Reverse the Growing Humanitarian Tragedy

Ira de Silva Canada

Executive Director
Peace Council of Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka

Dear Sir:
Re: Latest Media Release - Reverse the Growing Humanitarian Tragedy

Regarding the statement - The National Peace Council demands that those who have been displaced and otherwise affected as a result of the fighting should be protected according to international humanitarian norms. Who are you making these "demands" to? Have you gone to Killinochi and made this demand? That is where you should be sending this "demand" to as it is well known throughout the world that the LTTE have never had any regard for international humanitarian norms.

"Humanitarian organizations have been complaining that they cannot take relief supplies to where they are most needed". Today a news report indicates that of 17 lorries of aid to the Tamils, 15 lorries have been hijacked by the LTTE. Have you demanded and secured the release of these lorries? Please note that it is the people of the areas NOT under control of the LTTE who are providing the food, medicine, humanitarian assistance etc. The LTTE merely takes everything and kills those who provide the aid! Before you make your "demands" go the Killinochi and get a written assurance from the LTTE that they will not steal the aid provided.

"We condemn the air force bombing of an orphanage in Mullaitivu in which over 60 teenage girls were killed" Even the pro-LTTE SLMM could only count 19 of persons aged 17 to 19. LTTE propagandists overseas say 61 were killed, you say 60, other news reports say 50. Other than the 19 accounted for where did you find the balance 41? As for the "orphanage" the news reports showed the building standing and given that the LTTE have for decades recruited "children to be trained as soldiers" have you proof that these persons were not LTTE in training? (Please see attached note that it was NOT an orphanage).

"The discovery of large numbers of claymore mines in vehicles apprehended by the security forces indicates more such attacks to come". Perhaps the Peace Council could deploy your personnel to help find and destroy these claymore mines to prevent further loss of life. That would be a positive move to prevent further loss of civilian life.

All Sri Lankans would agree that ethnic conflicts do not end through war although there are some who would question your characterisation of this conflict as an "ethnic" conflict. Again, while most Sri Lankans would agree with your "call on the government and LTTE to immediately cease all hostilities and negotiate a new Ceasefire Agreement" the primary responsibility rests with the LTTE who continue to terrorise and murder at will. A more appropriate call would be for the LTTE to agree to negotiate, follow international norms, and agree to disarm. A new Ceasefire Agreement should be to remove the division of Sri Lanka into controlled and "uncontrolled" areas and administration of all areas of Sri Lanka under the government. After all, as stated earlier, it is the people of the "uncontrolled" areas who are providing the livelihood of those in the "controlled" areas, not the LTTE so why should they have "control"?.

Yours truly,

Ira de Silva
Canada