Battle in final phase

'The Security Forces' relentless battle against terrorism is in its final phase. Though the coming few months would be crucial, a grand victory for the gallant Security Forces' is imminent.

The brave sons of our soil are fearlessly marching towards the Tiger-held strongholds in the Mullaitivu and Wanni districts and there is no doubt that the days of blood-thirsty terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran are numbered.

However, it cannot be ruled out that certain parties belonging to various camps with ulterior motives would unite to give the last drop of oxygen to the LTTE, in a desperate bid to save Prabhakaran and his ruthless terrorist outfit, which has inflicted misery on a countless number of people for nearly three decades.

Hence, it's the bounden duty of all peace-loving people to rally round the Government to beat all odds and inspire the Security Forces. It's time to sink petty political and social differences and unite as one to beat the common enemy.

People who have been resorting to various attempts to assume power at any cost and all those who align themselves with some sinister elements worldwide should put the country before self and join the majority in the country's victory march that will put a permanent end to terrorism in Sri Lanka.

This is definitely the last chance to wipe out terrorism completely from Sri Lanka's soil and build a peaceful atmosphere for all Lankans to live in peace and harmony. Certain interested parties are attempting to paint a gloomy picture, saying this is a battle against a particular ethnic group.

The Security Forces, by their exemplary conduct, have clearly showed their clear intentions.

The current battle is against the LTTE's barbaric terrorism and to liberate innocent civilians, mostly Tamils, from the clutches of the merciless Tiger 'rule'. That imminent victory would eventually lead to a peaceful atmosphere for all communities here to live in perfect harmony, as in the past.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has set the stage for Sri Lanka's battle against terrorism, which has already liberated the Eastern Province and restored democracy. After annihilating the Tigers in Mullaitivu and the Wanni districts and resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), the Government would hold the elections to the Northern Provincial Council. People who are being kept as a human shield by the LTTE terrorists without even the basic human needs, would soon be liberated by the advancing troops.

The LTTE's former Eastern leader Karuna Amman, alias Vinayagamoorthi Muralidharan, who has now joined the democratic mainstream highlighted an important issue. In our page one lead story last week, he questioned as to why the numerous human rights organisations and others who raise a big hue and cry for human rights, are keeping mum when the LTTE is forcibly keeping innocent Northern civilians as a human shield. This was indeed an eye-opener.

The Government proved its sincerity by opening a 'human corridor' to enable the civilians to come to the liberated areas, but the LTTE continued to hold them to ransom and strengthened their human shields.

The innocent civilians had little or no choice but to remain under the LTTE's terror rule and suffer immense hardships under conditions which were suitable for animals.

The United Nations, in a commendable move, called upon the LTTE to facilitate free civilian movements. This was a terrible blow to the Tiger strategy and the LTTE were constrained to 'relax' some civilian movements.

Prabhakaran more often than not boasts that he is the sole representative of the Tamil community. If he had been successful in gaining even a modicum of status, was there any need for him to block civilian movements? Prabhakaran has certainly not won the hearts of people and the civilians in the Tiger-held areas are living in mortal fear as they have no alternative under the LTTE's 'live or die' policy.

The LTTE leader is deeply conscious of this stark fact and knows only too well that the civilians would leave his so-called 'kingdom' at the very first opportunity. This is why Prabhakaran is forcibly keeping these innocent civilians around his hideouts so that the LTTE could use them as a human shield.

There are a large number of human rights organisations and many of them often issue statements and annual reports, mainly focusing on the most trivial incidents in the developing countries, but they often turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations in 'some privileged' countries. This is understandable.

But don't they have an obligation to raise their voice when innocent civilians are at the mercy of a terrorist organisation which is banned in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada, India and the European Union? This was the bitter truth which Karuna highlighted and showed the nudity of most human rights organisations.

President Rajapaksa and the Government is giving the right political leadership in the battle against terrorism and has let the Security Forces take their own appropriate decisions. While the Government, through the Defence Ministry, provides logistical support, the defence authorities have the liberty to take the right field decisions in the best interests of the country.

This has been the key to the success in the battle against terrorism under President Rajapaksa's leadership.

Most of his political opponents too have openly acknowledged that President Rajapaksa is the only leader who could take this relentless battle forward fearlessly. Irrespective of political affiliations, it is the bounden duty of all loyal and patriotic citizens to strengthen the President's hands and support the Security Forces to overcome the final hurdle.