SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT REVOKE PTA AS DEMANDED BY LTTE PROXY TNA?
Posted on September 6th, 2011
Malin Abeyatunge
Sri Lanka is not a fantasy island the TNA seems to think. We have a strong president elected twice with an absolute majority in the Parliament where no one can dictate terms to the Government and for that matter definitely not TNA who represents only a small percentage of the Tamil population in the North and East.
The LTTE proxy TNA has made two demands on the governments and they are (i) that the government should immediately revoke the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and (ii) grant a general amnesty to all the political prisoners and the detained ex-LTTE cadres. Suffice to reiterate the fact that no sooner the Darusman report was emerged, TNA immediately accepted and endorsed fully the findings of the biased Darusman Report thus damaging the reconciliation process the Govt has undertaken. Now they are looking for a scapegoat to scuttle the GovernmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s reconciliation attempts and has come out with the above demands. It appears that TNAƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s demands come as some sort of threat to the government and what if the Govt takes no notice of their threat? Do they want to go back to LTTE era? Though TNA who is not the sole representative of the Tamils as claimed by the other Tamil political parties (albeit TNA claims they are like the dead Prabhakaran claimed ) , they act as so by trying to dictate to terms to the Government.?
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ TNA says as reported that PTA in operation is an hindrance to the reconciliation process. I cannot fathom how reconciliation process would hinder with PTA in operation as long as one obeys the rule of law in the country. PTA is not applicable not only to North and East or Tamils, it applies to whole of Sri Lanka irrespective of ethnicity. Unfortunately, the successive Governments have been naƒÆ’†’ƒ”š‚¯ve for not suspending them from Parliament sittings when they were speaking and supporting LTTE openly in and out of the Parliament. The Govt therefore should not bow down to TNAƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s threats and lift the PTA at this juncture which would bring the country back to square one.
The demand to revoke the PTA comes from two political quarters one from the TNA the unchallenged proxy of LTTE and the other from the JVP an insurgent group at one stage. If these two parties donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have an iota of intention to start another insurgency against the state, why do they fear of PTA? With the ex-LTTE cadres released (some rehabilitated and some not), can we rule out that TNA(like TULF used Prabhakaran in the past) would not use them to revive LTTE ideology through terrorism at a latter stage against the state.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The other demand by TNA to give amnesty to the political prisoners and ex LTTE cadres is hilarious. Firstly, the hardcore LTTE cadres under arrest or to be charged are not political prisoners but raw terrorists and criminals. They may have some stage involved in killing innocent civilians, destroying and bombing public structures, planting land mines and claymore mines and attacking civilian targets using suicide bombers etc. Imagine a set of terrorists given amnesty and they end up forming another terrorist outfit like LTTE. We should not forget that LTTE started with a rag tag gang with handful of criminals which finally became the most notorious and brutal terrorist outfit in the world. What guarantee that given amnesty to the hard core ex-LTTE terrorists that they will lead a normal civil life or that they will not form another terrorist outfit to continue what is left by LTTE. Already we see criminals operating in the East and North just as much as the underworld in the South mostly manned by deserters from the forces. How are we going to deal with these criminals without PTA now that the Emergency Regulations have been withdrawn by the Government? Specially with the LTTE rump becoming hyper active than ever before to carve out a separate monolithic state for Tamils in Sri Lanka with the blessings of some countries in the western world including Australia, and that is exactly what TNA is now clamoring for. As the US State Department reveals in its latest country report (2010), that the LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s overseas network is still intact despite its defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan military in 2009 is a matter to be concerned.
JVP knows that their political life is in the last stages of survival and the death is imitable as they are unable muster any support from the ordinary Southerners as was in the past. Their demand to revoke the PTA may have some ulterior motive. Who knows that they will go underground as in the past to create chaos and calamity and launch another insurgency. Some may think that the writer may be living in a fantasy world but canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t it be a possibility?
Saturday Island editorial raised a very pertinent question. It says though Al Qaeda number one and two were killed, the US Patriotic Act has been extended by Barrack Obama till 2015. Similarly, though the LTTE is militarily defeated, there remnants are still alive both here and overseas.
As long as the active LTTE rump among the Tamil Diaspora continues to destabilize Sri Lanka through their international political connections, through print and electronic media bought with their funds like Killing Fields and Channel 4, the government should not repeal the PTA. In fact, we should further pass laws similar to the PATRIOTIC ACT of the USA government for check and monitor so that another terrorist group like LTTE will not emerge in Sri Lanka ever again.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ May be PTA can be revoked in a couple of years time, when the State is fully convinced that there will not be any terrorist threat from the remnants of LTTE or any other terrorist outfit and until the activities of LTTE rump among the Tamil Diaspora becomes futile.
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Malin Abeyatunge
September 6th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Dear Marlin Abeytunga!
As usual a very thoughtful article to educate, our own govt. (Sri lankan) as well as the int: community of these JOKERS who think that they conduct wars, insurrections, murders of politicians, and innocent tamils as well as leaders of their own community, and then DEMAND freedom. Are they living in a FANTASY land??…….Ask them to request those freedoms from their Tamil Diaspora who are into corruption, illegal activities involving prostitution, human smuggling, drug trade to name a few.
