Disclosure of Tamil Homeland Myth

International pressure exerted on the Sri Lankan Government seems to be of no small measure when focusing on the issues regarding the alleged human rights violations leveled against the country. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has proposed that a special three-member committee should be appointed to investigate into the said violations of human rights and war crimes allegedly committed by the Sri Lanka Army. Subsequent to this, the US State Department also submitted report on human rights violations said to be committed by the Sri Lankan Government.
These two issues cannot be easily and lightly discarded. Although the Sri Lankan Government protested against these measures, it is has still not understood the next turn of affairs. When Sri Lanka was frequently accused of abusing human rights, the government raises another question instead of producing an answer. It is why the United Nations, which was never, concerned about the human rights violations of the United States Army in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel and also in some middle-eastern countries, is now overtly concerned about probing into 'supposed' human rights violations committed by the Sri Lanka Army. When the United States question about rights violations in Sri Lanka, the government in turn asks why the US State Department does not speaks about crimes committed against ordinary civilians when the US Army launch attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.
Solutions to Challenges
After ending Prabhakaran's terrorism, the solutions to challenges faced by Sri Lanka lies within the counter charges of the government based on the same issue. To maintain cordial international relations, four vital points are identified in political science.
1. To reach conscientious through discussions.
2. Offering grants.
3. Imposing embargoes.
4. Stabilizing domination.
United States and other 'powerful' countries apply all four measures at different stages towards poor and less affluent countries. The way in which the United States intervened in Iraq could be quoted as a clear example. The US intervened initially in Iraq with an accusing finger. The UN intervened to investigate nuclear 'arms factory' in Iraq consequent to US allegations. However, Iraq permitted the UN monitors to carryout their inspections under a 'controlled' situation. Then the US and the UN claimed that Iraq abandoned on its own accord the opportunity of coming to an agreement through negotiations. Subsequently, economic embargoes were imposed on Iraq and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces invaded the country. Thereby Iraq was subjected to two international strategies, i.e., imposing embargoes and stabilizing domination.
The entire world today accepts the fact that there were no nuclear arms in Iraq. Had Iraq being able to convince initially by settling the issue through discussion then it would not have paved the way for the NATO forces to invade the country.
Eradicating Islam Fundamentalism
However, a question arises here if Iraq had convinced the international community that they did not possess nuclear arms, would the NATO forces have invaded Iraq? The world at large is aware that the motive of the western camp led by the United States in projecting Iraq's possession of nuclear arms, was only an excuse to invade the land and not for any other purpose. However, the US gave a clear persuading theory internationally to justify their move, namely the US opinion on Islam fundamentalism. The United States successfully convinced the global community that their stance is eradicating Islam fundamentalism from the face of the earth. If any questions are raised on US attacking Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the response should be based on this standpoint. It was due to the US adopting such a policy on Islam terrorism that a leading Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan was questioned at the US airport on his entry to the country, because his name was Khan.
Sri Lanka too should resort to US course of action when facing the present challenging situation. It should essentially not follow the mistake committed by Iraq under similar circumstances. In the struggle by Tamil communalists projecting the image of a Tamil Eelam state, the defeated faction was the combat arm of the movement. Although Western pressure was exerted on the government during its fight against these combatants or in other words Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Mahinda Rajapakse government was prudent enough to use good judgment on the face of such pressure. A state policy was in place which gave the military, authority to intensify its war strategies, which ultimately defeated the LTTE. The plan was well formulated and western and global powers could not directly intervene in the operations. The stance of the government was, "A terrorist must be answered in his own language." Although the global powers nurtured the LTTE as their pet in the Indian Ocean region, conspired to salvage them, they could not find room to directly intervene in the government machinery. This was the Sri Lankan policy projected internationally, regarding eradication of the LTTE in the country. This is equal to US's policy projected globally, regarding Islam extremists.
Eradicating Terrorism
The same positive approach Sri Lanka pursued in eradicating terrorism should be shown in dealings with the accusations emitted by the West. At present, although the LTTE terrorism or the armed Tamil extremists are extinct, Tamil communalism is actively evident. Tamil communalists led by Rudrakumaran, domiciled in the US, are now attempting to establish an Eelam state in exile. The Global Tamil Forum which met in Britain hopes to establish Eelam (a separate state) in Sri Lanka by adopting various other measures other than terrorism. Sri Lanka is now facing this challenge. Here again the country should resort to its policy adopted when it defeated the LTTE. The country was able to crush the LTTE, by placing the eradication of terrorism as a government policy and bringing to world to its senses. It did not directly yield to any international pressure. If the Mahinda Rajapakse government did not adopt this steady and unwavering attitude towards the LTTE, it would never have been possible to defeat the outfit. A clear example is the tenure of Chandrika Kumaratunga's regime. During this period, the Sri Lankan Government's policy only showed the global community, the foolishness of its agenda by launching military operations and on the other hand talking of peace. Sri Lanka projected to the world that its policy is launching limited military offensives is a necessity prior to commencement of negotiations. Accordingly, the offensives were launched not to defeat terrorism but to hold discussions with the terrorists, in order to form a separate state or in other words a federal administration. If the same policy was adopted by the Rajapakse government, Prabhakaran would still be among the living.
In this instance, the government should take an example from its own strategy followed to annihilate the LTTE. The demand for an Eelam or separate state by Tamil communalists is based on the myth of Tamil homeland concept. Even Nelam Tiruchelvam identified the Tamil aspirations of Tamils from the platform of the so-called Tamil homeland. The government should respond to the pressures exerted by Eelamists and Western governments by disclosing to the world, by destroying the myth of the Tamil homeland. When this is accomplished, the global community or the West would be in the same situation which it faced at the time when the Rajapakse government forged ahead with the war to defeat terrorism. This is where Iraq failed. If Iraq too openly put forward to the international community a clear-cut policy regarding nuclear arms then the NATO Forces would not have been able to invade Iraq.
Homeland Concept
Sri Lanka should now forge ahead to defeat the present covert moves of the Tamil Eelamists, by taking this as an example. The Sri Lanka Government should adopt as a policy that a historical Tamil homeland concept is a mere myth. The fight against the Eelam concept should commence from this point to preserve the unitary and sovereign status of the country. This would definitely put a check on the wild outburst of Eelamists and other international forces who try to pressurize Sri Lanka.
If the international community is convinced that Tamil Homeland is nothing but a fiction then they would not have further dealings with these Eelamists. This has to be done to bring the Western colonialists to their senses.

