SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 19 News Feature

Opinion Atrocities by LTTE terrorists Sept 29 - Oct 5

It is still fresh in people’s minds how LTTE terrorists carried out some of the most brutal bomb attacks and massacred Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim civilians during their three decades of terror.

The Sunday Observer graphic series highlights how the Tigers UNHCR action impedes carried out brutal acts of terror in the guise of so-called liberation until they were crushed militarily by our valiant Security Forces on May 18, 2009.

Sept 29, 1996: Vice Chairman, Vakarai reconciliation in Lanka Pradeshiya Sabha, Kandiah Amirthalingam was killed by Tiger terrorists in Oddamavadi.

Sept 29, 1998: An LTTE missile attack downed Lionair Flight 602, killing 55 people on board.

Sept 29, 2008: A bomb explosion damaged several vehicles at the parking lot in Front Street, Pettah leaving two persons injured. The time bomb was placed under a van. Three vans, two cars, three trishaws, a lorry and two motorcycles were damaged.

Sept. 30, 1990: LTTE cadres hacked to death nine Sinhalese villagers at Peraweltalawa, Maha Oya, Ampara. Oct. 1, 1992: LTTE terrorists attacked the Konwewa detachment, Welioya and simultaneously threw hand grenades into the bunkers of villagers, killing 15 civilians and injuring nine others.

Oct. 1, 2006: Tiger terrorists, ignoring all universally accepted principles, exploded a grenade outside the office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Jaffna.

Oct. 1, 2007: Three Airmen and a civilian were injured in an LTTE claymore mine attack targeting an armoured personnel carrier in Vavuniya.

