A blow to asylum seekers

Shanika SRIYANANDA

Since keeping internally displaced civilians in welfare camps for long is a costly affair for the government, they will be resettled once the environment is conducive to their habitats, Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukkwella said.

Enough funds were pouring in to rebuild the North and East. “Resettlement is much easier and more practical”, he said.

Inviting the Tamil diaspora to work hand in hand to develop the country, Minister Rambukkwella in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that they should remember that every dollar or a penny that they send to Prabhakaran will result killing or destroying the Tamils themselves so as to ensure his own safety. “This is your country and you belong to Sri Lanka. Let us work together”, he said.

Q: The LTTE has now gone further down in the No Fire Zone and still holding civilians. What is the situation there now?

A: The troops are moving in daily. The mopping up operations are going on as planned. We know that the terrorists do lots of harassment to the innocent civilians. The primary target is still rescuing civilians and our objective is to take all the civilians without causing the slightest harm to them. It is a daunting task but we are achieving that target at the moment.

Q: It is reported that the military was instructed to refrain from using heavy weaponry and how do you think the soldiers would pursue their targets soon?

A: Using heavy weaponry is not practical and impossible in the narrow strip of coastal stretch. Even taking air targets are not possible there. While the government is taking every step to protect the civilians the pro-LTTE groups are spreading certain rumours. They are all fabricated stories.

The LTTE also did the same for the last three decades. Their motive is to draw the attention of the international community. But I believe that the international community should also understand this situation. They should not make comments without verifying the allegations.

Q: The LTTE propagandists still `sell’ the word genocide. What do you have to say?

A: It came up sometime ago and the history of genocide is some thing else. But still the LTTE is trying to obstruct the government’s humanitarian operations. The LTTE is resorting to this from time to time to get the sympathy of the international community.

As far as we are concerned we are not a terrorist movement but a democratically elected government. Our heroic soldiers have sacrificed their precious lives to achieve this situation and we have not killed innocent civilians. We would undergo many hardships but still for all we will not harm a single Tamil civilian.

But as a responsible government we have been refusing these allegations but if they still persist we would not be bothered. We can only tell them what we have done. We are working within a democratic frame work. I do not think that we need to go down on our knees and tell them `please accept it’.

The government does not get any thrill out of harassing innocent Tamils. Our prime target is to eradicate LTTE terrorism in the country. We are working to achieve that target.

Q: People speculate that there is an unannounced ceasefire. What is the truth?

A: We can not call those who make these claims one by one and explain to them what we are doing. The people of this country are well aware what we are engaged in. For nearly three years the government pursued an impossible mission facing criticism locally and internationally and many people us cautioned not think of touching Prabhakaran or destroying such a powerful organisation.

They also rumoured that Sri Lankan forces cannot think of destroying them. That was also the claim advanced by the Opposition.

But our forces have disproved all these claims while destroying the LTTE. Now we have restricted the LTTE to a very small patch and the main strategies would change. We cannot go on a seven brigade plight and start attacking with heavy weaponry and carry out air strikes. The present situation is not only a military but a humanitarian affair as well. Now our victory would be to draw the civilians out. And we have not just given up that.

Q: It is claimed that the LTTE is now trying to take Prabhakaran out of the country. Will this happen and what are the security measures taken to stop him fleeing?

A: Nobody can give 100 percent guarantee on a war situation but as far as we are concerned the government has done its best to prevent him from fleeing. And we are quite confident that our forces are capable of maintaining that kind of security arrangement to make sure that he does not escape.

Q: However, the LTTE is now trying to spread its wings internationally with its so-called International Co-ordinator, K.P. who is a notorious drug dealer?

A: The government’s international relations with all countries are in good shape. We are a sovereign nation and from time to time we had both our own concerns as well as our rights. We exercise our own rights. I do not think that there is any notable erosion in our relationship with any of those countries to make room for the LTTE to raise its heads. In fact they are now against the LTTE!

Q: There is a request from India to hand over Prabhakaran to them. Will he be punished there?

