Tightening the grip on Tigers

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

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The world is concerned of cleansing terrorism from the face of the earth. The success is yet to be seen. Sri Lanka has to play a major role, since it has been suffering due to terrorism for nearly three decades. Foreign lands have banned and restricted LTTE movements yet they emerge causing bloodshed and terror. Two professionals discuss strengths and weaknesses of the present ban imposed worldwide on the LTTE.

Bandula Jayasekara - Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Toronto, Canada

S. L. Gunasekara - Attorney-at-Law

What is your comment on the present situation on the ban imposed on the LTTE?

BJ:

The recent ban on the World Tamil Movement by the Canadian government is most welcoming. This is the first time a front organisation has been added to the terrorist list here. Banning the WTM would prevent them from collecting funds and harassing innocent Sri Lankan Tamils living in Canada mainly in Toronto.

Now, they breathe a sigh of relief because they too, like other Sri Lankans living here work hard but then had to part with their money to the LTTE to carry out its ruthless and cowardly terror campaign.

Democratic Sri Lankan Tamils were not able even to open a shop here because LTTE fronts would harass them demanding money. It would change now and they would be able to continue with their lives peacefully. But, there is more to do to liberate the Sri Lankan Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE.

SL:

To my mind, ban on the LTTE is a must. And we, ourselves are at fault for not banning them. Though it is banned in many countries but we have not banned it here although we are the people who are at the brunt of these terrorists.

My view is that it should be banned and we must not be frightened to tell the world why we have banned. Our propaganda machine have been weak, whereas the LTTE propaganda machine works efficiently and effectively.

What are the shortcomings you had observed in the international arena which hinders the effects of banning the LTTE?

BJ:

The world must understand fully the ruthlessness and the barbarism of the LTTE. Let me quote from what Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said in London recently.

“There are those who claim that ‘one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter’. I will tell you Ladies and Gentlemen with experience of our conflict that this is a most dangerous claim because it assesses the validity of the cause whereas terrorism is not a cause, it is an act; An act of terror, of killing, suicide bombing, destruction. One can have a perfectly valid cause or grievance, yet if one commits terrorist acts, it is terrorism regardless of whatever cause or grievance there might be”.

I think that explains it all and it is time for the world to realize it. If not those countries who think like that would have to face to the reality of terrorism some day.

SL:

One thing is, it will be evident to other foreign countries as we urge them to ban the LTTE and we have not done it as yet. Secondly I don’t think we have yet presented to the foreigners the real nature of the problem. We can present an excellent case with ample evidence of LTTE brutalism.

We still continue to oblige that there is an ethnic problem in Sri Lanka. One statesman who put the problem correctly was the former President D. B. Wijetunga. He said Sri Lanka does not have an ethnic problem but we have only a terrorist problem.

This must be convinced to the people. What we are trying to do is militarily trying to regain part of our territory from a terrorist userper, who has wrongfully taken our territory. Just as anyother country would do in similar circumstances.

What should be done to make the local environment more anti-LTTE?

BJ:

If we take improvements in Toronto/Canada I think there is a great understanding in Canada now on the threats from terrorism. Two years ago Canada banned the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and two years after that they banned its main front organization WTM, as a terrorist organisation.

Canadian authorities are working very closely with Sri Lanka now. There is a greater understanding between our two countries on terrorist activities. It is also important to educate the public in Canada. Canadians are peace loving people and they do not want to see their hard earned money used by some terrorist organization in Sri Lanka.

SL:

First and foremost depolitisization as much as possible in all these efforts. Even for development efforts in the North and East. Politicians involving in these is the last thing that should happen.

The moment politics starts playing, whatever the party colour be, patronising supporters and victimising opponents starts happening. Let the civil administration do the job. What people need the most is good governance - that is efficiency and fair play. That is something that has not been tried in this country since independence.

Are you satisfied with the present situation?

BJ:

No. One can never be satisfied. There is always so much and more to do.

Let us not forget that we are dealing with the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world. They have infiltrated everywhere and their network is huge. We have to take them on everyday and everywhere, even which way we could. But, I am sure we can. Nothing is impossible.

SL:

By no means. Too many political interferences and very little emphasis on merit. Politics preceding over the benefits of people at large - The use of public funds become inefficient and mismanaged and wasted. There is proliferated expenditure by Ministers for their own glorification. And the Proliferated expenditure on maintaining multiple numbers of Ministers. I find there is total lack of law and order in the country.

Diplomatic missions have a greater role to play in making the LTTE ban in their respective countries and can contribute a lot in making these laws and orders more effective. How do you see this?

