Mr. Balasingham: You achieved nothing

By Deshaputra

Following the Ceasefire Agreement in 2002 and subsequent talks with the then Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, Balasingham took the position that the Tamils wanted nothing short of federalism. After the talks, he returned to Wanni to report the progress. When he conveyed the stand taken at the table, Prabakaran was furious. The LTTE reprimanded him for discussing a solution within a federal framework. Instead, he ordered Balasingham to drag the talks for five years till he (Prabakaran) militarily reorganised his depleted cadres. Balasingham lost cool and was engaged in heated arguments with Prabakaran. Thereafter, Balasingham reduced his visits to Sri Lanka.

Elusive Eelam

Prabakaran is solely bent on his day dream, the elusive Eelam that would never materialise. Following the death of Balasingham, the LTTE leader is reported to be dejected. He has conferred a title - "Voice of the Nation"- on Balasingham posthumously. Balasingham was never a permanent resident of Sri Lanka for thirty five long years. After the death of his first wife, a Tamil woman, Balasingham went overseas. He later married the Aussie nurse, Adela. The late Balasingham may have chosen to assist the LTTE from overseas realising the fact that it was not healthy to work closely with Prabakaran, who was a dreaded man. He was also aware of the fate that befell, the then LTTE deputy leader Mahendrarajah alias Mahattaya. Since then, Prabakaran is running a 'one man show' without a deputy leader.

The death of Anton Balasingham may have come as a relief to Prabakaran as Balasingham, according to sources close to him aired his personal view to representatives of many western governments stressing that a federal solution was the best. Prabakaran stands opposed to any type of solution as such a solution is detrimental to his survival. Now, Balasingham is gone. He achieved nothing. He gave nothing to the Tamil people who are suffering as a result of LTTE terrorism. His end was sad. Prabakaran will never respect Balasingham's solution of a federal state.

Prabakaran in his latest tactics has moved to create an artificial food shortage in the strife torn areas.

While the government dispatch tons of essential food items to Jaffna, the LTTE has ordered over 4000 shopping outlets to close down. However, according to Jaffna residents, a kilo of sugar is said to be cheaper than in Colombo as supplies are aplenty in that area. In the affected Vakarai area, where the LTTE has laid mines and booby traps to prevent civilian movements, the state has managed to send food supplies.

According to statistics in Colombo, the government has sent relief and food commodities beyond requirement to strife torn areas. The complaints that there is a food shortage comes from the areas dominated by the LTTE.

Held hostage

The Tigers either plunder the food supplies or sell them to the innocent civilians at higher prices to bring the Government to disrepute.

These civilians are held hostage by the LTTE to use them as human shields to wage on the troops.While innocent civilians suffer, Prabakaran lives in luxury in the Wanni under heavy guard.

His wife, son and daughter living in comfort in London is reported to be busy at Christmas shopping. His family in London, Catholics by religion, will be dressed in new clothes to attend midnight mass at a London Cathedral on December 24. These are features of the so called freedom struggle of Velupillai Prabakaran and his gang of men.