A Time for National Unity

Shenali Waduge

Many a time there have been calls to unite as a Nation. Unfortunately the euphoria is only heralded by the same persons who have always been peace loving.

Everything at present seems uncertain. We are all aware of the backdrop to the present crisis instigated of course by our first Executive President as a result of a calculated mistake in judgment. Since 1983 we have been paying for the planned follies of a few egocentric men.

Shrouding behind an “ethnic” label the LTTE has been able to internationally promote discrimination by the Sinhalese upon the Tamil people & lobby as the sole representatives of the Tamil people while also killing Tamil people who do not conform to their thinking. We have been unable to successfully counter these falsehoods by facts that speak for themselves. Very few really know that more than 65% of Tamil people live in the South of Sri Lanka amongst the Sinhalese.

Nobody in Sri Lanka wants war – it is something that has been inevitable. The burden the public have to bear is to meet the international funds that procure illegal arms and weapons for the LTTE. The manner in which the LTTE is able to procure sophisticated armor and have even satellite communication systems depicts the success of their international operations. From US, to UK, to EU and Australia they are able to network and purchase armor to meet the defense of Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces.

We all know too well the politics that go within our administrative systems not to mention the traitors within. Unfortunately there are people for whom money is more important than a civic conscience. It is extremely unfortunate that even within the forces there are men and women who would betray their own. Sadly to say it is our inability to think nationally that gives strength to the LTTE. They turn our weaknesses into gain and now we are faced with a very uncertain path that is dictated by people to whom we are in debt. Our own leaders are reminded that the public are prepared to at any cost bear burdens if our own leaders too do the same. But what happens is burdens are heaped upon the public while leaders end up bathing in luxury. This must definitely cease to be.

Despite these negatives there is also occasion to look at the positives. Despite the evil that prevailed in 1983 as a result of the death of 13 soldiers, in the past several weeks as many as 129 soldiers and over 103 sailors perished in one single attack by the LTTE. That the people remained calm without allowing elements that wait to incite a backlash similar to the 1983 is most commendable and the people must remember to maintain this calm no matter what. The LTTE is always looking for ways to provoke the people and the international media is always looking for stories to dramatize their news channel. Everyone would have observed how quick the international media was to dramatize the attack of 2 shops after the Galle suicide attack by LTTE to depict to the world that the Tamils were being attacked by the Sinhalese.

Everyone should always keep this in their minds. Many are waiting for the majority to make that mistake made in 1983 but we should rise above such pettiness and remain steadfast that sooner or later the truth shall prevail. Barbaric acts of terrorism cannot go on forever the Day of Judgment will soon prevail for those who have done wrong to all peace loving people.

"Great crisis produce great men and great deeds of courage." John F. Kennedy