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It is an excellent idea to hold the seminar titled, "Defeating
Terrorism - The Sri Lanka Experience" and share our story with 54
countries. It is unpalatable look on as the relentless pro-LTTE diaspora
continue to engage in counterproductive activities under the guise of
human rights violations and other criteria to discredit the country that
they used in the same way they are using and bleeding the countries that
have hosted them.
Corruption of politicians in western nations and the activities of
some dubious NGOs should also be a part of the agenda. Lobbying
politicians in western nations against terrorism is clouded by huge
political donations that have negated all other efforts made by Sri
Lanka. Yet, we suffered the longest with this menace. The LTTE
activities continue as a form of thuggery and gang warfare against their
own people breaking the law with no consequences in some countries.
The fear of being threatened and demands of monetary contributions
continue for those living abroad although the war is over in Sri Lanka.
They have no political aspirations to provide for the better good of
the Tamil people especially those who suffered in the war financed by
the diaspora. The diaspora did not know what it was like to be refugees
in IDP camps under threat of the LTTE and being enemy suspect in a war
that couldn't distinguish between the terrorist and the villager.
Some are third generation Sri Lanka haters who have never lived in
Sri Lanka but believe the brainwashing they are subject to. The
unrelenting hatred is dangerous and it can be unleashed not only in Sri
Lanka but also in their host countries many of whom are coping with
increased crime and Tamil gang warfare putting lives at risk in their
communities.
The Sri Lanka government continues to provide more and more to
rebuild the North and East while the diaspora who do not plan to return
or if they do return, settle in the South. They want the best of both
worlds and are mainly interested in their future economic status in
countries they duped over the years. The taxpayers in western nations
that have to subsidize LTTE refugees are losing their patience.
On the other hand, they have huge sums of money stashed away and
laundered to pay politicians to lobby for their de-proscription so that
they can have a free hand to continue extortion to fund terror.
The message against terrorism must traverse every country where they
are conducting activities under the radar whatever the name of the
organization or country of origin may be. The strongest laws against
terrorism must be enforced. That should be a priority on the agenda of
all countries on and off the battlefield.
The Netherlands must be commended for the action they have taken. The
immigrant population of Sri Lankan Tamils in the Netherlands must be
commended for their role in reporting their dilemma to the authorities.
It is obvious; they want to enjoy the peace that we can all share.
The US needs to take a lesson from their pages and realize that the
global goal to eradicate terrorism cannot be fragmented into
compartments labelled differently as "freedom fighters" and other fancy
terms to couch the reality that it is terrorism. Terrorism cannot be
eradicated as long as terror leaders are offered rights over
democratically elected governments that need to safeguard the millions
of its citizens from the carnage of terrorism as a priority over terror
leaders. Sri Lanka did just that.
The likes of Bin Ladens wherever they arise must be measured by the
same standards.
The USA will never forget 9/11 and the loss of approximately 3400
lives. The 10 year war against terror has cost the US over 6,000 lives
in Iraq and Afghanistan. The destruction and socio economic
ramifications are gut wrenching to families that have sacrificed their
members to fight terrorism.
Sri Lanka's carnage went on for 27 years and killed over 70,000
people. Contrary to the propagandists who claim 70,000 Tamils were
killed by the government, the blatant use of this inaccuracy continues
even today in the half truths twisted to discredit Sri Lanka. The
reality of the issue that this number included men, women and children
of all faiths, races and social strata including statesmen and leaders,
is obscured to drive misconceptions even today, two years after the end
of the War in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka government should engage an
aggressive legal team to take the lead from The Netherlands and work on
the US and UK governments. Whatever expense is being incurred by the
government, not enough is being done to avert dangerously inaccurate
information from being used against Sri Lanka nor is there any action to
counter the disasters that are plaguing the country.
The USA and Britain must deal with the corruption of politicians
bought with large political donations that came from painful extortion
of earnings from normal hard working people under threat. These same
extortions that kept a war going now feed the propaganda machine against
Sri Lanka. They continue in attempts to tilt the scale back to terror,
destruction and fear on one side when we need to lean on peace, unity
and development with hopes for our future generations.
Terrorism is terrorism and whatever name it takes, the underlying
tactics for destruction of human life must be stopped by stopping the
funding that makes destruction possible. The only way to do so is to
eradicate every cell of terrorism wherever they are found.
Just as in cancer, even the slightest trace can lead to an explosion
of activities. The LTTE supporters of course will soon run out of ideas
to dupe authorities if other nations take a cue from The Netherlands. We
hope that the government of the Netherlands will enlighten the USA and
other European nations being heavily lobbied by the pro-LTTE diaspora.
We hope that the pressure will build up when The Netherlands authorities
visit the USA soon.
These countries should no longer entertain asylum seekers from Sri
Lanka who now travel freely back and forth from the country they accuse
of Genocide. The process of dual citizenship should be closely
scrutinized as many who left as refugees and gained foreign citizenship
condemning Sri Lanka are returning to buy property in the South with
laundered money and plenty of it to go around. All countries should wipe
out this menace so that we can live in peace enjoying the diversity and
richness of the human race!
Anjalika Silva USA
It is reprehensible that in certain government departments the
employees, who are to assist the callers for getting certain matters
attended to, do not wear the necessary official identity cards.
All categories of public servants, who have to be met by the public,
seeking advice and assistance, should be required during hours of duty
to display on their dress the official identity cards. Even when a
public servant goes out of his office for government duties, he/she
should display his/her official identity card.
Identity cards should be certified by the Head of Department. It is
suggested that a prominently encircled spot containing a distinctive
reference number be provided in every card so that a citizen can
conveniently note it for any complaint.
I submit that salutary measures as suggested above are required in
view of prevalent fraud, scams, bribery, corruption and other scourges
in this country.
D Kuruneru
Moratuwa
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