As long as the Rajapaksa regime acts professionally to wipe out terrorism the world community would watch in silence. They would neither encourage nor discourage but would watch in silence. The world community has been advising in unison that Sri Lanka cnnot win the war against terrorists. Even though those very same countries were also involved in such armed struggles they vehemently opposed Sri Lanka militarily crushing the very same type of terror on the Lankan soil. They coined the word “war against terror” but limited it to the family of Uncle Sam. No body wanted to see anti-terror activities in Sri Lanka.
The donor community and the entire international community were up in arms against the government for the then prevalent general lawlessness in the capital. The government was at the receiving end of absolute hell from within and outside. However the ability to stop all abductions, disappearances and evictions in Colombo had helped authorities to regain the reins of authority. With the regaining of such authority the government did the next best thing to regain lost prestige. Hence the liberation of the Eastern Province should stand as a monument to determination and courage of those who planned and led the operation and their ability to put an end to haphazard activities in Colombo.
While the proud nation salutes the heroic military personnel for bravely recapturing the lost territory in the East, the liberation of the East stands as a monument to President Rajapaksa’s ability to transform the culture of lawlessness that prevailed in Colombo to a new chapter of professionalism in the East. The professional manner the East was captured without any excesses would have stunned the world community in disbelief in the background of near anarchy in Colombo a month ago.
The donor community and the entire international community were up in arms against the government for the then prevalent general lawlessness in the capital. The government was at the receiving end of absolute hell from within and outside. However the ability to stop all abductions, disappearances and evictions in Colombo had helped authorities to regain the reins of authority. With the regaining of such authority the government did the next best thing to regain lost prestige. Hence the liberation of the Eastern Province should stand as a monument to determination and courage of those who planned and led the operation and their ability to put an end to haphazard activities in Colombo.
Of course there are arm chair critics who unashamedly belittle the military effort in the East on various silly reasons. Those who put forward such silly arguments should bear in mind that whether there are any strategic interests or not, whether they are jungles or not the entire length and breath of the country should be under the rule of the government whether it is UNP or UPFA.
It is opportune at this stage to analyze briefly where the country stands among the world community and what the country gains in the aftermath of this victory. If the Ceasefire Agreement had nullified the governmental authority in some areas the recapture of the East had made amends to such one sided documents and made the terrorists’ claim of North-East amalgamation a pipe dream and shattered the homeland theory. In addition to that the Eastern province was being ‘nurtured’ to be the terrorists’ main landmass. In the absence of the entire eastern province and the peninsula Jaffna the only area under terrorists’ control is the Wanni (Kilinochchci, Mannar and Mullaitivu districts) These three districts are encircled by the Northern and Eastern provinces and the eastern and western coastlines. Accordingly the Wanni is more or less a trapped area for the Tigers. The only exit points are from the Mullaitivu Sea in the East or Mannar or Wilpattu sanctuary coastline in the West. Under such circumstances the loss incurred by the Tigers in the East might spell doom to them in the years to come if the authorities continue to handle the situation professionally.
In fact the authorities should act responsibly to prevent the type of activities that shook the city of Colombo with uncalled for abductions, evictions and disappearances elsewhere in the country hereafter. Especially the newly regained territory of East should be maintained as an epitome of unity and harmony in a civilized manner. Human rights violations would naturally attract the attention of the entire world community. The tendency for highhandedness by interested parties in the East is very much anticipated. The authorities must bear in mind that there is no war situation in the East now; hence there should not be any extraordinary activities by anybody who is some body in the East. In fact the evictions and abductions were said to be extraordinary activities prompted by extraordinary situations. Since the country has by now learnt a bitter lesson by engaging in such extraordinary acts the East should be showcased as an exemplary province to prove the credibility of the government and to keep the world at bay.
The victory in the East has made even the most vocal international non governmental bodies to hide their vociferous mouthorgan in disbelief. No body here or abroad is capable of criticizing the manner in which the military captured the East. The lawlessness prevalent in Colombo a couple of weeks ago almost converted Sri Lanka to a banana republic. Some would have expected the same in the East as well. In quite contrast the no-nonsense professional manner the military under their leaders captured the East had not provoked, agitated or antagonized any living creature any part of the world. The world would have heaved a sigh of relief when terrorists were defeated in the East but made it a point not to appreciate it. Under such circumstances the two different ways the world community reacted to Sri Lanka’s two different episodes convey an indirect lesson to Sri Lanka. The lesson for Sri Lanka is to act professionally to keep the world community at bay. That is the message and the lesson Sri Lanka has to learn from lawless abductions and lawful recapture of the East. As long as the authorities conduct military activities within the law to wipe out terrorism without any excesses the world community would be compelled to mind their own business. The stoic silence maintained by the world community is a testimony in silence for good conduct maintained in the East.
Yes, as long as the Rajapaksa regime acts professionally to wipe out terrorism the world community would watch in silence. They would neither encourage nor discourage but would watch in silence. The world community has been advising in unison that Sri Lanka cannot win the war against terrorists. Even though those very same countries were also involved in such armed struggles they vehemently opposed Sri Lanka militarily crushing the very same type of terror on the Lankan soil. They coined the word “war against terror” but limited it to the family of Uncle Sam. No body wanted to see anti-terror activities in Sri Lanka. The double standard maintained by those countries remains open for everybody to see. The absolute silence by the world community tells a tale that is understood only by them.
The Rajapaksa regime should rest assured that as long as the battle is conducted in a professional manner without leaving room for interested parties to chip in, even the belt-tightened poor peasants of Sri Lanka would support the regime to wipe out terrorism despite hunger pangs crunch them incessantly. This government, one should not forget came into power on hard line policies. Their oft repeated mantra which they preached during the campaign had martial music in the background.
The real acid test Mahinda faces in the East is the democratization of the East and the rehabilitation and reconstruction. First priority is to completely secure the area for rehabilitation and reconstruction. The East should be the icon of the war ravagd reconstruction process. The road network, schools, hospitals, markets and the other infrastructure facilities have to be developed on priority basis for people in the province to earn a living. The devastated war ravaged people might fall prey to various groups who can promise Sun and the Moon. That is why the government should move in first with projects and plans and quick results. There may be lots of other groups claiming a stake in the province. True, those who live in the province should have a stake but that should be purely on democratic principles but not on any other basis.
The hitherto silent world community will wake up no sooner the authorities take the wrong step. The crucial East would be a testing ground for Rajapaksa administration. The crouching Tigers too would be anxiously waiting to pounce on at the opportune time. Such an attack by the Tigers would nullify all the good work done. So the task ahead is to be carried out with military precision. The military has proved their mettle. It is the civil administration that has to come in to take over at a time the world community is uneasy without having a rhyme or reason to attack Sri Lanka over misdeeds.
The authorities should bear in mind that whether friend or foe what matters most is the rule of law and discipline. No party or group can claim that they have a right to carry arms in the liberated East. Once the East is liberated the law and order would be maintained by the law enforcement officials only. Political authorities naturally tend to bend such cardinal rules to help friends and acquaintances because they believe there is no political world without friends and acquaintances. But in the East if that cardinal rule is breached that would give birth to new breed called War Lords. At a time authorities struggle for almost three decades to control the Sun God of the Wanni better not create War Lords in the East.
(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/21/opinion/1.asp)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment