Mere Quirks or Superhuman Intelligence that Changed the Outcome of the War
Posted on May 18th, 2012
Kumar Moses
The decision to write down the victorious war (2005-2009) in annals of history is a very insightful move. Ancestors kept many historical accounts of how repeated South Indian (mainly Tamil) invasions were repulsed. Heroic accounts of ancestors are detailed and descriptive. They help boost confidence in a military solution to similar problems. All such attempts had military, not political solutions. In addition to confidence boosting, they also point to potent military strategies to be followed.
However, there are matters that would evade any meticulous attempt to document history, especially in modern times. Due to political pressure, international relations and humanitarian considerations, certain vital information will be omitted from these documents. They may be quirks or results of superhuman intelligence, but their contribution to the final outcome of the war was immense. If these events didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t take place, the war would not have been won.
Internal disputes of the LTTE
Disputes between TELO, LTTE and TULF in 1984 costed their friendship and a large number of lives of Tamil nationalists ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” political and military. LTTE and TELO blamed each other for the deaths of TULF politicians and started fighting each other. Tamil-Muslim disagreements starting from 1984 and culminating in 1990 also made matters better.
Internal disputes of Tamil Tigers spilled over a number of times most significantly after 2004 following the defection of their eastern commander. Wide spread killings took place. Casualties were both military and political. Joseph Pararajasingham, a well known LTTE sympathiser and TNA MP was trying to reconcile the LTTE and TMVP. He was killed by the dispute itself which he tried to resolve. His elimination saved heaps of worry in defence matters. Until then, the sudden demise of pro-LTTE politicians was unheard of. This new trend was immensely beneficial to Lanka. This dispute between two Tiger factions extended to the killing of many more TNA and connected MPs including Raviraj, Srinivasan and Maheswaran. In addition, pro-LTTE Sivaram also fell prey to LTTE internal disputes. His absence was a blessing as LTTE lost its most effective propagandist and geopolitical expert. They were the strongest stalwarts of LTTE-Tamil civilian unity. Their timely demise did wonders in the war.
A countless number of LTTE middle level commanders mysteriously died. LTTE blamed the mythical DPU for these.
The aim of documenting these events is not to find explanations. Explanations are not needed. What is needed is an understanding of how these events shaped the outcome of the war. These outcomes must be achieved in future military necessities one way or the other. Documenting these events certainly sheds light on what the outcomes needed to achieve the end objective.
Causal events
There were events that peculiarly fitted in very well into sending a strong signal to the LTTE to stop attacking civilians. For instance Tamil terrorists bombed the army commander Sarath Fonseka on 25 April, 2006. Within hours SLAF bombers were in action after a break of 5 years since 2001. Was it a mere quirk these jets targeted Tigers immediately after the LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s act of terror? Or was it a clever retaliatory move? It doesnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t matter. What matters is the outcome. As far as the LTTE was concerned, what their thick brains would grasp is an unexplained causal connection which creates deterrence against further attacks. If they do, they will live to pay the price.
Strange events took place following LTTE attacks on civilians in the south. In order to put the blame on security forces, LTTE mirrored these attacks in Vanni targeting Tamil civilians. What matters is not an explanation but the outcome of this unexpected activity. Vanni population for the first time experience terror ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” what the south was experiencing. This created a mass hysteria and suspicion of the LTTE leading to mass defection. Vanni people forced the LTTE not to endanger their lives by carrying out terrorist attacks in any part of the island.
Similar events took place after many large scale terrorist attacks. For instance after LTTE killed 103 Muslims in Kathankudy in 1990, replicated these killings in a Tamil village killing over 200 Tamil civilians. Having done so, LTTE put the blame on security forces and Muslims. However, as a result of these violent acts, even the LTTE was fearful of carrying out further attacks on civilians.
