Say work in Wanni will continue
Humanitarian agencies operating in the Wanni, yesterday said the ban on the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) had minimal impact on their operations at ground level while UN agencies said they had no links with the organisation.
This comes despite the TRO earlier claiming the freezing of its funds both in Sri Lanka and recently the US would affect operations of humanitarian organisations in LTTE controlled areas.
“The UN has not worked with the TRO since early last year. Therefore, the repercussions on our humanitarian efforts due to the government ban would be limited,” UNICEF spokesperson Gordon Weiss said.
However, he said “the less capable partners you have on the ground the less capable you are of reaching the needy. It narrows the humanitarian reach. The more organisations you ban the less organisations you have to work with.”
“There will be no impact on World Food Programme work, due to the ban on the TRO because the WFP works through the Government’s divisional and provincial administrative setup. Any partners we work with at ground level will be contracted through the Sri Lankan Government,” World Food Program media spokesperson Selvi Sachithanandan said.
UNHCR spokesperson Sulakshini Perera said they hardly had anything to do with the TRO, and therefore the ban did not affect them. “We have other local partners and we work directly through the UNHCR office in Killinochchi,” she said.
Word Vision Country Director Yu Hwa Li said World Vision Sri Lanka worked with people directly at ground level and not with the TRO.
“Our agreement with the TRO ended on August 31, 2006 and we haven’t worked with it since then. Our only concern is the Rs. 30 million that has been frozen by the central government. This money was with the TRO because at the time the contract ended, they hadn’t finished some of the construction work that was started,” Save the Children spokesperson Malee Catyaratne said.
FORUT, a Norwegian NGO, which is involved in constructing temporary shelters for the displaced in Killinochchi also said it did not work with the TRO as it was not allowed to do so under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We work with independent NGO’s at grassroot level, after signing agreements with the government and the NGOs concerned.”
Govt. urges concrete global action against LTTE fronts
The government yesterday urged the international community and humanitarian agencies to take concrete action against LTTE front organizations after it banned the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in Sri Lanka, days after the US froze its accounts.
“We are appealing to agencies like UNICEF and other UN agencies to stop dealing with the TRO,” Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila told the media while urging foreign governments to take immediate action to ban and freeze assets of the TRO and other LTTE front organizations.
Minister Bhaila said that Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama submitted a Cabinet memorandum banning the TRO in Sri Lanka. “The Cabinet ministers unanimously agreed to ban the organizations, which was one of the main front organizations of the LTTE,” the minister said.
The minister said the government decided to take this action after considering reports about the Organizations during the past few months.
No objection to TRO ban
The UNP yesterday said it had no objection to the banning of Tamil Rehabilitation Organization in Sri Lanka. UNP frontliner Lakshman Kiriella told a news conference that the government had failed to pursue the matter with commitment and the decision to ban followed a TRO member confessing in USA that some funds were given to the LTTE by the organization.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
‘LTTE responsible for 30,000 Tamil deaths’
V Anandasangaree, President of the moderate Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) and one of the most senior Tamil leaders of Sri Lanka, has appealed to the political parties in Tamil Nadu to stop supporting the LTTE and protesting against the killing of the group's political commissar, SP Tamilselvan.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the veteran politician said that the people and the political parties in Tamil Nadu were not aware that the LTTE's unrealistic bid to secure an independent "Tamil Eelam" had already resulted in the sacrifice of 30,000 Tamil boys and girls generally hailing from poor families.
Overall, more than 70, 000 Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims had died and more than 30,000 widowed and orphaned, he noted. Muslims who were driven out from the North by the LTTE and robbed of all their belongings, were languishing in about 160 refugee camps for the past 17 years, seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, Anandasangaree pointed out.
Pointing an accusing finger at the LTTE's Supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, the moderate leader said: "I believe he has already sacrificed more than 20 thousand Tamil boys and girls, most of whom had been recruited forcibly against the protests of the parents. Every day, a good number of boys and girls are sent to the battlefront not to return alive. Apart from this, more than 10 thousand Tamils of other Tamil groups also had been killed by them (the LTTE)."
"On the whole over 70,000 lives, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, had been lost, several thousands had become disabled and more than 30,000 widowed and orphaned. Above all, several billions worth of property had been destroyed because of the LTTE's foolish war with the government."
Surprisingly, Anandasangaree held Tamilselvan "solely" responsible for the LTTE’s suicide attack on the Sri Lankan Air Force's base at Anuradhapura on October 22. He said that 21 young men and women were willfully sacrificed in that mission directed by Tamilselvan.
"His leader Prabhakaran, after posing posing for photograph with the twenty one to be victims, vanished into his bunker, leaving the dirty job in the hands of Thamilchlvan."
In a statement released on Tuesday, the veteran politician said that the people and the political parties in Tamil Nadu were not aware that the LTTE's unrealistic bid to secure an independent "Tamil Eelam" had already resulted in the sacrifice of 30,000 Tamil boys and girls generally hailing from poor families.
Overall, more than 70, 000 Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims had died and more than 30,000 widowed and orphaned, he noted. Muslims who were driven out from the North by the LTTE and robbed of all their belongings, were languishing in about 160 refugee camps for the past 17 years, seeing no light at the end of the tunnel, Anandasangaree pointed out.
Pointing an accusing finger at the LTTE's Supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, the moderate leader said: "I believe he has already sacrificed more than 20 thousand Tamil boys and girls, most of whom had been recruited forcibly against the protests of the parents. Every day, a good number of boys and girls are sent to the battlefront not to return alive. Apart from this, more than 10 thousand Tamils of other Tamil groups also had been killed by them (the LTTE)."
"On the whole over 70,000 lives, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims, had been lost, several thousands had become disabled and more than 30,000 widowed and orphaned. Above all, several billions worth of property had been destroyed because of the LTTE's foolish war with the government."
Surprisingly, Anandasangaree held Tamilselvan "solely" responsible for the LTTE’s suicide attack on the Sri Lankan Air Force's base at Anuradhapura on October 22. He said that 21 young men and women were willfully sacrificed in that mission directed by Tamilselvan.
"His leader Prabhakaran, after posing posing for photograph with the twenty one to be victims, vanished into his bunker, leaving the dirty job in the hands of Thamilchlvan."
Inquiry into allegations against UNICEF
Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday told Parliament that the Government has commenced a full scale investigation whether the UNICEF through the TRO has directly or indirectly given funds to the LTTE.
Responding to a special statement made by JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa, the Minister said investigations will reveal whether the TRO has given money or any other resources to the LTTE. Investigations will also disclose if the UNICEF has released any funds to the TRO.
During Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, a decision was taken to ban TRO activities in Sri Lanka. “In future the Government will be more cautious on the various goods imported to Sri Lanka through the UN or other Non-Governmental Organisations,” the Minister added.
Weerawansa said a huge container with 5,640 packets of dry rations worth over US $ 54,800 has been imported to Sri Lanka with UNICEF approval .
According to Weerawansa, the UNICEF has ordered this consignment of dry foods from a French company named Economai Des Armess.
The UNICEF has said they have imported these goods for the consumption of United Nations (UN) workers serving in the North and East in case of an emergency.
These foods items have been packed by using a cover similar to an Army Commando kit. “These kind of food items are not used for the consumption of the civilians. These foods are used for the consumption of the Armed Forces. Specially these kind of food items are required for the Armed Forces engaged in guerrilla operations. Therefore, these kind of food packets are known as “combat ration”.
According to the import documents of the UNICEF, they have introduced these food parcels as “Ready to eat meal”. The UNICEF has followed this move to mislead both the Customs and our Security Forces, he said.
Weerawansa questioned if the UN workers need food, what is the purpose of purchasing such food items from a company named Economat Des Armees which comes under the purview of the French Defence Ministry.
Has the UNICEF authorities judged that Sri Lanka will tread into a severe food shortage where combat rations will have to be given to the UN workers.
He said the UNICEF has not imported these food items for the benefit of their workers.
“The UNICEF will provide these food items to the terrorists. At present the UN is engaging in an international operation to bring disrepute to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
These food items may be transported to Kilinochchi because the vehicles belonging to the UNICEF or UN are not subjected to large scale checking. Therefore, it is not a difficult task to provide the food packs to the LTTE terrorists.”
Weerawansa said the UNICEF has guessed that there will be 300,000 displaced people in Sri Lanka and obtained money from its parent organisation. This clearly indicates that the UNICEF has launched counter attacks against the military operations launched by our Armed Forces to liberate the Vanni and Kilinochchi from the LTTE, he added.
“We don’t believe UNICEF Colombo has launched this operation without the knowledge of the UN. It is the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry and the Government to take stern action regarding this.
The Government should take measures to expel LTTE friendly UNICEF officers and steps should also be taken to stop deals made between Kilinochchi and Colombo. The view of the JVP is that the Government should temporarily close down their offices in Kilinochchi.”
Responding to a special statement made by JVP MP Wimal Weerawansa, the Minister said investigations will reveal whether the TRO has given money or any other resources to the LTTE. Investigations will also disclose if the UNICEF has released any funds to the TRO.
During Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, a decision was taken to ban TRO activities in Sri Lanka. “In future the Government will be more cautious on the various goods imported to Sri Lanka through the UN or other Non-Governmental Organisations,” the Minister added.
Weerawansa said a huge container with 5,640 packets of dry rations worth over US $ 54,800 has been imported to Sri Lanka with UNICEF approval .
According to Weerawansa, the UNICEF has ordered this consignment of dry foods from a French company named Economai Des Armess.
The UNICEF has said they have imported these goods for the consumption of United Nations (UN) workers serving in the North and East in case of an emergency.
These foods items have been packed by using a cover similar to an Army Commando kit. “These kind of food items are not used for the consumption of the civilians. These foods are used for the consumption of the Armed Forces. Specially these kind of food items are required for the Armed Forces engaged in guerrilla operations. Therefore, these kind of food packets are known as “combat ration”.
According to the import documents of the UNICEF, they have introduced these food parcels as “Ready to eat meal”. The UNICEF has followed this move to mislead both the Customs and our Security Forces, he said.
Weerawansa questioned if the UN workers need food, what is the purpose of purchasing such food items from a company named Economat Des Armees which comes under the purview of the French Defence Ministry.
Has the UNICEF authorities judged that Sri Lanka will tread into a severe food shortage where combat rations will have to be given to the UN workers.
He said the UNICEF has not imported these food items for the benefit of their workers.
“The UNICEF will provide these food items to the terrorists. At present the UN is engaging in an international operation to bring disrepute to the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.
These food items may be transported to Kilinochchi because the vehicles belonging to the UNICEF or UN are not subjected to large scale checking. Therefore, it is not a difficult task to provide the food packs to the LTTE terrorists.”
Weerawansa said the UNICEF has guessed that there will be 300,000 displaced people in Sri Lanka and obtained money from its parent organisation. This clearly indicates that the UNICEF has launched counter attacks against the military operations launched by our Armed Forces to liberate the Vanni and Kilinochchi from the LTTE, he added.
“We don’t believe UNICEF Colombo has launched this operation without the knowledge of the UN. It is the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry and the Government to take stern action regarding this.
The Government should take measures to expel LTTE friendly UNICEF officers and steps should also be taken to stop deals made between Kilinochchi and Colombo. The view of the JVP is that the Government should temporarily close down their offices in Kilinochchi.”
HR, 'human bombs' and their victims
An LTTE foray into army frontline south of Kambiliwewa, Weli Oya last Friday morning triggered a short but fierce exchange of fire.
