‘Lanka, India should join forces to curb LTTE remnants’
by Manjula FERNANDO
Former Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama says he is pleased that
India has recognised the threat posed by the LTTE, as a terrorist
organisation, to India and Sri Lanka as well as to the rest of the
world.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer yesterday in the backdrop of comments
made by India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony and a Home Ministry
official where they stressed on the attempts made by the outlawed
organisation to regroup in South India and possible connivance with
Maoist groups, he said, “The LTTE’s military apparatus, though not
present in Sri Lanka, is heavily supported and aided and remains intact
overseas”.
“Given the slightest opportunity and space, the LTTE could always
regroup because their purpose has still not been served,” he said,
adding it was a position he strongly maintains.
Bogollagama was the Foreign Minister during the humanitarian
operation when Government Forces totally annihilated the LTTE leadership
and terminated their activities within Sri Lanka.
He said though the LTTE has been eliminated in Sri Lanka, its
network, in most parts of the world, has been actively engaged in
promoting and propagating their agenda for a separate State in the
island.
This was quite evident in their universal declaration where they have
called for a government in exile.
He said the two countries must take joint efforts to eliminate LTTE
activities in the region and universally, with the cooperation of the
international community.
“The presence of the LTTE as an organisation still remains a
challenge. We have curtailed their operations in Sri Lanka and we must
seek international cooperation for the complete elimination of
LTTE-connected activities.“
Emphasising the importance of India’s contribution in this task, he
said the strength the LTTE commanded for over 30 years, in engaging in
unconventional and unorthodox efforts against Government Forces, still
remains within the capacity of an LTTE operational unit overseas.
“They will come with an innocent face, claiming legitimacy for their
activities with various tactics, but I don’t think we should fall for
it, for the LTTE has been responsible for severe atrocities against all
peoples of Sri Lanka as well as for the assassination of former Indian
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.”
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