Political mileage for Prabhakaran's benefit

Velupillai Prabhakaran and his group of terrorists are on their last legs and are engaged in a do or die battle for survival. Knowing only too well that their days are numbered, the LTTE is hell-bent on disrupting civilian life to divert the Security Forces' attention.

The Security Forces have cornered the LTTE terrorists in Kilinochchi - the so-called Tiger capital which would fall at any moment. Knowing that this would be a disastrous blow to the terrorist outfit, Prabhakaran is all out to slow down the Security Forces' advancement.

The Tiger leader knows his military capabilities, though the former UNP Government of Ranil Wickremesinghe, under the controversial Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) projected an extraordinary image of the strength of the LTTE. Prabhakaran knows that he could not halt the advancing Security Forces who are closing in on the Tiger den. He has little or no choice but to attempt to slow down the advancing forces by disrupting civilian life to put an additional burden on the Security Forces. Last week's bomb explosion in Anuradhapura and the assassination attempt on Minister Maithripala Sirisena in Boralesgamuwa clearly indicate that the Tigers care two hoots when it comes to terror acts. Irrespective of Sinhalese, Muslims, Burghers or even their own Tamil community, the LTTE 'treats' all communities alike with their merciless terror acts.

During the past three decades, Prabhakaran and his ruthless terrorist cadres have killed thousands of innocent civilians and even at this point of now, the LTTE is holding thousands of innocent civilians in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu as a human shield. International organisations, INGOs and some countries which preach to us about human rights ad nauseam are reluctant to expose the terror acts of the LTTE.

Over the years, most of them have made a futile attempt to give us lessons on human rights and used it as an effective tool to make us dance to the Western tune. This practice, however, has now changed as the Government has clearly differentiated terrorism from the genuine grievances of the people living in the North and East Provinces. Do we need international organisations, INGOs and human rights watchdogs to teach us about human rights? Sri Lanka has a proud history of over 2,500 years during which we have protected our high values and traditions. Sri Lankans not only value humans and respect them but also cares for its dumb friends. Hence, we have serious doubts whether there is a single nation, which has a proven track record better than us, when it comes to human rights!

It was only last week that an LTTE suicide bomber killed over 29 people, including the Opposition Leader of the North Central Provincial Council, retired Major General Janaka Perera. That was yet another ruthless act of Prabhakaran's terrorism. A few days later, another LTTE suicide bomber made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Minister Sirisena. But this time, the LTTE bomber could not achieve her desired target and Minister Sirisena escaped unhurt.

We strongly condemn both these acts of LTTE terror.

The retired Major General had rendered a commendable service as an Army officer and was at one time Chief-of-Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. As a senior Army officer, he has played a key role in several decisive battles against terrorism. On his retirement, he was 'rewarded' for his contribution with two key diplomatic positions. Though he was not a career diplomat, the retired Major General was appointed Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Australia and Indonesia.

His untimely death is a big loss for the United National Party which has been struggling for survival, having lost nearly half of its elected Parliamentarians. When the elections to the North Western and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils were announced, the UNP got cold feet not knowing whom they should put forward as the Chief Ministerial Candidates.

It was under such a scenario that Janaka Perera and Ranjan Ramanayake were brought from nowhere and named as the Chief Ministerial Candidates for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces. Retired Major General Perera flew back home from Australia, where he was residing, and actor Ramanayake came all the way from Katana to lead the campaigns for the UNP.

However, the UNP's provincial leadership in the two provinces was not happy that the UNP leader Wickremesinghe 'imported' the Chief Ministerial candidates above the rest. At the end, Perera and Ramanayake were crestfallen as the UNP was routed by the UPFA at the Provincial Council elections.

It was most unfortunate that the retired Major General had to become a victim of LTTE terror. He faced an untimely death not because he was an ex-Army officer but because he was a UNP politician. The LTTE cares less for party, colour or race when they want to destroy the political leadership in the South, be they be Sinhalese, Muslims or Tamils. Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and D.M. Dassanayake were killed by the LTTE suicide bombers this year and Minister Maithripala Sirisena had a narrow shave last week.

On the other hand, the UNP is trying to project a different picture and get political mileage by 'marketing' Janaka Perera's casket. Whenever opposition politicians or leaders fall prey to the LTTE's terror acts, some groups try to apportion blame on their rival political parties or groups to settle petty political scores. Such actions only help Prabhakaran. This was clearly evident even during the killings of Gamini Dissanayake, Lalith Athulathmudali, T. Maheswaran, Lucky Algama and General Denzil Kobbekaduwa.

Certain political parties and groups have pointed an accusing finger against their opponents for sheer petty gain. Perera was a fearless military Commander who had rendered a vital service towards defeating LTTE terrorism. This is unquestionable. The political vilification campaign carried out by certain groups on his funeral was an insult to the late Major General.

The UNP humiliated the family of the late Parliamentarian Maheswaran too by launching a black band campaign after his death. People degenerating to such a low level should stop such antics at least even now and rally round the Government to wipe out terrorism once and for all, especially at a time when Prabhakaran is facing imminent defeat at the hands of the valiant Security Forces.