No future for LTTE

Is the LTTE capable of re-grouping after the death of Tiger Chief Velupillai Prabakaran and other hard-core Tiger leaders? Who is this K.P.? What is the current attitude of the international community towards the LTTE since its military debacle? Whether the Government can face up with the challenge of developing the North, protection of the rights of the Tamil people, the post-war national security issues? Foreign Employment Promotion Minister and the Defence Spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella interviewed by Pathmasekara Nissanka, explains his views on above issues.

Defence Spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella. File photo

Q: Tiger Chief Velupillai Prabakaran and the other hard-core LTTE leaders have been killed. Is the LTTE capable of re-grouping and be a threat to the national security in the future again?

A: No. Not at all. However, some work still remains to be completed in this connection. We should not forget that the LTTE was conducting a war for the past 30 years. The reasons and environment that led to creation of the LTTE have now completely changed. There may have been some justifiable reasons for Tamil people in the aftermath of 1983 riots to look for someone as their representative to address their issues. Given this opportunity, several persons got into the stage made by Tamil people. Prabakaran was one of them. He was not a leading figure those days. Later, however, he decided to eliminate others and was able to come to the forefront with his terror tactics.

He was a fascist ruler who did not want other Tamil leaders to emerge as Tamil representatives in solving their issues. The Tamil people did not have any other alternative. They thought Prabhakaran would help them create a Tamil Eelam. For anyone who did not follow the principles of Prabakaran and the LTTE, the death was certain. Even the Tamils were brutally killed in this manner. Many Tamils were unable to express their views as they were under the rule of Prabhakaran’s terror. Today, as there is no one to carry forward the fascist, selfish ideologies of Prabhakaran and the LTTE, it is not possible for a LTTE re-grouping. Though Prabakaran is no more there, we have to look moderately into the aspirations of the Tamil people which they expected through Prabhakaran. If we provide necessary assistance and solutions to Tamil people in their social, political and cultural issues, there is no need and possibility for another armed struggle and demand for a separate state. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ensured this through the Northern Spring national program.

Q: Kumaran Pathmanathan alias K.P. claims himself as the successor to LTTE leader Prabhakaran and is secretly operating outside Sri Lanka. Although his whereabouts are not known, can he be a danger to Sri Lanka?

A: Prabhakaran and K.P. are two different characters. There is a vast difference between these two. Prabakaran though a terrorist, gave leadership to a guerrilla armed struggle. K.P. is not so. He can be defined as a smuggler. He has collected enormous wealth in Dollars and Pounds forcefully from the international Tamil community. K.P’s aim is not to serve these people. There are other persons in countries like Canada claiming ownership for this wealth. I do not think that KP has the vision and ability to commence a terror struggle. He just wants to protect his wealth. In the meantime, he is a wanted criminal by the International Police. He is a large scale businessman with unauthorized drug dealings and has about 20 names and 35 passports. Anyway we are eliminating even the smallest chance of resurfacing the LTTE through our intensified international connections.

Q: What measures have been taken by the Government to weaken the international network of the LTTE?

A: During the final phase of the war this international network was working against us with its maximum effort. But, with our limited connections we were able to overcome all these forces. We have finally defeated the LTTE and have no hatred towards the international community who worked against us. The myth the international community was repeatedly saying that the LTTE cannot be defeated was dismissed. Many international leaders visited Sri Lanka and later understood the true picture of the LTTE. Their criticisms are now not against the Government. Except for a very few organisations, the entire international community has now joined hands with the Government not to let terrorism to creep again into Sri Lanka. The countries who supported LTTE are now helping wipe out the LTTE terrorism from their countries as well.

Q: What is the strategy of the Government when establishing civil administration to ensure that an organization like the LTTE would not be created to fight for an Ealam in the future?

A: Since 1983, the civil administration in North and East had completely broken down because of the fascist terror rule of Prabakaran. Only bombs, land mines and T56 weapons ruled the area. In the belief of a Tamil Ealam the people accepted Prabhakaran. But later they realized that it was only a day dream. Tamil people now want to live peacefully in Sri Lanka. The Government has now lifted restrictions on fishing in the North and East seas. During Prabhakaran’s rule the people had no choice other than joining the LTTE and carrying guns and getting battered. Some of them even sacrificed their lives for the so called Tamil Ealam. Now the things are gradually changing. They need a way of living. They will never ever think of a Tamil Ealam.

Q: The UNP claims that Pillaiyan broke away from the LTTE, four million land mines were de-mined and the war heroes were able to capture the North and East in quick time because of the Peace Accord. Is there a truth in this statement?

Walking towards a bright future. Picture by Chaminda Hiththetiya

A: These are mere jokes. Because of the Peace Accord our great war heroes were confined to bunkers and the Tiger Colonels, Lieutenants and Brigadiers came closer to our bunkers and insulted them. There were clear boundaries for Prabhakaran’s areas and we could not even carry a gun into his territory during that time. The international community said that it was apparent that two countries existed and they would help unite the two countries through negotiations. Therefore, do not even mention about the Peace Accord. People are scared of it now. This helped the International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) to help, the LTTE build air strips inside the LTTE controlled areas. Vakarai hospital was built by an NGO. When questioned this NGO they said they provided money but the LTTE forcefully used the money for other purposes. The LTTE had used rice bags sent as humanitarian aid to build their bunkers. It is an unpleasant past and better not talk about that period. That chapter should be closed.

Q: The UNP says that the views of the Opposition are important and have a direct impact on the political solution for the ethnic problem.

A: It is very good. There should be a strong Opposition. Unfortunately, the Opposition cannot perform that duty. It is a loss for the country. So, if there is a capable person we too would help.

Q: What is your opinion about the future of UNP?

A: I sincerely feel sorry for them. The UNP was a massive political party created by D.S. Senanayake, which carried out many useful projects. it was built by many stalwarts. Now all that had been pushed back. It is impossible to think that in the near future the UNP would raise its head again and proceed.