War starting in Vadukodai and ending in Mulaitivu creates a national security threat
Not everything went well for the nation though. There is a clear difference in those who instigated, commandeered and agitated for the war and those who actually suffered. The war was envisioned, instigated and engineered by high caste Tamils from the Jaffna peninsular. However, Jaffna experienced war only for a very short time from 1983 to 1987 and 1990 to 1995. All in all, only 9 years out of 33 years (just 27%) did the Jaffna crowd suffered from direct war.
Casualties wise their suffering was even less.
However, low caste Tamils from Vanni and the east faced the brunt of war. War reached its climax in Vanni and ended in Mulaitivu. Most Tamils who died were unaware of what they were fighting for. Poverty, cohesion, threats and violence forced them to fight and die.
This disparity has created a lasting threat to the security of the nation. Since those who envisioned and engineered the war didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t suffer as much as other Tamils suffered, the former group still insists on war, confrontation and Tamil Elam. They certainly didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t learn the lesson as they were relatively unaffected.
ThatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not all; this group gobbles all the benefits of peace leaving nothing to low caste Tamils. As a result low caste Tamils continue to live under these high caste Tamils in relative poverty and a relative lower social class. This creates the same conditions that led them to take up weapons!
In summary, the disparity between those who engineered the war and those who suffered has retained the conditions that caused the war.
A future confrontation must take into account this disparity and resolve it. Those who envision and engineer the war must be made to suffer most. Until they learn this lesson, they will continue to agitate for Tamil Elam (the root cause of war).
Indian interference
Indian interference saved the LTTE in the late 1970s when its leaders escaped to south India; in early 1983 when army assaults put their lives in danger and in 1986 and 1987 when the Indian government physically bailed out LTTE leaders. Despite the Gandhi killing, India continued to support the LTTE and did everything it could to disrupt Sri Lanka. At the restart of the war India threatened Lanka to buy all weapons only from India and not to approach Pakistan or China. This threat was disregarded. India also warned against deploying effective Chinese radars in the north by the navy. Once again it was disregarded. Indian agents bombing the convoy of the Pakistani High Commissioner didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t derail cooperation with Pakistan. MK NarayananƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s only visit to Lanka was dominated by mix ups including his motorcade. He had to be dispatched in a taxi! Although it was a mix up, he didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t take any further chances with his life by his unwelcomed visits.
India insisted on a political solution and to resume talks with Tigers. Due to disagreements within parliament, nothing happened in the front of political solutions. Had the political process commenced, LTTE would have found a vital breathing space and a lifeline. Political solutions stopped the war in 1985, 1987, 1989-90, 1994-95, 2000 and 2003-05. LTTE was destined to face the longest nonstop phase of war from 2006 to 2009. It didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have the luxury of a ceasefire to regroup, rearm or introduce new weapons to its arsenal.
Another Indian attempt was to interfere in elections through its pawns. India was sufficiently convinced its favourite dove of peace would win the election against the hawk from the other camp in 2005. However, Nirupama Rao miscalculated.
South Indian politicians freely visited LTTE bunkers. It is not possible India didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know their whereabouts! India knew their whereabouts very well but opted not to take any action. Demerging the north and the east was another matter that disrupted the Indian plan and angered the LTTE. It was no accident. It was a clever move. It convinced the LTTE that the 13 amendment would not even come close to the Tamil homeland demand. A breakaway cadre becoming the Chief Minister was far too much for both India and the LTTE.
Conclusion
Certain vital events that shaped the war are not subject to detailed discussion or documentation. However, it was these events that determined the outcome of the war. If not for these, the war would have ended in stalemate as in Vietnam or Afghanistan. What matters is not to find explanations but to appreciate the outcome and working towards achieving similar outcomes in future. Although the war was won, the demand for Tamil Elam is not over. It resurfaces from the same place it was born. War strategies and concentration failed to punish those who envisioned and engineered the war. It only punished the cannon fodder. Lanka seems to have given up on security measures after winning the war. Now it is fast becoming the destination of 1 million dollar drug consignments from Tamil Nadu; a playground of NGOs; a safe haven for Tamil nationalists; a remote controlled toy of India; a paradise for all anti-national elements and other vile elements. Keeping these vile elements on their toes, terrorised, is a dire need to save the peace. It needs no superhuman intelligence to understand the need to nip these in the bud using whatever means that work and less costly.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Otherwise it will be the same story again and again.