Diversionary Tactics, Racial Politics in Sri Lanka

The Sinhala ruling class and Sinhala diplomacy are highly skilled in creating new diversionary problems with the sole objective of creeping out of tight corners. To be specific, they are experts in this art of obfuscation. The recent announcements and actions with regard to the resettlement of Sinhala settlers in Jaffna is also a part of this diversionary tactic.
By compelling opposition factions to think upon and focus their attention on a particular issue, and by crippling their activities on the other hand, the government diverts their attention from the main issue at hand. This has been the time-worn strategy and practice of the Sinhala ruling class.
Resettlement of Sinhala Families
The latest is the creation of the controversy relating to the resettlement of Sinhala families in the Jaffna Peninsula. This has created an issue that diverts the attention of the media and Tamil populace. They think about and talk about no other issue.When they turn their entire attention to this issue they forget their main grievances. Their attention is monopolized by the new issue. Since the issue of resettling Sinhala people in the north has surfaced, their main issues namely resettlement of displaced Tamils, High Security Zones (HSZs), ethnic issue, and development of their regions have been put on the back burner.
It has become a common practice for the ruling faction to postpone or delay dealing with existing problems by creating new problems. This is a ruse that is meant to drive the oppressed class to get embroiled in new problems.
Presidential Election
We quote here a recent example to substantiate our argument. Conducting two major elections simultaneously was a ruse used to divert the attention of the people from the refugee camp issues. Although there was time to hold the presidential election, the government held it ahead of time. With that move it made the presidential election a controversy in itself. Subsequently, the government also conducted the general election. A cross section of people had to cast their votes while still being in refugee camps cut from any and all contact with the outside world.
Not only was this wrong it was also an offense. Giving the people incarcerated in camps no option but to cast their votes was certainly not an opportunity for them to exercise their franchise. It was tantamount to being the commission of a crime because they were prisoners and yet expected to vote. All those people who compelled these people to cast their votes while being in such a plight are co-perpetrators of that crime.
Solving Country's Problems
The elections held during that period took everyone's focus away from their problems and onto the elections. These elections not only drew the attention of the country but also of the Tamil community. Instead of solving the country's problems the government used this strategy to make Tamil parties struggle to contest the election. The media also focused attention exclusively on the election. In this strategy we see that governance means nothing more than a strategy of the Sinhala ruling class. And the Tamil polity as well as political parties were kept gravitating round this strategy used by the Sinhala ruling class to divert public attention away from burning issues. And that is the situation that is once again prevailing in the country.
The issues relating to HSZs, those who are missing, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders who are missing after their surrender to the security forces, a solution to the ethnic issue have all been driven below the national consciousness by the creation of the issue relating to the resettling of Sinhala people in Jaffna.
The government has created a breathing space to overcome the crises it is faced with. And it has done so by staging this drama of Sinhala people seeking resettlement in the Jaffna Peninsula.
The truth is that these Sinhala people had never been refugees anywhere nor have they ever received any form of refugee aid outside Jaffna. They have not been subjected to any form of hardship by any displacement, as claimed. Nor, for that matter, had they themselves ever considered coming to Jaffna to take ownership of lands and assets. They have however by some means been brought to Jaffna in the guise of refugees to create a resettlement issue. We can now see that even the Sinhala people in Jaffna are being used as pawns of the Sinhala ruling class.
The government agent Jaffna has said these Sinhala people cannot in the foreseeable future be resettled in Jaffna. At the same time Minister Douglas Devananda says three months would be needed to make a decision pertaining to their plea for resettlement.
The Jaffna Peninsula is not in a position to welcome these Sinhala settlers and help them in a resettlement process. The peninsula is faced with an issue of landless people and yet, those who claim that they want to resettle in Jaffna have no lands or assets of their own in the peninsula.
As far as Douglas is concerned this is an issue that has trapped him in a crisis situation. He finds himself under pressure with the question pertaining to how the government can send Sinhala people to Jaffna for resettlement when it is dragging its feet over the need to resettle the Tamil people in the HSZs in the peninsula. He therefore used the three-month grace period to resolve the issue. His announcement disappointed the government and also created a bit of a crisis for it in this context. Consequent to such announcement a group of Sinhala people returned to the South. But the Sinhala ruling class did not remain mum. It stirred up the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU). The JHU said that if these Sinhala people were not resettled in the Jaffna Peninsula it would leave for Jaffna and engage in direct action to resettle them in the peninsula.
The Sinhala Urumaya is not such a powerful Sinhala political force. But it has the ability to create an issue. Its announcement was meant to create an opinion that it was pressurizing the government on this issue. The objective of the ruling class in creating forces like the Sinhala Urumaya is to create crises by exploiting such circumstances.
The government also wanted to show that it respects the voice of the Sinhala Urumaya. Hence, by expressing its concerns about the plight of these Sinhala people it is really contributing towards the intensification of this issue into a problem for the Tamil people.
The government wanted to make a show of its concern for the welfare of these Sinhala people who want to resettle in Jaffna. So, instead of telling them to return to the south pending a solution to their demands it told them to remain in the peninsula and sent the resettlement minister there to assure them of a solution.
Minds of Tamils
Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando arrived in Jaffna. He studied the situation and gathered details from the Sinhala people. He was already well acquainted with the facts relating to this issue long before he came there to speak to them. He did speak to them for the sake of creating appearances that he knew nothing of the issue. Was that not a dramatic touch? The minister played his role well in the drama to mislead the Tamils as well as the Sinhala people.
Finally, he asked these people to wait for some time. He also told them that Minister Douglas Devananda would attend their issue. Minister Milroy has gone back. But these Sinhala people have become fake refugees and made to stay on in Jaffna. The issue remains unresolved in Jaffna. It has become a burning issue as far as the Tamils are concerned and also poses several questions in the minds of the Tamils.
Meanwhile, this issue has given rise to debates relating to the arrival of Sinhala people in Jaffna. An open discussion was held in Jaffna on this issue recently.
There are voices cautioning that this issue be handled cautiously. An analyst claims that the arrival of Sinhala people in the north is not an issue. But their attempts to settle in the north and in the east and the manner in which they are going about it have turned it into an issue. While thousands of Tamils remain to be resettled in Kilinochchi, Mullattivu, and Trincomalee areas what could be the objective behind the government's attempts to settle Sinhala people in Jaffna?
The government shows no interest in resettling Muslim people who fled the north. But the same government and ministers make a big show of deep concern about these Sinhala people. What is the explanation behind this? No one understands.
Racial or Religious Differences
The president says there should not be any racial or religious differences in the country. All are equal and are the citizens of this country. So he says.
But the reality is entirely different from what he claims it is. All differences exist in this country. Does not the president know about all these differences? Do all these incidents take place without his knowledge? Does he expect us to trust him in all this?
The Jaffna District Secretariat has made all arrangements to supply these southerners with relief supplies. Every family is to be supplied with relief worth rupees 10,000 (SIRe). But SIRe 1,000 only is given to Tamil families which have more than five members.
Racial Perspective
The government gives SIRe 1,000 to each Sinhala family. Is this the society without racial or religious differences as claimed by the president?
It is true that certain sections approach this issue in its racial perspective. But it is the government that's creating this effect because the government needs to stoke racism for its survival. It is a well known fact that the leading forces in Sri Lankan politics survive on racism. That such a mode of politics continues even after such enormous losses and destructions the nation has been subjected to is a matter for deep regret. The Tamils have become the victims of racial politics and the government continues to dig its own grave via this brand of politics.

