By THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Sri Lanka is joining Israel as a country facing a war crimes investigation for effectively fighting back against terrorism. America should support the Sri Lankan government or keep its nose out of Colombo's business.
Last week, Stephen Rapp, U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues, filed a report to Congress on incidents during the recent conflict in Sri Lanka that "may constitute violations of international humanitarian law or crimes against humanity." The report focuses in particular on January to May 2009 when, after 12 years of conflict, the Sri Lankan military surrounded and destroyed the major armed formations of the Tamil Tigers and killed the terrorist group's leaders.
The report chronicles allegations of war crimes by both Sri Lanka and the Tamil Tigers. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, the Vermont Democrat whose subcommittee on the State Department and foreign operations requested the report, is calling for "a full and independent investigation" so those responsible can be "held accountable."
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights joined in the call for an investigation of Sri Lanka's war, saying there are "too many questions" left unanswered. U.N. Human Rights Spokesman Rupert Colville drew a direct comparison to the Gaza Fact-Finding Mission overseen by South African Judge Richard Goldstone. Sri Lanka and Israel are both pursuing internal investigations and have rejected the idea of international involvement in the process.
The Rapp report is not comprehensive, more a list of allegations than a fully documented indictment. Most of the offenses listed are either directly attributable to the Tamil Tigers, such as forcibly recruiting children to fight for them, or the consequence of terrorist activities, such as Sri Lanka shelling hospitals being used by the Tigers as command posts.
The tone of moral equivalence in the Rapp and Goldstone reports is most objectionable. War is by its nature violent, complex and tragic. Rules exist to mitigate war's suffering but can never eliminate it. Terrorist groups like the Tamil Tigers, Hamas and al Qaeda do not consider themselves bound by the rules of war and violate them as a matter of doctrine by targeting noncombatants, using civilians as human shields, torturing and executing prisoners, and by using hospitals and religious sites as headquarters and sniper platforms.
Any war against such an enemy will impose a degree of tragedy on people who under other circumstances would be spared war's horrors. But this is part of the terrorist tool kit, and reports such as these play into their hands. By placing the terrorists' systematic offenses against human dignity on par with the unintentional or otherwise regrettable actions of the regime trying to defeat them, such reports level a moral playing field that by rights the terrorists have no right even to set foot on.
Mr. Leahy should control his zeal to pursue what he views as justice in Sri Lanka. Any objective comparison of Sri Lanka's war against the Tamil Tigers or Israel's offensive against Hamas to America's struggle against al Qaeda would cast the United States in the same light, and elevate our enemies to a status they do not deserve. It hands the enemies of freedom unearned victories even as they are being defeated.
“Making peace more challenging than making war”
Professor Rohan Gunaratna is Head of International Centre for Political Violence & Terrorism Research, and Professor of Security Studies at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. A former senior fellow at the United States Military Academy at West Point and at the Fletcher School for Law & Diplomacy, he is also a member of George Washington University’s Homeland Policy Security Institute and a member of the Advisory Council of the Institute for Counter Terrorism, Israel. He has interviewed many terrorists worldwide, including in Iraq, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. He is the author of 12 books, including “War and Peace in Sri Lanka”, “Indian Intervention in Sri Lanka”, “International & Regional Implications of the Sri Lankan Tamil Insurgency” and an international bestseller, “Inside Al Qaeda”, published by Columbia University Press in New York
The Nation met Prof. Gunaratna in order to obtain his expert opinion on the challenges the country is facing in the post war period.
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Q: You have claimed that ‘the post-Prabhakaran LTTE is an ideological movement, not an operational organisation’. But the Security forces are still discovering caches of hidden weapons, and it is admitted that there are suicide cadres and other operatives still in Colombo. Also, it is estimated that over 10,000 refugees have escaped from the IDP camps, many of whom are suspected of having links with the LTTE?
A: The capacity and the capability of the LTTE to mount sustained terrorist operations against the infrastructure and the people of Sri Lanka is over. The LTTE has been downgraded from a highly capable terrorist and guerrilla group into an ideology. Certainly, there are a few individuals with intentions to reorganise and disrupt the safety, security and stability that has been achieved. That is why it is so important for the government to continue to build and maintain an intelligence network that can detect and neutralise threats. Government must continue to debrief detainees, to elicit operational intelligence of LTTE attempts to reorganise and build networks, to prevent terrorist attacks.
