Ten years on:

Prominent citizens speak on CFA

Rasika SOMARATHNA and Priyanka KURUGALA

The pros and cons of the agreement on a ceasefire (CFA) between the then government and the LTTE, on February 22, 2002 garners much debate even today, after 10 years since its enforcement and also after four years after it was formerly abolished in 2008.

With the 10th anniversary of the CFA falling yesterday the Daily News sought the views of several prominent citizens including the members of the Maha Sangha on the CFA and its impact on the country. Senior Attorney-at-law S. L. Gunasekera said that the CFA brokered by the Norwegians and established during the tenure of the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was seriously flawed from the very inception.

He said that the legitimate concerns of the Security Forces had not even been taken into account when it was entered into and as a result the CFA had contributed to weakening of the military.

On the other hand the LTTE took advantage of the CFA to arm itself and strengthen both its reach and capability, he added.

Meanwhile Ven. Prof. Kamburugamuwe Vajira Thera identified the CFA as one of the biggest betrayals of the country.

The Thera said that it had alienated the democratic Tamil political forces and focused solely on the LTTE.

The Thera also said that the agreement was entered into without proper consultation by the government of the day and added that under its cover, the LTTE continued to take strategic advantage on the ground as never before.

Leading Lawyer, Jayatissa de Costa PC meanwhile said "even thinking of such an agreement is a disgrace"

Dr. Costa went on to say that it was the first time in the country that a terrorist organisation had waged an armed struggle against the duly elected government and also had been able to control a part of the country.

"They were proscribed in many countries. They brazenly assassinated among others, ministers, moderate Tamil politicians, scores of unarmed civilians and even foreign political leaders. This is why I call it an insult on the law-abiding citizens of the country" ,he added.

He said that the LTTE had used the CFA to strengthen itself in many ways and the tentacles of its effect could be felt even today. He said that fortunately the country under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa had been able to defeat the scourge of terrorism.