Subsequently the LTTE unit withdrew leaving behind one woman combatant, two T 56 assault rifles, eight magazines, one compass, four hand grenades, ten detonators, one 50 meter wire roll, a short length of detonator cord, one claymore mine with a stand, one firing device, one remote controller, three batteries, one meter device, two belt orders and three improvised explosives devices.
Save the Children on agreement with TRO
Apropos our front-page news item "Lanka expects UN, INGOs and NGOs to review links with the LTTE" in our Monday's issue, Menaca Calyaneratne, Head of Media and Communications, Save the Children Sri Lanka, said they hadn't negotiated any fresh projects with the TRO since August last year. She said that Save the Children had funded the setting up of 50 libraries for children and they (TRO) had accounted for all Save the Children funded projects except one by late last August last year. We inadvertently referred to these projects as ventures funded by the UNICEF.
Dog tag
Troops recovered the body of the woman cadre with a dog tag bearing 4945. The young woman had been gunned down as she advanced towards an army strong-point south of Kambiliwewa, the scene of on and off confrontations over the past several months.
What was her name? Was she among the hundreds of child soldiers recruited over the years? Was she married to an LTTE cadre? And most importantly did she have children?
The army returned her body through the ICRC to the LTTE. Over the past several months, the army had observed a significant increase in the number of female LTTE cadres killed in skirmishes on the Wanni front. The LTTE, struggling to meet the growing manpower demand as the army push them on two fronts-Muhamalai in the North and the general area west of Omanthai in the Wanni, is believed to be increasingly using female units.
Diaspora-driven war
With the army poised to further intensify operations, these units comprising child recruits and those barely out of their teens would be in the thick of battle. They would face the armoured fighting vehicles, the artillery and jets zeroing in on their positions. How many would sacrifice their lives for Diaspora-driven fight for a separate state in the Northern and Eastern Provinces?
Indian Army action
The LTTE had forced thousands of women into frontline combat units to meet the manpower shortage. Although the LTTE had female cadres for many years, the first loss of a woman cadre took place on October 10, 1987 in the hands of the Indian Army. The 20-year-old Malati was among the first LTTE cadres to die when the Indian Army launched Operation Pawan to wrest control of the Jaffna peninsula. After she was shot in her legs during an Indian assault on an LTTE position at Kopay, she had taken cyanide. The LTTE had her posthumously promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. The LTTE had named a 'Brigade' after Malati. Over the years, the LTTE had systematically increased the number of women cadres in the organisation.
Women Sea Tigers
The formation of a Women's Sea Tiger Wing further increased their commitment. Navy spokesperson Commander D. K. P. Dassanayake asserted that they had observed an increased role played by women cadres over the past several years, particularly after the outbreak of major battles in the middle of last year. Quoting casualty figures issued by the LTTE at the last year's Heroes' Week celebrations, Dassanayake said that out of 241 Black Sea Tigers killed in action over the years, 72 were women. "We believe at least 80 Black Sea Tigers were killed in confrontations since then. At least one third of them could be women." Fielding questions, he asserted that women could be motivated easily. "They wouldn't give up easily," he said, highlighting the increased number of women commanding Sea Tiger craft and in some instances functioning as the person-in-charge of what he called a landing force.
A veteran in counter insurgency operations echoed Commander Dassanayake's opinion. "Yes. It is relatively easy to convince women," he said, asserting that the LTTE's decision to acknowledge the suicide attack on Anuradhapura airbase was unprecedented.
High profile assassinations
The assassination of former Indian Premier and Congress I leader Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE woman suicide cadre while campaigning in Tamil Nadu in the early 90s was the first of a series of high profile suicide bombings carried out by women cadres. The LTTE and its sympathisers had suggested that a woman suicide cadre was used to avenge the humiliation the Tamil women suffered at the hands of the Indian Army. The LTTE had accused the Indian Army of rape of a large number of Tamil women.
Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991 at an election rally at Sriperumbudur near Chennai by Dhanu, She detonated an explosive device, hidden in a belt she wore around her waist. It went off as she bent down to touch her victim's feet, killing the Indian leader and 16 others on the spot.
The Indian Army had been accused of widespread rape of women, harassment and molestation. The Indian Army had been also accused of abduction of women.
Although LTTE women cadres had been wounded in clashes with the Sri Lankan army, the first death was reported on October 10, 1987. The first major involvement of women cadres in action was at Adampan in the second week of June 1986 when the army killed top LTTE commander Victor.
Sri Lankan forces and police, too, had been accused of violence against women during counter-insurgency operations against the JVP in 1971 and 1987-1990 period and Tamil groups, particularly the LTTE. They had been also charged with brutal force, rape and harassment of women. There is absolutely no doubt that atrocities by Sri Lankan and Indian forces helped the LTTE in its recruitment drive to entice young women to join combat units.
Over a period of time, the LTTE leadership transformed the women fighters to a deadly force which undertook suicide missions, assassinations, delicate intelligence gathering and execution of operations.
Last year's assassination attempt on Army Chief Lt. General Sarath Fonseka at the Army Headquarters by a woman suicide cadre who pretended to be pregnant was evidence that the LTTE wouldn't hesitate to test novel methods to take a prize target. She almost succeeded in her task. Had she succeeded, the army would have suffered an irreparable loss and it would have had a detrimental impact on the entire war effort.
The recent deployment of three women cadres on a suicide raid on the SLAF base at Anuradhapura highlighted the LTTE position that they (read women) would be utilized on deadly missions. The abortive attempt on President Chandrika Kumaratunga's life in late December, 1999 by a woman suicide cadre was a case in point. This attempt was made days after the UN General Assembly by Resolution 54/134 designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organizations and INGOs/NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.
Mirabal sisters November 25 has been marked as the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women to coincide with the assassination, in 1961, of the three Mirabal sisters who were political activists in the Dominican Republic.
Heroes' week
Strangely the LTTE, too, marks its Heroes' Week in the fourth week of November. The International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women coincides with the LTTE event to commemorate fallen cadres including several thousands of women. Over a third of suicide cadres, too, are believed to be women credited with some of the biggest hits. An LTTE woman penetrated President Chandrika Kumaratunga's security cordon, another raided the Army Headquarters and almost succeeded in killing Lt. General Fonseka and yet another came close to blowing up EPDP leader Douglas Devananda a few years ago.
GBV Forum
To coincide with the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, GBV Forum (Gender-Based Violence Forum) would launch a 16-day countrywide campaign on November 25 to emphasise the importance in protecting the rights of women.
In a short interview with The Island, Ms Bimali Ameresekere said that rape, incest, sexual harassment at work place, domestic violence and even sexually explicit remarks could be broadly categorised as violence against women. Politically motivated violence, too, could be categorised as violence against women, she asserted. GBV Forum intended to involve men including several well known personalities to propagate the campaign which would come to an end on December 10-the International Human Rights Day.
Commenting on the recent rape and murder of 23-year-old Chamila Dissanayake, a patient at the Negombo hospital by Dr. Indika Sudarshan Balage, Ameresekere said that it was a deplorable act. "A lot of women are vulnerable but one to be targeted while seeking treatment at a hospital points to the gravity of the situation," she said. The GBV Forum comprises the United Nations Family Planning association, Oxfam, Care, FORUT, UNHCR, UNICEF, action aid, CIDA and the National Peace Council among others.
Tactical support
The international community, INGOs and NGOs have largely ignored the indiscriminate use of women to pursue the LTTE's military goals. In fact, some of them have contributed to the deteriorating situation by tactically approving the LTTE activity.
Muslim women
Perhaps one of the worst atrocities ever committed against the women was the forcible eviction of almost the entire Muslim community from the Northern Province. The LTTE forced thousands of women and children to flee the Province in October/November 17 years ago as it brazenly engaged in ethnic cleansing. The operation was carried out at gun point. The LTTE robbed them of their valuables including jewellery, seized their property before chasing them away. Almost all of them still languish in makeshift accommodation, mainly in the Puttalam district. Their lives had been ruined. The GBV Forum should explore the possibility of helping them. They deserve every possible help to resume their normal life.
(www.island.lk)
Subsequently the LTTE unit withdrew leaving behind one woman combatant, two T 56 assault rifles, eight magazines, one compass, four hand grenades, ten detonators, one 50 meter wire roll, a short length of detonator cord, one claymore mine with a stand, one firing device, one remote controller, three batteries, one meter device, two belt orders and three improvised explosives devices.
Save the Children on agreement with TRO
Apropos our front-page news item "Lanka expects UN, INGOs and NGOs to review links with the LTTE" in our Monday's issue, Menaca Calyaneratne, Head of Media and Communications, Save the Children Sri Lanka, said they hadn't negotiated any fresh projects with the TRO since August last year. She said that Save the Children had funded the setting up of 50 libraries for children and they (TRO) had accounted for all Save the Children funded projects except one by late last August last year. We inadvertently referred to these projects as ventures funded by the UNICEF.
Dog tag
Troops recovered the body of the woman cadre with a dog tag bearing 4945. The young woman had been gunned down as she advanced towards an army strong-point south of Kambiliwewa, the scene of on and off confrontations over the past several months.
What was her name? Was she among the hundreds of child soldiers recruited over the years? Was she married to an LTTE cadre? And most importantly did she have children?
The army returned her body through the ICRC to the LTTE. Over the past several months, the army had observed a significant increase in the number of female LTTE cadres killed in skirmishes on the Wanni front. The LTTE, struggling to meet the growing manpower demand as the army push them on two fronts-Muhamalai in the North and the general area west of Omanthai in the Wanni, is believed to be increasingly using female units.
Diaspora-driven war
With the army poised to further intensify operations, these units comprising child recruits and those barely out of their teens would be in the thick of battle. They would face the armoured fighting vehicles, the artillery and jets zeroing in on their positions. How many would sacrifice their lives for Diaspora-driven fight for a separate state in the Northern and Eastern Provinces?
Indian Army action
The LTTE had forced thousands of women into frontline combat units to meet the manpower shortage. Although the LTTE had female cadres for many years, the first loss of a woman cadre took place on October 10, 1987 in the hands of the Indian Army. The 20-year-old Malati was among the first LTTE cadres to die when the Indian Army launched Operation Pawan to wrest control of the Jaffna peninsula. After she was shot in her legs during an Indian assault on an LTTE position at Kopay, she had taken cyanide. The LTTE had her posthumously promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant. The LTTE had named a 'Brigade' after Malati. Over the years, the LTTE had systematically increased the number of women cadres in the organisation.
Women Sea Tigers
The formation of a Women's Sea Tiger Wing further increased their commitment. Navy spokesperson Commander D. K. P. Dassanayake asserted that they had observed an increased role played by women cadres over the past several years, particularly after the outbreak of major battles in the middle of last year. Quoting casualty figures issued by the LTTE at the last year's Heroes' Week celebrations, Dassanayake said that out of 241 Black Sea Tigers killed in action over the years, 72 were women. "We believe at least 80 Black Sea Tigers were killed in confrontations since then. At least one third of them could be women." Fielding questions, he asserted that women could be motivated easily. "They wouldn't give up easily," he said, highlighting the increased number of women commanding Sea Tiger craft and in some instances functioning as the person-in-charge of what he called a landing force.
A veteran in counter insurgency operations echoed Commander Dassanayake's opinion. "Yes. It is relatively easy to convince women," he said, asserting that the LTTE's decision to acknowledge the suicide attack on Anuradhapura airbase was unprecedented.
High profile assassinations
The assassination of former Indian Premier and Congress I leader Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE woman suicide cadre while campaigning in Tamil Nadu in the early 90s was the first of a series of high profile suicide bombings carried out by women cadres. The LTTE and its sympathisers had suggested that a woman suicide cadre was used to avenge the humiliation the Tamil women suffered at the hands of the Indian Army. The LTTE had accused the Indian Army of rape of a large number of Tamil women.