The fight against the LTTE is far from over. As long as the LTTE is active overseas, Sri Lanka faces a threat. Government is aware of that threat, both at home and overseas. Government is planning to detect and neutralise terrorist cells, both support and operational cells overseas, from India to Malaysia and in the West. There are many former LTTE supporters and sympathisers who have realised that they were misled by Prabhakaran, as one who brought untold suffering upon Sri Lankans, especially the Tamils. Today, most Tamils are looking for opportunities to abandon the vicious ideology and the daydream of creating a mono-ethnic Tamil State. As Tamils have suffered the most in this conflict, the Government and the elite of Sri Lanka should develop strategies and organisations to help them move on with their lives. This is the time for the Sri Lankan Government to build platforms, both in Sri Lanka and overseas, to reach out and engage the Tamil diaspora. Government is developing a range of activities to reduce the long term strategic threat to Sri Lanka, by working together with the Tamil community, both at home and overseas. By doing so, Sri Lanka will strategically prevent advocacy, support and participation in terrorism.
Q: Although we have captured KP, Vishwanathan Rudrakumaran is still in the USA, and their activities in the West and in India are still continuing? What is the current state of international LTTE activities?
A: Both Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa have built strong ties with India, Malaysia and a few other countries where the LTTE is planning and preparing to reorganise. The same way KP was deported to Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka will build the legal and institutional framework to bring home V. Rudrakumaran, the new LTTE leader, and others planning and plotting to disrupt the hard won peace in Sri Lanka. Rudrakumaran has been working to revive the LTTE, a group designated by the US, Europe and many Asian governments as a terrorist group. The current Sri Lankan leadership will not tolerate any terrorist support activities against the Sri Lankan State from within or overseas.
The few foreign governments heavily lobbied by LTTE propagandists are now beginning to understand the ground reality. The US, in particular, have realised that no civilians were deliberately killed in Sri Lanka, and civilian fatalities and injuries in Sri Lanka are much lower compared with the numbers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. As the Sri Lankan Government’s capacity to counter LTTE propaganda overseas was limited, some Western governments relied on highly exaggerated figures of civilian fatalities and injuries planted by the LTTE in Tamil Net and other websites. Today, after clarifying the reporting and debriefing the medical doctors forced by the LTTE to provide exaggerated figures, Western governments are beginning to understand what truly happened in Sri Lanka in the final campaign.
Q: There is a massive campaign to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka internationally. Last month Channel 4 telecast a video depicting Sri Lankan soldiers executing a Tamil civilian, and this week, Hillary Clinton alleged that rape had been used as a weapon in Sri Lanka’s successful war against the LTTE. Have we been successful in countering these allegations?
A: The Channel 4 video is a fabrication. Just as the SBS in Australia was penetrated by an LTTE agent, investigations have revealed that Channel 4 too, has been penetrated by an LTTE agent. Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan Government, especially its foreign ministry, has always been late in responding to false propaganda. Although the main mission of the foreign ministry is to advance Sri Lanka’s national security goals, it has no dedicated staff and budget to counter LTTE propaganda. Before the LTTE and those opposed to Sri Lanka reache out to media outlets like Channel 4, it is the duty of Sri Lankan consulates, embassies and High Commissions to build ties with foreign media personnel.
The Sri Lankan delegation that visited the US recently, to engage their US counterparts, were assured of US friendship by US Assistant Secretary of State for Sri Lanka, Robert Blake. Nonetheless, the Sri Lankan Government was puzzled by a reference made to Sri Lanka by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, when she addressed the UNSC on September 30, 2009. Mrs. Clinton informed the UN Security Council that rape had been used as a tactic of war in Sri Lanka. The whole world is aware that Sri Lanka has never been accused of such a heinous crime. Those who knew the ground reality were fully aware that, as the Sri Lankan forces advanced, the LTTE withdrew with the civilians. Historically too, rape has never used as a weapon of war in Sri Lanka. Until Mrs. Clinton made this statement, the Sri Lankan military has never been accused of rape, either by a foreign government or an NGO. Furthermore, even the LTTE had never made such an accusation. The US military is fighting in two tough theatres: It is important for US leaders to be careful not to be carried away by terrorist lobbying or propaganda. By examining Mrs Clinton’s statements against Obama, she is quite well known for making unsubstantiated statements. As Mrs Clinton and those around her accepted funds from LTTE lobbyists, it is likely that they are susceptible to LTTE propaganda. To prevent this accusation from being repeated, it is essential for Mrs. Clinton to set the record straight at an appropriate venue. Otherwise, statements made by the US government, especially the State Department, will not be taken seriously.
Q: The fact that the government is still playing tough with Western governments, a reason for this hostility. And in the long run, wouldn’t Sri Lanka be the loser of a fight with the EU and the USA?
A: Operating through front, cover and sympathetic organisations, the LTTE was able to effectively lobby and reach out to a few key politicians in Europe and North America. It is a fact that the LTTE paid for the political campaigns of prominent politicians, and also exercised constituency pressure from Canada to the UK and Australia. As such, the statements that came out from a few Western governments were not driven by what was happening on the ground in Sri Lanka, but by the LTTE’s sustained lobbying and vicious propaganda.
