Turning point of the world's largest human rescue mission :

Inspiring leadership to Security Forces

by Dinesh Weerawansa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa with troops at Vakarai after the successful Mavil Aru operation.

Water is a limited natural resource and an essential fundamental for life and good health. The human right to water is indispensable to lead a life with human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realisation of other human rights.

The concept of basic water requirements to meet fundamental human needs was first established at the 1977 United Nations Water Conference in Mar del Plata. The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

Though the UN, many INGOs and several Western countries now make a big hue and cry over human rights, none of them even uttered a word of comfort when the LTTE deprived farmers of Mavil Aru of their right to access water by closing the main anicut in that area.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was 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 talks, President Rajapaksa went that extra mile and provided more opportunities for the LTTE to reach a negotiated settlement.

But 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 that deprived hapless farmers of their basic need for water, the President came to the end of his tether.

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 by the time the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit was militarily crushed on May 18, 2009 - exactly five years ago.

Thus, May 18 became a red letter day in the annals of Sri Lanka's history and the nation celebrates the fifth anniversary of the eradication of terrorism today. Exactly five years ago, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared with justifiable pride that the country had been liberated from the scourge of terrorism and hoisted the national flag at the Victory Day celebrations at the Galle Face Green in May 2009.

The true sons of our soil have achieved infinitely more than the so-called superpowers - crushing terrorism, and that too against the most brutal terrorist organisation in the world. The whole world was spellbound by that magnificent victory which no Army in the world has been able to emulate.

It is appropriate to celebrate Victory Day to recall the valiant efforts of our Security Forces and show our gratitude to all those brave sons of our soil who had made immense sacrifices for us to enjoy true freedom today. The Security Forces not only destroyed the LTTE's terrorist fire power in the North and the East in less than three-and-a-half years, but also put paid to the Tiger propaganda through their mercy missions in the battlefront. The V-Day is not merely an occasion to celebrate Sri Lanka's unique achievement to eradicate terrorism. It also marks the unprecedented human rescue mission in the world as the Security Forces liberated over half a million people from the clutches of LTTE terror.

In the greatest humanitarian rescue operation in modern world history the Security Forces risked their lives to liberate hundreds of thousands of Tamil civilians, held forcibly by the LTTE as a human shield.

Those who point an accusing finger against Sri Lanka and talk about human rights of the LTTE cadres killed in action should bear in mind that the battle against terrorism was not a war against the Tamils. The heroic troops sacrificed their lives to save innocent 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 their ethnic or religious backgrounds.

Houses for the displaced in the North.

The Government has given a better meaning to that great victory by resettling displaced people in double quick time and also embarking on many mega development projects in the North during the past five year to assure a secured future for thousands of Tamils who faced untold hardships due to the barbaric acts of the LTTE.

The time is now opportune to win the hearts of the Tamils by ensuring them the maximum protection. They are an integral part of Sri Lanka's community and their purchasing power has been increased tremendously, affording a better lifestyle for the people in the North.

Many mega projects have been implemented during the past five years to win the hearts of those rescued Tamil civilians, especially to build the confidence of the Tamil youth who had only witnessed stark LTTE terror. The Tigers brainwashed Tamil youth and showed the world that the Sinhalese were their sworn enemy.

The youth in the North and the East have now been enlightened to prove the goodwill and amity that prevailed among the three main communities before the LTTE sowed the seeds of ruthless terrorism on our soil.

Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of having repudiated even the most ruthless invaders thousands of years ago by defeating them and saving the motherland. It is home to people with a traditional history of bravely confronting invaders from the time of King Dutugemunu. Sri Lanka by no means can afford to lose what was won at such great sacrifice to be divided or even a shadow of separatism to fall on it.

There had been many attempts by past Presidents to defeat the LTTE militarily. The Sri Lanka Army produced some of the greatest Generals of the calibre of General Denzil Kobbekaduwa. However, none of them could vanquish the LTTE leadership and destroy it as the Heads of State succumbed to international pressure on every occasion our Security Forces made headway.

Sri Lanka eventually found the right political leadership that was solely needed to defeat the most ruthless terrorist outfit when a fearless leader with a far-sighted vision was elected to change the country's destiny. From the time President Rajapaksa was elected as the First Citizen on November 18, 2005, he made every endeavour to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Unlike earlier leaders, President Rajapaksa was not prepared to compromise anything that devalues the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Despite mounting pressure from certain countries and influential international organisations, the President stood his ground, and did not allow any country or organisation to underestimate the sovereignty of a legal State.

The strategies of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa helped the Security Forces to achieve targets that appeared to be mere impossible. His first-hand experience in the battle field as a senior Army officer was a blessing to the Security Forces in their march towards that memorable victory. He has been a source of encouragement and inspiration to the Service Commanders and their Div Commanders.

As the nation celebrates the greatest victory of victories and salutes the Security Forces for a stupendous task well done, we must also acknowledge our warm gratitude to the friendly countries which had supported Sri Lanka in its battle against terrorism. Had it not been for their wholehearted support, Sri Lanka would perhaps never have become the first country to eradicate terrorism.

These sincere friends in the international community acted with the greatest responsibility towards Sri Lanka's freedom and sovereignty.

Now it is time for reconciliation by linking the North and the South with an unshakeable bridge of friendship. We must sink petty differences and join hands and work in the true spirit to rebuild the nation.

Infrastructure development in the North and the East has been going on apace and the people in those areas too have started making a laudable contribution to build the national economy.

The dividends of the eradication of terror are already visible with significant developments in the tourism industry. Business is thriving in the cultivation, fishing and the dairy sectors, ensuring a steady and regular cash flow to the two provinces.

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 people.

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?

Sri Lanka, which has been looked upon as a symbol of courage to the world, has gradually risen from the ashes. We must make a bold and determined effort to build the nation, in keeping with the rich culture and heritage as the country is blessed with an abundance of natural resources.

The Sunday Observer salutes all those Security Forces personnel, their Commanding Officers and others who had proved that miracles can indeed become a reality.