Healing the Wounds in Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA’S government was right to finish off the Tamil rebels, despite the risk to and ultimate loss of civilian life. Decisively ending the civil war, which lasted 26 years and killed more than 70,000, will save more lives than were lost in the final assault. United Nations officials, Western leaders, and human rights groups had called on Sri Lanka to agree to a cease-fire to allow civilians to flee the shrinking enclave where government forces had finally hemmed in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Complying with the request would have been a major strategic mistake.
THE Army yesterday vowed that it would not allow the defeated Tamil Tigers to regroup again on Sri Lankan soil and form a separate state. "We would not let Tamil Tigers to regroup and make a threat on the state once again," military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the "Daily Mirror" yesterday (28). He also said that some people claimed to be from the LTTE, including Kumaran Pathmanathan, who is reportedly in hiding overseas had claimed to continue with their 'struggle'. "We are not concerned about those statements, we had done our part and will continue to protect the Sri Lankan soil at our best without leaving any room for the defeated Tamil Tigers to re-group," he added.
COMMANDER of the French Joint Forces in Indian Ocean Region Vice Admiral Gerard Valin paid a courtesy call on Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka Monday (29) morning at his office in the Army Headquarters, Colombo. The Senior French Naval Commander, accompanied by French Ambassador Mr. Michel Lummaux during his meeting with General Sarath Fonseka exchanged views with regard to security and matters of bilateral interest.
TROOPS of the 3rd Battalion of Sinha Regiment in response to a public appeal further boosted their civil-oriented service in the Jaffna peninsula by erecting a new bus-halting place for passengers gathering at Iramanan Junction, Nelliadi. Civilians in the area remained inconvenienced in the area owing to shortage of a proper bus halt for them since the junction area is often infested with public, shoppers and passengers. Many civilians in the area extended their support for the construction while Army troops were busy attending to preliminary foundation work.
SIX OFFICERS and two hundred and twenty-one Other Ranks of the Intake-39 who received Special Force (SF) training in Maduruoya recently passed out in a colorful ceremony. Major General P.D.H.K. Gunarathna, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 53 Division graced the occasion as Chief Guest and received their salute before the ceremony got under way. Several officers and Other Ranks who showed outstanding performances during training were awarded special merits and awards. Commandant at Maduruoya Training School Major Chandimal Peiris received the Chief Guest and conducted him to receive the military parade and view several spectacular feats, demonstrated by the troops. The passing out parade (PoP) was witnessed by many invitees and soldiers’ relatives.
IN THE AFTERMATH of Sri Lanka’s war, a lost generation of Tamil youth is seeking rehabilitation, writes Tom Farrell in Ambepussa for “Irish Times”. Ranjendran has the acne and somewhat awkward gait of many a 17-year-old schoolboy. He has already completed his O-Levels and is studying for his A-Level examination. He says he would like to be a teacher in the future, an aspiration that possibly comes from having his own childhood brutally cut short. Ranjendran pulls up his sleeve to reveal a fearful scar arching down his forearm, just below the elbow. “I still have problems. I can’t do any heavy work,” he says, adding that “the doctor is very sure I will recover though”.
THIS discourse commenced to examine the reasons for the international community's hostility towards Sri Lanka when the country is engaged in a 34-year protracted struggle against the worst terrorist outfit in the world. Especially in an era, where the international community itself, has palpably realized the need to free the world from cross border terrorism. In the first place, part of the problem of Sri Lanka lies in our perception of this international community as some kind of well-intentioned oracle who understands every problem in this world with a solution for same.
ONE of the largest trade unions in Italy, in which members of the Tamil Diaspora are very active, has proposed that President Mahinda Rajapaksa be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his successful effort to wipe out terrorism from Sri Lanka. In a statement issued to the Government of Sri Lanka, through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Italy, the Union has also thanked the President for having sent Hemantha Warnakulasuriya to Italy as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador. It says that the Ambassador has performed his duties outstandingly.
THE Army, upon completion of the total removal of LTTE landmines and booby traps from the precincts, has decided to give the green light for smooth conduct of the annual Madu festival in August this year, a meeting attended by Security Forces and the Police in Vavuniya was told. Monday (29) evening’s Security Coordinating meeting at Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni, presided by Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni was attended by Deputy Inspector General of Police for Mannar L.I.C. Perera.....