Sri Lanka expected continuous support from the West, to end the terror campaign that had devastated its economy for quarter century. As Sri Lanka was the first country in South Asia to adopt a market economy, Sri Lanka and the West enjoyed an unprecedented relationship. Both the people and the government have always been pro-West. As the government of India armed, trained, financed and directed the LTTE from 1983 to 1987, Sri Lanka built enduring partnerships with the West. Similarly, we have more to share with the Europeans than with the Chinese or the Iranians. As such, it was quite natural for Sri Lankan leaders to be annoyed at the twofaced approach of a few Western governments. Some Western governments were silent at a million displaced in tribal Pakistan, but were deeply concerned of the impending death of the LTTE leadership! Instead of continuing to support the fight against the most ruthless terrorist group in the world, some Western governments were asking to negotiate with the LTTE. Prabhakaran himself waited for the West and Tamil Nadu to intervene and save him!
The Sri Lankan Government was privy to these developments. As such, it adopted a tough posture. But today, after having reached its military objective, the Sri Lankan Government is rebuilding relations with those countries which lacked an understanding of what actually happened in Sri Lanka. Spearheaded by Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the government is planning its next phase. Like Mr Rajapaksa did with India, it entails building capacity to engage the West, especially EU and US, our traditional friends. For China and India to rise, and Asia to emerge as the epicentre of global power, it will take another decade!
Q: You have said that it is essential for government to continue to work with everyone, including diplomatic missions, NGOs, human rights lobbys and other actors who have been traditionally mislead or sympathetic to the LTTE. But the government has not reached out to these bodies?
A: Having defeated the world’s most ruthless terrorist group, Sri Lanka should develop a multi-pronged, multidimensional and a multi-jurisdictional strategy to win the peace. Most governments that succeeded winning wars, failed to transform rapidly enough to build the doctrines and structures to build peace. Making peace is as, or even more challenging than making war! It involves a deeper understanding of the various actors - governments, communities, civil society organisations - and a capacity to engage each one of them. It means recognition that, although all 10 fingers are not alike, they all are necessary to catch the ball.
To move in such a direction, the Sri Lankan Government must appoint the right person to the right job. The same way, President Rajapaksa appointed Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to head the Defence bureaucracy, the government must entrust the most talented leaders to spearhead these challenges’ portfolios. Basil Rajapaksa, who is politically astute, has the expertise to engage civil society organisations. He understands that NGOs are as important as governments. Similarly, Milinda Moragoda and Mahinda Samarasinghe have the skill to engage the international community.
It is important for government to appoint leaders with talent to build organisations and strategies to fight the next phase of the campaign. There are two challenging tasks. As human terrain is key, this involves working with the Tamil Diaspora. Unless the Sri Lankan Government is able to engage and influence the Tamil Diaspora to abandon violence and embrace peace, and give them a role in the development of the northeast, the LTTE will continue to lobby this segment of our society. As the LTTE threat overseas is active and is likely to grow, in parallel, there should also be investment to build robust platforms to counter propaganda, fundraising and engage in other activities such as extradition. This should also include building the capacity to take to court and sue both individuals and organisations that seek to fabricate and publicise false information with the malicious intent of damaging the reputation of Sri Lanka. Government can start with Channel 4, for airing a fabricated video and failing to apologise!
With the war over, the future for Sri Lanka is bright. However, Sri Lanka must now move fast. It must engage everyone, both foreign and domestic, with the single intention of providing security and safety for all, especially for the Tamils. It must not leave behind anyone! I am confident that, in the next five years, Sri Lanka will regain its status as the most developed country in South Asia, and within the next decade, will join the first world!
Q: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service has been criticised for not being able to counter anti Sri Lankan propaganda. The removal of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka from Geneva and constant reshuffling of tried and tested diplomats has not helped our endeavours? We have also been appointing military commanders as ambassadors to many countries. How do you see this?
A: The next phase of the campaign will not be fought with guns and bullets, but with laptops and pens. We must select the right man for the right job. The criteria for appointing heads of missions and others to foreign postings should not be based on personal friendship or party loyalties. We have appointed as High Commissioners and ambassadors, who cannot express themselves in English, to English speaking countries, and we have appointed those who are sick and feeble to challenging postings. If we continue to do this, Sri Lanka’s name and image overseas will remain mud!
Sri Lanka must appoint its most capable sons and daughters to those postings. They can be from the Foreign Service, intelligence community, the military, the information ministry, trade and investment organisations, the private sector, etc. Irrespective of party politics, almost all Sri Lankans I have met, love their country. Without wasting talent, Government should also appoint those from the parliamentary opposition to represent Sri Lanka overseas. They must seek to forge excellent relationships with the bureaucracy, the business community and the political leadership. Sri Lanka has been ruined by divisions based on party, school, region, caste etc. Most of all, we must not allow petty politics, the art of division, to cloud our minds, intoxicate our communities and ruin our beautiful country.
Q: Are you satisfied with the handling of the IDPs?
