Govt. helping the LTTE gain Eelam: JHU by Damitha Hemachandra

The Jatika Hela Urumaya (JHU) yesterday protested the Government’s attempts to dilute the Sri Lankan Army by transferring and reappointing Army and Intelligence top brass to the Service pool, Administration and Foreign Service.

Reacting to the appointment of top Intelligence officer, Major General Kapila Hendavitharana as Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Thailand, the JHU pointed out that the Government is supplementing the 22-year-old attempt by the LTTE to destabilise the sovereignty of Sri Lanka and gain Eelam in the North and East.

Highlighting previous cases, where the top brass of the Army had been transferred, giving into pressure by the LTTE and the TNA, JHU General Secretary Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera urged the Military and the public to rise against the sudden transfers of the top brass in the military, which would weaken the country’s military lineup.

“The LTTE continues to hunt down Military and Intelligence officers, while hiding behind a one-sided Cease-fire Agreement (CFA),” he said, adding that the Government move is assisting the LTTE.

The Ven. Thera also pointed out that the present inertness of the Sri Lankan Government, in defending the interests of Sri Lankan military, insults the 18,000 military personnel who died and the 25,000 who were disabled protecting the sovereignty of the country.

Meanwhile, North and East Sinhala Organisation (NESO), writing to the President and the Joint Military Operations Head, Rear Admiral Daya Sandagiri, also urged them to stop the lightening transfers of the top military and intelligence officials in the North and East, interrupting the present ground defence operations implemented by them.

They urged the President not to provide security to LTTE members while they are launching violent attacks against the Sri Lankan Army, Police and Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil civilians.

NESO also urged President Kumaratunga and Navy Commander Rear Admiral Sandagiri to grant approval for the armed forces to return fire in self defence when confronted by the LTTE and to provide weapons to unarmed intelligence members of the Sri Lanka Army.

While pointing out that the LTTE violence against innocent civilians in the North and East is increasing daily, NESO requested the Government to permit civilians to carry weapons for self defence.

(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2005/07/26/news/08.asp)