Gandhi was assassinated on the night of May 21, 1991 at an election rally at Sriperumbudur near Chennai by Dhanu, She detonated an explosive device, hidden in a belt she wore around her waist. It went off as she bent down to touch her victim's feet, killing the Indian leader and 16 others on the spot.
The Indian Army had been accused of widespread rape of women, harassment and molestation. The Indian Army had been also accused of abduction of women.
Although LTTE women cadres had been wounded in clashes with the Sri Lankan army, the first death was reported on October 10, 1987. The first major involvement of women cadres in action was at Adampan in the second week of June 1986 when the army killed top LTTE commander Victor.
Sri Lankan forces and police, too, had been accused of violence against women during counter-insurgency operations against the JVP in 1971 and 1987-1990 period and Tamil groups, particularly the LTTE. They had been also charged with brutal force, rape and harassment of women. There is absolutely no doubt that atrocities by Sri Lankan and Indian forces helped the LTTE in its recruitment drive to entice young women to join combat units.
Over a period of time, the LTTE leadership transformed the women fighters to a deadly force which undertook suicide missions, assassinations, delicate intelligence gathering and execution of operations.
Last year's assassination attempt on Army Chief Lt. General Sarath Fonseka at the Army Headquarters by a woman suicide cadre who pretended to be pregnant was evidence that the LTTE wouldn't hesitate to test novel methods to take a prize target. She almost succeeded in her task. Had she succeeded, the army would have suffered an irreparable loss and it would have had a detrimental impact on the entire war effort.
The recent deployment of three women cadres on a suicide raid on the SLAF base at Anuradhapura highlighted the LTTE position that they (read women) would be utilized on deadly missions. The abortive attempt on President Chandrika Kumaratunga's life in late December, 1999 by a woman suicide cadre was a case in point. This attempt was made days after the UN General Assembly by Resolution 54/134 designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organizations and INGOs/NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.
Mirabal sisters November 25 has been marked as the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women to coincide with the assassination, in 1961, of the three Mirabal sisters who were political activists in the Dominican Republic.
Heroes' week
Strangely the LTTE, too, marks its Heroes' Week in the fourth week of November. The International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women coincides with the LTTE event to commemorate fallen cadres including several thousands of women. Over a third of suicide cadres, too, are believed to be women credited with some of the biggest hits. An LTTE woman penetrated President Chandrika Kumaratunga's security cordon, another raided the Army Headquarters and almost succeeded in killing Lt. General Fonseka and yet another came close to blowing up EPDP leader Douglas Devananda a few years ago.
GBV Forum
To coincide with the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, GBV Forum (Gender-Based Violence Forum) would launch a 16-day countrywide campaign on November 25 to emphasise the importance in protecting the rights of women.
In a short interview with The Island, Ms Bimali Ameresekere said that rape, incest, sexual harassment at work place, domestic violence and even sexually explicit remarks could be broadly categorised as violence against women. Politically motivated violence, too, could be categorised as violence against women, she asserted. GBV Forum intended to involve men including several well known personalities to propagate the campaign which would come to an end on December 10-the International Human Rights Day.
Commenting on the recent rape and murder of 23-year-old Chamila Dissanayake, a patient at the Negombo hospital by Dr. Indika Sudarshan Balage, Ameresekere said that it was a deplorable act. "A lot of women are vulnerable but one to be targeted while seeking treatment at a hospital points to the gravity of the situation," she said. The GBV Forum comprises the United Nations Family Planning association, Oxfam, Care, FORUT, UNHCR, UNICEF, action aid, CIDA and the National Peace Council among others.
Tactical support
The international community, INGOs and NGOs have largely ignored the indiscriminate use of women to pursue the LTTE's military goals. In fact, some of them have contributed to the deteriorating situation by tactically approving the LTTE activity.
Muslim women
Perhaps one of the worst atrocities ever committed against the women was the forcible eviction of almost the entire Muslim community from the Northern Province. The LTTE forced thousands of women and children to flee the Province in October/November 17 years ago as it brazenly engaged in ethnic cleansing. The operation was carried out at gun point. The LTTE robbed them of their valuables including jewellery, seized their property before chasing them away. Almost all of them still languish in makeshift accommodation, mainly in the Puttalam district. Their lives had been ruined. The GBV Forum should explore the possibility of helping them. They deserve every possible help to resume their normal life.
(www.island.lk)
Controversy over UNICEF container
* Customs detain container with ‘Meals Ready-to-Eat’
* A UNICEF spokesman said the packets were purely for the use of staffers
* The JVP urged the government to temporarily shut down the UNICEF Kilinochchi office
In a controversial move, the Sri Lanka Customs yesterday detained a container load of ‘Meals Ready to Eat’ (MRE) brought down by UNICEF for use in emergency situations.
Customs director general, Sarath Jayatilake, confirmed that they had detained a container belonging to UNICEF last evening, but said he was unable to divulge more details as the investigations were continuing.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, UNICEF Spokesman Gordon Weiss said that they had brought down a container load of Meals Ready to Eat for the use of United Nations staffers in the country. “Those packets are purely for the use of our staffers based everywhere in the country,” Mr. Weiss said.
He said that the food had been brought down for use in an emergency situation by all UN staffers -- not only those based in the north and east, but also those outside the north and east -- during any unexpected natural or man-made disaster. “Even in our Colombo office we have these food packets stored for use in the event of an emergency,” he said.
He also rejected allegations that these food stocks had been brought down to be handed over to the LTTE: “It is simply incorrect,” he said.
He also claimed that the MREs are considered humanitarian food as they are convenient and also can be kept for a long period. “MREs are used by many organizations around the world, while the UN also provides these MREs for the use of its employees worldwide, in accordance with its global security arrangements,” he said.
He also said that the container of MREs had been cleared by the Sri Lanka Customs earlier. “Now the same authorities have commenced an inquiry into the same container that was cleared earlier,” he said.
Meals Ready to Eat are used, not only by the military, but by other organizations around the world as well.
Meanwhile the JVP raised the matter in Parliament yesterday and urged the government to temporarily shut down the UNICEF Kilinochchi office, alleging that UNICEF was planning to distribute ‘combat rations’ to LTTE cadres.
Responding, Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the government would launch an inquiry into the allegations.
He said that they would investigate whether this food stock had been brought to be given to the LTTE directly or indirectly.
* A UNICEF spokesman said the packets were purely for the use of staffers
* The JVP urged the government to temporarily shut down the UNICEF Kilinochchi office
In a controversial move, the Sri Lanka Customs yesterday detained a container load of ‘Meals Ready to Eat’ (MRE) brought down by UNICEF for use in emergency situations.
Customs director general, Sarath Jayatilake, confirmed that they had detained a container belonging to UNICEF last evening, but said he was unable to divulge more details as the investigations were continuing.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, UNICEF Spokesman Gordon Weiss said that they had brought down a container load of Meals Ready to Eat for the use of United Nations staffers in the country. “Those packets are purely for the use of our staffers based everywhere in the country,” Mr. Weiss said.
He said that the food had been brought down for use in an emergency situation by all UN staffers -- not only those based in the north and east, but also those outside the north and east -- during any unexpected natural or man-made disaster. “Even in our Colombo office we have these food packets stored for use in the event of an emergency,” he said.
He also rejected allegations that these food stocks had been brought down to be handed over to the LTTE: “It is simply incorrect,” he said.
He also claimed that the MREs are considered humanitarian food as they are convenient and also can be kept for a long period. “MREs are used by many organizations around the world, while the UN also provides these MREs for the use of its employees worldwide, in accordance with its global security arrangements,” he said.
He also said that the container of MREs had been cleared by the Sri Lanka Customs earlier. “Now the same authorities have commenced an inquiry into the same container that was cleared earlier,” he said.
Meals Ready to Eat are used, not only by the military, but by other organizations around the world as well.
Meanwhile the JVP raised the matter in Parliament yesterday and urged the government to temporarily shut down the UNICEF Kilinochchi office, alleging that UNICEF was planning to distribute ‘combat rations’ to LTTE cadres.
Responding, Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the government would launch an inquiry into the allegations.
He said that they would investigate whether this food stock had been brought to be given to the LTTE directly or indirectly.
A total of 31 LTTE cadres killed in the last 3 days
Sri Lanka Army’s Special Infantry Orients trained troops and Army’s special forces infiltrated into LTTE territory and destroyed LTTE bunkers and killed 31 LTTE cadres in Vavuniya District west of Omanthi in the past 3 days, meanwhile one army soldier died and six soldiers were wounded.
Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka after assuming duties as army commander, he had given specific instructions to his officers to train soldiers in strategy and tactics. After completion of training, soldiers are mobilized to the battle front.
Well-trained officers and soldiers can combat with LTTE minimizing death and casualties to the army.
According Sri Lanka Army commander’s concept, he had insisted that there has to be minimum death and casualties to Army and maximum death and casualties to the LTTE
Sri Lanka Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara rejected the recent ICRC’s situation report. Sri Lanka- ICRC report filed yesterday said that there are 22,000 people displaced in Muhamalai , Vanuniya and Mannar.
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Sri Lanka Army is presently engaged in battle with LTTE only in the jungle terrains. He added that there aren’t any civilians displaced in the Army control areas.
Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka after assuming duties as army commander, he had given specific instructions to his officers to train soldiers in strategy and tactics. After completion of training, soldiers are mobilized to the battle front.
Well-trained officers and soldiers can combat with LTTE minimizing death and casualties to the army.
According Sri Lanka Army commander’s concept, he had insisted that there has to be minimum death and casualties to Army and maximum death and casualties to the LTTE
Sri Lanka Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara rejected the recent ICRC’s situation report. Sri Lanka- ICRC report filed yesterday said that there are 22,000 people displaced in Muhamalai , Vanuniya and Mannar.
Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Sri Lanka Army is presently engaged in battle with LTTE only in the jungle terrains. He added that there aren’t any civilians displaced in the Army control areas.
Refugee scholar At Adelaide University Studies Trauma of Lankan Civil War
The long-running civil war in Sri Lanka is causing more mental health problems and social breakdown than the catastrophic 2004 tsunami, according to a University of Adelaide researcher.
Clinical Associate Professor in Psychiatry Daya Somasundaram himself fled Sri Lanka fearing for his and his family’s safety, and is Australia’s first ‘refugee scholar’ at the University under the Scholar Rescue Fund.
Associate Professor Somasundaram has completed a study on collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka, comparing effects on the community of the chronic war with those of the 2004 tsunami which killed 31,000 Sri Lankans. The research is published this Thursday 4 October in the online open access, peer reviewed publication International Journal of Mental Health Systems on www.ijmhs.com
“The natural disaster was a one-off catastrophic event that left a trail of destruction and loss,” says Assoc. Professor Somasundaram. “But it did not continue to exert a prolonged effect. As a result the severity of the collective trauma was much less. In fact, having lived through a prolonged war situation has meant that Tamil communities have learned skills and strategies that make them better able to cope with disasters.”
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram found the effects of chronic disasters, such as war, went beyond the individual to family, community and the wider society. Relief, rehabilitation and development programs to be effective need to address the problems of collective trauma, he says.
His study suggests that grass roots work within communities may work best. “In the aftermath of war communities suffer from mistrust, suspicion, silence, brutalisation, deterioration in morals and values, poor leadership, dependency, passivity and despair,” Assoc. Professor Somasundaram says.
“Apart from attending to the immediate basic needs and other acute problems in the rescue and relief phases after a major disaster, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development strategies need to include collective-level interventions. In fact, our experiences show that many individually oriented mental health interventions appear to fair much better when undertaken within an overall framework of a community strategy.”
