Tigers expose shameless inhuman tactics

The LTTE has again exposed its shameless and inhuman tactics of making use of civilians to achieve its military targets. Over the past few weeks, there were enough and more people, mostly the sympathisers of the terrorists and some of those who apparently got their wallets filled through NGO activities, who talked about Vakarai.

Several thousands of people have been trapped in Vakarai. Those innocent civilians have no option but to live with the Tiger cadres pointing their guns at them. It appears that these poor civilians are coerced to form a human shield for the LTTE gunners.

It was purely on humanitarian grounds that the Government decided to send foodstuffs and other essential commodities to the suffering people in

Vakarai. As a responsible Government elected by the majority of the people in this country, they decided to send as many as 90 lorry loads of food.

At the same time, the Government was well aware of the fact that the Tigers would make use of the opportunity to gain whatever advantage they could. Hence, the Norway-led peace monitors, the SLMM were informed about such a move and the Defence Ministry received a guarantee beforehand that they would not let the LTTE gain any military advantage as a result of the Government's decision to open the land route to facilitate the movement of food lorries.

But what happened thereafter? No sooner the route was opened and the food lorries started making their way to Vakarai, the LTTE terrorists advanced from their forward defence lines and gained territory. This took place in the presence of 'those who are supposed to monitor peace' and the NGO agents who shed crocodile tears all the time.

According to the Government Agent's office sources, the entire food convoy was sent by the Government. But it were the NGOs, the officials of global food programs and the committee with the reddish cross, who tried to take the credit. The Tiger propaganda agents tried to paint a different picture to the world. They tried to show, that the Government blocked 40 food lorries sent by the NGOs, WFP and SLRC. They said that 41 lorry loads of food were sent due to the presence of the SLMM. This was a completely distorted version to discredit the Government.

What the Tigers want is now crystal clear. In forcing the Government to open the A-9 route, the terrorists have been trying a similar strategy. What the LTTE is targeting at is identical military advancement in Muhumalai, in case the Government opens the A-9 route for food convoys. Our defence officials have been smarter. They did not fall into the LTTE trap.

Instead, the Government made every endeavour to make use of the sea routes to transport food.

The SLMM, the Co-Chairs and the international community should open their eyes. There are no human rights organisations to voice concern on behalf of those civilians who are used as a human shield. If the NGOs and HR agents are genuinely interested in putting an end to the suffering of those innocent civilians, they should have joined hands with the Government in finding an alternate land or sea route to send the urgently needed foodstuffs.

The international community should take note that any move which would give an undue military advantage to the LTTE terrorists is not going to help the peace process.

On the other hand, the aging Tiger leader Prabhakaran ate humble pie after his so-called heroes' day speech, during which he asked the international community to recognise them and their struggle for a separate

State. Unlike in previous speeches, he did not boast of the LTTE's military strength, but made a humble request for international recognition.

The United States and India, two of the major democratic nations, were quick to respond. The two countries, which have supported Sri Lanka for decades, categorically said that they would honour the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. India said that they would never support the division of Sri Lanka, while the US too expressed similar views.

Going back to the LTTE's so-called heroes' day, it was a low key event. It is an indication of the deteriorating Tamil civilian support. If they are true 'freedom fighters', as they call themselves, they would not hold their own people to ransom. The LTTE has killed numerous Tamil leaders including the TULF leader A. Amirthalingam, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and the Peace Secretariat Deputy Head Logeshwaran, among others.

What's the freedom that they are talking about? What is the freedom that the LTTE is dreaming about over the graves of innocent Tamil youth and independent intellectuals? The time has come to put an end to Prabhakaran's ruthless acts once and for all.

The real freedom for all communities of this country would only come when the nation puts an end to terrorism. The people of the country are yearning for an era, when the Singhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and others would be able to live in harmony. That is the freedom the country enjoyed before Prabhakaran started his campaign with a bullet nearly three decades ago.