A: Handling the IDPs is a complex challenge. It is the most difficult job in Sri Lanka. It must be handled with the greatest care and sophistication. Government is working towards resettling the Tamils as soon as possible. However, security is paramount. In addition to de-mining and securing the areas identified for settlement, government must create a security umbrella to prevent infiltration and revival of the LTTE. As we witnessed for quarter century, there cannot be economic development, or peace, without security. Government must build security systems before resettlement, to ensure that there will be no return to violence. There will always be unintentional mistakes made in a huge operation like handling quarter million IDPs. Major General Kamal Gunaratna handling the IDPs, is one of the most compassionate and bright leaders of Sri Lanka. Instead of criticising the government, it is paramount for all those concerned for the IDPs, to work with government and support the IDP resettlement plans and preparations.
Q: What about the Eastern Province and the activities of the TMVP, which is suspected of having a hand in smuggling out the IDPs for money?
A: The East is secure, because Karuna had the wisdom to break away from the LTTE! The Tamil groups, TMVP, EPDP, PLOTE, EPRLF, EROS, ENDLF and others, that have abandoned violence in the North and East, should be engaged, supported and guided by the government. Tamil political leaders, Karuna, Siddharthan, Douglas Devananda and others like them have suffered more from the LTTE than any other politician. Their loved ones have been killed and they remain under threat. It is paramount for the current and future governments to continue to work with them and their parties. If we abandon them, some members of these groups will move towards criminality.
Leaders, members and family members of TMVP, EPDP, PLOTE, EPRLF, EROS, ENDLF have suffered extensively at the hands of the LTTE. It is paramount for government to rehabilitate and reintegrate members of these groups. Government should provide them free land, housing and financial and technical assistance to move forward with their lives. Government working with foreign partners, INGOS and NGOS, should ensure that they will never go back to violence and will help develop Sri Lanka
Q: There are serious issues of corruption within the country, and the mechanisms set up to combat corruption, the COPE and the independent commissions have been sidelined by the government. This will have a negative impact, not only on our economy, but also on our reputation as a democratic country?
A: No country can develop without eliminating corruption. Today, corruption is the biggest challenge facing India and China. After ending terrorism, the next biggest challenge Sri Lanka is facing is corruption. Government must re-examine this whole issue of corruption and move rapidly. It is paramount to develop the legal framework to seize assets and give long sentences for corruption. For politicians engaged in corruption, it must institute the death penalty.
Q: Normally, after a war, the size of the military is reduced and the focus is on building special units like commandos and special forces. But the government is planning an increase in numbers?
A: As there is no substitute for development, government should transform the existing military into a development army. Already, the military is moving in this direction. Furthermore, government has plans to build roads, refurbish water tanks, establish industrial parks and develop agriculture in the northeast. As intelligence is the spearhead of counter terrorism, Government should expand their military intelligence and national intelligence. Government must maintain its elite forces, especially the special forces and commandos, and to maintain its readiness, should help other governments to fight terrorism globally.
The Sri Lankan military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are a national treasures. All those who fought and assisted in the fight should be given a piece of land. Increasing the military strength is acceptable, as long as they continue to play an important role in national development.
Q: What do you think of the Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka?
A: The time for ethnic entrepreneurship is over. We must not encourage divisive and ethnic politics. By sowing the seeds of ethnic hatred, an entire generation has suffered. The Tamil leaders must grasp this great moment in history. They must build bridges and work with the Muslim and Sinhala leaders. There is no better opportunity to work together to help the community that has most suffered in Sri Lanka, the Tamils. Tamil leaders have a huge responsibility to ensure that Tamils do not suffer anymore.
The late Appapillai Amirthalingam, the TULF leader clandestinely groomed Prabhakaran to eliminate and control his opponents. In the mid 1970s, when Alfred Duraiappah was assassinated by Prabhakaran, Prabhakaran was in and out of Amirthalingam’s home. As the LTTE developed its own momentum, the TULF hardliners lost control of Prabhakaran, and ultimately, Prabhakaran returned with vengeance, almost eliminating the entire TULF leadership.
The mainstream parties of Sri Lanka must reach out to the Muslim and Tamil leaders and work with them. Over time, Sri Lanka must move towards a culture of creating and sustaining non ethnic and non religious parties. The time for ethnic and religious politics should come to an end. As Sri Lanka belongs to all, it is a challenge for the Sri Lankan leaders to accept.
The Nation met Prof. Gunaratna in order to obtain his expert opinion on the challenges the country is facing in the post war period.
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Q: You have claimed that ‘the post-Prabhakaran LTTE is an ideological movement, not an operational organisation’. But the Security forces are still discovering caches of hidden weapons, and it is admitted that there are suicide cadres and other operatives still in Colombo. Also, it is estimated that over 10,000 refugees have escaped from the IDP camps, many of whom are suspected of having links with the LTTE?