Sri Lankan Envoy Urges European Governments Not To Encourage LTTE Activists

Sri Lanka has urged European governments not to extend any moral or political support for any efforts by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Diaspora to establish a transitional government of Eelam in exile.

Ravinath Aryasinghe, Sri Lanka's envoy in Brussels for Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union has said that the LTTE, in collaboration with certain groups in western countries, are proceeding with plans to establish a provisional Tamil Eelam state in exile. This is another strategy to resuscitate the terrorist struggle.

Supporting Tamils
These groups have mushroomed through bogus elections and are comprised of a large number of LTTE members and activists. These groups have been formed with the support of several Tamils who had illegally entered western nations. They should have been repatriated to Sri Lanka by now since normalcy has returned to the country, he said.

Aryasinghe added that these elements are involved in a move to establish a rogue Tamil state in exile as an exercise aimed at stoking anew the interest of the Tamil Diaspora and thereby create an atmosphere that will also enable them to extend their stay in those countries. Aryasinghe was addressing the "2010 Diplomatic Security Conference on the Terrorism Situation and Trends in the EU" held in the Colonial Palace in Brussels on 11 May. The conference was attended by diplomats, academics, members of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice society.
War Against LTTE

"The Sri Lankan story relating to the war waged against terrorism has in it two dominant facts which are of relevance to this conference. First, the victory achieved in the war against the LTTE is a well known fact. Second is the fact that the LTTE is not only a terrorist organization but is also an outfit that maintains an efficient worldwide network.

This organization is multifaceted and they have assets worldwide. They also maintain links with leading organizations. Although the organization has lost its leaders and their core activists have been destroyed, we should not forget the fact that they have adequate wealth, expertise and links. You must not forget that all of these positives which they have are all in your countries", Aryasinghe said.

He said: "There are even some schools which encourage terrorism and sacrifice. Some students from such a school were charged with an attack on the Sri Lankan embassy in Norway."

Indian Bona Fide’s Questionable in Sri Lankan Issues

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao recently said India stood ready with more funding for Sri Lanka's rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the war affected northern region.

India has continued funding the northern reconstruction and economic development process ever since the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was concluded on 18 May 2009. India has poured in billions of dollars for Northern Province reconstruction and rehabilitation projects undertaken by the Sri Lankan Government and recently announced more funding for the reconstruction of the Palali Airport in the Jaffna Peninsula and development of the Kankesanturai Harbor.

Victory Over LTTE
There is no gainsaying the fact that India's liberal assistance for the economic restoration effort in the Northern Province, which was completely devastated by the three-decade long war, deserves commendation. But the dominant question that begs an answer today is whether her liberal funding for the development and reconstruction projects in the north will in any way help restore an enduring peace in this war-torn nation. It is an open secret that India extended to the Sri Lankan Government her unreserved support to help bring the war against the LTTE to a decisive end.

The Sri Lankan Government would certainly have not been able to so conclusively deal a death blow to the LTTR militarily had India's unreserved support not been forthcoming on all fronts. The Sri Lankan Government celebrates the first anniversary of the military victory over the LTTE on 18 May. But the same government has not taken any credible action to resolve the enduring ethnic grievance which in the first place triggered that brutal war.

President's Personal Commitment
At the outset President Mahinda Rajapaksa publicly held out a personal commitment to unveil a solution to this outstanding issue after the holding of the presidential election. Then, after the presidential election was concluded, he modified that commitment to say he would iron out an agreement on an equitable solution through negotiations with the Tamil MPs who would be elected to parliamentary in the parliamentary general elections. When that point was reached he then said the negotiations with the Tamil MP's would begin after his return from the SAARC Summit in Bhutan.

The SAARC Summit is also past us. Instead of inviting the Tamil National Alliance for talks to explore a solution to the grievances of the Tamil community, the government seems to be instead occupied with attempts to weaken the Tamil National Alliance politically.

Implementing 13th Amendment
Earlier official commitments to implement a 13th Amendment plus solution to remedy all Tamil grievances are now in limbo and the government is guardedly tight lipped on the 13 plus topic.

At the time that the government emerged the victor in the war against the LTTE in 2009, India was actively pressing for a solution based on the 13th Amendment. India also insisted that the solution offered now should surpass the provisions of the 13th Amendment.

However, what has happened now? We see a subtle yet unmistakable change of attitude on the part of the Indian Government toward the nature of a solution to the grievances of the Tamil community. While India is at pains to compete with China and Pakistan in helping Sri Lanka on several fronts, Delhi does not now seem to be concerned about a settlement to the ethnic issue that will satisfy the aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils living in the north and east. Instead, India seems content to be a mere unconcerned listener to all that is said by the Sri Lankan government.

Establishing Permanent Peace
Peace and harmony cannot be ushered in purely through financial assistance extended by the Indian government to Sri Lanka. India's contribution is more direly required to bring about a lasting solution to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict. India should understand this reality. Her current backing of Sri Lanka will never help establish a permanent peace in the country.

India should also understand that all the economic development in a country which lacks peace will not only be an illusion of a solution, but will ultimately prove to be a wasted effort.

Is Reconciliation Commission Sri Lankan Government Ploy?

The allegation of the Sri Lankan Army shooting dead members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who surrendered to them, carrying white flags in their hands, has become, since then, the most talked about topic in the global diplomatic circuit.

Semblance of Sincerity

Attempts made to raise this issue at the UN General Assembly sessions were thwarted by a diplomatic maneuver of the Sri Lankan Government. Of late, the efforts of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to appoint an advisory committee to brief him on a course of action to be taken in this connection, against Sri Lanka, have also been largely unsuccessful. Undoubtedly, the Sri Lankan Government has been working behind the scenes to nip Ban Ki-moon's efforts to appoint that advisory committee in the bud.

The same Sri Lankan Government that has foiled all efforts relating to the intended international inquiry into these allegations is not in the least bothered about probing those allegations with any semblance of sincerity in spite of its utterances to the effect that it will conduct its own independent probe into the matter.

