War against terrorists, not Tamils

Lankan artistes write to their South Indian counterparts:

First of all, we would like to remind you that for a long time we have been nurturing an enormous respect and admiration towards you and that it should also be stressed that this feeling of love is still lingering in the hearts and minds of your fans and admirers.

However, of late we and our enthusiasts have been greatly disturbed by the views expressed, statements issued and actions taken by some of you recently, in regard to the state of affairs prevailing in Sri Lanka. We are terribly concerned of the sympathy and the moral support received by the brutal terrorists in Sri Lanka as a result of such views and actions.

Dear friends,

At the outset let us emphasise the fact that there is no genocide practised against innocent un-armed Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka. It is purely an operation against armed terrorists who have killed a large number of Tamil politicians, Tamil intellectuals, not to mention that a host of social activists holding views contrary to the anti-social demands of the so-called militants. In order to achieve their evil objectives they have resorted to forcibly mobilise immature children of helpless Tamil parents for terrorist activities thus ruining the future of rural Tamil populations. Therefore it is highly unjustifiable to interpret the on-going operation as a war against the innocent un-armed Sri Lankan Tamils. It is a military operation against armed LTTE terrorists who have killed a large number of Tamil politicians, as well as Tamil intellectuals and eliminated all those social activist holding opposite views in addition to the fact that even immature children of Tamil parents have been forcibly mobilised for terrorist activities ruining the future of the rural Tamil population.

Therefore it is highly unjustifiable to interpret the humanitarian campaign in operation to liberate the northern Tamils from the clutches of a dictatorial outfit as a kind of genocide against ethnic Tamils. It is far from the Truth. Of course it is a diabolical lie! In this context we would like to point out that even Sri Rajiv Gandhi - one of the great Prime Ministers of India became a victim of evil terrorism. They committed a series of murders within Sri Lanka involving a Prime Minister a Presidential Candidate, several prominent Cabinet Ministers and many a distinguished politicians irrespective of their politics or race. Again we would like to remind you that even an internationally famous statesman of the calibre of Lakshman Kadirgamar a one time foreign minister - himself an ethnic Tamil, happened to be a target of this vicious circle.

The recent history of Sri Lanka had amply proved the truth that however much every government had tried to make peace through negotiations and cessation of hostilities, all the peace moves collapsed from time to time during the last three decades due to the inherent intransigence of Terrorism. Therefore the objective of the present operation is to defeat a terror machine and liberate the freedom loving Tamils from their tragic tyranny. Yes. it is a battle to save our Tamil brethren! An endeavour to extend peace, freedom and democracy to our fellow travellers!!

Sri Lankan cinema was inspired by the South Indian film industry. The historic friendship bond between Sri Lankan and South Indian film makers is too strong to be broken. Among Sinhalese, Tamils and other ethnic groups living in Sri Lanka there are millions of Tamil film fans who admire your achievements in the sphere of Cinema. Because of this inherent emotional link your errors of judgement with regard the terrorist problem makes us feel sad and bewildered.

In 2005 Sri Lankan Government embarked on an operation to relieve the Tamil population of the Eastern Province when Mavil Aru water supply was cut off by saboteurs and they were stranded in dire straits. Subsequently as a result of this humanitarian effort the authorities were able to liberate them from tyranny, establish, law and order, elect a provincial council and thereby establish democracy. In the circumstances we kindly appeal you to reconsider your viewpoint regarding the humanitarian campaign carried on by authorities. Do you really want to block the offer of freedom and democracy to the northern Tamils? Why do not we allow them the privileges already enjoyed by their kinsmen in the Eastern Province? Please do allow those of us who are suffering from ruthless terrorism for the last three decades to liberate ourselves and breath the fresh air of freedom tomorrow itself.

The peace we struggle to achieve will also be a boon to you. Sri Lanka without the fear of terrorism will be more friendly to you and more involved with your artistic achievements. This letter extends the hand of brotherhood to you.

As the next step of our path towards harmony we hope to invite a group of South Indian Cinema artists to visit Sri Lanka. We the Sinhala and Tamil artistes are eagerly awaiting your arrival here. Then you will be able to witness the peaceful civil lives of Sinhala and Tamil peoples, how they live like brothers and sisters in the midst of the scourge of terrorism.

Long Live the brotherhood of Sinhala and Tamil peoples in Sri Lanka and India!