Gotabhaya is no Ostrich

Dilrook Kannangara

We could have let the LTTE regain their upperhand following the 26th terror attack. That was the type of happenings in the past when Ostriches ruled the Defence Ministry. A de facto surrender by means of stopping all air attacks on terrorists would mean humiliating all those who sacrificed for the successes in Sampoor, Wakarei, Mavil-aru and on many other instances. Also it means a lot more to the terrorists.

In this context it is superb that retaliatory attacks were carried out on LTTE positions. This uplifts the psychological factor of our camp and plummet the terror psychic. It gives a strong massage that if terrorists mess with us, they will get it in return pretty soon and ferociously.

As stated on numerous occasions before, our options are two-fold. We can either surrender or wage war. Peace remains an option only to LTTE leaders as we have repeatedly come forward for ceasefires, peace talks, devolution and decentralisation schemes, etc. In every instance the terror leaders have played for time to enhance their terror capabilities.

First shot was fired by the terrorists in 1976 and the subsequent period of political turmoil in Jaffna led to few or no operations against the gathering storm. This is the first breather for the LTTE/TUF/TULF to rejuvenate and enhance their murderous capabilities.

During 1985 Thimpu talks (and prevailed ceasefire) the LTTE took their fighting capabilities to a brand new level by launching non-guerrilla style attacks and also targeting Colombo and other areas outside the N-E.

The 1987 truce with the SLA helped them take one of the most formidable armies in the world. Obviously the LTTE quickly acquired skills needed for such an attack and it was the third step in evolution into what it is today.

Then came one of the most humiliating ‘ceasefires’ of all times; more than 800 personnel of the security forces and the police were ordered to surrender with their weapons in 1990. What a gift for the tigers. It is said that their amateurs got a first hand taste of victory when they trained for target practice in a real life situation. Suicide bombers were added to the tiger arsenal. This marked the fourth evolution stage.

Then the love affair with the government continued with little or no successful military operations until 1993. There was another truce in 1994-95 during which time tigers acquired SAM (surface-to-air) missiles. After shooting down few transport planes in succession, another round of war commenced. Enormous amount of money had to be spent on aircrafts and counterflares that can evade infrared homing SAMs. A gigantic leap forward for the terror outfit.

The world wagged war on terror except Sri Lanka in 2002 thanks to a LTTE henchman’s submission to its demands. May be the most ridiculous ceasefire agreement ever was signed amidst battles in the sea. Thousands including democratic politicians, civilians and personnel of the armed forces were killed by the LTTE and the government then approved it by silence, inaction and compliance. The LTTE is now coming out of the truce with a sophisticated navel and air division. Additionally they also have a dedicated and devoted bunch of devotees and offspring who works overtime for the LTTE cause off the battlefield. This is thus far the biggest leap in its evolution and adds an additional burden on our defence systems and budgets.

However, in doing so the tigers have exposed themselves to increased visibility and vulnerability to attacks. Guerrilla warfare as fought in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, Afghanistan, etc. remains only a distant memory for the LTTE top brass. They have long passed the point of no-return. Today the LTTE cannot survive as a guerrilla group alone.

Meanwhile allegations of malpractice are levelled against the government from many quarters.
The best justification for the colossal amount spent on weapons is to use them effectively and repeatedly to their full capacity. Safest place for attack planes is naturally the sky and not the ground; these are designed to be eagles and not ostriches.

Safety of our air assets should be promoted at all costs. Katunayake, Ratmalana, Weerawila and other places should be guarded with utmost security the kind enjoyed by the former Queens House. Surrounds should be subjected to constant vigil by armed forces and paramilitaries to flush out any undesirable elements beforehand.

Air borne surveillance is a must.

We should also have a contingency plan that facilitates the use of Pakistani or any other air force in case Tiger Air Farce tries to monopolise SL skies.

Vandalising LTTE air assets is imperative and so far there is no indication of doing that. Aerial supremacy can only be sustained by legitimate air forces due to its complexity, functionality and visibility.

LTTE’s continuous evolution got to be stopped pretty soon before they come up with their next surprise. They have enough funds, worldwide spread, connections and channels. But we can exhaust their fighting cadres. This is the most vulnerable spot of the LTTE and it is struggling to swell its ranks with fighters of any age. Forced conscription and recruiting those who cannot give consent are the only sustainable means of getting fighters. Tiger money lured only a few pathetic (Sinhalese) terrorists who were damn scared of their petty lives and limbs to go to the battlefield. Children of terror leaders are also running away from their ‘liberation’ struggle. More than half of the LTTE fighters are waiting to blow themselves up to protect their leader. For food and medication they heavily depend on our donations, generosity and mahatma qualities only to eat the hand that feeds them……….

There is no doubt that exhausting the LTTE fighting cadre is the best strategy and hence the only way forward. Mathematically if the death rate (plus the desertion rate) of the LTTE exceeds its recruitment rate, we are on course. Our target should be numbers not land; terrorists and not terrorism per se which is illusive. We also need a political solution to frustrate those forces that can grab power by joining with the LTTE; minority voters should be liberated from the LTTE/UNP trap and should be empowered to elect their own representatives democratically. In compliance with this, the executive presidency should be done away with. This will ensure only patriots will rule our nation just like any other successful nation and no amount of tiger worshipping can bring votes to the UNP.

We also need legislation that has zero tolerance of supporting the enemy, treason, crafty promotion of terrorism and the like.

We thank God for our gallant Defence Secretary. May he be powered to beat the ever enlarging LTTE Goliath just the same way David was guided.

On his part, he needs to ensure the war is won sometime soon.