May 18th, 2012 at 8:15 pm
Some one wrote Harvard University had included the “Think like guerilla in winning insurgencies in their books.
May 19th, 2012 at 8:02 am
The geopolitical interests of the west and India wishes to keep the Sinhala Tamil division live. What India wanted was to get rid of Prabha and the LTTE as it was a threat to its own stability. Once the LTTE was out of the way the original geopolitical interests have surfaced. Indian Hegamony has now been supported by the west who believe that the only way the empire will survive is by deliberate dismemberment and by keeping the conflicts alive. The only answer to that is the unity of Sri Lankans. Unfortunately this is not going to be achieved with corruption, Poor Governance and narrow nationalistic politics. Men with courage and vision are needed.
May 19th, 2012 at 11:41 am
Kumar, old chap, a very interesting idea about the utility of our great chronicles. I had considered their value mainly for historical and cultural purposes. I think you are onto something important here. A people, aware of the fact that their ancestors achieved magnificent victories over the enemy when their back was to the wall and all seems dark, will fight like daemons for their heritage and country knowing victory is possible.
By the way, old boy, I had submitted a paragraph describing the final hours of the last battle to modern keepers of the chronicle hoping they would adapt some of my phrases, as I am sure many other patriots have done.
[The end is here. The great warrior kings of the past from Abaya Gamini, Keethi Vijayabahu, Parakrama Bahu, Rajasingha I to Wimaladharmasuriya are looking down today with pride as their warrior descendants are advancing on the last stronghold of the enemy and kill the demonic enemy leader. The gods are descending from heaven in their chariots showering rose petals on the advancing warriors. Echos of angle’s harps can be heard reverberating over the whole area. There are rainbows splayed across the sky as glory of Lanka is spread far and wide.
All is well in our blessed Lanka. ]
Cheers!
May 20th, 2012 at 6:30 am
Nade sun,
It appears to me that you are a remnant of a vanishing generation trying to dig up garbage for survival. The war was not without witnesses. There were about 300,000 survivors rescued by the heroic armed forces. All of them are witnesses. LLRC was appointed to find out from them and others as to what actually happened. They have produced a report. International community have accepted it and the government is about to implement it. What more do you want.
May 20th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Nadesan, my poor former Police Constable, did you by any chance read Kumar’s article before commenting? As he was saying, the great chronicles are valuable to us in many ways. One of those is for future generations use the account of just concluded war as a confidence booster in a military solution to similar problems that will occur in the future. As such the language used in the chronicle is very important. It needs to use metaphors and rhetoric to glorify the feats of the ancestors. Of course the reality of war is very different with horrendous casualties among combatants and collateral damage (every war no matter whenever, anywhere in the world), but we are not talking about that. There is no doubt in this war the good guys won and bad guys lost. Bad guys are totally responsible for holding the willing and unwilling civilian Wanni population as a human shield. This has been amply documented in the LLRC report, universally accepted as the final word on the technicalities of the conflict.
By the way, my poor man, how is life in hell? Looks like devil is allowing inmates of hell internet access in between sessions of burning in hellfire.
Cheers!
May 20th, 2012 at 8:54 am
Nadesan, my poor former Police Constable, there is no doubt there will be many invasions of our blessed Lanka in the future as our island is strategically located on a major sea lane and blessed with ample natural resources and a good climate. Unfortunately for us we are also next to South India full of hordes of starving and deprived malcontents who invade others territories to escape the dreadfulness of their homeland, and then destroy, loot and plunder in the process. Make no mistake, this just concluded war was an invasion from South India if you just consider that it’s demonic leader’s father was a Malayalee and most of it’s founding members were mercenaries trained in India. They just recruited canon fodder from the local Tamils dreaming of a greater Chola empire. But we have seen much worse versions of Prabakaran in the past, such as that evil incarnate Kalinga Magha who destroyed thousnads of years of our ancestors labor in few tens of years. But we have withstood it all and have come out on top and Kumar’s contention is that the great chronicles played an important role in this. I, for one, think he is correct in that contention.
