Ballot more powerful than bullet

A new chapter in the history of the Eastern province would be opened as the people in the East exercise their democratic right after 14 long years. Elections to Local Government bodies in the Batticaloa District will be held tomorrow, enabling the people in the district to select their own representatives.

It was only a few months ago that the Security Forces completely liberated the Eastern province from the clutches of LTTE terror. It all began when the LTTE breached all accepted norms by depriving the people of their basic need of water when they closed the Mavil Aru anicut.

The Government could not tolerate the LTTE terrorism any more. How could a democratically elected Government turn a blind eye when a group of terrorists make innocent people suffer without water - a basic need for living and cultivation?

It was under such circumstances that the Government directed the Security Forces to embark on that great humanitarian operation at Mavil Aru. The bold decision did not end as the Security Forces extended their humanitarian operations to Sampur, Vakarai and Thoppigala, liberating thousands of innocent civilians from Velupillai Prabhakaran's terror.

This eventually enabled the Security Forces to wipe out the Tigers completely from the Eastern Province. The Government thereupon embarked on a massive development project in the province; constructing many bridges damaged by the LTTE and redeveloping the road network. At the same time, the resettlement process went in to top gear.

On the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his Senior Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa personally supervised the 'Eastern Reawakening' program, under which the majority of internally displaced persons have been already resettled. Many international organisations too have commended the Government's speedy resettlement program.

Apart from finding shelter for the IDPs, the Government has also set in motion programs to develop the agro-based economy there. Many industrial projects have been launched to generate employment for the people in the Eastern Province to start a new life.

Tomorrow's Local Government elections in Batticaloa will open another chapter in the Eastern Reawakening program by restoring the democratic rights of the people. The elections are being held after a lapse of 14 years and this could well be the first step towards the restoration of democracy not only in the East but in North as well.

The Government plans to hold the Eastern Provincial Council elections in May, thereby handing over the entire provincial administration to the people's representatives in the area. People who have been accustomed to the LTTE's gun culture would now realise that the ballot is more powerful than the bullet.

Over the years, Prabhakaran has been talking about 'liberation' of the Tamil community. Making incredible promises about his dream 'state', Prabhakaran raised millions of dollars from the Tamil Diaspora.

But what 'liberation' has he gained? He has brought nothing but misery - not only to his own Tamil community but also to thousands of Sinhalese, Muslims and others. There are countless Human Rights violations by the LTTE and its terrorist leader Prabhakaran. Sadly there are hardly any human rights watchdogs who genuinely take up the LTTE's HR violations at international level.

Only a few countries had the courage to treat the Tigers as terrorists. This has been mainly due to the insidious campaigns by the LTTE at international level. But this situation has changed drastically since President Rajapaksa took office in November 2005. It was only after his election as the First Citizen that the Government had the courage to treat the Tigers as terrorists.

While dealing with the LTTE in the language they know best, the Government has continued its efforts in finding a permanent solution to the problems of the people in the North and East through the All Party Representative Committee (APRC).

The victorious Security Forces are now marching gallantly towards the North. Sooner than later, they would end Prabhakaran's ruthless rule that has inflicted misery on innocent civilians. Once that is achieved in the near future, the Government would go for Provincial Council elections in the North too. Until such time, the Government would set up an interim administration.

People in the East now enjoy real liberation and freedom. They would by no means tolerate Prabhakaran's terror any more. They have sent this message to their relatives in the North too. People in the North under LTTE terror, are keeping their fingers crossed with a ray of hope for tomorrow.

People in the North too would like to enjoy real freedom and return to their normal day-to-day life like their fellow citizens in the East. Our Security Forces are making every endeavour to fulfil that dream.

Under the able guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, backed by the three Service Commanders, the Security Forces are in the process of liberating the North. Unfortunately, some political opportunists don't see these great achievements in its true perspective.

It's a crying shame that we have an Opposition that looks only for petty political mileage, ignoring issues of national importance.