A: The capacity and the capability of the LTTE to mount sustained terrorist operations against the infrastructure and the people of Sri Lanka is over. The LTTE has been downgraded from a highly capable terrorist and guerrilla group into an ideology. Certainly, there are a few individuals with intentions to reorganise and disrupt the safety, security and stability that has been achieved. That is why it is so important for the government to continue to build and maintain an intelligence network that can detect and neutralise threats. Government must continue to debrief detainees, to elicit operational intelligence of LTTE attempts to reorganise and build networks, to prevent terrorist attacks.
The fight against the LTTE is far from over. As long as the LTTE is active overseas, Sri Lanka faces a threat. Government is aware of that threat, both at home and overseas. Government is planning to detect and neutralise terrorist cells, both support and operational cells overseas, from India to Malaysia and in the West. There are many former LTTE supporters and sympathisers who have realised that they were misled by Prabhakaran, as one who brought untold suffering upon Sri Lankans, especially the Tamils. Today, most Tamils are looking for opportunities to abandon the vicious ideology and the daydream of creating a mono-ethnic Tamil State. As Tamils have suffered the most in this conflict, the Government and the elite of Sri Lanka should develop strategies and organisations to help them move on with their lives. This is the time for the Sri Lankan Government to build platforms, both in Sri Lanka and overseas, to reach out and engage the Tamil diaspora. Government is developing a range of activities to reduce the long term strategic threat to Sri Lanka, by working together with the Tamil community, both at home and overseas. By doing so, Sri Lanka will strategically prevent advocacy, support and participation in terrorism.
Q: Although we have captured KP, Vishwanathan Rudrakumaran is still in the USA, and their activities in the West and in India are still continuing? What is the current state of international LTTE activities?
A: Both Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa have built strong ties with India, Malaysia and a few other countries where the LTTE is planning and preparing to reorganise. The same way KP was deported to Sri Lanka, the Government of Sri Lanka will build the legal and institutional framework to bring home V. Rudrakumaran, the new LTTE leader, and others planning and plotting to disrupt the hard won peace in Sri Lanka. Rudrakumaran has been working to revive the LTTE, a group designated by the US, Europe and many Asian governments as a terrorist group. The current Sri Lankan leadership will not tolerate any terrorist support activities against the Sri Lankan State from within or overseas.
The few foreign governments heavily lobbied by LTTE propagandists are now beginning to understand the ground reality. The US, in particular, have realised that no civilians were deliberately killed in Sri Lanka, and civilian fatalities and injuries in Sri Lanka are much lower compared with the numbers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. As the Sri Lankan Government’s capacity to counter LTTE propaganda overseas was limited, some Western governments relied on highly exaggerated figures of civilian fatalities and injuries planted by the LTTE in Tamil Net and other websites. Today, after clarifying the reporting and debriefing the medical doctors forced by the LTTE to provide exaggerated figures, Western governments are beginning to understand what truly happened in Sri Lanka in the final campaign.
Q: There is a massive campaign to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka internationally. Last month Channel 4 telecast a video depicting Sri Lankan soldiers executing a Tamil civilian, and this week, Hillary Clinton alleged that rape had been used as a weapon in Sri Lanka’s successful war against the LTTE. Have we been successful in countering these allegations?
A: The Channel 4 video is a fabrication. Just as the SBS in Australia was penetrated by an LTTE agent, investigations have revealed that Channel 4 too, has been penetrated by an LTTE agent. Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan Government, especially its foreign ministry, has always been late in responding to false propaganda. Although the main mission of the foreign ministry is to advance Sri Lanka’s national security goals, it has no dedicated staff and budget to counter LTTE propaganda. Before the LTTE and those opposed to Sri Lanka reache out to media outlets like Channel 4, it is the duty of Sri Lankan consulates, embassies and High Commissions to build ties with foreign media personnel.
The Sri Lankan delegation that visited the US recently, to engage their US counterparts, were assured of US friendship by US Assistant Secretary of State for Sri Lanka, Robert Blake. Nonetheless, the Sri Lankan Government was puzzled by a reference made to Sri Lanka by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, when she addressed the UNSC on September 30, 2009. Mrs. Clinton informed the UN Security Council that rape had been used as a tactic of war in Sri Lanka. The whole world is aware that Sri Lanka has never been accused of such a heinous crime. Those who knew the ground reality were fully aware that, as the Sri Lankan forces advanced, the LTTE withdrew with the civilians. Historically too, rape has never used as a weapon of war in Sri Lanka. Until Mrs. Clinton made this statement, the Sri Lankan military has never been accused of rape, either by a foreign government or an NGO. Furthermore, even the LTTE had never made such an accusation. The US military is fighting in two tough theatres: It is important for US leaders to be careful not to be carried away by terrorist lobbying or propaganda. By examining Mrs Clinton’s statements against Obama, she is quite well known for making unsubstantiated statements. As Mrs Clinton and those around her accepted funds from LTTE lobbyists, it is likely that they are susceptible to LTTE propaganda. To prevent this accusation from being repeated, it is essential for Mrs. Clinton to set the record straight at an appropriate venue. Otherwise, statements made by the US government, especially the State Department, will not be taken seriously.
