The Island OPINION Tuesday 13th January, 2009 Views LETTERS 7 Smashing a private TV A greeting station is most foul card with a

t’s almost 15 years since hear nothing” stance. It is their religious beliefs media man, the late Mr. therefore no surprise that become secondary. difference IRichard de Zoysa, was crime is galloping at an During civil wars, murdered or rather slaugh- alarming rate. weapons and uniforms of r. ‘Kattadiya’ writ- ter and his naked body was It is reported in the dead soldiers and insur- ing to ‘The Island’ dumped on the sea beach. media that there are 580 gents which are lost or spir- Mof 6/1 has Up to date no one has been million firearms floating ited away, or hidden away prits are allowed to go scot- had met their waterloo at expressed his genuine sur- accused or arrested for this all over the world-averag- are retrieved and sold later free as they did many years Armour Street. prise when he received a foul deed. As usual, the ing, one weapon for every to the underworld crimi- ago when Mr. Richard de Today, the 9th, another New Year greeting card police department is in the seventh person on this nals to be used against law- Zoysa was abducted from media man Mr. Lasantha with the figures of two dev- dark (and still they seem to planet. Today there are abiding citizens. his residence in the pres- Wickrematuge - Chief ils wishing him well and be in the same situation civil wars in many coun- Smashing a private TV ence of his mother, the late Editor of The Leader has invoking all devils to save when-ever daring crimes tries and youngsters are station to satisfy the ego- Dr. Mrs. Savaranamuttu been shot and as usual the him from all evil. Mr. ‘Kattadiya’ asks: are committed, especially being trained in using the ism of crooked men will be and murdered. This lady Police is in the ‘Dark’. It at night and early dawn most modern firearms. a blot on the current ‘Don’t we believe that the doctor however, had some seems that our country is conversant with Muslim when security is very Once these youngsters have administration. All the devil brings all evil?’ He satisfaction when she going back to the ‘Jungle thinking on this subject tight). Funny, politicians of human targets on their good work that they have adds: ‘If so, is it correct to revealed in a news report Rule’. appeal to the devil to save and perhaps some Moulawi all hue adopt the now weapon’s view finder they done so far for the country that some of the suspects Bernard O de Silva us from evil and disasters?’ will explain. famous ‘I see nothing, I loose all human values and will go to naught if the cul- Both Christians and Buddhists’ belief in dev- Buddhists believe in devils. ils is proved by the The devil is the biggest Aataanatiya Sutra chanted enemy of God and ever by Buddhist monks with recently retired since the devil was created maximum noise and even from the post of How rational are we? by the Almighty it has been firecrackers to frighten the senior dental sur- was disheartened to read that these passengers who conve- the creator’s biggest devils. In areas where loud- geon, Dental bus travellers had thought it niently offer notes? From where headache. Adam did not speakers are available the Institute, and who observe that the form of the volume is set to maximum! is now practicing Ifit to air their grievance that could this conductor find coins bus conductors do not refund a on a regular basis? Certainly not human female, unlike her If not for the Supreme in Borella. He told Court order to stop noise rupee once they tender a ten from any bank, and not from any mind and spirit, is the most me that the tusks pollution after 10 p.m. we rupee note for a Rs. 9/- fare. Let beggars who treat small denomi- challenging loveliness in all are the elephant’s would have still heard this us view this problem dispassion- nations with contempt - (and let God’s creations until the canine teeth. If devil, in the form of a ser- Sutra, especially at mid- ately. The facts as stated are true the donor know it!). PMAL contacts a pent pointed to Eval. But night, because that is said and there is no dispute on this Let us concede that the respon- first year dental when Adam tasted the for- to be the hour at which the score. sibility rests squarely on the pas- student, he or she bidden fruit, God got very devil is most powerful. is sure to clear Who should shoulder the sengers to find the correct fare - angry and all of us are born PMAL’s doubts. blame for this imbroglio? There or keep silent if the balance coin sinners as a result - whatev- Jayatissa Perera, His statement are two parties involved - the con- is not returned. We