Cheers!
May 20th, 2012 at 2:07 pm
“Looks like devil is allowing inmates of hell internet access in between sessions of burning in hellfire.”
No surprise there. The biggest supporters of media freedom in this world are also the devils!
Remember how they went mad when Tamilnet was blocked?
May 20th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Take a look at the map of India and SL. Imagine India is a rectum and SL is a small stone under it in the shape it is. Now imagine the rectum releasing just 5% of it’s excreta load (95% is retained inside still). Now imagine how it will fall on the stone the shape of SL.
Now imagine the map of Tamil Elam. Aren’t they one and the same?
Just imagine what would happen if India releases the remaining 95% of excreta. It is threatening. Devolution fart and many other shaft pieces are blowing/falling on SL. We have to be prepared.
This is the predicament of SL.
May 20th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
My Dear Konappu,
Do you know that heaven is a boring place and no actions or no activities and all are meditating, observing SIL and saying bana and giving dana. Hell is the place where there is life. We can have nice discussions as all our great leaders there from DS, Banda, JR, Preme, Gamini, Cyril, Praba, many military men, many of those journalists and others who opposed the regime are all there and they reveal never ending stories. They even comment on the lies written in this forum. Then comes the other criminals. Yakadaya, Father Mathew Peries, Somarama, Buddharakitta…and they talk so much about life in SL, about Buddism, patriotism, Sinhala nationalism….endless stuff man. Then of course the charming prostitutes and Rohana gives lectures to them about socialism.
E-mail, telephone calls from hell is only very cheap, virtually free, to Sri lanka because SL being another big hell is considered as a “domestic call”
So my dear friend life in hell is the best and many sri lankans (almost 90% of them) will be coming to hell. Don’t worry you too will be in hell soon and your postings are well read here.
But I don’t know why in heaven where LankaWeb is located is deleting my postings when I speak the truth? Is it true in Heaven no one is permitted to speak the truth.
As Alloy says that there were 30000 witnesses who witnessed the war? But Alloy do you know what happened to the tamil doctors when they spoke the truth? If so why so many army guys or spies hang around these witnesses when some foreign people try to speak to them?
By the way Alloy, Why MR threw away the LLRC report as rubbish and exceeded its mandate and then suddenly GL Uncle making an announcement in the US that it will be fully implemented. Very confusing isn’t uit Alloy?
In fact I attended a lecture by Imbulgoda Suraya JR J entitled How to Cling onto Power in SL and it was wonderful. Sirima gave the vote of thanks and praised JR for one hour, longer than the lecture time.
May 20th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Lorenzo,
Prepared for what ?
Dilrook,
“Lanka seems to have given up on security measures after winning the war”.
Ponseka proposed to expand which makes sense, even though he proposed it out of his own greed to won money more.
But your statement is not exaclt correct.
They caught Mr. KP form malaysia.
White van the nation saviour still in action.
Only recently this Gunaratmam case seem to be strnage – why the could not jail him.
May 20th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Dear Dham,
Calm down! You seems to be totally agitated over SF.
We have to be prepared for more Indian FARTS, SHARTS, excreta, etc.
May 21st, 2012 at 1:01 am
Nadesan,
Thank you for injecting some humour into the discussion, even if, like other respondents, you have strayed away from the real point of the article. I am a little confused also with your concluding comments about attending that lecture – what has that got to do with what you had said before?
By the way, you failed to mention some more celebrated former leaders we could expect to find in hell and whose presence must surely make the place more interesting. How about the likes of GG Ponnambalam, SJV Chelvanayagam, C Suntheralingam and Amirthalingam? Surely, you can’t leave Prabha on his own, against the lot you have mentioned!
May 21st, 2012 at 6:32 am
Lorenzo will get the keys to his residence in that hell, looking at what he has been saying lately.
Ponseka is known to be distributing the keys.