Shed political agendas, defeat global terrorism

The recent terror attacks in Mumbai and Karachi have again stressed the need for a combined universal effort to eradicate global terrorism. While Sri Lanka beat all overwhelming odds to crush terrorism over two years ago, more countries are falling prey to international terrorism.

At a time the world is grappling to combat growing international terrorism, Sri Lanka, with its proven track record in crushing the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world, could play the lead role in the global effort to crush terrorism.

Three bomb blasts rocked India's largest city, Mumbai, in congested areas on Wednesday evening, killing at least 21 people and injuring more than 110 people. The bombings revived dreadful memories in a city that has suffered before, including the massive assault by gunmen that killed 164 people in November 2008.

It was only last year that US President Barack Obama visited Mumbai and signed a condolence book for the victims of the 2008 attack. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and US President Obama were among the first to condemn the latest terror attack in Mumbai.

This type of merciless terror attacks inflicts untold suffering on mankind. Hence, peace-loving people all over the globe would condemn the outrageous attacks in Mumbai in the strongest terms.

Sri Lanka too had been an unfortunate victim of terrorism and we are acutely aware of the agony and devastation that a nation has to undergo due to ruthless terror attacks. Hence, in their hour of grief, our thoughts are with those wounded and those who have lost their loved ones due to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and Karachi. Nearly 100 people died in last week's clashes in Pakistan's harbour city.

The deadly explosions that rattled India's financial capital strangely coincides with the 24th birthday of Islamist terrorist Ajmal Kasab, according to Indian press reports. Kasab, whose birthday fell on July 13, is currently in Indian police custody. He was the lone terrorist captured in connection with the November 26, 2008 shooting and bomb attacks in Mumbai.

On the other hand, the latest series of terror attacks in Mumbai could be a sinister attempt to disrupt the scheduled discussions between India and Pakistan. The Indian government, which declared that all groups "hostile to India" are on the "radar" in the probe into the terror attack, did not rule out the possibility of the blasts being an attempt to derail the forthcoming Indo-Pak talks, which are a positive sign for the South Asian region.

The peace process between India and Pakistan should not be held hostage to the Mumbai terror attacks, as pointed out by Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Diplomatic efforts, both on the "back and front channels," were under way with India "to find a peaceful solution" to the prolonged Kashmir issue, Gilani was quoted as saying.

Peace in the Indo-Pakistan border and a better understanding among the two neighbouring countries is a key factor to the stability and development of the South Asian region.

It was indeed heartening to note that the talks between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan will take place as planned before the end of the month, despite the triple blasts in Mumbai. Similar incidents in the past had led to a spike in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. India's External Affairs Ministry has confirmed that the "talks are proceeding as scheduled" but a date has yet to be finalised for the talks in New Delhi between Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar.

The Indo-Pakistan foreign ministerial talks are the latest in a series of contacts between senior figures as the countries seek to finalise a comprehensive peace deal that would put an end to the 60-year cross-border tension in South Asia. If a landmark deal could be sealed by the leaders of India and Pakistan, it would be a tremendous boost for development in the South Asian region as one territory. Sri Lanka's expertise to eradicate terrorism could be effectively used not only to curb terrorism in the region but also the world at large.

Unfortunately, certain countries, international organisations and a section of the international community do not seem to accept the bitter truth that Sri Lanka was the only country to eradicate terrorism in the most effective and successful manner. Hence, these disruptive elements are now working round the clock to take Sri Lanka to task purely for the 'sin' of vanquishing a terrorist outfit which had brutally killed thousands of innocent civilians for over three decades.

These wily international elements use human rights as the most effective tool to intimidate Sri Lanka. They dish out concocted stories and doctored videos in a desperate attempt to tarnish Sri Lanka's image and also bring disrepute to the country's valiant Security Forces. In doing so, these countries and organisations are attempting to undermine the illustrious achievements of Sri Lanka's Security Forces.

In the event these countries and the international community are sincerely interested in eradicating international terrorism to make the world a better place for people in all nations to live in peace and harmony, they should exploit Sri Lanka's first-hand experience to deal with the deadliest terrorist outfits. Undoubtedly, Sri Lanka's success story in eradicating terrorism almost single-handedly is a unique example of sheer determination, indomitable courage and unmatched willpower. There were only a handful of friendly countries which sincerely backed Sri Lanka in its battle against terrorism. The so-called godfathers of human rights and counter-terrorism champions turned a Nelsonian eye when it came to Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, they continued to pontificate on the need to vanquish global terrorism.

To re-echo President Rajapaksa's inspiring speech at the UN General Assembly three years ago, there can't be two types of terrorism - one for the West and another for this part of the world. There are no good and bad terrorists. Terrorism anywhere in the world is terrorism and should be eradicated in a similar manner. Be it a terrorist act in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, United Kingdom or the United States, Sri Lanka condemns those acts wholeheartedly. Sri Lanka does not view terrorism in the US or UK from a different standpoint. More than any other country, Sri Lanka had suffered for nearly three decades due to the LTTE's barbaric terror acts.

Sri Lanka does not wish to see any country painfully going through the same deadly experience as it did for many years. Hence, it's time for the world leaders to shed their petty political agendas and make a concerted effort to put a permanent end to international terrorism.