These are carried out in Canada, USA, European Union & Britain without substantial punishments from their respective govt. authorities.
No mercy for these scoundrals who conducted four wars, and although banned in 32 countries STILL their propaganda machines are very active. Latest is that they fundraising for another assault on a duly elected covt. of Sri lanka.
As retd: Army general said.. DO NOT demand unacceptable things when you got defeated time and again. We as the majority will allow your people to live in peace, as long as you do not DEMAND or give ultimatums to the majority. If you want that type of demands, request them from TAMIL NADU. That is where ALL tamils should live.
We have given enough now its time to get really tough with these terrorist supporters, disguised as human rights scholars, activists. Any name associated with terror or subscribers to them should be BANNED completely by the Govt: of Sri lanka period. No ifs or buts…
We have allowed too many orgainzations to operate as political parties with their hidden agendas. We must take action NOW.. not tomorrow, right now.
Thanks very much Marlin, for contributing us with such valuable information, please continue to be active and suggest improvements to the present Govt. They are the best source to deafeat this menace for once and for all.
Looking forward to many more articles relating to this and connected subjects.
I support your efforts 100%. Very few these days take that initiative to inform public of these tyrants who still continue to trying to de-stablize a democratically elected govt: with massive majorities. Our President has received an approval rate of 91%. How astonishing, but useful is that?
Thanks again!…….Gamunu Alahakkone, P.Eng ( Canada)., C.Eng (UK). Retired professionsl engineer
September 6th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
“though Al Qaeda number one and two were killed, the US Patriotic Act has been extended by Barrack Obama till 2015. Similarly, though the LTTE is militarily defeated, there remnants are still alive both here and overseas.”
100%.
Government promised to bring new laws to replace ERs. But nothing has happened so far.
At least we should keep the PTA. If TNA has a problem, tell them to go to Tamil Nadu.
September 6th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
Tamils simply don’t feel any remorse for 30 years of carnage. They continue to talk as the superiors dominating the Sinhala minority in that area.
September 7th, 2011 at 2:57 am
gamunu6
TNA also elected representives ( more than 91% of Tamils) !
Like Our Defency Sectracty repeated so many time in his interviews We have proved to be democtract elected Govrtment !
ofcause SL Govtment do not have to fulfil all required from TNA !
September 7th, 2011 at 4:56 am
The 9/11 attack in the US by Al Qaeda was 10 yrs ago, since which, no other terror attack has taken place in the US. Yet the equivalent of the PTA, Homeland Security, and the List of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (which by the way includes the LTTE despite that group being routed in Sri Lanka) is still in force. Sri Lanka’s last terror attack was only 2yr ago. This TNA demand is in line with the LTTE’s style of politics. The sad part is that the Opposition is also joining in…if and when another terror attack does take place, will they take the responsibility?? Never! They will say it is the GOSL’s responsibility to keep the nation safe…and indeed it is.
Sri Lanka should follow the US example on this issue and keep the PTA for as long as is necessary without cowing down to the TNA or any Opposition demands. The LTTE cadres have been released but there is no certainty that they will not try again as the LTTE philosophy for separation is alive and well with the TNA.
So the Govt. has to stand firm and do what is necessary to ensure safety of the people from violence that springs up in various forms, grease devils or otherwise…i.e, keep the PTA going at the time.
September 7th, 2011 at 5:40 am
Patriot Act of the US is much more draconian than both Emergency and Prevention of Terrorism laws in Sri Lanka put together. I say that because, Patriot Act offers a broad definition of terrorism which could subject even non-terrorist political groups to surveillance, wiretapping, harassment, and criminal action.
This is what the Associated Press, said what it could be used in a nutshell:
•To assist terror investigation, the government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity.
•To close public hearings on immigration, and secretly detain hundreds of people without charges and encourage bureaucrats to resist public-records requests and remove “Sensitive” information from government Web sites.
•To prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation.
•To monitor conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes.
•To search and seize Americans’ papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.
•To jail Americans indefinitely without a trial.
•To be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.
•To hold “Enemy combatants” incommunicado and refuse attorneys for them.
This Patriot Act of the US was passed on October 26, 2001 in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks. After killing both Al Qaeda leader and his deputy, President Obama retains draconian Patriot Act after eleven years. Not just that Obama who promised to close Guantanamo Bay prison while campaigning for the Presidency and repeated it on the day he swore as the President chose to keep it running to date.
In its latest country report (2010), the US State Department revealed that the LTTE’s overseas network is still intact. From the terror strikes launched on Sri Lankan pilgrims and a famous Buddhist temple in Chennai it is evident that rump LTTE is very active in Tamil Nadu, India. The fact that Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the scheduled execution of the Rajiv Gandhi killers is a proof for its unstinted support for the LTTE’s cause. Worst, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has vowed to carry forward Prabhakaran’s separatist campaign and establish Eelam.
