Help from friendly and powerful countries vital

by Ananda Kannangara

When the LTTE launch terrorist attacks on security forces and civilians, it is shocking that the international community keeps mum on such LTTE terrorist activities. The Sunday Observer last week sought the views of the public on this issue. Below are the excerpts of the interview.

Jaliya Hettiaratchchi of Pannipitiya said: "Although our country has strong diplomatic relationship with militarily powerful countries such as India, America, China, Britain and the Soviet Union, I am surprised why they let down us at this crucial moment when the LTTE launched air strikes on our Air Force camps.

"As Sri Lankans we urge all countries to condemn this cowardly act and help us even by providing with sophisticated weapons to defeat the LTTE."

Dr. Nihal Gurusinghe of Beruwala said that Sri Lankans feel let down at their hour of need, since not a single country condemned the LTTE's pre-dawn uncivilised act, which killed nearly 14 security men and destroy a fleet of aircraft.

Malith Gamage of Galle said when the tsunami devastated Sri Lanka three years ago, I remember how the international community came to our rescue, but I don't know why these powerful countries are silent at this juncture when the terrorists attack us.

An Engineer, Gihan Lokumanna of Ambewela said, "Although the Norwegian Government has been helping our country in peace talks for the past two decades, I personally feel we have not so far reaped any benefits from them.

"Therefore I request the Nowergian Government not to engage in games and play a positive role to defeat terrorism.

A schoolteacher Mrs. Sunitha Weerakoon of Kelaniya said that using the air space of any country by a terrorist group is dangerous and it is really a threat to the sovereignty of that country.

"I wonder why the Government has not yet sought the assistance of any foreign country to intervene in this matter and help to trace the enemy aircraft and their air base, which is likely to be underground at Kilinochchi."

An ex Banker Harun Musthafa of Borella said that the Government should not be merciful to terrorists. The best thing is to attack the LTTE stronghold at Kilinochchi by using our full power.

Ven. Ginigathhena Nalaka Thera said that the Government should not take revenge from terrorists for this barbaric act at Anuradhapura last week, but the LTTE's air power must be eliminated even by using foreign forces.

A third year University student Dayantha Samsodeen recalled when a powerful bomb exploded in Pakistan and killed at least 140 people last week how the Sri Lanka President promptly reacted and condemned it. "However, I eagerly request the Pakistani Government to help Sri Lanka to identify the LTTE air base and also to fight against terrorism."

A businessman Daya Welagedera of Hanwella said: "There must be a negotiated settlement to this matter. Therefore I urge foreign countries to persuade the LTTE to start peace talks to end the conflict.

A retired Principal Gladston Pereira of Wellawatte said: "The world conduct conventions on various subjects, therefore, I urge the international community to hold an anti-terror convention every year in order to stop terrorist activities".

A mother of three Shanthi Kapugedara of Dehiwala said that Sri Lanka does not need any human rights office here, because the Government does not violate human rights, therefore I urge the UN to look into the human rights violations, resorted to by the LTTE in the North. A Provincial Council member Dayasiri Atukorala said: "Our President is strong and he does not bow his head to the LTTE. "Therefore, Mr. President, do not get discouraged over such sporadic LTTE attacks, like the one at Anuradhapuara. I know you always strengthen and encourage the security forces to carry out their duties well. A retired Army officer K. Wijayakoon of Avissawella said when the Tigers are silent, it shows that they are getting ready for another attack.

"Therefore, I urge the security personnel to be vigilant, especially at night".

A schoolboy, Visuda Amarapala of Bambalapitiya said: "Our forces must keep a close tab on the terrorists or else they will target a keypoint again".

A mercantile employee, Nuwan Amarasinghe said, "When the enemy is silent, it shows that they are heading for another destructive activity, therefore I urge the President to instruct the security forces in the Northern district not to show any mercy on them.

Ex banker, Kumar Williams said: Although our country has obtained the full membership of the United Nations (UN), we have been isolated by them.

"Therefore I urge them to help us as they solved many problems in the past, they must at least supply arms and latest equipment to fight against terrorists.

A private sector worker Jayalath de Silva said: "The recent incident at Anuradhapura was a good lesson to the security forces. I urge them to strengthen security at keypoints to repulse any LTTE air raid in the future. Mary Agnes of Matara said that it was high time the Government protected key places such as petroleum distribution centres, the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, the Muthurajawela gas facility, the SLAF base at Katunayaka, the Harbour, and the Air Port at Ratmalana.

Bandula Abeygunawardana of Kurunegala said the LTTE's main air base is located either at Eranamadu or Kilionochchi and the security forces should attack it.

"Using the air space by the LTTE again cannot be ruled out, therefore the time has come for the Government to use all resources to find the LTTE air base and destroy it; if not more destructions could be expected in the near future".

A father of three, Suranjith Sirimanna said that LTTE 's next aim is to carry out air raids on economic targets and urged the authorities to deploy additional security to such places.

Kanthi Samaranayaka said: "If any country or an organisation is helping the LTTE to carry out illegal air raids in Sri Lanka, the Government can make a complain to the UN".

Sandun Priyankara of Ragama said the Lankan Government must seek the assistance of the UN or the SAARC to intervene in this matter, if not it is not easy to stop the war. "As the United Nations intervened and ended the Gulf war within a period of three months, it is their duty to stop the two decade old war here".

Nuwan Sanjaya of Wellampitiya said that the Government must take immediate steps to destroy the LTTE air base if not we have to face serious consequences in the near future. A retired public sector employee Geoff Peris said, "If the Air Force chief or the Defence Ministry Secretary quit from their portfolios at this juncture, it is a victory for the LTTE.

Therefore taking the last week's incident into consideration, both parties must encourage security personnel to crush the LTTE from all corners.

Dr. Chandana Godakumbura of Weliweriya said: "It is pathetic the Lankan Government has not so far taken any decision to trace the enemy aircraft even by seeking military assistance even from a foreign country.

An unnamed SLAF higher official said that during the days when his father was attached to the Royal Air Force they had to make day night surveillance in the city of Colombo and the Northern district to see whether illegal aircrafts entering our territory.

"I think the Sri Lanka air force too must adopt the same strategy, if not the enemy can use the air space to attack us again.

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