World community should play active role to eradicate terrorism

When the `Sunday Observer' sought the views of people about the present security situation in the country, a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Italy blamed the Lankan diplomats for their negative attention towards the pressurising the international community to help our country. Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Ex. Parliamentarian, Rohitha Samarakkodi of Walasmulla said that he wondered why the international community still turns a blind eye on the barbaric acts carried out by the LTTE against the people in the country.

"The LTTE not only kill Sinhalese but also Tamils and Muslims, therefore I urge the international countries to take a firm action against this deadliest criminal organisation at this juncture.

A Human Rights Executive, Navin S. Jayaratne requested all Sri Lankans to support the security forces to eradicate the LTTE menace from our land.

"I request all peace loving people to rally round the security forces and encourage them to protect the country".

A former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Italy who wished to remain anonymous said, "I am sorry the international support to eradicate terrorism in our country is very low, therefore I blame all diplomats representing Sri Lanka in various countries call upon them to help our motherland, in her hour of need.

"I remember when I was the Ambassador to Italy, once I met the Italian Premier to brief him on the war situation here and this resulted in his sending a top state official to our country to meet the then President J. R. Jayewardene.

Ex. Principal, Pushpika Vedanayagam of Rumassala said, "When the LTTE killed 30 bhikkus at Arantalawa some years ago I was in Switzerland and this barbaric incident was telecast over all television channels.

"So the following day a group of Lankans met the Swiss Premier and briefed him about it. Although the Premier condemned the attack, sadly nothing happened later.

"Therefore I urge the international community to visit our country and witness the real situation here."

Assistant Manager in a mercantile establishment, Jayantha Kumara was not happy with the current situation in the country and asked the authorities to urge the international community to intervene in this matter.

"If the situation in the country goes on like this, our economy will be ruined. Therefore I request all SAARC countries to help us to eradicate terrorism.

M. Rafeek of Bambalapitiya said international support to crush terrorism in the country is essential at this hour.

"I urge the international community to support the Lankan forces with war equipment to combat terrorism".

Dr. Mrs. Sujatha Warnakulasuriya of Dehiwala asked if SAARC, NAM and the United Nations do not support our country at this hour of need, what purpose is served by being a member of the organisation.

An Executive in a private institution, Indika Dharmawansa of Horana requested all Sri Lankans to get together irrespective of their nationalities to bring about a peaceful atmosphere in the country.

"I request all people, especially doctors and teachers not to indulge in strikes and work stoppages if they want to help the security forces to carry out their duties to save the motherland."

He also said the country does not need the military support of foreign countries.

A University lecturer, Dr. Gayantha Haththotuwa of Galle said Lankan forces need arms and ammunition from the international community and not their forces.

"We have a strong security brigade, therefore I request the international community to provide us with war equipment at reasonable cost".

Mohamed Jawfar of Colombo said "Good that the Government withdrew from the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) and now our security forces have got the encouragement to fight against the enemies without any hindrance,".

A mother of two, Wasanthi Mayadunne of Nugegoda said, "Good that the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) was sent back to their country as I did not see any positive step they took during the past months to stop LTTE barbaric acts. "They condemned the attacks and they did not tell powerful countries about these barbaric acts."

"I think the SLMM stayed in the country for monitoring the situation and not for taking steps to stop terrorist activities. Therefore I feel the country does not need the service of such a half paralysed organisation".

Bank Executive, Chula Samarakoon of Hendala, Wattala said the world and the international organisations always condemn barbaric acts of the LTTE, but sadly they never come to our rescue.

"It is their duty to visit our country and look into the destruction caused by the LTTE.

An Executive in a ship brokers association, Ajith Buljans said, "I like to ask the Government why powerful international organisations such as the United Nations, SAARC and the Non Alignment Movement (NAM) do not play a positive role to eradicate terrorism in our country".

"From the day I stepped into my motherland from Ireland in February last year, I had the news of more than eight bomb explosions from all over the country and during this short period I witnessed about four bomb explosions in Colombo and suburbs."

He therefore urged the Government to invite foreign forces to crush the LTTE if our forces cannot do this job alone.