Defeating terrorism to usher in honourable peace

Suppaiyah Paramu Thamilselvan is no more. Better known as S.P. Thamilselvan, his role as the so-called Political Wing Leader of the LTTE was cut short on Friday morning after a deadly air strike by Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

Though there were hardly any political activities for a ruthless terrorist organisation such as the LTTE, Thamilselvan held the controversial post of Political Wing Chief.

An SLAF air strike pounded a meeting of senior LTTE leaders on Friday morning, killing Thamilselvan and five others. It's not correct for any human being to gloat over the death of even a terrorist leader, who has been instrumental in killing thousands of innocent people but as the popular adage goes those who live by the sword die by the sword.

It was only a few weeks ago that the LTTE terrorists attacked the Anuradhapura Air Force base, destroying eight aircraft, killing 14 airmen.

It was apparently due to a security lapse but that was not a time to play into the hands of the enemy through irresponsible statements.

Without acting as a responsible Opposition, the UNP made a song and dance and exploited every possible means to get the maximum political advantage out of the terror act of the LTTE. In a shameless move against our gallant Security Forces, the UNP said 18 aircraft had been damaged by the Tigers.

They also called for the Air Force Commander's resignation.

However, in less than a fortnight, the SLAF proved its mettle with the richest catch apart from the LTTE Leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, who has hardly made a public appearance in recent years. In his absence, Thamilselvan was the LTTE leadership's link to the outside world.

The LTTE used Thamilselvan's 'smiling face' to paint a diplomatic picture to the international community over the blood-stained image of a terrorist organisation that has claimed over 70,000 lives in the past three decades.

They have inflicted nothing but misery not only amongst the Sinhalese and Muslims but also on their own Tamil community.

Thamilselvan held talks regularly with peace envoys and diplomats and met international humanitarian representatives. In his dual role as a Prabhakaran confidant, Thamilselvan gave military leadership to the LTTE cadres in Pooneryn. This barber who turned into a barbaric terrorist leader often gave interviews to the few international media representatives whom the LTTE entertained in the Wanni jungles.

The latest attack is widely regarded as a major victory not only for the Government in its lone fight with the LTTE but also to combat global terrorism. Thamilselvan, regarded by many as the terrorist group's second in command, boasted that they would teach the Government a lesson.

Deeply perturbed after the gallant Lankan Security Forces liberated the Eastern Province from the clutches of the LTTE terrorists Thamilselvan vowed to strike back with a vengeance. In his interviews with the international media in July, he promised to recapture the territory in the East, weaken the military capacity of the Government and go for economic targets in the South.

Friday's successful air raid would definitely ring alarm bells in the LTTE camps. It is an indication that the Government's intelligence network is improving by the day. This will keep the Tiger leadership in suspense as vital information is leaked via the disgruntled membership.

On the other hand, the Government has achieved the targets which were once considered impossible. The picture the UNP painted after the controversial 2002 Ceasefire Agreement was that the Tigers are a formidable force and that it would not be possible to eliminate them from their Eastern strongholds. Could anyone ever think of killing an elite LTTE leader such as Thamilselvan?

The UNP made a big hue and cry over the purchase of four Mig-27 aircraft.

Even after the recent terrorist attack in Anuradhapura, the military pundits of the UNP questioned the suitability of MiG-27s, notwithstanding that the purchase deal could be considered as the most transparent in recent times. But with Friday's lightning attack, the far-reaching decisions of our military officials and the Government have been proved beyond question.

Politicians should always put our country before self. But most of our politicians try to take political advantage whenever possible. The UNP and other political parties should understand that Lanka's relentless battle against terrorism is not carried out by President Mahinda Rajapaksa or Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa but by our gallant Security Forces who spend sleepless nights under trying conditions to protect our Motherland.

Opportunistic politicians must bear in mind that each time they criticise military actions, they underestimate and devalue the precious sacrifices of our Security Forces. UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella has gone on record saying that any fool (gona) could wage a war. In saying so, he denigrates the great achievements of our Forces in recent times.

The bitter truth which some of the opposition politicians are unable to understand is that the well-knit political and military leadership has enabled Sri Lanka to paralyse the LTTE, which looked stronger and invincible during the UNP Government of Ranil Wickremesinghe.

We are supremely confident that the Government would successfully eradicate terrorism while finding an honourable political solution to be implemented thereafter through the APRC.