CFA AND ABROGATION: Who is correct?

The Sri Lankan Government officially withdrew from the Ceasefire Agreement with effect from January 16, 2008. The Opposition, the architect of the CFA states that this as a mistake while the Government asserts 'enough is enough'. This time 'face 2 face' talked to the Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and United National Party MP Lakshman Seneviratne.

Q: People reiterated that aftermath of the CFA abrogation there would definitely be blasts, people killed and many terrorist activities, creating a violent environment around them. What is your response to your people?

Keheliya Rambukwella: Wasn't there violence in the past 25 years? From the Time that Prabhakaran decided to carry out terrorist activities. When we consider the CFA and the time period it had been in operation we could see an increase in the number of LTTE terrorist activities. If we look at the history of peace negotiations we can see that it is LTTE that has pulled out of negotiations, from the time of discussions during President J.R. Jayewardene era. So every time these peace negotiations ended up leading to a huge calamity in the Government of that time and the people of the country. One of the main steps taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is initiating the abandoned peace talks. The LTTE never kept their promises during those several rounds of talks. That is the time they targeted the Army Commander. That is the time we made a shift in the Policy, stating we work out negotiations with all the political leaders, particularly the Tamil leaders. But not taking chances with terrorism and national security. The CFA no barrier to the LTTE to cause violence.

Lakshman Seneviratne: Violence was existing yet there was an escalation mainly after the 2nd of January. There were terrorist attacks and many violent cases even in many southern parts of the country. We are against terrorism and there is no doubt about it. We think the Government should have abrogated the Ceasefire Agreement two years ago when they assumed duties, because it is a promise given to the people by present government at that time. Why did they do it now in such a hurry? Because of the CFA Sri Lanka received funds and aid from many countries. So the CFA was not just for peace but all these factors were involved in this issue. My opinion is let the LTTE abrogate the Ceasefire. The Government did what the JVP and the JHU expected them to do.

Q: How do you see the difference between now and then - before the CFA abrogation and after?

Keheliya Rambukwella: Now the Government is in a clear position. We are doing our best for a negotiated settlement. But with whom to negotiate? With Prabhakaran and his terrorist group? It is proven beyond doubt that he is not for peace. So therefore it is important for us to make a shift in the policy. That is while we are talking with the Tamil leaders who believe in democracy we hope to bring all out a resolution through negotiations while we fight against terrorism. By doing so we are only joining the world. Because the world is on its path to wipe out terrorism. All the democratic leaders have come in to an understanding that they should get together to fight against terrorism.

Lakshman Seneviratne: Yes there is a difference. We see an escalation of violence. The Government is receiving negative responses from the international level. International organisations like the European Union and many countries express their displeasure. We are a small country. We need all the support, local and international, to develop. The CFA provided a cover for the average soldier and now it is not their.

Q: What is the basis of CFA abrogation? How do you see this?

Keheliya Rambukwella: The CFA, while active gave some rights to the LTTE. These rights were used at international forums. There they were showing serious violations and only when they receive a condolence message from somewhere. We saw that it served as spring board for the LTTE at certain stages. Therefore we found it is futile to go on with it. It became just a piece of paper at the end of the day.

Lakshman Seneviratne: Well, we question why the Government did this so suddenly? Why did not they do this before? During the peace negotiations at Geneva the Government promised to safeguard the CFA. If so they should have kept the promise.

Q: During the signing of the CFA, Sri Lankan Government ignored the history of the LTTE acts and attacks. Were we too optimistic?

Keheliya Rambukwella: But I only know and I knew at that time even that this was using the CFA as a coverup to their strength. If the sovereignty of the country is hampered the chief executive of the country is responsible. Steps should be taken to respect the mandate of the public. and also to make sure this terror is demolished once and for all, with the assistance of the public which we are receiving in larger measures.

Lakshman Seneviratne: At the time our party formed the Government, the national airport was attacked, many major camps of the Army were lost. Even if UPFA had formed the government instead of Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, they too would have signed the Ceasefire Agreement. Because by then their were lot of destruction. If so why did the LTTE called Mr. Wickremesinghe a cunning fox and said that the CFA cornered them in the world.

Q: Was the LTTE's genuine at the initial stages of signing the Ceasefire Agreement?

Keheliya Rambukwella: This is the most hilarious thing. This is their history. Whenever they are weak they welcome the negotiations and then strengthen themselves. That is their history. But PM Ranil Wickremesignhe, may be in good faith, decided to sign up with the LTTE again. As a result, the LTTE received internationally recognition.

Lakshman Seneviratne: Terrorists are not genuine. They have to be brought in to negotiations. They might not like it but it should happen. We should give attention in caring for the normal people. We greatly appreciate the job performed by the forces. Because of them only we can talk freely like this.

Q: The international Human Rights activists did not raise their voice at all or inadequately for the violations caused by the LTTE. But paid great attention to the few isolated incidents of the Sri Lanka Army. That could have happened accidentally?

Keheliya Rambukwella: Well, there is this common thinking that a Government cannot do any wrong but Prabhakaran and his terror group are given all the right to do so. It is not only permission for atrocities but they can get away. They get cover under the CFA and then keep on saying they are negotiating. This is the pathetic part of it. On the other hand, when my good friend T. Maheswaran died there were lot of placards and banners against the killing, against the war and the government. Funeral stage was used for political propaganda. What about late D.M. Dasanayake? No one raised placards or banners against terrorism. it sounds so biased. These are things that people can see.

Lakshman Seneviratne: LTTE are terrorists. But the Sri Lankan Army is not. LTTE being a terrorist organisation causes many violations. But the Government's armed forces can not act like that. On the other hand, we were not diplomatic enough at certain instances. Calling United Nation Chiefs as terrorists based on their remarks is highly undiplomatic. These are silly decisions. We as a country need the assistance of everyone and every country.

Q: The LTTE once threatened the EU members of the truce monitoring mission to leave the country. Isn't this a blatant violation?

Keheliya Rambukwella: CFA was signed by Mr.Wickremesinghe and Prabhakaran. It was broked by Norway. There is a clause stating how the SLMM should operate and composition both parties signed and agreed to the conditions. An one fine day Prabhakaran gets up and says within a month the EU members of the mission, except Iceland and Norway members should leave if not they will not take responsibility for their security. The Government stressed that they should stay. but they left during the given time. Arguably were they working under Prabhakaran. Because it is a bilateral agreement. None of those Human Rights organisations stated this as a blatant violation of the agreement. And therefore the agreement cannot exist unilaterally.

Lakshman Seneviratne: That is why they called Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe a cunning fox. Because they got cornered in the world. They felt it.

Q: Where are we heading towards after cancelling the ceasefire?

Keheliya Rambukwella: We are very confident. People need peace. if we have to go forward in the economic environment in the region we need peace. We have tried for 30 years. Failed by trying to work only with Prabhakaran. So should we continue with that? We found that unless terror is eliminated this country will never achieve peace. But we need a distinct clear difference between the Tamil people of the country and the terrorists. We have successfully engaged ourselves in eliminating terrorism and to public have supported us. While we work with the moderately thinking, democratically elected Tamil leaders as to see how best we could resolve the difficulties Tamil people face, we work towards eliminating terrorism.

Lakshman Seneviratne: Government should go for negotiations. We hope that the All Party Representative Committee will come out with a logical proposal. The APRC have met on 59 occasions and we hope there would be a solution. The Government should wipe out terrorism. But that should not be misused by armed gangs and cause blood baths. That should be stopped.