The LTTE is crumbling apart as their actions reveal

Shenali Waduge

Why would a terrorist organization fighting for a separate homeland in Sri Lanka ever decide to bump off a Foreign High Commissioner? Did they not think about the negative results it would accrue? Possibly not, why else would they assassinate the former Indian Prime Minister – Rajiv Gandhi? But that was in 1991. The LTTE doesn’t learn from lessons? It only teaches others lessons.

This brings us to the very point – no one can predict what the LTTE is likely to do. Yet, there are plenty of things that are puzzling about the August 14th attack. Not only was the High Commissioner from Pakistan, it was also on the very day Pakistan celebrated its Independence from India. What makes the assassination bid more bizarre is the fact that Pakistan has been very much in the news lately. Its counter-terrorism unit was able to unearth a plot to bomb several transatlantic flights from London to USA which would have led to many thousands of deaths and Pakistan won praise amongst the world community for the commitment to counter international terrorism. What is more the assassination bid comes weeks after the attack by the LTTE on the Muslims of Muttur.

Given the scenario that enfolded the news of the assassination bid hasn’t been very beneficial to the LTTE. But, do they care at all? Probably not – which perhaps explains why they coerced the Rajapakse Government into taking the decision of militarily attacking them. The LTTE timing was completely wrong. While the LTTE attacks on the Muslims of Muttur in the East resulted in international condemnation the military action taken therein did not bring the LTTE much success. They expected the foreign Governments to press Rajapakse to bring the military to a standstill. The International powers had bigger problems to contend with. They were concentrating on something graver and more important – the situation in Lebanon and the Israeli onslaught to punish the Hezbollahs. Only the LTTE’s Nordic friends quickly came to pull out another whimsical peace settlement and once more engage in cease fire rhetoric. Yet that too hasn’t created any results.

The attack by the military only signaled one clear point. Colombo was to brace a period of uncertainty. Colombo only knew too well that any military onslaughts in the past would eventually lead to destruction in Colombo. That was always the modus operandi of the LTTE. Likewise the bombings in Dickmans Road, the assassinations of K. Loganathan, STF SSP Upul Seneviratne & Maj. Gen. Parami Kulatunga raises a few important points.

The LTTE knew exactly whom they wanted dead. For the public the importance of the individual came to light only upon his death. But, the LTTE is aware of the men that matter. They know exactly whom they must target. We have had plenty of luck recently in catching hidden arms and ammunition. The police assisted by civic conscious individuals were quick to round up arsenal that would have been used for further carnage. There is likely to be plenty more fireworks by the LTTE. The people must be ready and vigilant. The police and the armed forces must be alert at all times too. We do empathize with the khaki suits who stand in the blazing sun and torrential rain to bravely check our vehicles. It would also be good to bring to task the many others who are Judas’s amongst us – the very people who do anything for money. People who do not have race or religion but function only on self-serving interests. More than a few eyebrows can be raised about the death of STF SSP Seneviratne. Exactly how many or rather how few must have known that SSP Upul Seneviratne would leave his residence at 4:30 that unfortunate morning.

From the recent actions we realize that the tiger outfit is slowly but surely crumbling apart. Yet it has engaged an army over 20 years and caused economic and social chaos throughout the island nation. But evil cannot last forever. The tiger leadership themselves are now aging and from what we hear suffering plenty of incurable ailments too. No tiger leader ever grooms another so therefore there is likely to be disintegration amongst the cadres. When youth who are forced into fighting realizes they are fighting a loosing battle it is natural for them to desist and lay down arms. The Government must be ready to quickly provide much need psychological therapy and bring these brainwashed youth back to functioning as youths should.

And we are to enter into a war situation the people must be guided towards preparing for it. Good things don’t come easy but it should be worthwhile. If we are to enter into a war it should result in completely annihilating the tiger outfit altogether once and for all. That is a price every Sri Lankan will be ready to pay if the Government is resolved in its effort. People do not want to see farcical peace any more. We want it to be lasting and not like a volcano unsure of when it will erupt. The people may have to face rough times but if their will is strong enough and the Government functions as it should in the interests of the People and the Nation, the country and its people can come out prosperous to finally live together in peace without the elements of evil.