United we stand

Friday's Victory Day celebrations at Galle Face Green was a fitting tribute to Sri Lanka's valiant Security Forces.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his Victory Day address to the nation, said that certain countries made every effort to disrupt Sri Lanka's battle against terror. Those countries which support terrorism, either directly or indirectly, would eventually become victims of it in the future.

Can there be different types of terrorism - one for the West, another for the East, one for developed countries and another for developing countries? Nevertheless, Sri Lanka, backed by the far-sighted political leadership of President Rajapaksa, beat all overwhelming odds to become the first country to eliminate terrorism.

Undoubtedly, this is a classic example for all and infuses fresh hopes for countries threatened by terrorism. If Sri Lanka could crush the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world against insurmountable odds, we see no reason as to why other countries plagued by terrorism shouldn't do likewise. Sri Lanka's valiant Security Forces could certainly offer its wide expertise to the world on its successful formula of eradicating terror.

Over a year ago, the brave sons of our soil destroyed the LTTE and vanquished its top leaders to liberate the country from the clutches of LTTE terror. However, it is deplorable that certain international organisations, instead of supporting Sri Lanka in its resettlement, rehabilitation and reconciliation process, are exploring other means to discredit the Government and level war crime charges against the country.

More pathetic and shameful is the conduct of the man who commanded the Army during the height of the battle against the LTTE. Instead of repudiating the allegations levelled by certain quarters, the disgraced retired General is now trying to betray the Forces he commanded a year ago. One could well understand the weird mentality of Sarath Fonseka. There is no gainsaying the fact that Fonseka had commanded the Sri Lanka Army in the past on the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief, President Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. A contradiction in terms but it is tragic that General Fonseka has been 'assassinated' by Fonseka, the politician.

That is perhaps why we don't see the same conduct and principles in politician Fonseka, whose sole aim now is to capture power at any cost. Fonseka presumed that the gratitude the masses reposed in the Security Forces would elevate him to be the First Citizen. He revelled in a 40-day fantasy during the presidential election campaign and hoped that he could well win the race for presidency.

But lo and behold, as fate would have it, the masses taught him an unforgettable lesson. This is not merely a lesson for amateur politician Fonseka, but also for those who are greedy for power, who betray their country and look for shortcuts to reach political goals. Finally, Fonseka marched from grace to disgrace.

On the other hand, he opened his big mouth and did irreparable damage by tarnishing Sri Lanka's image and discrediting all those gallant soldiers in the eyes of the international community. Fonseka was reported to have said that he was prepared to give evidence before any international tribunal investigating war crimes in Sri Lanka. Could any patriotic and loyal citizen ever imagine doing such a thing even in his wildest dreams? But the former Commander, true to form, is ready to betray his fellow soldiers for his unquenchable lust for power.

Fonseka's irresponsible statements have given ammo to LTTE sympathisers abroad and a section of the Tamil Diaspora. These statements have renewed fresh hopes for the LTTE's plans to establish virtual states even in countries where the now defunct terror outfit is officially banned.

The Government said that it feels betrayed by the governments of those countries and called upon the international community to take steps to prevent the defunct LTTE from spreading its wings. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, at a meeting with the visiting Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi on Friday, said that the LTTE is planning to set up virtual states in certain countries and those governments should take stern action to prevent it.

As the Prime Minister highlighted, the Government has not allowed any group or individual to conspire against any State in the world within Sri Lanka's territory. Therefore, it is the duty of those governments to take measures against those activities on their soil.

Sri Lanka's Security Forces made every effort to maintain a zero civilian casualty rate and even risked their lives to rescue innocent Tamil civilians from Velupillai Prabhakaran's ruthless terror. This was no doubt the world's largest ever human rescue mission which liberated over half a million civilians from the clutches of LTTE terror.

However, certain countries and international organisations are still making subtle attempts to level war crime charges against our Security Forces and take Sri Lanka to task. Fonseka's infamous white flag story has added fuel to campaigns by the remaining pockets of Tiger sympathisers abroad. Fonseka, by all means, is free to hold his own political views but he has no moral right to betray the country and its Security Forces. It is a disgraceful act inspired by his lust for power. It is indeed a crying shame that certain countries and international organisations, which come up with concocted stories and attempt to file war crime charges against Sri Lanka, turn a Nelsonian eye to grave human rights violations and civilian casualties in other countries. Are they totally blind to the humanitarian operation which saved hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians from the jaws of death? Does this mean that the culprits are some of the so-called powerful nations in the West?

International organisations and individuals who raise a big hue and cry on Sri Lanka's human rights record and civilian casualties during the battle against terror, must first make a confession of their own sins.

All Sri Lankans, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, should stand together to beat all international conspiracies. If we are united, no country or international organisation could browbeat Sri Lanka.