Incessant rain during the last two days flooded many areas in the Colombo City including the Bloomfield Grounds which resembled a mini-lake yesterday. Picture by Saman Sri Wedage
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
World with us in fighting terror - President
The international community is firmly behind Sri Lanka in the battle against terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.
“We are fighting terrorists, not a particular community. Now the entire world is against terrorism. Our aim is to stop the division of the country and restore democracy in the North,” President Rajapaksa told editors and senior media personnel at Temple Trees.
“The international community would not urge us to abandon the battle gainst terrorism.
“We are ensuring civilian safety and welfare in this process,” the President said.
Referring to India, President Rajapaksa said the two countries enjoyed an unprecedented level of friendship, understanding and cooperation. India is helping Sri Lanka in many ways.
The President asserted that there was no request from the Indian government to halt the military campaign against the LTTE.
He said that in the telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday there was no reference to the stopping of military operations against LTTE terrorism.
He pointed out that the Government has given an assurance to look after the civilians in the Wanni and provide them food and other essentials. The allegations that the Government was not looking into their welfare of the 150,000 civilians in the Wanni were not true.
“We provide food to these civilians. We know that the LTTE pilfers part of it. No other Government in the world would feed an organisation that attacks it. We buy rice from farmers there - again the LTTE is misappropriating such funds. But civilian safety and welfare is our prime consideration,” he added.
He said world leaders now have a clear understanding of his mission against terrorism and the will to restore peace and democracy to the North, just as the Government did in the East. The Indian Government or any other government had not indicated in any way that Sri lanka should stop fighting terror.
The President recalled that the Government tried talking to the LTTE for seven months but they did not understand the language of peace. They tried to invade Mavil Aru and other areas but the Government stepped into liberate these areas and the people from the grip of terrorism. Now democracy has been restored in the East.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his stand on the LTTE has not changed.
The President said he will continue to adopt one policy whether he speaks in Sri Lanka or abroad.
“I have always maintained one policy, that we have to defeat LTTE terrorists through military action and give a political solution to genuine grievances of Tamil people in the North. It has not changed. World leaders have accepted my stand, that we have to eradicate terrorism by military action,” he said.(News-Dailynews)
“We are fighting terrorists, not a particular community. Now the entire world is against terrorism. Our aim is to stop the division of the country and restore democracy in the North,” President Rajapaksa told editors and senior media personnel at Temple Trees.
“The international community would not urge us to abandon the battle gainst terrorism.
“We are ensuring civilian safety and welfare in this process,” the President said.
Referring to India, President Rajapaksa said the two countries enjoyed an unprecedented level of friendship, understanding and cooperation. India is helping Sri Lanka in many ways.
The President asserted that there was no request from the Indian government to halt the military campaign against the LTTE.
He said that in the telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday there was no reference to the stopping of military operations against LTTE terrorism.
He pointed out that the Government has given an assurance to look after the civilians in the Wanni and provide them food and other essentials. The allegations that the Government was not looking into their welfare of the 150,000 civilians in the Wanni were not true.
“We provide food to these civilians. We know that the LTTE pilfers part of it. No other Government in the world would feed an organisation that attacks it. We buy rice from farmers there - again the LTTE is misappropriating such funds. But civilian safety and welfare is our prime consideration,” he added.
He said world leaders now have a clear understanding of his mission against terrorism and the will to restore peace and democracy to the North, just as the Government did in the East. The Indian Government or any other government had not indicated in any way that Sri lanka should stop fighting terror.
The President recalled that the Government tried talking to the LTTE for seven months but they did not understand the language of peace. They tried to invade Mavil Aru and other areas but the Government stepped into liberate these areas and the people from the grip of terrorism. Now democracy has been restored in the East.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his stand on the LTTE has not changed.
The President said he will continue to adopt one policy whether he speaks in Sri Lanka or abroad.
“I have always maintained one policy, that we have to defeat LTTE terrorists through military action and give a political solution to genuine grievances of Tamil people in the North. It has not changed. World leaders have accepted my stand, that we have to eradicate terrorism by military action,” he said.(News-Dailynews)
Anti-terrorist exhibition in UK highlights Tiger atrocities
The European Community will get a first hand eye witness account of LTTE atrocities against innocent civilians in Sri Lanka when an anti-terrorist exhibition of photographs is launched by the anti-terrorist Sri Lankan Forum in Britain in several European cities shortly.
The first leg of this exhibition organised in collaboration with the Presidential Media Unit, the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lanka High Commission in UK will open at the centre one hall at Cheswick Street London, near Scotland Yard Headquarters at 10 a.m. today.
A Presidential Media Unit release said Lord Nesby, a senior member of the British House of Lords will be among the main invitees at today’s opening ceremony.
