Re: Sri Lanka - Statement by AIBA Nov. 14,2006

Ira de Silva
London, Ontario, Canada

The Editor
The Hindu
New Delhi, India

Dear Sir:
Re: Sri Lanka - Statement by AIBA Nov. 14,2006

It is amazing to read that the AIBA should make a blatantly false statement that" the Sri Lankan Government has resorted to largescale killings". Coming from what is supposed to be a body of lawyers makes it even more reprehensible.

In an effort to educate your readers I would like to point out a few facts regarding recent events in Sri Lanka. The ONLY actions taken by the Sri Lankan government have been in response to the terrorist activities of the Tamil Tigers - a recognized terrorist group. For example, when the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) drove out 50,000 people from Muttur, the Sri Lankan government had to attack the LTTE and re-take the town so that the largely Muslim population could return to their homes. When the LTTE shut off the water supply depriving over 15,000 farmers of their livelihood, the Sri Lankan government forces had to drive out the LTTE to help the poor farmers. The LTTE are constantly trying to smuggle arms and ammunition by sea to re-inforce their troops - the Sri Lankan government has had to fight many battles to stop this . In one attack, the LTTE killed over 115 navy personnel who were off duty - that is the largest killing in recent months, also committed by the LTTE. Next they attacked the port of Galle. All this and suicide bombings to kill the army commander and his deputy, school children in Colombo as well as the attack on the Pakistani High Commissioner to name a few - are these lawyers unaware of these events or is it a reflection on the calibre of Indian lawyers that they make ignorant statements on subjects they are not conversant with?

As for the Sri Lankan government not heeding the appeal to stop hostilities, do the lawyers not know that there are two sides to the conflict? As pointed out why do these Indians not ask their "brothers" the LTTE to stop their violence as at every turn it is the LTTE that initiates the attacks, suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism on the population of Sri Lanka whether they be Tamil, Muslim or Sinhalese?. It is not only the Tamils who are suffering due to LTTE violence - it is ALL communities. As for the statement that it is " the responsibility of the Indian Government to take efforts to stop the ethnic killings immediately" may I point out that it was the Indian government that supported the LTTE with money, military training in India, political support and cover and developed the LTTE into a terrorist group so that they could kill with impunity in Sri Lanka and hide in India. In that regard the Indian government is responsible for all the thousands that have been killed in Sri Lanka. India unleashed this terrorism on Sri Lankans, let them now reign in the LTTE who they nurtured and developed so that Sri Lankans can live without the scourge of the LTTE.

Yours truly,

Ira de Silva
London, Ontario, Canada

PS. I am sure that you will not publish this letter as it has some "home truths" about India. Nevertherless I want to make the argument to you that this type of statement is worthless as it is biased and inaccurate. I trust you can let your AIBA know or if you provide me with an e-mail address I would be happy to do so.