The study, ‘Collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka: a qualitative psychosocial-ecological study’, is based on published data and qualitative research methods including participatory observation, key informant and focus group interviews.
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram came to the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of Psychiatry under the US-based Scholar Rescue Fund at the end of 2005 with his wife and children. He was at risk because of his writing and documentation about the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.
Clinical Associate Professor in Psychiatry Daya Somasundaram himself fled Sri Lanka fearing for his and his family’s safety, and is Australia’s first ‘refugee scholar’ at the University under the Scholar Rescue Fund.
Associate Professor Somasundaram has completed a study on collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka, comparing effects on the community of the chronic war with those of the 2004 tsunami which killed 31,000 Sri Lankans. The research is published this Thursday 4 October in the online open access, peer reviewed publication International Journal of Mental Health Systems on www.ijmhs.com
“The natural disaster was a one-off catastrophic event that left a trail of destruction and loss,” says Assoc. Professor Somasundaram. “But it did not continue to exert a prolonged effect. As a result the severity of the collective trauma was much less. In fact, having lived through a prolonged war situation has meant that Tamil communities have learned skills and strategies that make them better able to cope with disasters.”
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram found the effects of chronic disasters, such as war, went beyond the individual to family, community and the wider society. Relief, rehabilitation and development programs to be effective need to address the problems of collective trauma, he says.
His study suggests that grass roots work within communities may work best. “In the aftermath of war communities suffer from mistrust, suspicion, silence, brutalisation, deterioration in morals and values, poor leadership, dependency, passivity and despair,” Assoc. Professor Somasundaram says.
“Apart from attending to the immediate basic needs and other acute problems in the rescue and relief phases after a major disaster, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development strategies need to include collective-level interventions. In fact, our experiences show that many individually oriented mental health interventions appear to fair much better when undertaken within an overall framework of a community strategy.”
The study, ‘Collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka: a qualitative psychosocial-ecological study’, is based on published data and qualitative research methods including participatory observation, key informant and focus group interviews.
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram came to the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of Psychiatry under the US-based Scholar Rescue Fund at the end of 2005 with his wife and children. He was at risk because of his writing and documentation about the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.
Refugee Scholar Studies Trauma of Civil War in Sri Lanka
The long-running civil war in Sri Lanka is causing more mental health problems and social breakdown than the catastrophic 2004 tsunami, according to a University of Adelaide researcher.
Clinical Associate Professor in Psychiatry Daya Somasundaram himself fled Sri Lanka fearing for his and his family’s safety, and is Australia’s first ‘refugee scholar’ at the University under the Scholar Rescue Fund.
Associate Professor Somasundaram has completed a study on collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka, comparing effects on the community of the chronic war with those of the 2004 tsunami which killed 31,000 Sri Lankans. The research is published this Thursday 4 October in the online open access, peer reviewed publication International Journal of Mental Health Systems on www.ijmhs.com
“The natural disaster was a one-off catastrophic event that left a trail of destruction and loss,” says Assoc. Professor Somasundaram. “But it did not continue to exert a prolonged effect. As a result the severity of the collective trauma was much less. In fact, having lived through a prolonged war situation has meant that Tamil communities have learned skills and strategies that make them better able to cope with disasters.”
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram found the effects of chronic disasters, such as war, went beyond the individual to family, community and the wider society. Relief, rehabilitation and development programs to be effective need to address the problems of collective trauma, he says.
His study suggests that grass roots work within communities may work best. “In the aftermath of war communities suffer from mistrust, suspicion, silence, brutalisation, deterioration in morals and values, poor leadership, dependency, passivity and despair,” Assoc. Professor Somasundaram says.
“Apart from attending to the immediate basic needs and other acute problems in the rescue and relief phases after a major disaster, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development strategies need to include collective-level interventions. In fact, our experiences show that many individually oriented mental health interventions appear to fair much better when undertaken within an overall framework of a community strategy.”
The study, ‘Collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka: a qualitative psychosocial-ecological study’, is based on published data and qualitative research methods including participatory observation, key informant and focus group interviews.
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram came to the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of Psychiatry under the US-based Scholar Rescue Fund at the end of 2005 with his wife and children. He was at risk because of his writing and documentation about the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.
Clinical Associate Professor in Psychiatry Daya Somasundaram himself fled Sri Lanka fearing for his and his family’s safety, and is Australia’s first ‘refugee scholar’ at the University under the Scholar Rescue Fund.
Associate Professor Somasundaram has completed a study on collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka, comparing effects on the community of the chronic war with those of the 2004 tsunami which killed 31,000 Sri Lankans. The research is published this Thursday 4 October in the online open access, peer reviewed publication International Journal of Mental Health Systems on www.ijmhs.com
“The natural disaster was a one-off catastrophic event that left a trail of destruction and loss,” says Assoc. Professor Somasundaram. “But it did not continue to exert a prolonged effect. As a result the severity of the collective trauma was much less. In fact, having lived through a prolonged war situation has meant that Tamil communities have learned skills and strategies that make them better able to cope with disasters.”
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram found the effects of chronic disasters, such as war, went beyond the individual to family, community and the wider society. Relief, rehabilitation and development programs to be effective need to address the problems of collective trauma, he says.
His study suggests that grass roots work within communities may work best. “In the aftermath of war communities suffer from mistrust, suspicion, silence, brutalisation, deterioration in morals and values, poor leadership, dependency, passivity and despair,” Assoc. Professor Somasundaram says.
“Apart from attending to the immediate basic needs and other acute problems in the rescue and relief phases after a major disaster, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development strategies need to include collective-level interventions. In fact, our experiences show that many individually oriented mental health interventions appear to fair much better when undertaken within an overall framework of a community strategy.”
The study, ‘Collective trauma in northern Sri Lanka: a qualitative psychosocial-ecological study’, is based on published data and qualitative research methods including participatory observation, key informant and focus group interviews.
Assoc. Professor Somasundaram came to the University of Adelaide’s Discipline of Psychiatry under the US-based Scholar Rescue Fund at the end of 2005 with his wife and children. He was at risk because of his writing and documentation about the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka.
Proscription of the TRO in Sri Lanka
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on the proscription of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) in Sri Lanka.
On 15 November 2007 it was announced in Washington that the United States Treasury targeted the support network of the designated terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by designating a charitable organization that as a front to facilitate fund raising and procurement for the LTTE.
The TRO was designated under Executive Order which is aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and support networks. The legal effect of this decision is that, it freezes any assets the TRO may have under US jurisdiction and bans Americans from engaging in transactions with it.
In a statement on the announcement, Director of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control Adam J. Szubin has observed that the TRO passed off its operation as charitable, when in fact it was raising money for the designated terrorist group responsible for heinous acts of terrorism.
The LTTE’s ability to continue to raise funds from the Tamil Diaspora, mostly through extortion, has been possible due to the presence of numerous front organizations, mainly the TRO, which operates under the control of the LTTE.
The US action has exposed the pretensions of the TRO as an organization engaged in rehabilitation work for the Tamil people, and that it is in fact involved in fund raising and procurement for the LTTE.
Therefore, the Cabinet granted its approval to proscribe the TRO in Sri Lanka, to appeal to foreign governments, international organizations and INGOs that have a TRO presence in their countries or have relationships with the TRO, to take action against this organization and to cease any transactions, and appeal to the foreign governments, international organizations and INGOs to review the operations and its relationships with other LTTE front organizations.
Given below the summary of Cabinet Decisions of 22.11.2007:
Development of Piliyandala MMV playground
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Kulawansa Lokuge on the project for the development of the Piliyandala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya playground.
It has been decided to develop the Piliyandala MMV playground under the allocations made for the development of playgrounds this year as a pilot project in the programme to establish sports schools proposed to be implemented with effect from 2008 by the Department of Sports Development.
Accordingly it is expected to construct a number of innovative units including a 400 metre pavilion and complete the task by December 2007. It is expected get funds for this project from the allocations made for the construction of Borelsgamuwa Sports Complex.
Therefore the Cabinet has granted its approval to make use of the outstanding balance of Rs.37 million at the Department of Sports Development from the allocations amounting to Rs. 100 million for this project.
Modern Fish Market at Peliyagoda
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera on the establishment of modern Central Fish Market at Peliyagoda.
This would have adequate parking and other facilities in accordance with modern standards and hygienic requirements to relocate the existing out-dated St. John’s Fish Market in Colombo.
The estimated cost of this project is Rs.1120 million. A part of the cost amounting to Rs.440 million will be covered from the savings of the funds allocated to Aquatic Resources Development and Quality Improvement Project under the Asian Development Bank loan. Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation will prepared the site proposed for the new Central Fish Market at Peliyagoda.
Accelerating the Nanotechnology Initiative
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana on the expeditious implementation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative of the government. In view of the urgent need to commence research and development activities at SLINTEC, approval was granted to purchase equipment within the shortest possible time and to allow the maximum possible tax initiatives for the private sector for promoting research in the Nanotechnology field.
Augmentation of water treatment plants
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on the amended loan facility agreements with Hungarian Export-Import Bank to finance the augmentation of Labugama and Kalatuwawa water treatment plants.
The Labugama water treatment plant will be augmented at a cost of Euro 16,714,044.
This loan will be repaid in 15 years including a grace period of three years which begins after the draw down period of two years.
The Kalatuwawa water treatment plant will be augmented at a cost of Euro 17,383,906. This loan will be repaid in 15 years including a grace period of three years which begins after the draw down period of two years.
ADB assistance to knowledge society project
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on the financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank for Education for knowledge society project.
Negotiation were concluded with the Asian Development Bank to obtain a grant of US $ 15 million and a loan of about US $ 65million (SDR) for the implementation of Education for Knowledge Society project.
The main objective of the project is to improve quality, relevance, effectiveness and equity of access to secondary and tertiary education through upgrading selected 150 secondary schools in the poorest administrative districts to full pledged schools, providing 15000 scholarships for secondary education and non-university tertiary education, development of Competency Based Education Curriculum by the NIE, upgrading facilities of educational institutions such as Centre for Excellence in English Education etc, expansion of ICT education, providing computer and internet facilities for 2125 schools, integration of HIV/AIDS and Health Education into the curriculum of the secondary schools and establishing a high level policy coordination regime and partnership mechanism in the sector and setting up a Management Information System for the Ministry of Education.
ADB loan for SME Regional Development Project
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on a loan of SDR 32,226,000 from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Small and Medium Enterprise Regional Development Project.
The objective of this project is to accelerate the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) located outside the Western Province by improving their access to credit, creating SME value-chain clusters, mainstreaming best practices in SME financing and improving access to business development services for SMEs.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning through Central Bank will be the executing agency for the project. A Project Steering Committee (PSC) chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury will be set up to oversee the project implementation and a secretariat will be established with the Central Bank to support the PSC.
Enhanced Sweden funds waste water disposal project
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on the Sweden funding for the implementation of Ratmalana/Moratuwa and Ja-Ela/Ekala waste water disposal project.
Sweden has agreed to enhance the credit amount up to US $ 91,918,967 to finance the contract sum of US $ 90,650, 485.
The enhancement of the credit amount will be formalized by way of an amendment to the specific agreement signed between the two countries on 2nd march 2006 and a Credit Agreement will be concluded with the AB Svensk Exportkredit of Sweden.
On 15 November 2007 it was announced in Washington that the United States Treasury targeted the support network of the designated terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by designating a charitable organization that as a front to facilitate fund raising and procurement for the LTTE.
