Making Eastern victory more meaningful
Now that Lanka's brave Security Forces have liberated the
entire East from the clutches of LTTE terrorism, a successful strategy
should be put in place to make those military victories more meaningful.
The cleaning up of the East was entirely a humanitarian mission which
was successfully carried out by the brave sons of our soil. From Mavil
Aru to Sampur and Vakarai to Thoppigala, our Security Forces have
completely wiped out Velupillai Prabhakaran's rule of terrorism and
liberated thousands of innocent civilians living in the East.
If we are to add more value to those great victories and make them
even more meaningful, we have to act as a responsible nation. This is
the Government's biggest challenge and if we are to face that challenge
confidently, all of us should unite to vanquish the common enemy.
The Government has two major issues to address, if we are to make use
of the Eastern victory in a meaningful manner. One is to strengthen the
grip in the newly liberated areas in the East. At the same time, we have
to give priority to the development of the Eastern Province, addressing
the basic needs of the civilians who have now been rescued from the
LTTE's terrorism.
Secondly, the Government will have to take appropriate action to
weaken the LTTE terrorists in the North. If our Security Forces could
further weaken the power of the LTTE terrorists in the North, then we
would be able to negotiate for a solution that would be acceptable to
the majority of people living here.
The Government has already commenced development activities. The
resettlement process in Vakarai, Mavil Aru and Sampur has been completed
in stages. Similarly, the development and settlement in the suburbs of
Thoppigala too could take place.
The Government also plans to attract investors to the East. The
assistance of the international community, especially our donor
countries, would play a vital role in developing infrastructure
facilities in the Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara Districts. If the
international community is genuinely interested in the well-being of
civilians there; Internally Displaced Persons and the minority Tamil and
Muslim communities, the time is now opportune for them to step in with
humanitarian assistance.
Weakening the Tiger power in the North too is an important factor in
finding a negotiated settlement. Unless the LTTE feels that their
ruthless rule through terror acts in the Wanni is deteriorating, they
would not listen to the continuous pleas by the Government and Co-Chairs
for a negotiated settlement.
Hence, it is important that we strengthen surveillance operations in
the Northern waters to completely cut off the supply routes of the
Tigers. This is an important strategy to weaken the Tiger terror power
in the North.
When the LTTE realises its poor military strength, they would opt to
return to peace talks. This is precisely what they have done in the
past. The Tigers have always opted for peace talks only when they are
militarily down, not otherwise.
Weakening the Tigers militarily alone is not a solution for the
genuine problems of the Tamil community in the Northern and Eastern
Provinces.
Whatever their problems, we have to find a reasonable solution within
the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka.
This is where the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) could
play an important role. While the humanitarian and development work go
on smoothly in the East and the weakening of the Tiger power continues
in the North, the APRC must make every endeavour to find solutions to
the genuine problems of the Tamils, as well as the Muslims and the
Sinhalese living in the North and East.
Despite the gigantic tasks we have to perform as a nation, what are
we doing for the betterment of our country and nation? What we mostly
hear and experience are a few selfish initiatives taken by our
opposition politicians to gain political mileage.
Most politicians look for short cuts to capture power. They should
think positively even at this very late stage. It's not a matter of
regaining or holding on to power but protecting our beautiful isle from
Prabhakaran's ruthless terrorism.
However, for many opposition politicians protest marches and
unethical acts seem to be more important than the country. That is why
the UNP, along with the two former Ministers who were stripped off their
portfolios, joined hands at the so-called 'Jana Rala'.
A strong opposition is a sine qua non to strengthen democracy. But
are these the kind of responsible roles that we expect from an
opposition at this crucial hour? It's indeed a pity that we have an
Opposition Leader who undermines the great victories of our Security
Forces and finds Thoppigala a mere jungle.
The nation expects true leaders who would protect the country and its
sovereignty. We do not need leaders who would turn a blind eye when the
nation is in danger and look for ways and means to achieve power. We
fervently hope the UNP will act as a responsible opposition and
safeguard the interests of Mother Lanka. |