Among other leading personalities attending as invitees will be, Conservative Party Shadow Foreign Secretary and former Conservative Leader William Hague, British Parliamentarians Stephen Cameron and Andrew Leet and Sri Lanka High Commissioner Nihal Jayasinghe.
A large number of intellectuals, media personalities and Sri Lankans domiciled in Britain will also be present.
The release said the Exhibition will feature nearly 280 large size photographs in addition to screening of short video films and distribution of pamphlets showing the LTTE barbarism.
The photographs will include those of politicians of all communities, from Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappa to Major General Janaka Perera as well as intellectuals and other eminent persons killed by the LTTE.
The exhibition will also portray the massacre of civilians, destruction to property caused by the LTTE terrorists and their suicide attacks and conscription of child soldiers.Photographs depicting the development and stabilisation of democracy in the Eastern Province following its liberation from LTTE clutches will also be included in the exhibition.
When Sri Lanka is facing a decisive moment in its efforts to defeat LTTE terrorism comprehensively Sri Lankans resident in Europe too have rallied round to support that effort.
The second leg of the exhibition will be at the Hague in Netherlands on October 27 and 28 and the third in Paris, France on October 30 and 31.(News-Dailynews)
The first leg of this exhibition organised in collaboration with the Presidential Media Unit, the Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lanka High Commission in UK will open at the centre one hall at Cheswick Street London, near Scotland Yard Headquarters at 10 a.m. today.
A Presidential Media Unit release said Lord Nesby, a senior member of the British House of Lords will be among the main invitees at today’s opening ceremony.
Among other leading personalities attending as invitees will be, Conservative Party Shadow Foreign Secretary and former Conservative Leader William Hague, British Parliamentarians Stephen Cameron and Andrew Leet and Sri Lanka High Commissioner Nihal Jayasinghe.
A large number of intellectuals, media personalities and Sri Lankans domiciled in Britain will also be present.
The release said the Exhibition will feature nearly 280 large size photographs in addition to screening of short video films and distribution of pamphlets showing the LTTE barbarism.
The photographs will include those of politicians of all communities, from Jaffna Mayor Alfred Duraiappa to Major General Janaka Perera as well as intellectuals and other eminent persons killed by the LTTE.
The exhibition will also portray the massacre of civilians, destruction to property caused by the LTTE terrorists and their suicide attacks and conscription of child soldiers.Photographs depicting the development and stabilisation of democracy in the Eastern Province following its liberation from LTTE clutches will also be included in the exhibition.
When Sri Lanka is facing a decisive moment in its efforts to defeat LTTE terrorism comprehensively Sri Lankans resident in Europe too have rallied round to support that effort.
The second leg of the exhibition will be at the Hague in Netherlands on October 27 and 28 and the third in Paris, France on October 30 and 31.(News-Dailynews)
Vaiko: helping Sri Lanka’s integrity will affect India
CHENNAI: Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko on Tuesday warned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that any help extended to protect the integrity of Sri Lanka would only jeopardise the unity and integrity of India itself.
Addressing a meeting here, Mr.Vaiko said that there had been a resurgence of support for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu. People in the State would not hesitate to throw out any government at the Centre “if it does injustice” to the island Tamils.
He said he and his party cadres would not hesitate to carry arms to Sri Lanka in support of Sri Lankan Tamils in their struggle for Tamil Eelam. He was capable of mobilising people from all over the country for this purpose.
Chairman of the party presidium M. Kannappan said the opponents of LTTE were “Tamil traitors.” He warned the Centre not to force Tamils in the State to launch a struggle for a separate Tamil Nadu.(News-The Hindu)
Addressing a meeting here, Mr.Vaiko said that there had been a resurgence of support for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu. People in the State would not hesitate to throw out any government at the Centre “if it does injustice” to the island Tamils.
He said he and his party cadres would not hesitate to carry arms to Sri Lanka in support of Sri Lankan Tamils in their struggle for Tamil Eelam. He was capable of mobilising people from all over the country for this purpose.
Chairman of the party presidium M. Kannappan said the opponents of LTTE were “Tamil traitors.” He warned the Centre not to force Tamils in the State to launch a struggle for a separate Tamil Nadu.(News-The Hindu)
India should pressure Sri Lanka for a political solution
It can be the first step in solving the ethnic crisis: Siritunga Jayasuriya
Bangalore: The Indian Government should take the responsibility of bringing pressure on Colombo to accord provincial autonomy to north and east Sri Lanka under the Indo-Sri Lankan deal of 1983, said Siritunga Jayasuriya, general secretary of the United Socialist Party — Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a talk organised by the New Socialist Alternative, he said that this could be the first step towards finding a political solution to the ethnic crisis in the island nation.
He described the ongoing military operation as not a “war not against LTTE cadre, but against the Tamil people.” The Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said, had not come up with any proposal on ending the crisis but was only pushing ahead with a militarist agenda. Since the Parliamentary election in 2004, the pro-Sinhala hardliners had gained entry into the mainstream political system, who were not interested in making any proposals for a solution through negotiations, he added.
