Why Sri Lanka does not trust India
Posted on August 10th, 2012
Shenali Waduge
To refrain from mentioning the role India played in nurturing LTTE terrorism would be withholding an important element of the 30year conflict Sri Lanka weathered. This arrests the notion that LTTE was a liberation movement and nullifies its claim to be the representative of the Tamil people. LTTE was nothing more than an armed movement assisted by more than just one government over the years tasked to change the geopolitics of South Asia possibly the rest of Asia to help establish a platform to destabilize countries in the region. This then would explain some of LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s actions and reactions over the years and help understand why the worldƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s most dangerous terrorist organization could continue for 30 years and it is not India alone that can be blamed.
The anger most Sri Lankans have against India and by India we must reiterate that it is successive Indian Governments and not the Indian people is that it was totally unnecessary for India to have taken groups of Tamil militants, trained at different locations of India, given arms and even financially supported them and put them under its intelligence to carry out an armed struggle against Sri Lanka. In a country that today has separatist movements taking place right round its entire borders the separatism that Tamil Nadu demanded in several successive bids was what was said to be the main reason behind the plan to start an Eelaam struggle in Sri Lanka enabling separatism to be doused in Tamil Nadu. Over the years we have come to realize that it was not simply India alone that became LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s partners in crime and it is probably why India needs to be thankful to Sri Lanka and its armed forces for nullifying the threat to India from its Southern borders.
We cannot expect either gratitude or apology from India but it is our right to set the story straight as far as IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s role in establishing terrorism in Sri Lanka. We now need the world especially the Indian people to understand how its Government had launched the separatist struggle in Sri Lanka making a friendly nation a guinea pig to governments and illegal arms industries that turned Sri Lanka into a theatre of war. It is to the credit of the Sri Lankan State and its valiant armed forces that showed the world how even the most sophisticated and technically savvy terrorist movement can be eliminated within just three years and raises anyoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s concern why other movements exist if the will to eradicate terrorism prevailed just as it finally did in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka weathered a terrorist movement that ran an international campaign as the victim, used ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-ethnicityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ as a camouflage and was brutal enough to be ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-recruitedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ by international forces to carry out their ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-designsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ with time. These design range from political, economical, sociological to even religious emancipation of Asia.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Our contention is that it was India that helped make Asia vulnerable to these external players who today use ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-terrorismƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ as sufficient grounds to deploy ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-securityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-political advisorsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-strategic counselorsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ etcƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦. all to either further advance or use ground situations to newly create challenges for Governments and nations that are economic targets to secure natural assets.
Nevertheless, lest people have forgotten some of IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s dark and ugly past vis a vis its role in establishing terrorism in Sri Lanka needs continued mention. No friendly nation would secretly create training programs for Sri Lankan Tamil youth to be made into militants and ordered to create anarchy in Sri Lanka even if that excuse was due to IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s anger with Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s political leadership. Sri Lanka was certainly caught unawares, its army at the time was ill-equipped and it was also considering these scenarios that the LTTE made its theatrical entry in 1983 though the background to that entry should raise the question whether that Black July was also staged to provide legitimacy to the movement and enable it to openly carry out its terror and also begs to logically question why Sinhalese would attack Tamils to bring international condemnation to itself. This should raise anyoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s eyebrows whether the riots itself was also pre-planned and in Asian countries an exchange of a few notes will suffice to do what the CIA did in Iran.
Be that as it may the initial years of LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-liberationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ crescendo was steered undoubtedly by India. Why would India threaten to invade Sri Lanka and politically humiliate the nation by sending its airforce over Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s territory demanding that the cornered Prabakaran be released in 1987 (Vadamarachchi)? It was in realizing that external players were also lobbying the LTTE that led India to quickly push for its version of a political solution ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the 13th amendment and the Provincial Council system. It is having signed this that India no longer required the explicit services of the LTTE and probably would have contributed to its orders given to the IPKF to eliminate the LTTE ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” which severed ties with India resulting in LTTE-Premadasa joining to demand India remove IPKF forthwith. That LTTE was steered not only by India became clear with the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi and it questioned why India did not at that time take a sincere stand on LTTE at least for the death of its former PM without allowing LTTE to unofficially continue to use Tamil Nadu as a logistics and safety base. Was it because it had concluded that Tamil Nadu leaders lacked the capability of launching Eelaam in India or was India as it appears now to be remote controlled by western forces?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
While the world and especially the Indian people need to understand the background to Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s conflict and agree that India played a cruel role in using terrorism to destabilize Sri Lanka, they also need to understand why our animosity towards continues to linger and why we continue to doubt IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sincerity. Too often IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s media seem to follow the Western media path by withholding significant details that has only led to Indians feeling empathy towards the LTTE and anger towards Sri Lanka for eliminating a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-liberationƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ movement. LTTE certainly was no liberation movement clearly evident by what the people who were forcibly conscripted to the LTTE now are fearlessly coming out to say.