as a nation er the logic of it is! I am not Bambalapitiya. that I have advised ductors and the passengers. A love to complain and grumble - readers to slaugh- hapless conductor on a working let us be grateful that conductors ter animals and eat day may have to contend with a give us an opportunity to indulge meat is an untruth. minimum of 400 passengers even in this exercise. With the short- Never in my life if he runs four return trips. Can age of coins soon, ‘Maru salli” Kilinochchi victory! have I advised any any reasonable person expect will be called ‘Amaru salli”. person to slaughter him to start the day with 400 Aegee Abeywickrama he whole nation Some are alleged murder- any living being. Never in my life rupee coins ready to proffer to salutes and rejoices ers with pending cases in have I advised any person to con- Tin the victory of our courts - ironically holding Tusks of sume flesh. PMAL gives the brave soldiers - from the ministerial posts with all impression to the readers that Army Commander, Lt Gen. perks, inclusive of housing Great King Devanampiyatissa who , to the low- allowances, etc. Some ruled the whole of for Well said ‘The Island’ est ranking soldier for the charged for fraud, forgery Elephants courage, determination, and you name any crime, a more that 30 years was a non-vege- tarian. I am not sure whether the ongratulations for your al. We Sri Lankans will be very and dedication to take back politician is said to be at above mentioned king consumed most outstanding, superb fortunate. But with my long expe- the land that was pirated the bottom of it. are their meat prior to the visit of Arhant Cand forthright editorial on rience I have my gravest doubt if by the LTTE. Thinking This victory should be Mahinda thero to Sri Lanka. But Christmas eve 2008! Your bold they will ever dare. back on the origin of this the beginning of the next after the great king became a and candid statement titled, ‘Of Anyway it is left in the hands conflict, one should feel sad major offensive against Buddhist following the visit of those quarrelling three arms’, of the masses, the electorate at to see thousands of young another kind of terrorism canine lads, killed, maimed and facing this country which Arhant Mahinda Thero, he had gives the gist (in brief) of all that large, to take what is explained in wounded on both sides - is corruption, bribery and been a complete vegetarian for the happened in this so-called this editorial into their heads Sinhalese and Jaffna lawlessness. next 30 years. The great king using Paradise Isle since the early 1970s and act right, come the next teeth Tamils, for the fault of our Editors of newspapers, his regal powers had prohibited all to date, politically and socially. provincial or general or presi- politicians, both Sinhala specially ‘The Island” had refer to the article by P. M. A. his subjects. (i.e. Sinhalese) from The end result has been that gov- dential election. Instead if they and Tamil, who could not voiced these sentiments Latiff (PMAL) appearing in killing animals. All his subjects ernment after government has still keep on licking the dirty keep the nation together. over and over again in your journal dated 31st I had been vegetarians for the next taken the country and its people boots of politicians of all camps With this victory, let us not scathing language but with December 2008. PMAL’s article 30 years. for a right royal ride. All govern- for their personal benefit, gain rejoice over the van- what effect? The nomina- contains many misconceptions. It is common knowledge among ments have made the masses and satisfaction, well, the coun- quished but give serious tions to the Provincial PMAL insists that the tusks of students of history that all our ‘gonala anduwa’. try and the nation will be the bad thought to building nation- Councils, Central and elephants are not teeth. PMAL Sinhala Kings prohibited the Needless to write pages and loser at the end of the day. al unity. This could be done Wayamba, shows that the should refer to any recognised dic- slaughter of cattle. Any person pages - but this single editorial Over to you the general elec- or achieved by weeding out powers that be are immune tionary (e.g Oxford , Cambridge or who had got caught consuming reveals it all in the most simple torate - specially citizen Perera politicians who are cor- to public opinion. When Webster’s dictionary) which says beef (‘GERIMAS”) were demoted and palatable manner. If our and citizen Silva. rupt. If one looks at the will we come out of this that elephants tusks are two of its to the lowest caste (Rodiya caste). politicians of all parties as well present set of quagmire? teeth. I contacted a very Senior D P Atukorale politicians/parliamentari- Consultant Dental Surgeon who as present rulers are honest they Ranjith C. Dissanayake ‘Gadol’ 7 ans, whom do we find? can take a leaf out of this editori- Battaramulla. Wining on War Front and Losing on Other Fronts