The Sri Lankan Government had said that it would eliminate an estimated 5,000 LTTE cadre to control North Sri Lanka. But it had so far killed as many as 11,200 by its own admission, which is an indication that civilians were getting killed. In northern parts of Sri Lanka Tamils are “civilian LTTE members” either voluntarily or for the lack of choice. As many as 26,000 children in Kilinochchi district had not gone to schools for the last six months, he said. As many as 2 lakh people were homeless, he added.
Even if the Government achieves a geographical control of the Tamil-dominated areas, this would in no way solve the larger nationalist question and lead to greater violence, warned Mr. Jayasuriya.
Tracing the history of the problem, he said that the demand of the Tamils to give state recognition to the language and their Gandhian struggle for it had been crushed in the 1950s and 60s. It was only in the late 70s that it had taken a militarist turn, he added.
Referring the Indo-American nuclear deal, Mr. Jayasuriya said that it was not only of political implications for India, but will have a disastrous ecological impact on the island.
The Sethu Samudram project, he added, would affect the fishing community of the coasts of both the countries and should be opposed on those grounds.(News-The Hindu)
Bangalore: The Indian Government should take the responsibility of bringing pressure on Colombo to accord provincial autonomy to north and east Sri Lanka under the Indo-Sri Lankan deal of 1983, said Siritunga Jayasuriya, general secretary of the United Socialist Party — Sri Lanka.
Speaking at a talk organised by the New Socialist Alternative, he said that this could be the first step towards finding a political solution to the ethnic crisis in the island nation.
He described the ongoing military operation as not a “war not against LTTE cadre, but against the Tamil people.” The Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said, had not come up with any proposal on ending the crisis but was only pushing ahead with a militarist agenda. Since the Parliamentary election in 2004, the pro-Sinhala hardliners had gained entry into the mainstream political system, who were not interested in making any proposals for a solution through negotiations, he added.
The Sri Lankan Government had said that it would eliminate an estimated 5,000 LTTE cadre to control North Sri Lanka. But it had so far killed as many as 11,200 by its own admission, which is an indication that civilians were getting killed. In northern parts of Sri Lanka Tamils are “civilian LTTE members” either voluntarily or for the lack of choice. As many as 26,000 children in Kilinochchi district had not gone to schools for the last six months, he said. As many as 2 lakh people were homeless, he added.
Even if the Government achieves a geographical control of the Tamil-dominated areas, this would in no way solve the larger nationalist question and lead to greater violence, warned Mr. Jayasuriya.
Tracing the history of the problem, he said that the demand of the Tamils to give state recognition to the language and their Gandhian struggle for it had been crushed in the 1950s and 60s. It was only in the late 70s that it had taken a militarist turn, he added.
Referring the Indo-American nuclear deal, Mr. Jayasuriya said that it was not only of political implications for India, but will have a disastrous ecological impact on the island.
The Sethu Samudram project, he added, would affect the fishing community of the coasts of both the countries and should be opposed on those grounds.(News-The Hindu)
Govt in dilemma over Lanka strategy
NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government seems caught between a rock and a hard place over Sri Lankan military operations against Tamil Tigers as political temperatures rise in Tamil Nadu and Colombo remains reluctant to call off a campaign it feels has the LTTE cornered. The government is looking how to ward off the resignation threat by DMK even as it faces the tough task of persuading the Mahinda Rajapaksa government to take note of India's domestic concerns given LTTE's global reputation as a terrorist organisation with very little faith in any peace process. The DMK is clearly looking for some concessions on part of Colombo. Given the pressure from its southern allies, government is expected to make a statement in Parliament through foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee. The dilemma for the government is sharp as it cannot oppose action against LTTE while it does not want any role in prodding the Tigers towards negotiations. It has quietly suggested to Sri Lanka that it might consider tempering down military operations, an option that the Rajapaksa regime is not yet willing to view with any favour. Sources said the Sri Lankans believed they had LTTE pinned down at Kilinochchi and this was the time to press on. But the nature of operations does not make it easy to distinguish between civilian population and LTTE fighters or supporters and is resulting in heavy collateral damage. Accounts of displacement and deaths are filtering back to Tamil Nadu. Colombo's assessment, largely shared by Indian agencies, is that LTTE is perhaps at its lowest point in a long time. A defeat in the current phase of operations would mean a shift in the momentum towards the Sri Lankan government. Hoping to negotiate at a later date from a position of strength, the Rajapaksa government was going all out against the Tigers. While India is urging restraint, arguing that a distinction must be made between LTTE cadre and non-combatants, the task has been complicated by reports of the terror organization using civilians as human shields.(News-The times of India)
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