Military Victory over Terrorism & LTTE, Not Tamil People
LATE this week, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia, Senaka Walgampaya, brought into the debate over the future of his country. Among other things, controversially, he claimed there was no reason for Australia to accept Tamil refugees from the civil war on either political or humanitarian grounds. At the same time, international calls are emerging at the UN and EU levels for a war crimes investigation into the behaviour of both the Tigers and the Sri Lankan Government in the last days of the conflict, which has left as many as 300,000 people, mainly Tamils, displaced. George Negus spoke with the High Commissioner from Canberra.
FOLLOWING are extracts from an interview given by minister Mrs. Ferial Ashraff. Q - How could Muslim aspirations be met in a political solution that follow the defeat of the LTTE? A - Just like any other community, Muslims also have their own aspirations. One is to be treated equally. No community in Sri Lanka should be treated as second class citizens. All should have equal rights. When talking about rights, here in Sri Lanka all talk only about rights, not responsibilities. We have responsibilities towards the country as countrymen. It is very nice to talk about it theoretically but in real practice, we may find it is very difficult to achieve all these.
IF you are a Tamil and wish to continue this war then that is your right. You only have one option and that is to return to Sri Lanka. You cannot fight this battle from Canada.The reason is simple and obvious. This is not Canada’s war. This is a civil war that has absolutely nothing to do with Canada. Canada and Canadians want nothing to do with this war other than to assist on a humanitarian front. What Canada and Canadians could do for the poor people in your country we have done.
THE President Mahinda Rajapaksa has liberated our country from the menacing grip of terrorism, much to the elation and jubilation of the entire nation. This is an epic achievement in the annals of our history. As overseas Sri Lankans who gave unqualified support to Sri Lanka in its struggle to preserve the unity and sovereignty of the country, for over twenty five years, we extend our heartiest congratulations to the President, his Government and in particular the Defence Secretary, and the dedicated Armed Forces for an unprecedented, unique feat in restoring peace and stability to our country.
MULLAITTIVU: SEVENTY-SEVEN T-56 weapons, eight magazines, five hundred rounds of T-56 ammunition, eleven hand grenades, two belt orders, five claymore mines weighing about 5 kg each, one claymore mine weighing about 12 kg, 250 m wire, one remote control, twenty-four day-night Bino, one parcel of C-4 explosive weighing about 12 kg, one claymore mine weighing about 2.5 kg, one paddle gun, one 12.7 weapon, one Thermo Baric weapon, three Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers, one M-16 weapon, three Multi Propose Machine Guns (MPMG), four 40 mm grenade launchers, one FNC weapon, two MPMG tri-ports........
SRI LANKAN President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he has "fought India’s war" too by militarily eliminating the LTTE, which had assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi 18 years ago. In an interview to Indian newsmagazine "The Week" published in its latest issue, Rajapaksa says: "I think my war is part of the South Asian campaign against terrorism. In fact, by eliminating the LTTE militarily, I have fought India’s war." The President thanks Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, ruling Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi and the Indian people for the support extended to Sri Lanka during the war. "Nothing is more important for me than what India thinks," he declared.
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (IGP) Jayantha Wickramaratne has claimed that several journalists, mostly Sinhalese, were on the payroll of the LTTE and were fully involved in the insurgency. Police Chief revealed the startling information when interviewed by Sudarman Radaliyagoda for the state owned Independent Television Network (ITN), on Thursday . He said, "Although the Police know more details of this treason I do not like to reveal all of them since it might obstruct further investigations. They betrayed the noble profession and not only distorted and misreported against Sri Lanka but also worked for cash and other fringe benefits like fully funded foreign trips, he said" 
THE Ranaviru Seva Authority yesterday asked the public to be aware of con men who are selling flags stating they are collecting funds to help the injured soldiers. Ranaviru Seva Authority President Major General Palitha Fernando told a news conference yesterday that no permission is given to any state organisation or any other institution other than the Ranaviru Authority to collect funds for the soldiers. “We have been informed of these fraudulent acts and we ask the public to be informed and aware of this situation,” he said. The authority has made arrangements to issue a flag to mark the Ranviru Day on June 7 this year. “This is the only flag which is authorized by the government,” Major General Fernando added. 