Making Eastern victory more meaningful

Now that Lanka's brave Security Forces have liberated the entire East from the clutches of LTTE terrorism, a successful strategy should be put in place to make those military victories more meaningful.

The cleaning up of the East was entirely a humanitarian mission which was successfully carried out by the brave sons of our soil. From Mavil Aru to Sampur and Vakarai to Thoppigala, our Security Forces have completely wiped out Velupillai Prabhakaran's rule of terrorism and liberated thousands of innocent civilians living in the East.

If we are to add more value to those great victories and make them even more meaningful, we have to act as a responsible nation. This is the Government's biggest challenge and if we are to face that challenge confidently, all of us should unite to vanquish the common enemy.

The Government has two major issues to address, if we are to make use of the Eastern victory in a meaningful manner. One is to strengthen the grip in the newly liberated areas in the East. At the same time, we have to give priority to the development of the Eastern Province, addressing the basic needs of the civilians who have now been rescued from the LTTE's terrorism.

Secondly, the Government will have to take appropriate action to weaken the LTTE terrorists in the North. If our Security Forces could further weaken the power of the LTTE terrorists in the North, then we would be able to negotiate for a solution that would be acceptable to the majority of people living here.

The Government has already commenced development activities. The resettlement process in Vakarai, Mavil Aru and Sampur has been completed in stages. Similarly, the development and settlement in the suburbs of Thoppigala too could take place.

The Government also plans to attract investors to the East. The assistance of the international community, especially our donor countries, would play a vital role in developing infrastructure facilities in the Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara Districts. If the international community is genuinely interested in the well-being of civilians there; Internally Displaced Persons and the minority Tamil and Muslim communities, the time is now opportune for them to step in with humanitarian assistance.

Weakening the Tiger power in the North too is an important factor in finding a negotiated settlement. Unless the LTTE feels that their ruthless rule through terror acts in the Wanni is deteriorating, they would not listen to the continuous pleas by the Government and Co-Chairs for a negotiated settlement.

Hence, it is important that we strengthen surveillance operations in the Northern waters to completely cut off the supply routes of the Tigers. This is an important strategy to weaken the Tiger terror power in the North.

When the LTTE realises its poor military strength, they would opt to return to peace talks. This is precisely what they have done in the past. The Tigers have always opted for peace talks only when they are militarily down, not otherwise.

Weakening the Tigers militarily alone is not a solution for the genuine problems of the Tamil community in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Whatever their problems, we have to find a reasonable solution within the framework of an undivided Sri Lanka.

This is where the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) could play an important role. While the humanitarian and development work go on smoothly in the East and the weakening of the Tiger power continues in the North, the APRC must make every endeavour to find solutions to the genuine problems of the Tamils, as well as the Muslims and the Sinhalese living in the North and East.

Despite the gigantic tasks we have to perform as a nation, what are we doing for the betterment of our country and nation? What we mostly hear and experience are a few selfish initiatives taken by our opposition politicians to gain political mileage.

Most politicians look for short cuts to capture power. They should think positively even at this very late stage. It's not a matter of regaining or holding on to power but protecting our beautiful isle from Prabhakaran's ruthless terrorism.

However, for many opposition politicians protest marches and unethical acts seem to be more important than the country. That is why the UNP, along with the two former Ministers who were stripped off their portfolios, joined hands at the so-called 'Jana Rala'.

A strong opposition is a sine qua non to strengthen democracy. But are these the kind of responsible roles that we expect from an opposition at this crucial hour? It's indeed a pity that we have an Opposition Leader who undermines the great victories of our Security Forces and finds Thoppigala a mere jungle.

The nation expects true leaders who would protect the country and its sovereignty. We do not need leaders who would turn a blind eye when the nation is in danger and look for ways and means to achieve power. We fervently hope the UNP will act as a responsible opposition and safeguard the interests of Mother Lanka.