Responsibility for War Crimes
The government continues to tout the news about a Sri Lankan Presidential Commission being appointed to establish facts relating to the allegations purportedly for the objective of deciding on whether it was necessary for the government to acknowledge responsibility for those war crimes. But the government has done nothing meaningful in this connection to date. Anxiety prevails in several quarters as to why the government has not yet appointed the commission as announced.

There was a sudden report on 12 May that a reconciliation commission has been appointed and would commence its investigations immediately.

However, it is now said that the commission appointed to probe the allegations leveled by the US Department of State regarding the war in Sri Lanka and establish facts about whether indeed there were war crimes committed or not -- and hence a violation of international laws- will only inquire into 300 charges falling under five categories. Commission Secretary S.M. Samarakoon, has revealed this fact. So far, so good. The government has at least revealed the names of the members of the commission and the matters to be investigated. A Tamil and a Muslim have also been appointed to serve on this six-man commission.

Samarakoon has also acknowledged that the commission has been tasked to probe into the hardships suffered by the public and children in particular, those who disappeared, killings of those who surrendered and humanitarian matters. But he goes on to say in the same breath that since the commission has not been vested with adequate powers the commission had still not decided to probe the alleged killings of those who surrendered and those who disappeared.

International Speculation
This certainly is a shocking understatement of double-speak. The announcement that the commission has not yet decided to probe the two most vital issues which are at the core of international speculation and deep concern, is rather amusing. It is also an attempt to conceal a fact that the whole world is aware of.

No matter what name is given to this charade, it's clear that the Sri Lankan Government is resorting to mental games aimed at fooling the whole world. But then, for how long can the government lead everyone down the garden path?
Eye washing does not always succeed.

Undue Expansion of Sri Lanka Army

Although the first anniversary marking the completion of "Eelam War-4" is to be commemorated shortly, the euphoric talk about the war victory by the general public goes on unabated in southern Sri Lanka। On the other hand the grievances of the Tamils who were severely affected by the war are yet to be resolved. Approximately 100,000 displaced civilians are still held in welfare camps.

Furthermore, there does not seem to be any substantial evidence in the country to support the claim that the conflict is over। Emergency regulations as well as the prevention of terrorism act are very much in force. The presence of the armed forces in the north and east has not declined. High security zones are still maintained. The number of security personnel in the country is comparatively high as far as Sri Lanka is concerned while the cost of maintaining them is also very high.

Progressive Strength
As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, the Army has been progressively strengthened over the last 60 years with the solitary objective of keeping the Tamil community under foot। The number of soldiers in Sri Lanka is very much more than the number in the United Kingdom.

According to the data published in June 2009, the British Army had six divisions with 146,000 men। But the Sri Lankan defense secretary had said recently that Sri the Lanka Army had 300,000 personnel. The Sri Lankan Government is also in the process of recruiting a further 50,000 soldiers.

A close look at the history of the Sri Lanka Army would reveal the fact that its growth corresponded to the growth of the intensity of the Tamil struggle। The armed Tamil struggle was born only after the nonviolent struggles of the Tamil community had failed. In the year 1970 the number of personnel in the Sri Lanka Army was increased to 8,500.

Although the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed in the 1970s there was a notable increase in the attacks launched by them in the mid-part of the 1970s। However, the LTTE started to launch serious attacks only in 1981.

In the first attack launched by the LTTE on the Kankesanturai road in Jaffna two soldiers were killed। When the LTTE gradually intensified their attacks the Sri Lankan Government was compelled to increase the number of personnel in the army. In the year 1983 the Sri Lanka Army had 12,000 personnel.

Later, in the year 1986, it was increased to 30,000। By the time that "Operation Liberation" was launched in the Jaffna Peninsula in the year 1987, the Sri Lanka Army had increased its cadres by another 10,000 men.

When the military operation was launched by the Indian Forces the Sri Lanka Army did not absorb any great loss। But with the exit of the Indian Army, the Premadasa government had increased the cadre very greatly. In the year 1990 the Sri Lanka Army consisted of 50,000 soldiers. In 1994 at threw conclusion of "Eelam War-2" the strength of Sri Lanka Army had shot up to 104,000 men.

The commencement of "Eelam War-3" made deep psychological inroads into the Sri Lanka Army। When the LTTE started using antiaircraft weapons and crash landed into Sri Lanka Air force aircraft, it infused fear in the minds of the Sri Lankan soldiers.

The number of escapees from the Army had increased many folds during that period। The Sri Lanka Army which had a strength of 104,000 personnel in 1994 had declined to 90,000 in 1996. But the Army was subjected to a complete restructuring in the same year with the idea of facing a full-scale war.

Structure of Army
Former Defense Minister Anurudda Ratwatte restructured the Army in the year 1995। He established the 51, 52, 53 divisions in the Army. Later, several other divisions were created to cater to the needs of military operations launched by the Army. In 1997, the 43, 55 and 56 divisions were formed. But as a result of the attacks launched by the LTTE during its "Unceasing Waves Operation-3" and on the Elephant Pass base, the 54 division was completely destroyed and later dismantled.

However, when there was a decline in operations in the latter part of 2001 the Sri Lanka Army had nine divisions with 95,000 personnel. It has 11, 21, 22, 23, 51, 52, 53, 55, and 56 divisions.
Later, consequent to the Ceasefire Agreement signed in the year 2002, all these divisions underwent restructuring with new personnel। And the number of men in the Army had also increased to 118,000.

At the time when Mahinda Rajapaksa held the reigns of power as the president of the country in the year 2005 several other changes were effected in the army cadre। Since clashes between the Army and the LTTE intensified in 2005 several other changes were effected in the structure of the Army. When the Sri Lanka Army besieged the LTTE and people of Mullattivu in the vicinity of Nandikadal it had 20 divisions. During that period the Sri Lanka Army had the 11, 21, 22, 23, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 and 61 divisions and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 battalions were engaged in combating operations. A new division called the 65 Division was also established following the conclusion of war.

When the Sri Lanka Army announced the conclusion of the war in May 2009 it had 240,000 men with 20 divisions including 265 battalions। However, the defense secretary recently said the Sri Lanka Army had been expanded by 300,000 and the overall army strength was 450,000 men.

The number of army personnel in Sri Lanka is 50 percent more than that of the United Kingdom। The expansion of the Sri Lanka Army with the help of certain regional powers has not only eaten into the national economy of the country but has also caused several negative impacts on several fronts in Sri Lanka.

Defense and Expenditure
The defense budget of the country for the year 2009 was 1।6 billion dollars which is more than five percent of Sri Lanka's gross domestic product. This is two fold higher than those in Pakistan. Since the Sri Lankan Government maintains the same army which it maintained during the war, the defense expenditure will never decline.

