He tightened the noose around Tigers

by Dinesh WEERAWANSA

Exactly three years ago, Sri Lanka held its fifth Presidential election - on November 17, 2005. That was the time terrorism was threatening to divide the country. The LTTE terrorists were not only dominating in the North but were also holding territory in the East under their unofficial rule.

The Security Forces were confined to their barracks in most parts of the North and East as the controversial Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) signed during the 2001-2004 government of Ranil Wickremesinghe had given ample room for Velupillai Prabhakaran and his ruthless terror outfit to strengthen and fortify their positions.

The CFA gave a legitimate position to areas held by the LTTE and many believed that the Tigers have virtually established their dream State of 'Ealam'. The LTTE were not only powerful in the North and East but had established their ranks in the capital. In fact, the LTTE was in a position to launch massive attacks in Colombo and suburbs.

It was under such circumstances that Mahinda Rajapaksa was declared the winner of the 2005 Presidential Election on his 60th birthday. On the following day - November 19, 2005, he took oaths as the fifth executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It was the dawn of a new era in Sri Lanka as the country started heading for a new dimension.

As a person who firmly believed in democracy and finding solutions through dialogues, he immediately invited the LTTE to the negotiating table. Despite the LTTE exploding as series of bombs in the city and suburbs, President Rajapaksa wanted to give a hearing to the Tigers. But Prabhakaran took that as a sign of weakness and walked out.

When the LTTE deprived innocent civilians of the basic human need of water and kept them as human shields in Mavil Aru, the Government thought enough is enough. President Rajapaksa had no option but to treat the LTTE in the language they know the best.

Ever since, the Security Forces have been embarking on massive humanitarian operations, rescuing thousands of innocent civilians from the jaws of LTTE terrorism. Beginning from Mavil Aru, our valiant Security Forces, under the able political leadership of President Rajapaksa and dynamic military leadership of Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, have destroyed the LTTE power, pushing the Tigers to Mullaitivu jungles.From Mavil Aru to Sampur and Vakarai to Thoppigala, our Security Forces have eradicated Prabhakaran's terrorism in the East and liberated thousands of innocent civilians.

The Security Forces would soon liberate the Wanni and Mullaitivu districts.Not only innocent civilians in those two districts, who are now being kept as human shields, would be rescued from the blood-thirsty LTTE but the Government would also set up a mechanism to resettle them in no time.

Though many INGOs try to paint a dismal picture on the resettlement process, the Government has the expertise and a proven track record to resettle the IDPs within months.The aim of the Government is to develop the newly liberated areas in the North and the Eastern Provinces and bring them on par with the Western Province.

To achieve that goal, the Government needs the support and assistance of the international community and backing from our donor countries. If they are sincerely interested in protecting human rights and contribute to the well being of the people in the North and the East, they should join hands with the Government

If we are to add more value to those resounding victories and make them 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 should unite to vanquish the common enemy.

The Government has to address two major issues, if we are to use the recent victories in the North in a productive manner. One is to strengthen the grip in the newly liberated areas in the North. Once terrorism is completely wiped out from the North, we have to give top priority to develop the province, addressing the basic needs of the civilians who are now being rescued from LTTE's terror.

Once LTTE terrorism is completely eradicated, the Government would present a political solution to the genuine problems of the people living in the North and East. The All Party Committee (APC) has already handed its interim proposals and the final political solution would be ready soon.

The vision of the President is to make sure all communities - be it the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims or Burghers, live in harmony under the Lion flag.Once terrorism is wiped out, all communities could live in harmony in a prosperous Sri Lanka.