Army.

Further, the Army and other security arms of the state have provided these civilians with maximum possible facilities and are involved in their rehabilitation too.

As friends of Sri Lanka, the international community could supplement the Government’s relief and rehabilitation effort. In fact, some of them have already started helping. India and France have established field hospitals for the civilian population who crossed over. Britain, United States, Italy, Australia, China and Russia have granted aid.

Fifthly, the civilians who crossed over have to be provided with food, clothing and shelter as well as means of livelihood before a political solution could be found for the vexed National Question.

It should be underlined that any amount of political freedom without the basic requirements of life would be meaningless and incomprehensible to the people. The process of ensuring the economic and political, social rights of the people in the North would go hand in hand. Already food and clothing has been ensured.

Resettlement of civilians in their original places of residence has begun. It is also being expedited. The Government hopes to complete over three-fourths of resettlement by the year end.

This is a colossal task given the magnitude of the internally displaced. Elections to Local Government bodies in the North would soon follow. At first Local Government elections will be held in Jaffna and Vavuniya. Nominations would be called for soon.

Sixthly, there is a tremendous enthusiasm generated in the South to provide relief to the Northern civilians who have lost all their belongings in their flight to freedom. Thus, there is no ethnic confrontation.

A feeling of oneness, togetherness has engulfed the entire population. The behaviour of some of our foreign friends shows that this reality yet not understood by them.

Consultations with all political parties are ongoing to workout a genuine Sri Lankan solution to the National Question. The President has assured the international community of its commitment to ensure the rights of all citizens irrespective of ethnicity, religion etc.

Virus across borders

The AH1N1 or swine flu virus has spread across borders at an amazing speed. Originating in Mexico it soon crossed the border to enter United States. Within less than a month the virus has now spread to 23 nations infecting around 1,900 persons.

The highest number (942) of cases is reported from Mexico. The United States comes second with 642 cases. Next comes Spain across the Atlantic with 81 cases.

Among other countries affected are Great Britain (32 cases), Germany, France, Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong.

Since the virus is transmitted from human to human this shows the high level of connectivity among various countries of the world.