Lanka's red letter day, more significant
today
People consider miracles as
something contrary to the laws of nature and are widely regarded as an
act of God. It is not all the time that miracles turn out to be
realities.
In similar vein, almost everybody was under an illusion that only a
miracle could defeat terrorism in Sri Lanka. Theories hatched in the
West also projected such a belief not only among people in Sri Lanka,
but also among the international community.
On the other hand, there were innumerable reasons to fall for it hook
line and sinker as successive Heads of State in Sri Lanka made an
all-out effort to end LTTE terrorism which had plagued the country for
over three decades. However, the Tigers were never sincere in their
dealings at the negotiating table and moreover, exploited the so-called
peace talks to reinforce and strengthen their military capabilities.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as a legislator, witnessed all these
peace efforts even during the late President J.R. Jayewardene's tenure.
The late President Ranasinghe Premadasa also attempted to do so by
pandering to the Tigers' demands but ultimately had to pay the supreme
price with his life. Even under the 1994 SLFP-led Government of
President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the LTTE employed the same strategy and
she finally lost an eye having narrowly escaped an assassination
attempt.
Hence, President Rajapaksa was quite well versed with LTTE tactics
even when he was first elected as the Head of State in November 2005.
Though he knew for certain that the Tigers had never been sincere in
their dealings in the earlier peace negotiations, President Rajapaksa
went that extra mile and provided more opportunities for the LTTE to
reach a negotiated settlement.
But lo and behold, when the Tigers continued to respond with a series
of bomb explosions targeting civilians and going to the extent of
closing the Mavil Aru anicut and depriving poor farmers of their basic
need for water, the President came to the end of his tether. It was only
at this point of time that President Rajapaksa, as the
Commander-in-Chief, ordered the Security Forces to embark on a
humanitarian operation to provide water to the farmers in Mavil Aru.
This became the turning point of the world's largest human rescue
mission and over half a million people were liberated from the clutches
of LTTE terror. Most of these hapless civilians had been forcibly held
by the LTTE as a human shield. The LTTE used their heavy weapons to
attack the Security Forces under the cover of this human shield.
Thanks to the steadfast dedication and supreme sacrifices of the
Security Forces and superior military strategies of Defence Secretary
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the humanitarian operation that began in Mavil Aru
turned out to be a massive human rescue mission that eventually
liberated the entire country, defeating the world's most ruthless
terrorist outfit. People from all walks of life celebrated the third
anniversary of that resounding victory with pride and dignity at the
Galle Face Green yesterday.
The manner in which Sri Lanka demonstrated to the world that
terrorism could be eradicated was an eye-opener and moreover, a shining
example to one and all. Only a few friendly countries stood by Sri Lanka
and sincerely supported its battle against terrorism. This, indeed, was
a tower of strength to President Rajapaksa's indomitable political
leadership. Had it not been for his fearless leadership and unmatched
political sagacity, Sri Lanka would never have won its battle against
terror even if it had the world's best military commander.
President Rajapaksa has made it unequivocally clear that Sri Lanka
could solve its internal problems and that the country has demonstrated
this in no uncertain terms to the entire world. Regrettably, certain
Western countries which barely threw their full weight behind Sri
Lanka's battle against terrorism, now surprisingly question about the
human rights of LTTE terrorists and pontificate to us the course of
action Sri Lanka should adopt to address the grievances of those living
in the North and the East.
It is deplorable that certain Western countries seem unable to view
this victory in a broader perspective and use Sri Lanka's expertise in
its battle against global terrorism. If those who exhort us ad nauseam
on the importance of crushing global terrorism are really sincere, they
should seize Sri Lanka's offer with open arms to share its battlefield
experience. It's the true sons of our soil who really achieved
infinitely more than the so-called superpowers by crushing naked
terrorism, and that too against the most brutal terrorist organisation
in the world. The whole world was held spellbound by that magnificent
victory that was finally accomplished at the Nandikadal lagoon exactly
three years ago.
The 2006-2009 relentless battle against the LTTE was by no means a
'war' against the Tamils. The heroic troops sacrificed their lives and
limb to protect Tamils from the grip of LTTE terror. This is precisely
why Sri Lanka's victory in defeating the LTTE becomes a victory for the
entire nation, irrespective of one's ethnic background. Tens of
thousands of brave soldiers sacrificed their lives to usher in a better
today for all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.
The Government has given a more significant meaning to that great
victory by ensuring a better future for those who had been rescued from
the jaws of LTTE terror. Mega development projects have been already
completed in the North and the East and the people in these two
provinces have begun a new lease of life. The manner in which the
Government resettled over half a million displaced people due to LTTE
terrorism was exemplary and no doubt worthy of emulation. It set new
world standards in resettling displaced persons.
It is time that the international community took a closer look at the
positive developments in Sri Lanka after terrorism was eradicated and
the improved lifestyles of the Northerners, who were at one time even
uncertain about their next meal.
In the event the international community is sincerely interested in
the well-being of the people in the North and the East, they should get
first-hand information from those who have been resettled and had
embarked on a new journey in life. The West should desist from
attempting to exert pressure here in the guise of helping the Tamil
community. As President Rajapaksa has repeatedly said, do foreigners
have more concern for people in Sri Lanka than its own leaders? |