Q: The fact that the government is still playing tough with Western governments, a reason for this hostility. And in the long run, wouldn’t Sri Lanka be the loser of a fight with the EU and the USA?
A: Operating through front, cover and sympathetic organisations, the LTTE was able to effectively lobby and reach out to a few key politicians in Europe and North America. It is a fact that the LTTE paid for the political campaigns of prominent politicians, and also exercised constituency pressure from Canada to the UK and Australia. As such, the statements that came out from a few Western governments were not driven by what was happening on the ground in Sri Lanka, but by the LTTE’s sustained lobbying and vicious propaganda.
Sri Lanka expected continuous support from the West, to end the terror campaign that had devastated its economy for quarter century. As Sri Lanka was the first country in South Asia to adopt a market economy, Sri Lanka and the West enjoyed an unprecedented relationship. Both the people and the government have always been pro-West. As the government of India armed, trained, financed and directed the LTTE from 1983 to 1987, Sri Lanka built enduring partnerships with the West. Similarly, we have more to share with the Europeans than with the Chinese or the Iranians. As such, it was quite natural for Sri Lankan leaders to be annoyed at the twofaced approach of a few Western governments. Some Western governments were silent at a million displaced in tribal Pakistan, but were deeply concerned of the impending death of the LTTE leadership! Instead of continuing to support the fight against the most ruthless terrorist group in the world, some Western governments were asking to negotiate with the LTTE. Prabhakaran himself waited for the West and Tamil Nadu to intervene and save him!
The Sri Lankan Government was privy to these developments. As such, it adopted a tough posture. But today, after having reached its military objective, the Sri Lankan Government is rebuilding relations with those countries which lacked an understanding of what actually happened in Sri Lanka. Spearheaded by Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the government is planning its next phase. Like Mr Rajapaksa did with India, it entails building capacity to engage the West, especially EU and US, our traditional friends. For China and India to rise, and Asia to emerge as the epicentre of global power, it will take another decade!
Q: You have said that it is essential for government to continue to work with everyone, including diplomatic missions, NGOs, human rights lobbys and other actors who have been traditionally mislead or sympathetic to the LTTE. But the government has not reached out to these bodies?
A: Having defeated the world’s most ruthless terrorist group, Sri Lanka should develop a multi-pronged, multidimensional and a multi-jurisdictional strategy to win the peace. Most governments that succeeded winning wars, failed to transform rapidly enough to build the doctrines and structures to build peace. Making peace is as, or even more challenging than making war! It involves a deeper understanding of the various actors - governments, communities, civil society organisations - and a capacity to engage each one of them. It means recognition that, although all 10 fingers are not alike, they all are necessary to catch the ball.
To move in such a direction, the Sri Lankan Government must appoint the right person to the right job. The same way, President Rajapaksa appointed Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to head the Defence bureaucracy, the government must entrust the most talented leaders to spearhead these challenges’ portfolios. Basil Rajapaksa, who is politically astute, has the expertise to engage civil society organisations. He understands that NGOs are as important as governments. Similarly, Milinda Moragoda and Mahinda Samarasinghe have the skill to engage the international community.
It is important for government to appoint leaders with talent to build organisations and strategies to fight the next phase of the campaign. There are two challenging tasks. As human terrain is key, this involves working with the Tamil Diaspora. Unless the Sri Lankan Government is able to engage and influence the Tamil Diaspora to abandon violence and embrace peace, and give them a role in the development of the northeast, the LTTE will continue to lobby this segment of our society. As the LTTE threat overseas is active and is likely to grow, in parallel, there should also be investment to build robust platforms to counter propaganda, fundraising and engage in other activities such as extradition. This should also include building the capacity to take to court and sue both individuals and organisations that seek to fabricate and publicise false information with the malicious intent of damaging the reputation of Sri Lanka. Government can start with Channel 4, for airing a fabricated video and failing to apologise!
With the war over, the future for Sri Lanka is bright. However, Sri Lanka must now move fast. It must engage everyone, both foreign and domestic, with the single intention of providing security and safety for all, especially for the Tamils. It must not leave behind anyone! I am confident that, in the next five years, Sri Lanka will regain its status as the most developed country in South Asia, and within the next decade, will join the first world!
Q: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Service has been criticised for not being able to counter anti Sri Lankan propaganda. The removal of Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka from Geneva and constant reshuffling of tried and tested diplomats has not helped our endeavours? We have also been appointing military commanders as ambassadors to many countries. How do you see this?