Oct. 2, 1990: LTTE terrorists shot dead seven Sinhalese Farmers in the North harvesting onions. villagers and set fire to 39 houses in Vahalkada, Padaviya. by K.M.H.C.B. Kulatunga Forces. This was a large-scale the eyes of the international No other country has human rights to exert pressure Oct. 2, 2008: An attempt by Tigers to blast a power Australian Prime Minister lie masterminded by the LTTE community with a bold speech bounced back so quickly after on the countries which do not transformer in Kokavil was averted by troops guarding it, Tony Abbott’s recent remarks rump to discredit the Security at last week’s United Nations such a bitter battlefield experi- dance to their melody. despite injuries received by the troops in the grenade explosion. on Sri Lanka, especially on the Forces which had conducted General Assembly. ence and the advancement Sri Lanka does not wish to Terrorists mingling with the public in the area lobbed a hand progress of the Lessons Learnt themselves in an exemplary Although the role of the made by Sri Lanka on the help legitimize a flawed pro- grenade towards the transformer and at the troops from a and Reconciliation Committee manner. UN in advancing international areas of development of the cess and have a detrimental distance. Three soldiers sustained injuries following the explosion. (LLRC), should be an eye- But all those wild allega- peace, security and prosperity battle-hit areas and national precedents established. Hence, opener for the West. tions should now come to an is crucial in the contemporary reconciliation has set new it has to respectfully refuse Oct. 3, 1997: SLFP organiser for Jaffna S.P. Tharmalingam The Australian leader, in end after what a widow of the world, in order to gain the world standards. those who urge that Sri Lanka was killed by LTTE gunmen. a recent meeting with Presi- senior most LTTE leader had confidence and goodwill of However, it is sad to not cooperate with the OHCHR dent on disclosed. the international community that certain Western countries investigation. Oct. 3, 2000: National Unity Alliance’s Trincomalee district the sidelines of the United Even Shashirekha, the as a whole, one of the essential conveniently ignore all these The Government has taken candidate M. L. Baithullah, a candidate for the 2000 parliamentary Nations General Assembly in widow of former LTTE Politi- requirements is consistency and only talk of the human this position after much elections and 20 persons, including four police personnel were New York, has commended cal Wing leader S. P. Thamil- of standards across the board rights of the LTTE terrorists consideration and represents killed and another 49 people were wounded when an LTTE Sri Lanka for its successful selvam, has said that the white without any perception of killed in action. not only the will of the Sri suicide bomber attacked an election rally in Muttur town. implementation of the LLRC flag drama was a total fabrica- selectivity or discrimination. There is an obvious lack Lankan people as reflected in Oct. 3, 2007: Another human disaster planned by the recommendations and the tion. Paris-based Shsashirekha He has further stated that in of balance and proportion the motion recently adopted LTTE was averted when the Security Forces foiled a bid by a country’s ability to maintain a has said that none of the LTTE this context, the current func- in the manner in which Sri in the Parliament with an group of Sea Tiger cadres to enter Trincomalee in a flotilla of 7.8 percent GDP growth. leaders came to surrender to tioning of the system needs Lanka is being targeted today, overwhelming majority, but boats through Pulmoddai. An LTTE boat carrying explosives the Security Forces waving fresh examination in order to disregarding these significant also the majority within the was destroyed in the fighting. LLRC white flags and those claims enhance its credibility. achievements. This approach Human Rights Council, who are far from the truth. To be successful, this pro- is in sharp contrast with the refused to support Opera- “The fact that the LLRC Shashirekha had further cess must involve de-politici- approach to deeply disturbing tional Paragraph 10 of HRC Oct. 4, 2006: LTTE's attempt to target civilian lives was foiled is going so well is a credit to said that LTTE leader Velu- sation of the UN systems and situations involving humani- resolution 25/1 which created as the STF bomb disposal squad defused a powerful claymore you,” Prime Minister Abbott pillai Prabhakaran, under mechanisms and they must tarian emergencies elsewhere. an OHCHR investigation on mine lying in a garbage pile in Wellawatte. The claymore was quoted as telling President no circumstances, had given Sri Lanka in March this year. weighing 15 kg discovered by a scrap iron collector during Rajapaksa when the two lead- permission to any of the sec- his morning rounds, would have claimed several innocent lives had it been blown off. ers met in New York. Abbot tional leaders to surrender to Urgent attention has said that it was a remark- the advancing Security Forces The international community has able achievement of Sri Lanka by waving white flags. Her The international commu- Oct. 5, 2000: At least 12 persons were killed to maintain a 7.8 per cent stunning disclosure has greatly a greater responsibility to look nity has a greater responsibil- and over 40 injured when a LTTE suicide GDP growth with the poten- perturbed the LTTE rump into urgent world issues, rather ity to look into urgent world bomber blew himself attempting to enter a tial of it increasing further and the Tamil Diaspora in the issues, rather than poking People’s Alliance election meeting at the before the end of the year. West. than poking their fingers in Sri their fingers in Sri Lanka. Medawachchiya bus stand, which was being At a cordial discussion, the Lanka. With all the calamities and With all the calamities and addressed by the Health and Indigenous two leaders caught up on a White flags afflictions around us today, Sri Medicine Deputy Minister Tissa Karaliyadda. range of matters of bilateral afflictions around us today, Sri Lanka is clearly not in a situa- interests. President Rajapaksa Thamilselvam’s wife’s bold Lanka is clearly not in a situation tion that needs the urgent and Oct. 5, 2004: LTTE terrorists murdered two Muslim civilians has briefed the Australian statement is an eye-opener to immediate attention of the who were returning after prayers in Welikanda. The victims were Prime Minister on recent the West and all those who that needs the urgent and imme- UNHRC. identified as 45-year-old M.S. Mohomadu and 42-year-old developments