It is perhaps time the Indian people dwell on the notion why its border neighbors unanimously find India a threat to them personally as well as to the entire South Asian region? Is it not because India is no longer been steered by an Indian? Is it not why despite many Indians asking its leadership not to vote against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC sessions for the US-backed resolution that India boldly announced it would vote against us well ahead of the sessions thereby indirectly telling nations to vote with India? Is it to be believed that this same Chairperson has links to the LTTE and smuggling artefacts out of India ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Dr. Swamy says so and he is one Indian who openly says his thoughts with facts.
To counter foreign roles India was able to keep the faƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚§ade of its own position of importance as evident in its role in drafting of the infamous cease fire agreement of 2002 which opened up Sri Lanka to a multitude of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-playersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ all designing how to use Sri Lanka for various purposes. This probably would have been why it was necessary that India unofficially backed Sri Lanka to finally go ahead with the plan to militarily defeat the LTTE since India had a secure contingency plan already designed. Over the years we are aware that thousands of Indians have made Sri Lanka its home, India was quick to steadily place economic agreements and deals that would further entrap Sri Lanka towards economic dependency, its now almost clear that it economic partnership agreement will induce Indian labor into Sri Lanka and it calls for Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s leaderships to unify and strategically plan how we are to while maintaining diplomatic niceties clearly say Sri Lanka is meant for Sri Lankans as of now and in the future too!
The country as a whole outnumber a handful that are playing to IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s tune and Sri Lanka continues to say that we will never forget how India made Sri Lanka vulnerable to destabling operations and how India denied its people thirty years of development ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” socially, mentally and even physically. India together with LTTE has to shoulder that blame and accept that accountability.
We were unprepared for what took place when India was secretly training LTTE and other militants and that is why every move India makes is doubted and we are all the while reading through even the most sincere gestures because the trust element has been removed by India and it has only itself to blame. Other nations of Asia obviously feel the same.
The international calls for devolution and the 13th amendment is clear signals that while India takes it as a perfect solution to any threats to itself, other nations have come to realize that its strategically critical north and east areas can be utilized for its own agendas. We must not allow India any piece of these areas for India is not being controlled in the present context by people that looks at India holistically. This is why India is being usurped from its rightful position as being Asian. Can India think West while being in Asia? If it does it is only attracting further dissent and helping to upset an entire region. There should be no competition between China and India. They both should be partnering AsiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s growth helping countries forge ties and building mutual beneficial sustainability avenues. The Indian people need to rethink seriously about who is steering its nation and where it is going ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” it is evident that India is not going the direction it should.
In understanding that India is being steered over the years by external forces makes it clear to understand that despite its economic growth it is a nation falling apart round its borders and every word India has been dictating to Sri Lanka becomes clear that it is on instructions of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-othersƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
We continue to however say that while we remain doubtful of IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s designs for which India cannot blame us, we reiterate that Sri Lanka has despite the presence of LTTE managed to keep its country from falling as other nations faced with similar situations have.
We have been a resilient nation ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” we continue to maintain that the minorities in Sri Lanka are leading far better lives than any minority in the world and there are enough of facts to prove so, we continue to maintain that we shouldered terrorism on behalf of a country as large as India and we did India a great favor by eliminating it before LTTE would have been used against India.
Can we expect India to be grateful? Can we expect India to claim accountability and decide to let Sri Lanka forge its own destinyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦.only the Indian people can force India to stop destabling its neighbors especially a country like Sri Lanka that has done it no harm.
August 10th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
SHENALI !!! It is difficult for me to understand why INDIA is coming to Sri Lanka to open up Trade Zones, going into 10 Billion US Dollors. There are 30 % Indians who do not have TOILETS, and most of them are poor, and classified as Dalits- Low Caste. What is this Love, that they are going to utilize our LAND, and possibly they will flood the Trade Zones with Indian Labour ? So our poor folk has to go as servants to Arab Houses, get harassed, Sexually abused, and even killed by the Employers. Even in an earlier remark I mentioned this as a ploy to achieve what that Megolomaniac could not achieve. THIS IS AN INDIAN TROJAN HORSE. OUR LEGISLATORS CANNOT VISUALISE THE DAMNING CONSEQUENCES, BEYOND THE 10 BILLION USD being waved as a Carrot.
This should be given a second thought, undoubtedly.
If the DUMB LEGISLATORS truly do not envisage what danger is lurking, atleast they should say, OK, THE TRADE ZONES WILL BE IN THE SOUTH. WE NEED DEVELOPMENT IN THAT AREA TOO.
NOT IN THE NORTH, NOT IN THE EAST, REPEAT NOT IN THE NORTH, NOT IN THE EAST, PERIOD.