The TRO was designated under Executive Order which is aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and support networks. The legal effect of this decision is that, it freezes any assets the TRO may have under US jurisdiction and bans Americans from engaging in transactions with it.
In a statement on the announcement, Director of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control Adam J. Szubin has observed that the TRO passed off its operation as charitable, when in fact it was raising money for the designated terrorist group responsible for heinous acts of terrorism.
The LTTE’s ability to continue to raise funds from the Tamil Diaspora, mostly through extortion, has been possible due to the presence of numerous front organizations, mainly the TRO, which operates under the control of the LTTE.
The US action has exposed the pretensions of the TRO as an organization engaged in rehabilitation work for the Tamil people, and that it is in fact involved in fund raising and procurement for the LTTE.
Therefore, the Cabinet granted its approval to proscribe the TRO in Sri Lanka, to appeal to foreign governments, international organizations and INGOs that have a TRO presence in their countries or have relationships with the TRO, to take action against this organization and to cease any transactions, and appeal to the foreign governments, international organizations and INGOs to review the operations and its relationships with other LTTE front organizations.
Given below the summary of Cabinet Decisions of 22.11.2007:
Development of Piliyandala MMV playground
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Sports and Public Recreation Minister Gamini Kulawansa Lokuge on the project for the development of the Piliyandala Madhya Maha Vidyalaya playground.
It has been decided to develop the Piliyandala MMV playground under the allocations made for the development of playgrounds this year as a pilot project in the programme to establish sports schools proposed to be implemented with effect from 2008 by the Department of Sports Development.
Accordingly it is expected to construct a number of innovative units including a 400 metre pavilion and complete the task by December 2007. It is expected get funds for this project from the allocations made for the construction of Borelsgamuwa Sports Complex.
Therefore the Cabinet has granted its approval to make use of the outstanding balance of Rs.37 million at the Department of Sports Development from the allocations amounting to Rs. 100 million for this project.
Modern Fish Market at Peliyagoda
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Minister Felix Perera on the establishment of modern Central Fish Market at Peliyagoda.
This would have adequate parking and other facilities in accordance with modern standards and hygienic requirements to relocate the existing out-dated St. John’s Fish Market in Colombo.
The estimated cost of this project is Rs.1120 million. A part of the cost amounting to Rs.440 million will be covered from the savings of the funds allocated to Aquatic Resources Development and Quality Improvement Project under the Asian Development Bank loan. Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation will prepared the site proposed for the new Central Fish Market at Peliyagoda.
Accelerating the Nanotechnology Initiative
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana on the expeditious implementation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative of the government. In view of the urgent need to commence research and development activities at SLINTEC, approval was granted to purchase equipment within the shortest possible time and to allow the maximum possible tax initiatives for the private sector for promoting research in the Nanotechnology field.
Augmentation of water treatment plants
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on the amended loan facility agreements with Hungarian Export-Import Bank to finance the augmentation of Labugama and Kalatuwawa water treatment plants.
The Labugama water treatment plant will be augmented at a cost of Euro 16,714,044.
This loan will be repaid in 15 years including a grace period of three years which begins after the draw down period of two years.
The Kalatuwawa water treatment plant will be augmented at a cost of Euro 17,383,906. This loan will be repaid in 15 years including a grace period of three years which begins after the draw down period of two years.
ADB assistance to knowledge society project
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on the financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank for Education for knowledge society project.
Negotiation were concluded with the Asian Development Bank to obtain a grant of US $ 15 million and a loan of about US $ 65million (SDR) for the implementation of Education for Knowledge Society project.
The main objective of the project is to improve quality, relevance, effectiveness and equity of access to secondary and tertiary education through upgrading selected 150 secondary schools in the poorest administrative districts to full pledged schools, providing 15000 scholarships for secondary education and non-university tertiary education, development of Competency Based Education Curriculum by the NIE, upgrading facilities of educational institutions such as Centre for Excellence in English Education etc, expansion of ICT education, providing computer and internet facilities for 2125 schools, integration of HIV/AIDS and Health Education into the curriculum of the secondary schools and establishing a high level policy coordination regime and partnership mechanism in the sector and setting up a Management Information System for the Ministry of Education.
ADB loan for SME Regional Development Project
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on a loan of SDR 32,226,000 from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Small and Medium Enterprise Regional Development Project.
The objective of this project is to accelerate the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) located outside the Western Province by improving their access to credit, creating SME value-chain clusters, mainstreaming best practices in SME financing and improving access to business development services for SMEs.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning through Central Bank will be the executing agency for the project. A Project Steering Committee (PSC) chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury will be set up to oversee the project implementation and a secretariat will be established with the Central Bank to support the PSC.
Enhanced Sweden funds waste water disposal project
The Cabinet has granted its approval to a Memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, on the Sweden funding for the implementation of Ratmalana/Moratuwa and Ja-Ela/Ekala waste water disposal project.
Sweden has agreed to enhance the credit amount up to US $ 91,918,967 to finance the contract sum of US $ 90,650, 485.
The enhancement of the credit amount will be formalized by way of an amendment to the specific agreement signed between the two countries on 2nd march 2006 and a Credit Agreement will be concluded with the AB Svensk Exportkredit of Sweden.
Thuglak - a Tamil weekly burnt and banned in Europe by the LTTE
Copies of Tamil weekly Thuglak was burnt in Paris, France for carrying editorial criticizing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for his elegy on the death of S.P.Tamilselvan, a former head of the political division of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Tamil Tiger supporters alleged that the editorial criticizing Karunanidhi in its latest issue (21 November) of Thuglak amounts to an anti-LTTE campaign.
Tiger supporters proclaimed that Thuglak magazine is hereafter banned in Europe and in the future no one should import or sell Thuglak in their shops.
Reports revealed that Tiger supporters removed forcefully copies of Thuglak from the Tamil shops in La chapelle (Paris10) and set it on fire publicly at Road - Rue du faubourg, at St. Denis, Paris.
According to reports, burning of Thuglak in Paris was led by Sivaguru Balachandran, owner of ‘Thamilalayam,’ a Tamil bookshop, also a pro-LTTE weekly’s editor and since of late plays a leading role in promoting LTTE activities in Paris, after the arrest of leading LTTE members on the last April Fools Day.
Thuglak is a weekly magazine started by Cho Ramaswamy in 1967, which editorially opposed Dravidian way of politics right from its inception.
It carried lots of articles and editorials against the misdeeds of Indian parties in general and Dravidian parties in particular.
Thuglak was always highly critical of LTTE and Prabakaran and use to campaign strongly for the extradition of Parabakaran, a proclaimed assassin of late Rajiv Gandhi, to face trial in India.
Tamil Tiger supporters alleged that the editorial criticizing Karunanidhi in its latest issue (21 November) of Thuglak amounts to an anti-LTTE campaign.
Tiger supporters proclaimed that Thuglak magazine is hereafter banned in Europe and in the future no one should import or sell Thuglak in their shops.
Reports revealed that Tiger supporters removed forcefully copies of Thuglak from the Tamil shops in La chapelle (Paris10) and set it on fire publicly at Road - Rue du faubourg, at St. Denis, Paris.
According to reports, burning of Thuglak in Paris was led by Sivaguru Balachandran, owner of ‘Thamilalayam,’ a Tamil bookshop, also a pro-LTTE weekly’s editor and since of late plays a leading role in promoting LTTE activities in Paris, after the arrest of leading LTTE members on the last April Fools Day.
Thuglak is a weekly magazine started by Cho Ramaswamy in 1967, which editorially opposed Dravidian way of politics right from its inception.
It carried lots of articles and editorials against the misdeeds of Indian parties in general and Dravidian parties in particular.
Thuglak was always highly critical of LTTE and Prabakaran and use to campaign strongly for the extradition of Parabakaran, a proclaimed assassin of late Rajiv Gandhi, to face trial in India.
Sri Lanka bans Tamil Rehabilitation Organization
Sri Lanka Government has banned the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) a rehabilitation arm of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist outfit fighting for a separate Tamil state of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka since the latter part of 1970s.
According to Media minister Anura Yapa, "The cabinet decided yesterday to ban the TRO and also ask other governments to do the same,"
Anura Yapa when contacted further said that ministers met on Wednesday and decided to proscribe the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) whose bank accounts were frozen by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka last year.”
The United States last week froze TRO assets accusing the organization which has raised funds on behalf of the LTTE through a network of individual representatives. “According to sources within the organization, the TRO is the preferred conduit of funds from the United States to the LTTE in Sri Lanka.” U.S. Department of the Treasury announced.
Government sources alleged that the TRO under guise of a charity organization collected and directed funds to the LTTE for procurement operations. Those operations included the purchase of ammunitions, equipment, communication devices, and other technology for the LTTE.
Meanwhile the International Leader of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Dr. Murugan Vinayagamurthi and his wife were taken in to custody in the US. He is believed to be a master mind behind LTTE naval strength. He is supposed to be involved with developing and the use of sea Submarines in their sea attacks.
Following the US Government naming the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) as a front for the LTTE operating to obtain funds and procure weapons, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has called upon the international community to follow suit.
The minister made this appeal especially to the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France and the UK, pointing out 'the continuing ability of the LTTE's numerous front organizations to pose off as charities undermined the ban imposed on the Tigers by India, USA, the UK, and EU member states and Canada'.
The US has frozen TRO assets and banned her citizens from engaging in any transactions with this organization and other LTTE fronts. This measure carried out under Executive Order 13224 has been described as aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and their support networks.
The Minister also stated:
"The Government of Sri Lanka has in recent times emphasized that the proscription of the LTTE by India, US, Canada and the EU member countries has been undermined and diluted through the continuing ability for numerous front organizations of the LTTE which posed off as charitable fronts - under the guise of rehabilitation, educational, social, religious, and economic groupings - to continue collecting funds to bolster the LTTE arsenal. The TRO has been the most prominent among them and in September 2006, following investigations into its financial transactions by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank under Sri Lanka's Financing of Terrorism Law, the Government of Sri Lanka froze TRO accounts in Sri Lanka.
In this context, that I wish to place on record the deep appreciation of the government of Sri Lanka and this entire house, to the US Administration, especially the Treasury Department, for the speedy investigation carried out and for the action taken yesterday against the TRO. In doing so the US Government becomes the first foreign government to take tangible action against an LTTE front organization. . It must be recalled that besides India which proscribed the LTTE in the aftermath of the assassination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1992, the U.S. was the first Western government to take action against the LTTE, when the Department of State designated the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 8, 1997 and on November 2, 2001, named the LTTE a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)."
According to Media minister Anura Yapa, "The cabinet decided yesterday to ban the TRO and also ask other governments to do the same,"
Anura Yapa when contacted further said that ministers met on Wednesday and decided to proscribe the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) whose bank accounts were frozen by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka last year.”
The United States last week froze TRO assets accusing the organization which has raised funds on behalf of the LTTE through a network of individual representatives. “According to sources within the organization, the TRO is the preferred conduit of funds from the United States to the LTTE in Sri Lanka.” U.S. Department of the Treasury announced.
Government sources alleged that the TRO under guise of a charity organization collected and directed funds to the LTTE for procurement operations. Those operations included the purchase of ammunitions, equipment, communication devices, and other technology for the LTTE.
Meanwhile the International Leader of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Dr. Murugan Vinayagamurthi and his wife were taken in to custody in the US. He is believed to be a master mind behind LTTE naval strength. He is supposed to be involved with developing and the use of sea Submarines in their sea attacks.
Following the US Government naming the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) as a front for the LTTE operating to obtain funds and procure weapons, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has called upon the international community to follow suit.