The Sri Lanka Army has suffered during the Eelam wars। During the war which lasted between 1981 and 2002, 17,066 army personnel were killed and 29, 486 men from the Army, including 9,220 officials had lost their limbs.

In an interview with an Indian daily, the Sri Lankan defense secretary had said that when Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office as the president in the year 2005, the Sri Lanka Army had lost 26,000 personnel in the operations launched earlier।

Further, according to the data received by the government on the loses suffered in the "Eelam War-4", 6,200 army personnel were killed and 30,000 personnel were rendered permanently invalid। The government is now faced with the serious financial challenge of maintaining the families of 6,200 soldiers killed in action during the last three years and over 30,000 injured servicemen.

Establishing Permanent Peace
The government is paying $750-$1200 through insurance to the families of the soldiers killed or who are missing in action। Insurance and other financial benefits are being paid to the injured soldiers too. Such payments and financial benefits paid to the families of fallen soldiers have also increased the defense budget.

The first year commemoration of the end of the war is to be organized by the government shortly and to this day one will find reports in the newspapers as to how the war was won। Superior fire power and man power helped the Sri Lanka Army destroy a small group of militants.

It is said that 20,000 men are adequate for the Sri Lanka Army as the war is no more and permanent peace has been established. In short, the government is compelled to maintain an army that is more than the country requires.

Time Opportune for Concerted Tamil Speaking Communities’ Force

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa through his convincing victory at the presidential election proved that he could win an election even without the support of the minority communities. Similarly, the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) led by President Rajapaksa has proved through its resounding victory at the just concluded general election also that it could form a government without the support of minority communities. The landslide victory achieved by the president at both elections exposes the bitter fact that the bargaining power held by the minority parties has slipped out of their hands.

Representation of Minority Communities
Considering the victory by the majority parties in their attempts to slash down the representation of minority communities in Parliament, these communities are now plagued with the fear that the prevailing trend against them might take an ugly turn in the future. Confirming the accuracy of their fears the government recently revealed intentions of proscribing parties of minority communities which harbor aspirations for securing devolution of powers.

Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had expressed sentiments to this effect relating to parties that insist on devolution of powers. Mithripala Sirisena, general secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has shown the green light to the proposal advanced by the defense secretary.

Broad Political Alliance
Therefore, as far as the minority parties are concerned the need of the hour is unity among them selves in order to safeguard the survival of the communities they represent. At this juncture the views expressed by Mavai Senathirajah, senior parliamentarian of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) relating to the formation of a broad alliance covering all minority parties gains significance.

In the circumstances, the TNA plans to form a broad political alliance comprising representation by Muslim as well as hill country Tamils to hold talks with the government. The formation of such an alliance will create a status quo which cannot be ignored by the government in carrying out its functions relating to concerns of the minority communities.

The TNA will submit its proposals along with the proposals submitted by the other parties in the alliance, to the government. This development would pave the way for the international community to speak to the government. The government is now under heavy international pressure. If President Rajapaksa fails to hold talks with this proposed broad alliance we will press on with our democratic struggle of non violence, mobilizing our people to achieve our legitimate objectives. The views expressed by him on behalf of the TNA are healthy and commendable.

Forming New Alliance
Meanwhile, we could also be positive about the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) readily coming into such a broad alliance. The SLMC has expressed its support on several occasions in the past for an alliance of Tamil speaking people. In the course of private discussions the writer has held with SLMC leaders, they have expressed their willingness to form such an alliance.

We should also not fail to underscore here the fact that SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem in the run-up to the elections often said that only a joint struggle of the Tamil and Muslim communities would help politically win the rights of both communities, either through agitation via Parliament or through joint struggles from without.

If he acts in keeping with his stated intentions, the possibilities of forming a wide Tamil alliance are not unrealistic. It is also essential to reckon with the upcountry political forces in this context.
When the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) dominated the political scenario through their armed struggle, the Muslim as well as up country parties were hesitant to work in tandem with the TNA. But the atmosphere now obtaining is different following the defeat inflicted on the LTTE. There are no such obstacles now to minority parties closing ranks with the TNA. The time would then seem opportune for the country political leaders to join such a mega political alliance.

Follies Committed in Past
The greatest folly committed by the LTTE and parties like the SLMC was their belief that they could win the rights of the communities they represent by waging independent struggles. But the Tamil and Muslim parties have now realized the error of their past convictions and it augurs well that they have now changed that mindset.

World history has recorded several incidents in which minority communities which once stood divided joined forces later to successfully win back their political rights.

Learning lessons from history the minority communities namely Tamils, Muslims, and upcountry Tamils should come together in a collective force with the aim of winning their political rights. Such a Tamil speaking alliance is an indispensable body for the objective of ensuring the political rights of minority communities.

Minority political parties have hitherto made gestures of agitation for their rights only during an election campaign. But there are no possibilities of an election being held in the new future. It will take another six or seven years for elections to be held. As such, coming out of the election myth, minority parties could now unite in a permanent entity on behalf of the communities they represent. The time is now most opportune for them to unite and work for the well being of the communities they represent.

The parliamentary election is now over and the UPFA is poised to form the new government without the support of the minorities.

The moment is also opportune for opposition MPs to join the government. As such there are possibilities for the UPFA to get strengthened further.

Against this backdrop the government would face no obstacle to fulfill its ulterior objectives such as proscribing the parties which clamor for devolution of powers, colonizing Sinhala people in the traditional homelands of Tamils, abolishing proportional representation and so on.

A single Tamil political party can never stem such destructive plans of the government against the minority communities. It would be possible only by a broad Tamil alliance.

Leaning on the government by certain Tamil, Muslim, and hill country parties is essential because this will help them to fulfill the expectations of their communities. We might even brand it as a kind of diplomacy.

If proposals such as a university in Vanni, houses for estate laborers, development of harbor in Oluvil, swift development of the North as envisaged by certain MPs are to take shape it is certainly necessary for certain MPs of the minority communities to back the government. This strategy will help develop Tamil areas while struggles are pressed to get the rights of Tamil people restored.

It does not mean that minority communities should give up their demands for their rights. Certain factions may not respond to our opinions. When we analyze the election results of the North and East we could see that minority communities have voted for the development of their regions.

Therefore, while leaders of minority communities focus their attention on our development they should also not give up their demands to fulfill the aspirations of their people.

Against this scenario, if the minority parties were to decide that they will not assist in the development process until they attain a federal system of government or the right of self-determination, it will not be a conducive approach. Therefore, while fine-tuning their struggles to thwart conspiracies hatched against the minority communities with the support of the international community on one hand the broad based alliance of minority parties should also concentrate on social development.