August 10th, 2012 at 5:20 pm
Congratulations. A timely article. The sri lankans are caught by their shorten curlies. India and Indians cannot be trusted. It is time the neighbours of India have a organisation to combat this common enemy. They are worse since they are now supported by the americans, Does SL have any hope if the governing class keeps all ignorant.
August 10th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
India wants to revive the LTTE by another name now. That way they can keep a tab on Sri Lanka. Towards this end they act in a well coordinated way. Trying to get remaining army camps removed from the north, imposing the divisive 13A, economically exploiting Sri Lanka, selectively helping Tamils only, building Tamil only model villages throughout the country, forcing the government to drop China from investment projects and other invasive moves are part of this plan.
Last time their experiment failed because LTTE developed its own ideology and refused to follow Indian prescription.
August 10th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Shenali, thank you again for a great analysis of the role of India in the 30 year war they directly or indirectly forced upon SL. The fact that the LTTE was trained in India or how India suddenly forced the 13th A were kept state secrets by the old fox, most probably because of specific threats from foreign warmongers. If these were made public knowledge at the time, may be the people of SL would have behaved differently, somewhat like the brave soldier who clearly showed Rajiv how most of the Sri Lankans felt.
Today, Janatha Party president Dr. Subramanian Swamy has said in Colombo that India was a major beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s decisive military victory that ended the three-decades long terrorism unleashed by the LTTE. At the same time, Hindu reported that Karunanidhi asked Tamils not to fall prey to the campaign of the GOSL that the Tamil Eelam Supporters Organization (TESO) conference was against SL. What in the world does this idiotic moron think? Now SL is free from these Eelam supporters, thanks to the courage and determination of a good President and his strong supporters. This rabble-rouser wants to excite hatred and division in SL by creating problems. What right do they have to create an Eelam in SL. If they want Eelam should be created in Tamil Nadu, the village of the Tamils. I have no doubt that all Sri Lankans, irrespective of their ethnicity will support such a move.
If India is any serious about making amends for what they did to SL from 30 years ago up to the UN meeting, at a time GOSL is trying its best to bring about peace and ethnic harmony in the country, they should take action to ban the TESO with immediate effect and apologize to the GOSL for not only training and nurturing the LTTE to the terrorist group they became, but also for allowing these TESO monkeys to play their pranks with the intention of creating ethnic hatred and division in SL.
August 10th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
India and the USA are both very much the same. In the USA, at present, it is said, 100 million are on social welfare. Similarly, in India, see how many millions are suffering, low castes and untouchables, various kinds of minorities – see how they are sidelined. Then understand how India treated Sikhs. IF we talk that side of India, it is simply endless.
So, Sri Lanka or Tamils are just nothing.
Besides. India is not one country. It is made of so many different states and/or different cultures all of whom are concerned only about material wealth.
August 11th, 2012 at 3:35 am
Why did UNP support LTTE and saved the LTTE from demise in 1988? Barking at India never tell the truth of the LTTE and its formation! Even Ranil carved out an area to LTTE. For the same reasons Shenali shouts?
August 11th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
India could be planning what they did to Sikkim, once an independent country but nor more having been absorbed into India!
If a provincial council for the current Nortern Province is given all that the TNA (read neo-LTTE) and all its supporters coming in various guises demand, then at a later date such a council could pass a resolution to join Tamil Nadu as the Sikkim legislature did to join India.
India would eagerly oblige particularly if a stage-managed scenario where the Sinhala people would appear to the world to be killing Tamil people and destroying their properties at that time. India has already shown 1n 1987 what it could do.
Of course there is a big difference between the two cases in that Sikkim was not part of another country and that it had only a few options due to being land locked between Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan and India.
It is a long game that is being played, not just the short term ones that are obvious. Our politicians seem to be interested only in just the here and now.
August 11th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Sun Tzu in The Art of War, (and Al Pacino in “Godfather”) said “keep your friends close but your enemies closer”
How ever much we can bark, the Injuns can put the “boot in” anytime.
August 11th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
We can still trust the president. Well said Mr President.
“In the strongest reaction yet to India’s contentious support to a US sponsored resolution at the UNHRC against Sri Lanka earlier this year, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has broken his silence by calling upon the Indian government to have a relook at its dealings with its neighbours.
In a freewheeling interaction with TOI at Temple Trees in Colombo, his first full-length interview since India’s vote for the resolution in March, Rajapaksa suggested that India could be abdicating its leadership role in the region.
Rajapaksa, in fact, did not fully agree with India’s contention that it had helped tone down the resolution against alleged human rights abuses, saying that if India had continued with its support to Sri Lanka, there may not have been any resolution against his country at all.
“Any good intentions and actions are always appreciated. But I must add that if India stood by us and supported Sri Lanka’s request for more time and space, who knows, there may not have been a resolution at all,” the president said when told how Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had himself intervened to make the resolution “non-intrusive”.”
– Adaderana.lk