BJ:

Yes. The missions in Colombo can do it. But, we must make sure that they are fed with the right information. Not false propaganda by NGOs and other parties with vested interests who like to do trips or move about in cocktail circuits. The missions like to get new perspectives, meet new people and get information from the people who are out there. But, they are blocked by those middlemen and women.

SL:

Such can be done through diplomatic missions but the first thing that should be done is head our missions by people who are capable of producing results. When more and more embassies are set up what is the purpose of appointing politically influential but incapable people with whom we can’t achieve the results the country need?

There is an allegation against some diplomatic missions for not putting their fullest effort in persuading and making the respective Governments to curb LTTE supportive activities. What are the steps that should be taken to rectify these shortcomings?

BJ:

Yes. The diplomats should look beyond and work hard rather than working for their next posting or to accept a posting on retirement. First of all one must feel for the country and its people, always remember that poor taxpayers are paying our salaries and that our innocent people are getting killed daily.

That is the first thing. With that understanding people in our missions can do a lot for our country. At present the message is very clear from the President to the Foreign Minister on our battle against terror.

The message is clear that there is no appeasement. The message is clear that we have to unite all communities and rally all Sri Lankans living in various countries and battle this terrorism to save our Tamil brothers and sisters and all Sri Lankans.

Most missions are doing their duty well today because the message is clear, the directions are clear and there is consistency. Therefore we can call a terrorist a terrorist and do our job well and most countries understand us. When we reach out these countries reach out. If we sit and wait they wouldn’t either.

SL:

I’m not sure about the fullest efforts but for some diplomats, some even I personally know, their fullest effort is less than zero level. To rectify this there must be a revolution in the political culture. Competence must be recognized and not support loyalty. Because the loyalty of a psychopath is not to a principal or to a government but to him or herself. And the efficient and the competent are kicked out. Unless this practice is stopped I can’t see how we can solve this.

Still there are many countries that have not banned neither the LTTE nor its front organizations. What should be done to convince the Governments and their lawmakers of such countries the importance of legally banning the LTTE and its supportive groups?

BJ:

It is no secret to the world what the LTTE is up to. They have killed a President, Foreign Minister several ministers and thousands of innocent women and children. Not only that they even killed a former Prime Minister of India. I think that is enough for any Government in the world to be convinced and to ban the LTTE and its front organizations.

Sri Lanka has for several years told the world why the LTTE should be banned. I am of the view that almost all governments are convinced and it is a matter of time for the LTTE and its front organizations. LTTE will soon realize that you cannot fool people all the time.

SL:

We must emphasize on persuasive argument based on facts. And keeping alive the memories of barbaric acts of the LTTE. Everyday of the year there is some massacre committed by the LTTE. And every such massacre must be highlighted. Not a single media, even in Sri Lanka, carried the remembrance of the murder of 678 Police officers on June 11, 1990? That day went past just a week ago.

We have missed so many other similar barbaric incidents steered by the LTTE. That is how the Jews drew world’s sympathy towards them highlighting the holocaust. Tamil politicians keep alive the memories of 1983 Black July and that is how they draw the world attention. That is the biggest gain the separatists got in this country. This is not vengeance to any particular person. But solely to show the true face of the LTTE.

The terrorism network is getting stronger, more complex and sophisticated globally.In this back drop how are we to act, as the world expect to end terrorism totally?

BJ:

We cannot say that they are becoming strong. We have to be active, proactive and think ahead. If we do that we can do better and defeat them. For example once upon a time there was only this pro LTTE website known as the Tamilnet and many thought that was their Holy Bible.

Today there is the defence website which is doing very well informing the world and countering false propaganda. We have to unite to fight the terror. We must stop glorifying terrorists as freedom fighters. We must understand that democratically elected governments are different than terrorist groups.

We must name and shame them and make the world understand that terrorists are people who terrorize and kill innocent people all over the world. No state-of-the-art technology used by terrorists could stop this understanding. Canada banned the LTTE front organisation WTM after 20 years because of such understanding.

SL:

Terrorism is a danger to all countries. But each country act on self interest especially that of the politicians. Certain countries are finding it difficult to politically crack down the LTTE fearing of loosing the support among certain sections of their voters. What should be focused on is the development of links with the law enforcements of the respective country.

So the cracking down of the LTTE should be done through the Armed Forces and the Police. I think now they have among themselves a kind of re-masonaring - that is through cooperation, exchange of information and mutual assistance given without much publicity.

It is important to have a quiet but effective job in utilising LTTE and its supporters, as a part of the global war against terrorism. It took twenty years for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to find evidence to ban the World Tamil Movement (WTM). But time is not a luxury we can afford right now!