The minister made this appeal especially to the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, France and the UK, pointing out 'the continuing ability of the LTTE's numerous front organizations to pose off as charities undermined the ban imposed on the Tigers by India, USA, the UK, and EU member states and Canada'.
The US has frozen TRO assets and banned her citizens from engaging in any transactions with this organization and other LTTE fronts. This measure carried out under Executive Order 13224 has been described as aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and their support networks.
The Minister also stated:
"The Government of Sri Lanka has in recent times emphasized that the proscription of the LTTE by India, US, Canada and the EU member countries has been undermined and diluted through the continuing ability for numerous front organizations of the LTTE which posed off as charitable fronts - under the guise of rehabilitation, educational, social, religious, and economic groupings - to continue collecting funds to bolster the LTTE arsenal. The TRO has been the most prominent among them and in September 2006, following investigations into its financial transactions by the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank under Sri Lanka's Financing of Terrorism Law, the Government of Sri Lanka froze TRO accounts in Sri Lanka.
In this context, that I wish to place on record the deep appreciation of the government of Sri Lanka and this entire house, to the US Administration, especially the Treasury Department, for the speedy investigation carried out and for the action taken yesterday against the TRO. In doing so the US Government becomes the first foreign government to take tangible action against an LTTE front organization. . It must be recalled that besides India which proscribed the LTTE in the aftermath of the assassination of Shri Rajiv Gandhi in 1992, the U.S. was the first Western government to take action against the LTTE, when the Department of State designated the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 8, 1997 and on November 2, 2001, named the LTTE a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)."
New Armaments For Army
With the passing of the second reading of the new budget, the Sri Lanka Military has swung into action to procure much needed weapons, ammunition and spare parts. A delegation comprising military experts from Sri Lanka returned hours ago from a visit to a state in the former Russian Block. The delegation managed to secure a large consignment of weapons, ammunition and spare parts for the Army. The consignment includes everything from Main Battle Tanks to RM 70 122mm mobile rocket launchers. Purchases of weapons to SLAF and SLN will also be expedited in due course.
Many European Union countries, especially the United Kingdom has imposed restrictions on the sale of weapons to Sri Lanka at an unofficial level. Weapons procured from these countries get delayed due to various checks imposed by those countries. The country which has sold the weapons to Sri Lanka yesterday is to become the Chair of the European Union for a duration of six months next year. The visit by the Sri Lankan delegation is said to enhance our standing in the EU once that country becomes Chairman of the EU. This might result in greater access to weapons systems built in European Union countries.
Many European Union countries, especially the United Kingdom has imposed restrictions on the sale of weapons to Sri Lanka at an unofficial level. Weapons procured from these countries get delayed due to various checks imposed by those countries. The country which has sold the weapons to Sri Lanka yesterday is to become the Chair of the European Union for a duration of six months next year. The visit by the Sri Lankan delegation is said to enhance our standing in the EU once that country becomes Chairman of the EU. This might result in greater access to weapons systems built in European Union countries.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Several Updates
Sri Lanka Army's infantry units moving ahead of the Muhamalai Forward Defenceline in Jaffna last morning destroyed an LTTE bunkerline killing ten LTTE cadres. Their bodies were left behind due to logistical problems. The Army has also intensified shelling and artillery strikes on identified LTTE targets ahead of the Vavuniya FDL this morning. Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Air Force is continuing air-strikes on pre-identified targets. The most recent attack was on an LTTE intelligence gathering place in Puthukudiiruppu on Monday, an attack on an LTTE Sea Tiger base on Tuesday and an LTTE training base in Weli Oya this morning. The locations of the targets were gathered prior to the loss of the UAVs.
Two members of the Army's Elite Special Forces were killed in a bunker-busting operation ahead of the Mannar Forward Defenceline. The two men were part of an 8-man team from the 2nd Special Forces Brigade that had to face unusual resistance from the LTTE in a thick jungle area. The two men got trapped and laid down their lives valiantly killing six LTTE cadres in the process. The thick jungle covering prevented the other six men from getting to the two men who got trapped and the terrain provided the LTTE an opportunity to seize the remains of the two soldiers, whose bodies have since been returned through the Red Cross. Contrary to Pro-LTTE Media, these were not members of the Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Team (LRRP/LRS). By the time this is written, the SLA has overrun the LTTE's FDL in Mannar killing over twenty LTTE cadres in a fresh offensive launched by the SLA this morning.
Meanwhile many senior officers of the Military commended President Mahinda Rajapakse's decision to withdraw the Media Censorship Law. They are of the opinion that almost all Sinhala and English Media and some Tamil Media are faithful to the Military, but had no option but criticize the lapses at the Anuradhapura Airbase. They claimed these exposures are warranted given the negligence and serious lapses in security at the base. They further believe that civilians have the right to information regarding the management of the war, acquisition or destruction of military assets etc given they do not unduly assist the enemy.
(http://defencewire.blogspot.com)
Related News Item
Tigers gun down 2 DPU intruders in Mannaar
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday said a roaming patrol of their border security combatants on Monday evening gunned down two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) intruders inside LTTE controlled Valaignan Kaddu area in Mannaar district. Arrangements were underway to hand over the dead bodies of the SLA soldiers through the ICRC, informed sources in Vanni said. The Tigers have lost a combatant in the counter-ambush.
A Claymore mine, two T-56 assault rifles, one remote control for the Claymore mine, one smoke bomb, two holders and two military kit bags were recovered by the LTTE.
The SLA operated ambush units known as Deep Penetration Units (DPUs) are officially named Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) units, a borrowed terminology from the LRRP/Ranger detachments deployed for covert operations by the U.S. military during the Vietnam war.
The Sri Lankan LRRP units are increasingly deployed to attack civilian vehicles in addition to military targets in the LTTE territory.
(www.tamilnet.com)
Two members of the Army's Elite Special Forces were killed in a bunker-busting operation ahead of the Mannar Forward Defenceline. The two men were part of an 8-man team from the 2nd Special Forces Brigade that had to face unusual resistance from the LTTE in a thick jungle area. The two men got trapped and laid down their lives valiantly killing six LTTE cadres in the process. The thick jungle covering prevented the other six men from getting to the two men who got trapped and the terrain provided the LTTE an opportunity to seize the remains of the two soldiers, whose bodies have since been returned through the Red Cross. Contrary to Pro-LTTE Media, these were not members of the Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Team (LRRP/LRS). By the time this is written, the SLA has overrun the LTTE's FDL in Mannar killing over twenty LTTE cadres in a fresh offensive launched by the SLA this morning.
Meanwhile many senior officers of the Military commended President Mahinda Rajapakse's decision to withdraw the Media Censorship Law. They are of the opinion that almost all Sinhala and English Media and some Tamil Media are faithful to the Military, but had no option but criticize the lapses at the Anuradhapura Airbase. They claimed these exposures are warranted given the negligence and serious lapses in security at the base. They further believe that civilians have the right to information regarding the management of the war, acquisition or destruction of military assets etc given they do not unduly assist the enemy.
(http://defencewire.blogspot.com)
Related News Item
Tigers gun down 2 DPU intruders in Mannaar
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday said a roaming patrol of their border security combatants on Monday evening gunned down two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) intruders inside LTTE controlled Valaignan Kaddu area in Mannaar district. Arrangements were underway to hand over the dead bodies of the SLA soldiers through the ICRC, informed sources in Vanni said. The Tigers have lost a combatant in the counter-ambush.
A Claymore mine, two T-56 assault rifles, one remote control for the Claymore mine, one smoke bomb, two holders and two military kit bags were recovered by the LTTE.
The SLA operated ambush units known as Deep Penetration Units (DPUs) are officially named Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) units, a borrowed terminology from the LRRP/Ranger detachments deployed for covert operations by the U.S. military during the Vietnam war.
The Sri Lankan LRRP units are increasingly deployed to attack civilian vehicles in addition to military targets in the LTTE territory.
(www.tamilnet.com)
Mannar Offensive - Army captured LTTE line
Sri Lanka Army units from Sinha Regiment and Gajaba Regiment, backed by Army Commandos, who were involved in the pre-dawn attack on LTTE FDL in Mannar have now returned to the captured LTTE FDL after infiltrating further into LTTE areas. They have recovered at least 7 LTTE dead bodies and monitored communication revealed at least 15 more may have been killed. The Army lost three men and over 30 others were injured. The advance into LTTE areas was temporarily halted following heavy resistance in the area West of Giant Tank. Meanwhile a civilian was killed when a stray mortar hit her in the general area Murunkan.
SLA captures tiger bunker line west of Giant tank
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers from the 57th division moved ahead of their defense lines in Mannar to capture a much fought after rebel defense line north west of Giant tank in a pre dawn offensive today. Army's infantry formations backed by the commando regiment and Sri Lanka artillery, were able to overrun the LTTE bunker line today morning amidst heavy resistance.
SLA troopers have so far found 8 bodies of LTTE cadres scattered near the defense line. Interception of enemy communication revealed that at least 20 rebels have been killed in today's fighting.The Army too suffered casualties in the operation with 35 soldiers being injured and 3 soldiers KIA. Most of the SLA injuries were caused by deathtraps, IEDs and land mines which had been set up in the area by the tigers.
The army operation has been temporarily halted due to stiff resistance offered by the tigers. This has been the story of most SLA operations in the Mannar-Vavuniya region for the recent past. However, this strategy has helped SLA minimize the casualty figures. In contrast to the all out attacks involving massive numbers of troops (I.e. - Operation Jayasikuru, Operation Leap Forward - Idiri Pimma, Operation Agni Kheela) SLA have been waging a drawn out war with the aim of tiring out and frustrating the enemy.
Meanwhile fighting raged in the northern defense lines yesterday when a group of LTTE cadres tried to infiltrate Muhamalai forward defense lines. 55th division soldiers stationed in FDL positions near Muahamalai lead a devastating counterattack across the no-man's-land, ultimately destroying four LTTE bunkers along with at least 10 LTTE cadres.
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), after suffering a setback at the hands of Black Tigers, carried out consecutive bombing runs on LTTE targets yesterday and today. A sea tiger base and a tiger intelligence camp were among the targets that were hit. Effectiveness of these attacks cannot be confirmed as of yet.
SLA troopers have so far found 8 bodies of LTTE cadres scattered near the defense line. Interception of enemy communication revealed that at least 20 rebels have been killed in today's fighting.The Army too suffered casualties in the operation with 35 soldiers being injured and 3 soldiers KIA. Most of the SLA injuries were caused by deathtraps, IEDs and land mines which had been set up in the area by the tigers.
The army operation has been temporarily halted due to stiff resistance offered by the tigers. This has been the story of most SLA operations in the Mannar-Vavuniya region for the recent past. However, this strategy has helped SLA minimize the casualty figures. In contrast to the all out attacks involving massive numbers of troops (I.e. - Operation Jayasikuru, Operation Leap Forward - Idiri Pimma, Operation Agni Kheela) SLA have been waging a drawn out war with the aim of tiring out and frustrating the enemy.
Meanwhile fighting raged in the northern defense lines yesterday when a group of LTTE cadres tried to infiltrate Muhamalai forward defense lines. 55th division soldiers stationed in FDL positions near Muahamalai lead a devastating counterattack across the no-man's-land, ultimately destroying four LTTE bunkers along with at least 10 LTTE cadres.
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), after suffering a setback at the hands of Black Tigers, carried out consecutive bombing runs on LTTE targets yesterday and today. A sea tiger base and a tiger intelligence camp were among the targets that were hit. Effectiveness of these attacks cannot be confirmed as of yet.