A: The next phase of the campaign will not be fought with guns and bullets, but with laptops and pens. We must select the right man for the right job. The criteria for appointing heads of missions and others to foreign postings should not be based on personal friendship or party loyalties. We have appointed as High Commissioners and ambassadors, who cannot express themselves in English, to English speaking countries, and we have appointed those who are sick and feeble to challenging postings. If we continue to do this, Sri Lanka’s name and image overseas will remain mud!
Sri Lanka must appoint its most capable sons and daughters to those postings. They can be from the Foreign Service, intelligence community, the military, the information ministry, trade and investment organisations, the private sector, etc. Irrespective of party politics, almost all Sri Lankans I have met, love their country. Without wasting talent, Government should also appoint those from the parliamentary opposition to represent Sri Lanka overseas. They must seek to forge excellent relationships with the bureaucracy, the business community and the political leadership. Sri Lanka has been ruined by divisions based on party, school, region, caste etc. Most of all, we must not allow petty politics, the art of division, to cloud our minds, intoxicate our communities and ruin our beautiful country.
Q: Are you satisfied with the handling of the IDPs?
A: Handling the IDPs is a complex challenge. It is the most difficult job in Sri Lanka. It must be handled with the greatest care and sophistication. Government is working towards resettling the Tamils as soon as possible. However, security is paramount. In addition to de-mining and securing the areas identified for settlement, government must create a security umbrella to prevent infiltration and revival of the LTTE. As we witnessed for quarter century, there cannot be economic development, or peace, without security. Government must build security systems before resettlement, to ensure that there will be no return to violence. There will always be unintentional mistakes made in a huge operation like handling quarter million IDPs. Major General Kamal Gunaratna handling the IDPs, is one of the most compassionate and bright leaders of Sri Lanka. Instead of criticising the government, it is paramount for all those concerned for the IDPs, to work with government and support the IDP resettlement plans and preparations.
Q: What about the Eastern Province and the activities of the TMVP, which is suspected of having a hand in smuggling out the IDPs for money?
A: The East is secure, because Karuna had the wisdom to break away from the LTTE! The Tamil groups, TMVP, EPDP, PLOTE, EPRLF, EROS, ENDLF and others, that have abandoned violence in the North and East, should be engaged, supported and guided by the government. Tamil political leaders, Karuna, Siddharthan, Douglas Devananda and others like them have suffered more from the LTTE than any other politician. Their loved ones have been killed and they remain under threat. It is paramount for the current and future governments to continue to work with them and their parties. If we abandon them, some members of these groups will move towards criminality.
Leaders, members and family members of TMVP, EPDP, PLOTE, EPRLF, EROS, ENDLF have suffered extensively at the hands of the LTTE. It is paramount for government to rehabilitate and reintegrate members of these groups. Government should provide them free land, housing and financial and technical assistance to move forward with their lives. Government working with foreign partners, INGOS and NGOS, should ensure that they will never go back to violence and will help develop Sri Lanka
Q: There are serious issues of corruption within the country, and the mechanisms set up to combat corruption, the COPE and the independent commissions have been sidelined by the government. This will have a negative impact, not only on our economy, but also on our reputation as a democratic country?
A: No country can develop without eliminating corruption. Today, corruption is the biggest challenge facing India and China. After ending terrorism, the next biggest challenge Sri Lanka is facing is corruption. Government must re-examine this whole issue of corruption and move rapidly. It is paramount to develop the legal framework to seize assets and give long sentences for corruption. For politicians engaged in corruption, it must institute the death penalty.
Q: Normally, after a war, the size of the military is reduced and the focus is on building special units like commandos and special forces. But the government is planning an increase in numbers?
A: As there is no substitute for development, government should transform the existing military into a development army. Already, the military is moving in this direction. Furthermore, government has plans to build roads, refurbish water tanks, establish industrial parks and develop agriculture in the northeast. As intelligence is the spearhead of counter terrorism, Government should expand their military intelligence and national intelligence. Government must maintain its elite forces, especially the special forces and commandos, and to maintain its readiness, should help other governments to fight terrorism globally.
The Sri Lankan military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are a national treasures. All those who fought and assisted in the fight should be given a piece of land. Increasing the military strength is acceptable, as long as they continue to play an important role in national development.
Q: What do you think of the Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka?
A: The time for ethnic entrepreneurship is over. We must not encourage divisive and ethnic politics. By sowing the seeds of ethnic hatred, an entire generation has suffered. The Tamil leaders must grasp this great moment in history. They must build bridges and work with the Muslim and Sinhala leaders. There is no better opportunity to work together to help the community that has most suffered in Sri Lanka, the Tamils. Tamil leaders have a huge responsibility to ensure that Tamils do not suffer anymore.
