Govt determined to ensure dignity of Tamils - Rambukwella

by Ananth Palakidnar

On the eve of celebrating the 59th Independence Day celebrations Minister and Defence spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said that the Government was determined to liberate the Tamils from the clutches of the LTTE and to ensure their dignity which has been denied to them for the past two decades by the LTTE.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the Sunday Observer the security forces were carrying out their operations in the North and East to save the innocent Tamils who have been made to suffer by the LTTE preventing them from leading a civilised and peaceful life.

"For instance the liberation of several areas in the eastern region has highlighted the gruesome attitude of the LTTE towards its own people. The areas which were under the dominance of the LTTE did not have anything constructive for the innocent civilians except the destruction of lives and properties. No education, no infrastructure facilities for any development activities and above all there was no law and order except the 'jungle law of the LTTE'. Hence our security forces are sacrificing their lives to bring back the lost dignity of the Tamils in the hands of the LTTE," Rambukwella said.

Commenting on the current turbulent conditions in the North, he said the situation was created by the LTTE and not anyone else. "President Mahinda Rajapaksa brushing aside all bitter experiences came forward to have talks with the LTTE and re-start the peace process. He wanted the LTTE to enter the political mainstream and give up their activities. However, it was the LTTE that did not want to continue with the peace process and created obstacles to derail the efforts made to find a political solution to the ethnic crisis. The Tamils have their problems to be addressed politically. But the LTTE is not their guardian angel to bring peace to them. They are nothing but the blood haunts," Minister Rambukwella said.

He also added that the security forces would keep on clearing the areas under the clutches of the LTTE until the outfit renounce violence giving up arms and enter the political mainstream. "The moment the LTTE agrees to enter the political mainstream it could be even tomorrow, the Government would respond positively and reach a political solution to the ethnic crisis," Minister Rambukwella said.