Tigers on the Run : Latest Situation in North
Sri Lanka Army was able to overrun the first line of LTTE defences in area between Giant Tank and Madhu in Mannar District early on Thursday morning killing at least 06 Tigers. Troops backed by Artillery and Multi Barrel Rocket Launchers were able to capture the LTTE bunkerline despite heavy resistance, military sources said. Army officials say that around 10-14 soldiers were injured in the pre-dawn attack, but more than 20 wounded soldiers were admitted to Anuradhapura hospital since this morning, hospital sources said. 03 soldiers succumbed to their injuries sources further added.
Independent verification on Tiger casualties are not available at the moment, but military says several LTTE cadres may have been killed or injured during the attack. Sri Lanka Army made more than 10 attempts to penetrate in to the Tiger home land since early this year but failed due to heavy resistance by the LTTE.
Meanwhile Army's infantry units moving ahead of the Muhamalai Forward Defenceline in Jaffna last morning destroyed an LTTE bunkerline killing ten LTTE cadres. Their bodies were left behind due to logistical problems. The Army has also intensified shelling and artillery strikes on identified LTTE targets ahead of the Vavuniya FDL this morning. Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Air Force is continuing air-strikes on pre-identified targets. The most recent attack was on an LTTE intelligence gathering place in Puthukudiiruppu on Monday, an attack on an LTTE Sea Tiger base on Tuesday and an LTTE training base in Weli Oya this morning. The locations of the targets were gathered prior to the loss of the UAVs.
Two members of the Army's Elite Special Forces were killed in a bunker-busting operation ahead of the Mannar Forward Defenceline. The two men were part of an 8-man team from the 2nd Special Forces Brigade that had to face unusual resistance from the LTTE in a thick jungle area. The two men got trapped and laid down their lives valiantly killing six LTTE cadres in the process. The thick jungle covering prevented the other six men from getting to the two men who got trapped and the terrain provided the LTTE an opportunity to seize the remains of the two soldiers, whose bodies have since been returned through the Red Cross. Contrary to Pro-LTTE Media, these were not members of the Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Team (LRRP/LRS). By the time this is written, the SLA has overrun the LTTE's FDL in Mannar killing over twenty LTTE cadres in a fresh offensive launched by the SLA this morning.
Meanwhile many senior officers of the Military commended President Mahinda Rajapakse's decision to withdraw the Media Censorship Law. They are of the opinion that almost all Sinhala and English Media and some Tamil Media are faithful to the Military, but had no option but criticize the lapses at the Anuradhapura Airbase. They claimed these exposures are warranted given the negligence and serious lapses in security at the base. They further believe that civilians have the right to information regarding the management of the war, acquisition or destruction of military assets etc given they do not unduly assist the enemy.
Independent verification on Tiger casualties are not available at the moment, but military says several LTTE cadres may have been killed or injured during the attack. Sri Lanka Army made more than 10 attempts to penetrate in to the Tiger home land since early this year but failed due to heavy resistance by the LTTE.
Meanwhile Army's infantry units moving ahead of the Muhamalai Forward Defenceline in Jaffna last morning destroyed an LTTE bunkerline killing ten LTTE cadres. Their bodies were left behind due to logistical problems. The Army has also intensified shelling and artillery strikes on identified LTTE targets ahead of the Vavuniya FDL this morning. Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Air Force is continuing air-strikes on pre-identified targets. The most recent attack was on an LTTE intelligence gathering place in Puthukudiiruppu on Monday, an attack on an LTTE Sea Tiger base on Tuesday and an LTTE training base in Weli Oya this morning. The locations of the targets were gathered prior to the loss of the UAVs.
Two members of the Army's Elite Special Forces were killed in a bunker-busting operation ahead of the Mannar Forward Defenceline. The two men were part of an 8-man team from the 2nd Special Forces Brigade that had to face unusual resistance from the LTTE in a thick jungle area. The two men got trapped and laid down their lives valiantly killing six LTTE cadres in the process. The thick jungle covering prevented the other six men from getting to the two men who got trapped and the terrain provided the LTTE an opportunity to seize the remains of the two soldiers, whose bodies have since been returned through the Red Cross. Contrary to Pro-LTTE Media, these were not members of the Special Forces Long Range Reconnaissance Team (LRRP/LRS). By the time this is written, the SLA has overrun the LTTE's FDL in Mannar killing over twenty LTTE cadres in a fresh offensive launched by the SLA this morning.
Meanwhile many senior officers of the Military commended President Mahinda Rajapakse's decision to withdraw the Media Censorship Law. They are of the opinion that almost all Sinhala and English Media and some Tamil Media are faithful to the Military, but had no option but criticize the lapses at the Anuradhapura Airbase. They claimed these exposures are warranted given the negligence and serious lapses in security at the base. They further believe that civilians have the right to information regarding the management of the war, acquisition or destruction of military assets etc given they do not unduly assist the enemy.
Countering Force Multiplication
The recent LTTE attack in Anuradhapura is an example of Force Multiplication in 4th Generation War. The 21 Black Tigers acted as a Force Multiplier for the Tigers, shifting the Center of Gravity of the War. If the Sri Lanka Government is to overcome this threat, it must identify and use its Force Multipliers to good effect. They must also transform themselves from waging a 3rd Generation War (3GW) to a 4th Generation War (4GW or Counter-Insurgency).
Let’s understand these concepts and their applicability to the conflict. A Force Multiplier is a factor, person or unit that can dramatically increase effectiveness in war to reverse losses and increase prospects for victory. 3rd Generation war is linear but tactical use of units to infiltrate, bypass and collapse an enemy. 4th Generation War is a tactic used by non-state actors engaged in asymmetric war against a state. Asymmetric war is a war between a stronger military entity and a weaker military entity.
The Beechcraft, UAVs and the Fighter Jets were Force Multipliers for the Military. The LTTE destroyed them because of their force multiplication effect. The Military uses specially trained units as Force Multipliers in 3rd Generation War to infiltrate, bypass and collapse the enemy and attack it from the rear (LRRP). The LTTE counters the Military’s 3rd Generation War through Defence in Depth - meaning the longer the infiltration by the Army, the greater the resistance by LTTE. The LTTE also uses Black Tigers in 4th Generation Wars to attack physical, psychological and moral elements of the Military. This enables them to change the Center of Gravity of the war from Tamil Nationalism and grievances to effective Terrorism or Insurgency depending on the LTTE’s requirement. The state cannot shift its Center of Gravity like a non-state actor does since it is bound by principles of good-governance.
So how can a state win in asymmetric war where the weaker side uses effective terrorist tactics and 4th Generation War? Military History provides examples of states winning such wars through a ‘simple’ formula;
*Invest on quality, highly-trained and disciplined infantrymen and not on expensive weapons. (Quality not Quantity)
*Understand your weaknesses, the enemy and the terrain (Sun Tsu in The Art of War says know your Enemy, Know yourself. Know the terrain)
*Win the ‘hearts and minds’ of the local (Tamil) population for better intelligence gathering by avoiding collective punishment and the risk of damage to civilians.
Separate politics from war, soldier from civilian and peace from conflict.
*Move from tactical linear warfare (3GW) to Counter-insurgency and Counter Terrorism tactics (anti-4GW).
Let’s understand these concepts and their applicability to the conflict. A Force Multiplier is a factor, person or unit that can dramatically increase effectiveness in war to reverse losses and increase prospects for victory. 3rd Generation war is linear but tactical use of units to infiltrate, bypass and collapse an enemy. 4th Generation War is a tactic used by non-state actors engaged in asymmetric war against a state. Asymmetric war is a war between a stronger military entity and a weaker military entity.
The Beechcraft, UAVs and the Fighter Jets were Force Multipliers for the Military. The LTTE destroyed them because of their force multiplication effect. The Military uses specially trained units as Force Multipliers in 3rd Generation War to infiltrate, bypass and collapse the enemy and attack it from the rear (LRRP). The LTTE counters the Military’s 3rd Generation War through Defence in Depth - meaning the longer the infiltration by the Army, the greater the resistance by LTTE. The LTTE also uses Black Tigers in 4th Generation Wars to attack physical, psychological and moral elements of the Military. This enables them to change the Center of Gravity of the war from Tamil Nationalism and grievances to effective Terrorism or Insurgency depending on the LTTE’s requirement. The state cannot shift its Center of Gravity like a non-state actor does since it is bound by principles of good-governance.
So how can a state win in asymmetric war where the weaker side uses effective terrorist tactics and 4th Generation War? Military History provides examples of states winning such wars through a ‘simple’ formula;
*Invest on quality, highly-trained and disciplined infantrymen and not on expensive weapons. (Quality not Quantity)
*Understand your weaknesses, the enemy and the terrain (Sun Tsu in The Art of War says know your Enemy, Know yourself. Know the terrain)
*Win the ‘hearts and minds’ of the local (Tamil) population for better intelligence gathering by avoiding collective punishment and the risk of damage to civilians.
Separate politics from war, soldier from civilian and peace from conflict.
*Move from tactical linear warfare (3GW) to Counter-insurgency and Counter Terrorism tactics (anti-4GW).
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Hearsay as Gospel
Yesterday, Maneka Gandhi, an environmentalist of international repute said, in her column in this newspaper, parrots were far more intelligent than they were thought to be and capable of making rational decisions based on their own judgment, contrary to the conventional belief that they can only imitate humans. Sadly, some humans seem to lack that parrot-faculty. They rush to conclusions based on hearsay. The US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack has urged the Sri Lankan government to reconsider its decision not to allow the UN to base a human rights group in the country, citing an assessment by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Louise Arbour that the human rights situation was deteriorating in Sri Lanka as the reason.
Let there be no argument that the human rights situation in this country is bad. But, it is not as bad as it is made out to be. If one were to go by the various reports filed by vested interests, then one would conclude the situation in this country is far worse than that in Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq, where American private security personnel can mow down Iraqis with impunity, as the Blackwater mercenaries did the other day.
The Sri Lankan government, no doubt, has to get its act together and take steps to improve the human rights situation with the help of genuine human rights groups, who are critical of violations by both the government troops and the LTTE, as we have repeatedly pointed out in these columns. Those who are calling for the establishment of a UN human rights mission here without highlighting and/or condemning the human rights violations by the LTTE are only furthering the interests of the LTTE, which is striving for a Cyprus like situation here through UN involvement. Ms. Arbour seems to be yielding to pressure exerted by various separatist fronts including a section of the Colombo-based NGO circuit, whose bosses get paid more than Ms. Arbour per month to create an environment conducive to LTTE operations.
This country may be anything but a killing field like Iraq, where not even an ordinary civilian can walk the streets without fear of being abducted or killed by religious fanatics despite the heavy presence of the US-led forces helping maintain law and order. Can a foreign diplomat ever think of venturing out at an ungodly hour for a stroll on a street in Afghanistan or Iraq? No! But, Mr. McCormack should be told that it was only the other day that the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake took part in a ten-kilometre marathon in Colombo! The same envoy together with a group of other ambassadors had to hit the dirt in the East a few months ago when the LTTE showered shells on them before that part of the country was 'cleared'.