The late Appapillai Amirthalingam, the TULF leader clandestinely groomed Prabhakaran to eliminate and control his opponents. In the mid 1970s, when Alfred Duraiappah was assassinated by Prabhakaran, Prabhakaran was in and out of Amirthalingam’s home. As the LTTE developed its own momentum, the TULF hardliners lost control of Prabhakaran, and ultimately, Prabhakaran returned with vengeance, almost eliminating the entire TULF leadership.
The mainstream parties of Sri Lanka must reach out to the Muslim and Tamil leaders and work with them. Over time, Sri Lanka must move towards a culture of creating and sustaining non ethnic and non religious parties. The time for ethnic and religious politics should come to an end. As Sri Lanka belongs to all, it is a challenge for the Sri Lankan leaders to accept.
LTTE Leader banned from entering Germany
New LTTE leader barred from entering Germany
By Gagani Weerakoon
Persistent attempts by pro-LTTE organisations to bring LTTE’s new de-facto leader Visvanathan Rudrakumaran to Germany in the guise of a humanitarian activist, to address the Tamil community domiciled there have failed with German authorities refusing him entry into the country.
Sources in Germany said Rudrakumaran, who is a US citizen, and another pro-LTTE South Indian film director had been billed as the key speakers at a mass demonstration planned for last weekend, to which some TNA Parliamentarians still living abroad were also to join.
“Tamil Makkal Elutchi Kulu,” a front organisation of the LTTE, was responsible for organising the demonstration, which was to be staged opposite the Federal State Parliament, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) where the largest Tamil community in Germany is living,” sources said.
Meanwhile, the sources also disclosed that German intelligence, ever since the decimation of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, is getting more co-operation than before from the Tamil community about the activities of the LTTE front organisations in Germany.
“Many Tamils here are disappointed with the LTTE and feel that the Tigers deceived them on many occasions. Most Tamils in NRW are now demanding that they be paid back the money they donated to the LTTE believing in their pledge to build a separate state for the Tamils. There had been a number of clashes between the Sri Lankan Tamil community in Germany and the LTTE fund-raisers in the past few months. The NRW tops the illegal fundraising in Germany followed by Berlin,” sources in Germany said.
They also noted that the number of cases reported of Tamil houses being robbed by unidentified gangs also has increased rapidly in the recent past.
“Strangely, these gangs only robbed money and gold. In one instance, they have robbed 20 kilos of gold from a house belonging to a Tamil in Berlin. But none of these victims has made complaints to the German police in fear of being taxed, and income tax authorities could take tough actions against those people who did not reveal their assets,” they said.
The LTTE is under continuous watch by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungschutz) due to its being listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union.
“However, its front organisations are continuing to operate, without any hindrance, from the law enforcing authorities, in Germany. We believe the decision not to allow Rudrakumanran entry into Germany was a wise move made by the Government of Germany to avoid any future embarrassment of being accused of aiding the activities of the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world,” they said.
By Gagani Weerakoon
Persistent attempts by pro-LTTE organisations to bring LTTE’s new de-facto leader Visvanathan Rudrakumaran to Germany in the guise of a humanitarian activist, to address the Tamil community domiciled there have failed with German authorities refusing him entry into the country.
Sources in Germany said Rudrakumaran, who is a US citizen, and another pro-LTTE South Indian film director had been billed as the key speakers at a mass demonstration planned for last weekend, to which some TNA Parliamentarians still living abroad were also to join.
“Tamil Makkal Elutchi Kulu,” a front organisation of the LTTE, was responsible for organising the demonstration, which was to be staged opposite the Federal State Parliament, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) where the largest Tamil community in Germany is living,” sources said.
Meanwhile, the sources also disclosed that German intelligence, ever since the decimation of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, is getting more co-operation than before from the Tamil community about the activities of the LTTE front organisations in Germany.
“Many Tamils here are disappointed with the LTTE and feel that the Tigers deceived them on many occasions. Most Tamils in NRW are now demanding that they be paid back the money they donated to the LTTE believing in their pledge to build a separate state for the Tamils. There had been a number of clashes between the Sri Lankan Tamil community in Germany and the LTTE fund-raisers in the past few months. The NRW tops the illegal fundraising in Germany followed by Berlin,” sources in Germany said.
They also noted that the number of cases reported of Tamil houses being robbed by unidentified gangs also has increased rapidly in the recent past.
“Strangely, these gangs only robbed money and gold. In one instance, they have robbed 20 kilos of gold from a house belonging to a Tamil in Berlin. But none of these victims has made complaints to the German police in fear of being taxed, and income tax authorities could take tough actions against those people who did not reveal their assets,” they said.
The LTTE is under continuous watch by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungschutz) due to its being listed as a terrorist organisation by the European Union.
“However, its front organisations are continuing to operate, without any hindrance, from the law enforcing authorities, in Germany. We believe the decision not to allow Rudrakumanran entry into Germany was a wise move made by the Government of Germany to avoid any future embarrassment of being accused of aiding the activities of the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world,” they said.