Disclosure of Tamil Homeland Myth

International pressure exerted on the Sri Lankan Government seems to be of no small measure when focusing on the issues regarding the alleged human rights violations leveled against the country. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has proposed that a special three-member committee should be appointed to investigate into the said violations of human rights and war crimes allegedly committed by the Sri Lanka Army. Subsequent to this, the US Department of State also submitted report on human rights violations said to be committed by the Sri Lankan Government.

Issues and Measures
The issues cannot be easily and lightly discarded. Although the Sri Lankan Government protested against these measures, it is has still not understood the next turn of affairs. When Sri Lanka was frequently accused of abusing human rights, the government raises another question instead of producing an answer.

It is why the United Nations, which was never, concerned about the human rights violations of the United States Army in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel and also in some middle-eastern countries, is now overtly concerned about probing into 'supposed' human rights violations committed by the Sri Lanka Army. When the United States question about rights violations in Sri Lanka, the government in turn asks why the US State Department does not speaks about crimes committed against ordinary civilians when the US Army launch attacks on Afghanistan and Iraq.

After ending Prabhakaran's terrorism, the solutions to challenges faced by Sri Lanka lies within the counter charges of the government based on the same issue. To maintain cordial international relations, four vital points are identified in political science.

1. To reach conscientious through discussions.

2. Offering grants.

3. Imposing embargoes.

4. Stabilizing domination.

Economic Embargoes
United States and other 'powerful' countries apply all four measures at different stages toward poor and less affluent countries. The way in which the United States intervened in Iraq could be quoted as a clear example. The US intervened initially in Iraq with an accusing finger. The UN intervened to investigate nuclear 'arms factory' in Iraq consequent to US allegations.

However, Iraq permitted the UN monitors to carryout their inspections under a 'controlled' situation. Then the US and the UN claimed that Iraq abandoned on its own accord the opportunity of coming to an agreement through negotiations. Subsequently, economic embargoes were imposed on Iraq and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces invaded the country. Thereby Iraq was subjected to two international strategies, i.e., imposing embargoes and stabilizing domination.

any questions are raised on US attacking Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, the response should be based on this standpoint. It was due to the US adopting such a policy on Islam terrorism that a leading Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan was questioned at the US airport on his entry to the country, because his name was Khan.

Well-Formulated Plan
Sri Lanka should also resort to US course of action when facing the present challenging situation. It should essentially not follow the mistake committed by Iraq under similar circumstances. In the struggle by Tamil communalists projecting the image of a Tamil Eelam state, the defeated faction was the combat arm of the movement.

Although Western pressure was exerted on the government during its fight against these combatants or in other words Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Mahinda Rajapaksa government was prudent enough to use good judgment on the face of such pressure. A state policy was in place, which gave the military, authority to intensify its war strategies, which ultimately defeated the LTTE. The plan was well-formulated and the Western and global powers could not directly intervene in the operations.

The same positive approach Sri Lanka pursued in eradicating terrorism should be shown in dealings with the accusations emitted by the West. If the Rajapaksa government did not adopt this steady and unwavering attitude towards the LTTE, it would never have been possible to defeat the outfit. A clear example is the tenure of Chandrika Kumaratunga's regime. During this period, the Sri Lankan Government's policy only showed the global community, the foolishness of its agenda by launching military operations and on the other hand talking of peace.

Sri Lanka projected to the world that its policy is launching limited military offensives is a necessity prior to commencement of negotiations. Accordingly, the offensives were launched not to defeat terrorism but to hold discussions with the terrorists, in order to form a separate state or in other words a federal administration. If the same policy was adopted by the Rajapaksa government, Venupillai Prabhakaran would still be among the living.

Preserve Unitary and Sovereign Status
In this instance, the government should take an example from its own strategy followed to annihilate the LTTE. The demand for an Eelam or separate state by Tamil communalists is based on the myth of Tamil homeland concept. Even Nelam Tiruchelvam identified the Tamil aspirations of Tamils from the platform of the so-called Tamil homeland.

The government should respond to the pressures exerted by Eelamists and Western governments by disclosing to the world, by destroying the myth of the Tamil homeland. When this is accomplished, the global community or the West would be in the same situation which it faced at the time when the Rajapaksa government forged ahead with the war to defeat terrorism. This is where Iraq failed. If Iraq too openly put forward to the global community a clear-cut policy regarding nuclear arms then North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Forces would not have been able to invade Iraq.

Sri Lanka should now forge ahead to defeat the present covert moves of the Tamil Eelamists, by taking this as an example. The Sri Lanka Government should adopt as a policy that a historical Tamil homeland concept is a mere myth. The fight against the Eelam concept should commence from this point to preserve the unitary and sovereign status of the country.

Political Solution to Sri Lankan Problem

The British High Commission in Sri Lanka in a communiqué has stated Foreign Minister David Miliband was included in the list of speakers to address the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) conference, held in London, on the theme "a peaceful political solution to the Sri Lankan problem". The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which rejected a series of peace proposals and political packages by a number of governments which ruled Sri Lanka finally formulated the demand for a state of Eelam which was never realized, even until the death of LTTE supremo Prabhakaran.

Joining Democratic Process
The LTTE instead met its waterloo on the battlefront. Today, there is no problem in Sri Lanka. A large number of LTTE leaders have joined the democratic process.
At present, the Tamil people who were afraid of the hand grenade of the tigers and their assault rifles are now freed. They are now satisfied that terrorism has been annihilated from the country.

Future Prospects
Because of the LTTE factor, various segments of communities in this country were deeply concerned about their future. This has been cleared up to the extent that they are now satisfied that the war situation has completely faded away.
In this context the action taken by the UK's foreign minister creates new hope among the remaining terrorists. Therefore, the protest made by the government is by all means legal and right.

Sri Lankan Government Protests Over Miliband’s Participation in Tamil Forum

The Sri Lankan Government had lodged a strong protest against the participation of British Foreign Minister David Miliband in the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) conference held in London recently. The report added that Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama summoned the acting British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Mark Gooding to the Foreign Ministry to express his utmost dissatisfaction and concern regarding Miliband's conduct.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry had expressed its deepest concern and the government's protest against the association of the British foreign minister in the entire process at the forum. The action of the foreign minister of Sri Lanka was an exercise in diplomatic restraint. One can argue that the participation of British foreign minister in a conference of a Tamil or a Sinhalese organization in London cannot be taken as a violation of rights of another country. No other country has the moral or legal right to oppose such participation.