Now, under such circumstances, who would say the mighty US need its Patriot Act and tiny Sri Lanka doesn’t need PTA to save it from terrorists’ acts by rump LTTE?
Leela
September 7th, 2011 at 6:18 am
The vigilance of ordinary citizens must never wane even with PTA in place. Neighborhood Watches (NWs) should be formed all over Lanka and these NWs should work in liaison with the Police, and the armed forces to keep law and order in the country. NWs should be composed of educated, mature households and they should report any individuals or groups that are acting in an unlawful manner in their neighborhood. This may not be an easy task, but in the long run it will bind the law abiding people of the country together vs the unlawful elements which will be a very small number in comparison. A sign board with the NW logo should be prominently displayed in areas under their watches.
While it is the task of the GoSL to do most of the Rehab work of those who break the law, Public participation in Rehab work may create a new approach to handling the massive task of Rehab. Ideas should also be invited from the Public as to how stop crime before it happens. How about a program of awareness against Crime to be taught to school children ?
We hope the political Opposition in Lanka will participate in such ideas. There is no point in anyone with negative political affiliations or affiliations with vested interests surreptitiously supporting unlawfully activities as the public soon finds out, and the individual concerned, political party or organisation in question just goes down the drain.
Lankans, please be forever vigilant if we are to keep this country the Democratic Socialist Republic it is.
September 7th, 2011 at 7:51 am
Ref: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has vowed to carry forward Prabhakaran’s separatist campaign and establish Eelam.
Leela, CM is not for Eelam she only for hers political games . these TN jockers can not sovle our problm !
Also separatist campaign were not belongs to Prabhakaran. He also only used to build his imaginative Eelam .
We need home made solution for lasting peace in motherlanka !
September 7th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Malin is 100% correct in mentioning about the PATRIOT ACT IN USA. As Nilwala says, Sri Lankan Govt must excactly copy the US PATRIOT ACT TO REPLACE PTA, as LTTE rumps are still at large in Western countries with their blessings.
Then none can point a finger at Sri Lank.a
September 7th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
TNA should be tried under the PTA.
And introduce the US Patriot Act. It can be extended by years not by a month!
If it is good for the world’s best human rights protector (my foot!!) it is good for us.
Patriot Act is in operation from 2001 – 2015+.
Emergency Regulations in SL were not in operation during this time. From 2002-2005 there were no emergency regulations!
September 7th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
Dear Andy lingam,
We have already given you the homemade solution! :)
It costed us $ 1.5 billion a year. We had to buy warplanes, warships, gunships, tanks, bombs, multi barrel rocket launchers, etc. to give you the home made solution. What more do you want!
Devolution, federalism, power sharing are not home made solutions. They are imposed on us by the west and by India. They are hell made solution.
If you want the homemade solution AGAIN, we are happy to give you again but don’t beg for a different solution because we don’t have a different solution.
Yours truely,
MAHA Lingam
September 7th, 2011 at 5:53 pm
I concur, Lorenzo!
That Homemade solution must at all times be ready to be given at the slightest sign of the ‘problem’ raising its ugly head again- even a sneeze! Legislation such as the PTA and a possible Patriot Act must be in place plus the Tri forces must be maintained at present levels (as a minimum) at all times to deliver the solution at a moment’s notice!
It was the lack of that readyness that anabled the sly Indians to craftily shift the ‘Tamil Problem’ to unsuspecting Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka became the path of least resistance for the Tamil Statehood aspirations! It must NEVER be allowed to happen again!
September 7th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
You know Andy. elected not elected does not matter in this world. you know the US and European law on international matters. Yes agree with the West, not matter democracy. No agree the West, yes it is matter of democracy.
September 7th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
Therefore,if there is a threat to Sri lanka election is NIL. Remember what happened to elected govts around the world were overthrown even without any threat to the West but just for their interest.
September 8th, 2011 at 3:54 am
Ref: homemade solution costed us $ 1.5 billion a year :(
Thanks Lorenzo, but present homemade solution is not too much for us (cost & benefit ) ?
If We find any other alternative solution which won’t cost any cents than We can spent this $1.5bn to develop Mahavai River to end to KKS.
Only solution will work if North & East people ( Tamil) depent ( water for their paddy field ) on South ( Sinhalese) than they won’t ask for separation.
jayt
Ref:elected not elected does not matter in this world
Jayt , This westrens & Americans are not world ofcause they are economicaly big , for how long will 100 or 500 years more…..
We Tamils & Sinhalese are living together atleast last 2600 years in Srilanka !
Eye for eye is not lasting solution !
September 8th, 2011 at 6:48 am
But West is threat to every one in the world right now. They are everywhere in the world and they are achieving their goals day day to around the world. They do not talk like third world people, they do the job and they put the truth out after they did the job. Lot of people in third world live in dream thinking they are economically finished. They are not finished, this economy down turn is temporary.
Therefore, SL have to take West to consideration when making any decision in SL matters and I do not mean hate.
September 8th, 2011 at 7:22 am
Ref:SL have to take West to consideration
I Agreed jayt , but only way out to win these Weterners & American We should unite together,
They may win in sort term but longer therm We can win together !