A: Let’s get him first. Law of the land should prevail. We have our own laws and the judiciary. Of course according to understanding and as a mark of goodwill we will look into the request.

Q: Meanwhile the LTTE is again to destabilise the East. How safe is the East now?

A: We would not say that every thing would be 100 percent. The government and the forces are doing their best to maintain a good security cover in the East.

Q: An unexpected number of civilians has sought refuge in government controlled areas. Refugees entertain fears that they would be kept for years in the camps?

A: Keeping civilians it would be a costly affair for the government. Resettlement is much easier and more practical. But the environment should be conducive to do so. We have enough but more funds coming in to rebuild the North and East. There would not be plans as such to keep refugees for long in camps. When the ground work for resettlement is prepared the government would resettle the refugees in phases.

Q: Are you satisfied with the support offered by the international community at this crucial moment when a mass exodus of people are fleeing the LTTE control?

A: I think we should be proud in one way. The right messages and the correct outline of the course of action given for the last three years have paved the way for the international community to understand that terrorism can be defeated and Sri Lanka and the decisions of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be taken very seriously.

The President was advised in a friendly way that he should not touch Prabhakaran. But he referred to believe more in his people and the Forces. This would be one of the greatest thing that the world can experience.

Q: Some parties claim that the international community would interrupt the on-going military operations to energise the LTTE. Is there such interference from any of the countries?

A: Sometimes the LTTE’s propaganda machinery is so effective. They have misled the Tamil Community locally and internationally. They could also mislead some of those people! It is upto us to convince them of the reality, which we have done fairly successfully. That is why some of the international figures who held different views some months ago, have since changed them.

Q: What is your message for the Tamil diaspora?

A: There are two things that need to be explained. The part of the so-called Tamil diaspora is a group of people who hope for a better settlement after the defeat of the LTTE in Sri Lanka. Their future is at stake as they are political asylum seekers. Once the country is transformed into a peaceful one with no terror or harassment against Tamils, then they cannot press their claim for political asylum which they had done earlier. So they will not have the `facility’ of being asylum seekers.

But some people are honestly misled. Now it is time for a sort of mental and physical rehabilitation! It is also time to tell them that this is their country. They are also part of the Sri Lankan Society. You can have your identity but it is Sri Lankan identity. Let us work together for the country.

In addition, we have to tell them that they had taken mean advantage of the situation and got the best out of it! And each dollar or a penny that you send to Prabhakaran will result in killing or destroying the Tamils themselves so as to ensure his own safety. I believe that many of them are aware of this but it is of course just to meet their requirement. They do all kinds of things - protests and demonstrations - to get their own benefits!

A country without Prabhakaran and the LTTE will have both peace and development. According to my thinking Sri Lanka can be one of the most powerful economies in the region and to achieve that the Tamil diaspora who love their country should come back.

Q: What can you say about the recent election victory in the Western Province. The Opposition claims that the success was merely due to the recent war victories?

A: Certainly that is a part of it. I too followed the Opposition repeating the same story. Tell me what would have happened if we lost the election? A part of it is due to the war victories and the other, the trust placed by the people on the activities carried out by the President and the rest is the development.

I believe the people can keep their heads up and walk on the streets as Sri Lankans. Mahinda Rajapaksa government has brought that dignity to this country. People appreciate that. This is the first time the two prominent leaders of the Opposition were defeated at an election. Nowhere in the history of the UNP were the team leaders defeated! So, any one can observe the serious set back that has taken place within the UNP ranks. The country needs a vibrant Opposition. But now it has been reduced to zero.

*The government wants to get all civilians out of the LTTE clutches with no harm.

*Genocide of Tamils is just a myth.

*Security is strengthened and Prabhakaran cannot flee.

*War victories contributed partly to the recent UPFA victory in local polls.

*Mahinda Rajapaksa government has brought dignity to the country.

* Two team leaders were defeated at the Western Provincial council elections for the first time in the UNP’s history.