Battle Against LTTE
However, the Sri Lankan Government's perspective on this incident, in which the British Foreign Minister David Miliband participated in the Global Tamil Forum conference, which was known to have close linked with Tamil rebels, should be viewed in the context of the long drawn out 30-year war in the country in which large numbers of human beings were murdered by the inhuman Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization.

At a time when the Sri Lankan Government was fighting a battle against the LTTE, the British Government did not act in a manner that suggested it was in favor of the military action carried out by Sri Lanka.

Bogollagama's Interpretation
One can imagine that there is a large margin of difference in the British foreign minister participating in a forum of any other nationality or organization with exceptions to his involvement with the Global Tamil Forum. One cannot accept the premise that the British foreign minister was ignorant of the fact that the LTTE outfit which was even declared by the United States as one of the world's cruelest terrorist organizations was a segment of the Global Tamil Forum. Therefore, Rohitha Bogollagama's interpretation that David Miliband's action similar to supporting future terrorist objectives cannot be considered as wrong.

It is no secret that during the war between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, the British Government's indifference in fact was a loud call for the war to be stopped and safeguard the LTTE. Although the UK did not directly enunciate this idea, the end result of the efforts of the British Government to stop the ongoing war would have definitely resulted in protecting the LTTE leadership and their organization.

Objective of LTTE
The main objective of the LTTE was to create an Eelam State, a concept that world Tamil organizations have still not abandoned. No one can deny that they would have deviated from this objective even for a while. This is because at the time of the death of LTTE leader Prabhakaran because of Army assaults, Kumaran Pathmanathan, one of the foremost characters who funded the movement, made a statement which caused concern in many world capitals. The statement attributed to Kumaran Pathmanathan is that "Even if Prabhakaran dies we are there for the organization" This statement of KP shows the indignation of the Tamils.

Therefore, if there is such an LTTE leader living in any part of the world, no onr can deny his relationship with the Global Tamil Forum. It has to be emphasized that the protest registered by the Sri Lankan Government against the British foreign minister's participation in the forum cannot be regarded as one that crosses the borders of diplomatic propriety.

Global Contradictions Over Lankan Politics

Waves of political violence which threatened the country during the presidential election have now translated into a political tug-of-war. This, which commenced just after the election peaked on 26 January when a special battalion commanded by Major General Sumith Manawadu besieged the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo, is now on the boil.
The shockwaves let loose in Southern Sri Lanka following the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka at his office by the military police on o8 February continue to reverberate throughout the country.
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Somawansa Amerasinghe, who was with Sarath Fonseka at the time of his arrest said 15 military police personnel stormed Fonseka's office and arrested him while the hotel was surrounded by the Army. The arrest that took place while President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in Russia and opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was in India not only triggered a state of tension in Southern Sri Lanka but widened the chasm of ill-will that existed between the government and Western countries.

Victory Over LTTE
We would do well to remember that the arrest of Sarath Fonseka will impact dramatically since he was the Army commander that took the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to victory.
The government is actively engaged in effecting extensive changes in the Army hierarchy as well as in the police. These structural changes that began with the conclusion of the presidential election on 26 January continued until Sarath Fonseka was arrested.
Approximately 40 high officials of the Army and 208 officials from the police were transferred. Fourteen other Army officials were sent on compulsory retirement in accordance with Army regulations introduced in 1992.
This was only the second time in the country's history that such a large number of Army officials have been sent home under compulsory retirement. Such compulsory retirement was enforced in 1999 too. Services of several front line commanders were terminated in that year. They were forced into premature retirement on the basis of military considerations but the recent spates of terminations were imposed for political reasons.
Following the "Unceasing Waves" operation launched by the LTTE in 1993 a large number of Army officials were sent on compulsory retirement on the orders of former President Chandrika Kumaratunge by the then Army Chief Srilal Weerasuriya. Lionel Balagalle, who was the chief of defense staff at that time, had terminated the services of seven Army officials after trying them in a military court.
Transformation in the entire Army structure is underway now. Consequent to Sarath Fonseka's arrest, there have been demonstrations in several parts of Southern Sri Lanka on 10 and 11 February. The demonstrations broke out into open clashes in several areas.

Charges Against Fonseka
The charges leveled against Sarath Fonseka by the government are as follows:
* Engaging in political activities while in service.
* Conspiring in a plot against the president.
* Providing refuge to over 1,500 Army deserters.
* Committing fraud in arms purchases.
The government is preparing to prosecute Fonseka in a military court. But opposition parties allege that the objective of the government to try him in a military court is targeted at suppressing the opposition and expelling Sarath Fonseka from the political firmament.
It is alleged that the government is attempting to secure a large majority at the next parliamentary elections by suppressing opposition parties.
Against this backdrop, fears are being expressed that there are possibilities of Sri Lanka being converted into another Myanmar which China dominates now through the suppression of opposition political parties. Sarath Fonseka's future depends entirely on whether the West will permit this to happen or not.
As far as China is concerned, the experience is that she always abstains from expressing views openly on internal affairs relating to neighboring countries. She adopted the same strategy on the affairs of Myanmar as well. But China subsequently strengthened its ties with Myanmar through economic, military, and infrastructure assistance. When close ties between China and Myanmar were established, Myanmar expelled India and other countries which sought to exercise undue influence in her affairs. Subsequently, China came out openly in support of Myanmar.
China and Russia jointly supported Myanmar at the UN Security Council using their Veto power to full effect. Western diplomats now view developments in Sri Lanka through the prism of the Burmese precedent. The recent views expressed by the Chinese president and the Chinese foreign spokesman, on Sri Lanka, are seen as significant policy stances in the Chinese foreign policy choices.
The Asian Human Rights Organization has said that the economic development achieved in China over the last two decades and its domination over Myanmar made this country feel that its close ties with China was essential.

Change in Myanmar Government
Although China and Myanmar developed their ties on the underpinning of broad commercial interests, China subsequently began to influence Myanmar in political and foreign affairs.
China strongly backs the military junta in Myanmar to this day. Opposition parties in Myanmar were suppressed in the same manner in which China suppressed opposition at home. In short, China did not want to disturb the status quo of her financial/economic interests in Myanmar by effecting a change in the Myanmar Government.
The activities of opposition parties are totally suppressed in countries where China has a foothold, western diplomats say. Some of them contend that the changes taking place in Sri Lanka too incite similar fear in their minds.
Sri Lanka is trapped in a hive contradictions fenced in by China, India and Western nations. One of these forces will in the end succeed in getting a stranglehold over Sri Lanka. Other foreign powers will come into the equation, seeking allies within this country. Those allies could very well turn out to be the minority Tamils or the opposition alliance.

