Momentous challenge of reconciliation

Four months have passed since the defeat of LTTE terrorism and the liberation of the people. Peace, calm and serenity reigns throughout the country including the North, the last theatre of war.

No reports of violent clashes or disappearances have been reported. There is more frequent movement of people from North to South and vice-versa. The flow of goods and services from the South to the North is now channeled through the A 9 highway too, albeit under security clearances. The Yal Devi train has started extending its outbound destination towards Jaffna. Rapid reconstruction of the rail track and damaged rail stations are taking place.

De-mining is going apace smoothly and its tempo progressively increased. Re-settlement has started in earnest. Over 40, 000 have been re-settled already. Another 10,000 will be re-settled within the next two weeks. Elderly inmates at welfare villages have been released to live with their kith and kin. Rehabilitation of LTTE cadres is also proceeding smoothly. Overseas employment has been obtained for some as an initial step in rehabilitating them in society.

All this was achieved while looking after nearly 300,000 civilians who crossed over to government controlled territory during the last phase of the war. No other country has ever faced such huge numbers of internally displaced at such a short time. The very fact of providing them with food, clothing and shelter is a Herculean task.

Sri Lanka stood up to this task and has achieved remarkable success. The welfare centres are provided with not only basic amenities but also play grounds for children, schools, vocational training centres and hospitals.

They are not concentration camps, as alleged by certain sections of the foreign media and their local collaborators. They are open to the United Nations and several national and international NGOs who collaborate in the humanitarian efforts of the Government. Many a foreign dignitary, including UN officials and resident Ambassadors have visited them and found their conditions satisfactory and improving.

Unfortunately there are various forces with ulterior motives that either belittle these good efforts or conspire to undermine them for narrow political goals. On the one hand, there is a conspiracy of silence that ignores the positive developments. On the other hand, there is a deliberate disinformation and smear campaign against Sri Lanka. It was only recently that a fake video was distributed through the international media in an attempt to vilify Sri Lanka and put it in the dock. However, the Government was able to prove its fake character with the assistance of renowned experts.

Another ploy adopted is to portray that a climate of terror still prevails in the country and that perpetrators of violence enjoy impunity. Various allegations of human rights abuse are made on the flimsiest grounds. The Government has always listened to all such complaints, even if they are dubious and investigated them. No less an authority than the President has repeatedly called upon the law enforcement authorities to investigate and take stern action against any wrong-doers. Even in the latest incident where a civil society activist claimed to have received a death threat by letter the President has ordered an immediate inquiry.

The degree of media freedom and right to dissent enjoyed by the citizens could be witnessed by the numerous protests that take place throughout the country without ay hindrance.

It is strange that the West whose track record of human rights, as witnessed in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere orchestrating an international campaign against Sri Lanka alleging violation of human rights. There are no Guantanamo camps or Abu Ghraib facilities in Sri Lanka.

No one would be happier than the Sri Lankan authorities if they could release all IDPs in welfare centres immediately. The fact is that it is impossible for various reasons. First, it is necessary to clear the land of mines before re-settlement. To send them to unsafe land would amount to a crime. Secondly, infrastructure has to be provided for them to restart their life and secure livelihoods. Thirdly, the security of the IDPs as well as the rest of the population has to be ensured, for which purpose the screening of IDPs has to be completed and the lands cleared of buried weapons and ammunition. Daily the security forces and the Police are unearthing heaps and heaps of lethal weapons from hideouts and underground pits. The recovery of such weapons should be physically completed.

It was only early this week that India's National Security Advisor N. K. Narayanan said that LTTE funding network is still intact and disgruntled Tamil diaspora has the possibility helping LTTE elements to regroup.

What Sri Lanka needs from the international community at this crucial moment is to understand the ground situation, recognize the good humanitarian efforts of the Government and aid the rehabilitation and reconstruction process in the country. It is by doing so they could help wipe out terrorism from the world.

As far as reconciliation and peaceful resolution of problems faced by the Tamil community is concerned the Government is proceeding on an agenda which is receiving wide support, including from those who hitherto blindly followed the LTTE.