in Sri Lanka in try to level war crimes allega- diate attention of the UNHRC. Obviously, there are greater U. Kudduth. They were shot and killed at point-blank range, the economic and develop- tion against Sri Lanka’s valiant issues and grave conditions allegedly by LTTE cadres who arrived on a motorbike. One of ment sectors as well as ongo- Security Forces. The white flag Obviously, there are greater that need the urgent attention the victims was a school teacher and the other a farmer. ing reconciliation work. The incident is a concocted story of the UNHRC. two leaders also discussed initiated by the LTTE rump issues and grave conditions that Sri Lanka is continuing on a Oct. 6, 1987: LTTE cadres shot dead 27 Sinhalese villagers bilateral cooperation between with a clear motive of levelling need the urgent attention of the transformative journey in the at Sagarapura in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee. the two countries. Australia war crimes charges against interest of all the people of Sri has thanked Sri Lanka for the Security Forces. But the UNHRC. Lanka. its assistance to curb people then Army Commander What Sri Lanka needs at smuggling issues. has constantly this juncture is to be encour- The Australian Prime Min- denied such allegations, claim- stop being hostage to different There are multiple chal- aged, and not impeded. Sri ister has said the credit for ing that none of the LTTE forms of funding. lenges that still remain to be Lanka does not need self- the smooth functioning of the leaders came to surrender Human rights are being addressed - the moral and appointed arbitrators or judges LLRC to strengthen national waving white flags during the used as a tool to implement practical importance of creat- but sincere partners in its rec- reconciliation should go to the final phase of the humanitar- motivated agendas with no ing an equitable world and a onciliation drive. Lankan leader. ian operation at Nandikadal understanding or appreciation sustainable planet for this pur- The Government's prin- Maj. General Janaka Dr. John Pulle When certain Western lead- lagoon. of the complexity of issues pose cannot be ignored. cipled opposition to the Perera and wife and wife ers continue to harp on the The UN and the UNHRC in the countries concerned. The Commonwealth, of OHCHR investigation stems human rights of the LTTE ter- has been used more often than Human rights should be rec- which Sri Lanka is the current from several well founded Oct. 6, 2008: A bomb explosion carried out by the LTTE in rorists killed during the Secu- not to discredit Sri Lanka and ognised by all as a moral and Chair in Office, accounts for concerns - it’s politically moti- Anuradhapura killed 28 persons, including Chief Ministerial rity Forces relentless battle exert undue pressure for the ethical concept rather than as over one quarter of the UN vated agenda, it challenges the candidate for the North Central Provincial Council, Maj. General against terrorism to save 21 ‘sin’ of becoming the first and a political tool. membership. sovereignty and independence Janaka Perera and his wife. More than 86 people were injured million Sri Lankans, the views the only country to eradicate External intervention with- of a member state of the UN, following the suicide bomb attack inside the UNP office near the expressed by the Australian terrorism. If the godfathers of out adequate consideration of Pressure it violates a fundamental Old Bus Stand. UNP Anuradhapura district organiser Dr. John Pulle, Prime Minister are food for the world peace are since with the structures in a society and principle of international law, UNP Legal Advisor and Attorney-at-Law A.C.S. Hameed, North thought. Especially the coun- what they preach, they should cultural traditions of the coun- They have endorsed the which requires that national Central Provincial Council UNP member Shantha Dissanayake tries which use the UNHRC grab Sri Lanka’s expertise and tries where such intervention central focus on the eradica- remedies have to be exhausted and UNP Provincial Council candidate Subashi Charles were as a platform to use human the first-hand experience to takes place, inevitably results tion of extreme poverty and before resorting to interna- among others killed. rights as a tool to meddle in crush international terrorism. in destabilisation, which is re-affirmed commitment to tional mechanisms. internal matters of Sri Lanka Instead, certain Western very much in evidence today, sustainable development. Moreover, though the The freedom enjoyed by one and all today should open their eyes and countries continue to make a in most parts of the world, as Reducing inequality within UNHRC has pretended that it was achieved due to the supreme sacrifices by the Security Forces, the political have a closer look at what big hue and cry over the so- the President has quite rightly and among countries is one of is helping Sri Lanka, its actions sagacity of President Mahinda Rajapaksa Abort says. called human rights violations. pointed out. the most transformative goals have in effect impeded the and the military strategies of Defence They do not utter a word on that have been proposed by reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Secretary . Wild allegations the numerous instances of Terrorists the Working Group on Sus- The UNHRC, even at this human rights violations com- tainable Development Goals. every late stage and under Ever since the LTTE leader- mitted by the LTTE, especially Sri Lanka has also become We earnestly hope that this the leadership of a new High ship was vanquished at the showing no mercy whatso- an unfortunate victim of ill- goal will serve to enhance the Commissioner, should prove Nandikadal lagoon little over ever to the lives of 21 million conceived agendas of some in voice and representation of its transparency. We will never five years ago, the LTTE rum people. the UNHRC, who pay scant developing countries in deci- allow the UNHRC to meddle and a section of the Tamil regard to the substantial prog- sion making. When there are in internal matters of our Diaspora said that some LTTE Crucial ress achieved by Sri Lanka, in critical world issues should be country or take action against leters who came to surrender reconstruction, rehabilitation addressed on a priority basis, the country’s sovereignty waving white flags had been President Mahinda Raj- and reconciliation within a a section of the international in the guise of investigating shot dead by the Security apaksa has once again opened short span of five years. community only talk about human rights violations. GRAPHIC BY MAHIL WIJESINGHE