It is in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. McCormack will agree with us, that Ms Arbour's services are most needed. Time was when in Iraq, deaths of children continued at 5,000 per month due to sanctions. In 2002, UNICEF estimated that 70 per cent of child deaths resulted from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. Those children, who died due to sanctions, could have been saved, had there been a proper human rights intervention. Although no comprehensive study has been carried out in that country of late, the situation is believed to be equally bad. Ms Arbour should also make a trip to Diego Garcia, where the CIA is accused of having a secret prison to 'put terror suspects to the question'. Ironically, while Mr. McCormack and Ms Arbour are busy trying to intervene in Sri Lanka, the much-dreaded hangman's noose, which is the symbol of lynching, has made a comeback in New York, much to the horror of the African American community. This time round, the ugly head of white racism has manifested itself at the Columbia University, where Prof. Madonna Constantine had a hangman's noose hanging from her door the other day. Prof. Constantine, who teaches psychology and education, is the author of the book Addressing Racism: Facilitating Cultural Competence in Mental Health and Education. One is reminded of the recent Jena Case, which sparked racial tensions and civil rights protests against what was dubbed double standards of prosecution for blacks and whites in the US.
Finally, that foreign powers have no right to intervene in this country doesn't mean that the Rajapaksa government can turn a blind eye to human rights violations. It has to strengthen the local human rights protection mechanisms and permit the involvement of local independent human rights groups to monitor abuses, probe them and make recommendations, which need to be implemented. Similarly, those UN knights in shining armour tilting at windmills in small countries should be told that the protection of human rights is next to impossible during a fiercely fought war.
Sri Lanka is fighting the LTTE not for the fun of it. It has no other way of dealing with the outfit as it is not amenable to a negotiated settlement. Minister Douglas Devananda, a one time confidant of LTTE leader Prabhakaran, recently told Parliament that even if one could achieve the feats such as 'brushing the teeth of a cobra, ploughing the sea or squeezing an elephant through the eye of a needle, one couldn't make peace with Prabhakaran'.
About the PKK (or the Kurdistan People's Party), Mr. McCormack said on Tuesday, "You can't negotiate with a terrorist organisation... you have to deal with the larger question of how you eliminate threat from a terrorist organisation...to make sure that there are no further attacks or loss of innocent life..." But, it is the very antithesis of this policy that the US wants Sri Lanka to adopt!
Not even a game of soccer, Mr. McCormack and Ms Arbour will see, gets played without head-butts and illegal tackling. So, the best way to prevent human rights abuses is to put an end to the on-going war. If the foreign powers are not using human rights as a Trojan horse to achieve some sinister objective through their involvement in Sri Lanka's conflict, they must go all out to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table which it unilaterally left under the UNF government which was bending over backwards to keep the peace process on the track and stood accused of servile appeasement.
Will Mr. McCormack and Ms Arbour take notice?
(www.island.lk)
Let there be no argument that the human rights situation in this country is bad. But, it is not as bad as it is made out to be. If one were to go by the various reports filed by vested interests, then one would conclude the situation in this country is far worse than that in Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq, where American private security personnel can mow down Iraqis with impunity, as the Blackwater mercenaries did the other day.
The Sri Lankan government, no doubt, has to get its act together and take steps to improve the human rights situation with the help of genuine human rights groups, who are critical of violations by both the government troops and the LTTE, as we have repeatedly pointed out in these columns. Those who are calling for the establishment of a UN human rights mission here without highlighting and/or condemning the human rights violations by the LTTE are only furthering the interests of the LTTE, which is striving for a Cyprus like situation here through UN involvement. Ms. Arbour seems to be yielding to pressure exerted by various separatist fronts including a section of the Colombo-based NGO circuit, whose bosses get paid more than Ms. Arbour per month to create an environment conducive to LTTE operations.
This country may be anything but a killing field like Iraq, where not even an ordinary civilian can walk the streets without fear of being abducted or killed by religious fanatics despite the heavy presence of the US-led forces helping maintain law and order. Can a foreign diplomat ever think of venturing out at an ungodly hour for a stroll on a street in Afghanistan or Iraq? No! But, Mr. McCormack should be told that it was only the other day that the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake took part in a ten-kilometre marathon in Colombo! The same envoy together with a group of other ambassadors had to hit the dirt in the East a few months ago when the LTTE showered shells on them before that part of the country was 'cleared'.
It is in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. McCormack will agree with us, that Ms Arbour's services are most needed. Time was when in Iraq, deaths of children continued at 5,000 per month due to sanctions. In 2002, UNICEF estimated that 70 per cent of child deaths resulted from diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. Those children, who died due to sanctions, could have been saved, had there been a proper human rights intervention. Although no comprehensive study has been carried out in that country of late, the situation is believed to be equally bad. Ms Arbour should also make a trip to Diego Garcia, where the CIA is accused of having a secret prison to 'put terror suspects to the question'. Ironically, while Mr. McCormack and Ms Arbour are busy trying to intervene in Sri Lanka, the much-dreaded hangman's noose, which is the symbol of lynching, has made a comeback in New York, much to the horror of the African American community. This time round, the ugly head of white racism has manifested itself at the Columbia University, where Prof. Madonna Constantine had a hangman's noose hanging from her door the other day. Prof. Constantine, who teaches psychology and education, is the author of the book Addressing Racism: Facilitating Cultural Competence in Mental Health and Education. One is reminded of the recent Jena Case, which sparked racial tensions and civil rights protests against what was dubbed double standards of prosecution for blacks and whites in the US.
Finally, that foreign powers have no right to intervene in this country doesn't mean that the Rajapaksa government can turn a blind eye to human rights violations. It has to strengthen the local human rights protection mechanisms and permit the involvement of local independent human rights groups to monitor abuses, probe them and make recommendations, which need to be implemented. Similarly, those UN knights in shining armour tilting at windmills in small countries should be told that the protection of human rights is next to impossible during a fiercely fought war.
Sri Lanka is fighting the LTTE not for the fun of it. It has no other way of dealing with the outfit as it is not amenable to a negotiated settlement. Minister Douglas Devananda, a one time confidant of LTTE leader Prabhakaran, recently told Parliament that even if one could achieve the feats such as 'brushing the teeth of a cobra, ploughing the sea or squeezing an elephant through the eye of a needle, one couldn't make peace with Prabhakaran'.
About the PKK (or the Kurdistan People's Party), Mr. McCormack said on Tuesday, "You can't negotiate with a terrorist organisation... you have to deal with the larger question of how you eliminate threat from a terrorist organisation...to make sure that there are no further attacks or loss of innocent life..." But, it is the very antithesis of this policy that the US wants Sri Lanka to adopt!
Not even a game of soccer, Mr. McCormack and Ms Arbour will see, gets played without head-butts and illegal tackling. So, the best way to prevent human rights abuses is to put an end to the on-going war. If the foreign powers are not using human rights as a Trojan horse to achieve some sinister objective through their involvement in Sri Lanka's conflict, they must go all out to bring the LTTE to the negotiating table which it unilaterally left under the UNF government which was bending over backwards to keep the peace process on the track and stood accused of servile appeasement.
Will Mr. McCormack and Ms Arbour take notice?
(www.island.lk)
Civilians fleeing from the Tiger controlled areas in the North on the increase
Nine (09) Tamil youths aged between 20-25, residents from Mullaithievu, surrendered at the naval detachment, at Mannar-Pallimunai on Tuesday (30). According to their statements, recorded individually, they reached Papamottai by trekking jungle tracks (an area North of Vidithalathievu) and then walked along the shores up to Pallimunai, where the Sri Lanka Naval detachment was located.
When questioned by the naval personnel, surrendered youths declared that as Tamil Tigers were involved in the conscription of youths, they fled Mullaithievu and sought protection in government controlled area. They also said that Tigers’ at present adopt a very aggressive and violent method to recruit youths.
They further revealed that Tigers used to forcefully recruit young ones, as cannon fodders, without any considerations about the future of Tamil youths. They added that parents’ pleas were simply ignored by Tigers and at times parents intimidated and their voices stilled.
To avoid from being kidnapped by Tigers, according to the surrendered youths, many youngsters spend their nights sneaking into jungle hideouts, as kidnapping in Mullaithievu used to take place in nights.
Also they told that if in case one needs to sit for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations, joining the Tigers is a must. Kidnapping school children on their way to school by Tiger cadres who come on motor bikes has become a day to day common event.
According to reports, Tamil youths who surrendered to the Navy were later handed over to the Mannar Police for further investigations.
Furthermore, on May this year, a family from Pudukudirippu area took a chance between life and death when they boarded a fibre glass dinghy in order to proceed to Trincomalee. Their message was perceptible one; ‘only to be liberated from Tigers deadly grip.‘
Reports revealed that over the last couple of months, more than 200 Tamil civilians fled from Tiger dens, surrendered to Sri Lanka Navy in Mannar area.
A spokesperson for Navy told Asian Tribune that already large number of civilians fleeing from areas controlled by Tigers had also surrendered to Army and Police from various parts of the North. He added that civilians fleeing from the Tiger controlled region at present is on the increase.
When questioned by the naval personnel, surrendered youths declared that as Tamil Tigers were involved in the conscription of youths, they fled Mullaithievu and sought protection in government controlled area. They also said that Tigers’ at present adopt a very aggressive and violent method to recruit youths.
They further revealed that Tigers used to forcefully recruit young ones, as cannon fodders, without any considerations about the future of Tamil youths. They added that parents’ pleas were simply ignored by Tigers and at times parents intimidated and their voices stilled.
To avoid from being kidnapped by Tigers, according to the surrendered youths, many youngsters spend their nights sneaking into jungle hideouts, as kidnapping in Mullaithievu used to take place in nights.
Also they told that if in case one needs to sit for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examinations, joining the Tigers is a must. Kidnapping school children on their way to school by Tiger cadres who come on motor bikes has become a day to day common event.
According to reports, Tamil youths who surrendered to the Navy were later handed over to the Mannar Police for further investigations.
Furthermore, on May this year, a family from Pudukudirippu area took a chance between life and death when they boarded a fibre glass dinghy in order to proceed to Trincomalee. Their message was perceptible one; ‘only to be liberated from Tigers deadly grip.‘
Reports revealed that over the last couple of months, more than 200 Tamil civilians fled from Tiger dens, surrendered to Sri Lanka Navy in Mannar area.
A spokesperson for Navy told Asian Tribune that already large number of civilians fleeing from areas controlled by Tigers had also surrendered to Army and Police from various parts of the North. He added that civilians fleeing from the Tiger controlled region at present is on the increase.
LTTE bases destroyed
The Air Force on Thursday claimed to have raided two bases of the LTTE including a centre in the north where the “Black Tigers,” the suicide squad of the Tigers, are trained.
The raids came after a 21-member LTTE suicide squad attacked the Anuradhapura air base on Monday destroying eight military aircraft and killing 14 military personnel.
The Defence Ministry here said Thursday’s raid targeted an LTTE location identified as a threat to the Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Vavuniya.
It said the air sorties were carried on the basis of information gathered from “ground and air surveillance” and claimed that the LTTE had sustained severe damages.
However, the LTTE disputed the Air Force version and alleged that three civilians including a pregnant were killed in the raid.
It alleged that eight persons including four children were injured.
Separately, TamilNet claimed that five personnel were killed when a “guerilla team of attackers” ambushed a Navy convoy in the Hambantota district on Thursday. However, there was no immediate confirmation of the incident from the military.
The raids came after a 21-member LTTE suicide squad attacked the Anuradhapura air base on Monday destroying eight military aircraft and killing 14 military personnel.
The Defence Ministry here said Thursday’s raid targeted an LTTE location identified as a threat to the Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Vavuniya.
It said the air sorties were carried on the basis of information gathered from “ground and air surveillance” and claimed that the LTTE had sustained severe damages.
However, the LTTE disputed the Air Force version and alleged that three civilians including a pregnant were killed in the raid.
It alleged that eight persons including four children were injured.
Separately, TamilNet claimed that five personnel were killed when a “guerilla team of attackers” ambushed a Navy convoy in the Hambantota district on Thursday. However, there was no immediate confirmation of the incident from the military.
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