Scrapping of Executive Presidential System in Sri Lanka

There is an imperialists' conspiracy by the US Government to get General Sarath Fonseka-now on a private visit to the United States-to give evidence against Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, to draft a charge sheet against him. Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has most courageously informed the United States that he was the commander-in-chief who gave orders to execute the war, so the United States should inquire from him, if they had any questions about the war matters in Sri Lanka.

Courageously speaking on behalf of the army commander, president has said that he would make himself accountable for the good as well as ill effects of the war. It is clear that the president is not prepared betray the valiant military officers. This is the first instance where a sacrifice of this nature has been made in the recent history of the country.

Support of International Community
Several Asian countries such as India and China and Russia along with a few European countries are pleased to see a united Sri Lanka. Imperialist countries and colonial, capitalist groups want to see Sri Lanka split into two regions or at least they want to see a divisive, federal state established in this country.

Let us start this comment reminding the fact that war victory was achieved with the aid of the Executive Presidential System. It is a duel knife that sharply cuts through on both sides, and if effectively maneuvered, it could cut through the most needed thing in the most desired way.

Lately, the most vociferous demand of the opposition has been about getting the Executive Presidential System abolished. There are many other problems that beset the country today. The first of those is the cost-of-living. Development of the country is the next. The main concern of post-war Sri Lanka is how to resurrect the country from its current plight.

However, in Sri Lanka politics has painfully become an abhorrent "belly-filling" concept. Therefore, resurrection of the country naturally gets undermined. Slogans are being voiced highly nowadays, that Executive Presidential system should be scrapped.

History of the Presidential System
Let us leave talking about those vociferous slogans aside, and analyze the history of the presidential system.

President J.R Jayewardene introduced the Executive Presidential System hoping to rule the country forever, under the United National Party (UNP). Jayewardene obtained undated resignation letters from his own MPs to "break their legs" in case they disobeyed him. He exercised his powers to get 'Gonawela Sunil' (an alleged criminal) released from jail and made him a justice-of-peace. Apart from that, we can't recall anything important Jayewardene did using his executive powers.

However, President Premadasa did not need executive presidential powers carryon to do what he wanted, but used other methods to get the work done. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) knows more about it than us.

Later, Chandrika Kumarathunga came to power saying that the presidential system would be abolished, but this slogan was swept under the carpet, when her government formed an alliance with the JVP. Amazingly, one morning, the JVP was rudely awoken to their old slogan of scrapping the Executive Presidency when they got up to find themselves chased from the United People Freedom Alliance government.

In fact, President Rajapakse is the only leader who prudently used his executive powers. Rajapakse used the executive powers even before the war, in a productive way. One example for this is, when he scrapped the cease-fire agreement which had been signed with a terrorist who had demarcated the boundaries of the country for a separate ethnic state.

The president as commander in chief used executive power to forge ahead in commanding the forces in the battlefield, in spite of strong objections from the UNP and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) against the war.

Some ask why executive powers are now necessary since the war is over. No sane men would go out, as soon as a spell of torrential rain has ceased. They will take an umbrella when they go out in readiness to protect themselves from another downpour.

End of LLTE
Although the power of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam [LTTE] in Sri Lanka has been crushed, operations of their international network have still not been controlled.

According to information confessed by the leader of the LTTE international network, Kumaran Pathmanathan, Prabhakaran has made enough cadres to last for seven more generations.

Because of this very reason, we would like to clearly and briefly state that Executive Presidential Powers should be in force for a considerable period of time in the future. There is an ancient Sinhalese adage that goes as "even if you betray the king, don't betray the country".

Repugnant Quagmire
Looking at the situation in all these aspects, trying to chase the commander-in-chief away and thereby isolate the defense secretary is an attempt to betray the country.

Politics in this country is in a muddy mess. Vengeances, greed for power, cruelty are part and parcel of this repugnant quagmire. We need to have a united and independent country to turn this muddy quagmire into a limpid lake, replacing it with fresh water, to have flowers bloom in it.

India As Sri Lanka's Saviour

There are recent news reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has temporarily decided to release a loan of $2.5 billion to Sri Lanka to overcome current economic crisis. It is also speculated that the IMF board of directors met on July 24, 2009 at its Washington headquarters to take a final decision in this regard. Sri Lanka is certain that the board of directors of IMF will fulfill anxiety to receive the loan.

Violation of Human Rights
The IMF is pointed out that Sri Lanka has successfully thwarted all attempts made by the West to block the loan to Sri Lanka citing human rights violation.

The IMF recalls, at this juncture, the statement of US Secretary to State Hilary Clinton at a media briefing precisely two months ago that the time was not opportune to release this loan to Sri Lanka.

However, the US officials claimed later that US was not obstructing the loan being released to Sri Lanka, the stance taken by the US and the West to teach a lesson to Sri Lanka for committing war excesses when the Vanni war was at its peak was transparent.

Meanwhile, Reporters Sans Borders (RSF) based in Paris has also expressed views regarding this loan.

Victory Over LTTE
The Sri Lankan Government which has emerged victorious in defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the graveyard of thousands of Tamils continues to suppress media freedom. Under these circumstances, IMF should release the loan to Sri Lanka only after obtaining a written guarantee from Colombo that it will safeguard and respect media freedom, said RSF in its letter to IMF.

The silent resistance posed to the release of this loan to Sri Lanka by US and the objections raised against the loan by several humanitarian organizations such as RSF have failed to prevent the IMF from releasing the loan. In short, Sri Lanka was successful in obtaining the loan overcoming all resistance.

India's Assistance
The vital point is that the India has assisted Sri Lanka in obtaining this massive loan of historical significance from the global financial body.

It is an open secret that India behind the screen backed Sri Lankan Security Forces in is offensive against the LTTE.

There is another. When the Western world tried to appoint an international commission to probe into the allegation of human rights violations against Sri Lanka, Colombo successfully defeated the attempt with the support of friendly nations. The same India helped Sri Lanka to defeat western pressure on that occasion too.

However, the diplomatic circles are of the view that even at this juncture, India played a silent role to clear all obstacles placed against the loan being released to Sri Lanka. It is believed that US withdrew its efforts in blocking the IMF loan to Sri Lanka on pressure exerted by India.

Future Prospects
Sri Lanka has reached a compromise with New Delhi regarding offering a solution to restore the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils. Diplomatic circles point out that India ensured the IMF loan being granted to Sri Lanka to reciprocate Colombo's assurance of resolving the ethnic issue.

Will India which is acting as the saviour of the Sri Lankan Government come forward to ensure that justice and fair play being meted out to Sri Lankan Tamils who are subjected to hardships and agony as a result of a three-decade war? Will New Delhi act realizing its responsibility and commitments as a neighbour country?