By Col R Hariharan of delaying positions. The two major kept free of LTTE. We can expect the es and opinions must be brought into a checkpoints. In spite of that how two security forces axes of advance are: holding formations and other task political process to reach a political motorcycle borne gunmen who repeat- Victory in the war front from the northeast along A35 road from forces not actively involved in offensive solution that Tamils inside and outside edly shot at the editor and escaped is a n just a week after the fall of Paranthan-Murasamoddai- operations to undertake this task. of Sri Lanka see as legitimate. mystery. And he is not the first journal- Kilinochchi, the Sri Lanka security Puthukkudiyiruppu-Mullaitivu and The LTTE has reported killing seven “This will help assure Tamils that ist to be killed in Sri Lanka. Iforces captured Elephant Pass, the from south/southwest on a broad front people including three air force person- their rights are protected, that they Of significance is that last stronghold of the Liberation Tigers covered by Oddusuddan-Mulliyavalai- nel in a Claymore mine attack between have a say over important areas of Wickrematunge was a vociferous critic of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the A9 Tanniyuthu. The army commander is Pankulam and Morawewa (22 km from their lives in geographical areas in of the Rajapaksa regime’s policies Kandy-Jaffna highway, the vital lifeline said to be concentrating 50,000 troops – Trincomalee on the road to which they predominate, and that they including the war and governance in of the Northern Province on January 9. that is about four divisions minus – for Anuradhapura). Similar small scale are an integral and respected part of an the process courting the wrath of the This was not unexpected as Elephant the offensive, where the LTTE is report- attacks are likely to increase. undivided Sri Lanka. At the same time, Rajapaksa brothers and Lt Gen Pass was becoming unviable to defend ed to be having 6000 defenders. So it is not surprising the police are such as process would further delegit- Fonseka. There is no confirmation that as the security forces pressed on their Already 58 Division advancing along picking up suspicious Tamil youth in imize and erode the support of the any government agency was involved in offensive after capturing Paranthan in A35 axis has encountered the first smaller towns in vulnerable areas. One LTTE in Sri Lanka and abroad. made it his killing. But what the public per- the south on January 1. LTTE position in Murasamoddai which can only hope of their organised a point to The U.S. believes that a last- ceive is very important and unless a According to the defence sources, probably extends up to Vaddakachchi to release after the screening process to ing, sustainable peace can best be transparent investigation is done and the final assault on Elephant Pass came its south. 58 Division claimed recover- lessen the heartburn of the affected achieved if the Sri Lankan Government the guilty are brought to book, public with 58 Division entering the Elephant ing 11 bodies of LTTE cadres and some families. works now to reach a political solution suspicion will centre on government Pass causeway from the south to link mines and equipment in the area. Failure on other fronts that addresses the aspirations of all Sri agencies. So how the government con- up with 53 and 55 divisions advancing Similarly troops operating south of If President Rajapaksa’s strategy Lankans, including Tamils, Muslims, ducts itself is very important if it is from the north, capturing Pallai and Murasamoddai have also come in con- had worked well on the war front, his and Sinhalese.” serious about free media which Iyakachi one after the other. tact with LTTE. Along the southern strategies appear to be not working at All that the government can think of President Rajapaksa has referred to in As President axis Task Force 4 and 59 Division are all on two fronts vital to sustain the is to harp on the All Party Committee his condolence message on the killing. said, with the fall of Elephant Pass, the poised to take on Mullaitivu; presum- military gains over the long term. to evolve a consensus on the devolution. It is difficult to believe that the entire route from Point Pedro in ably there will be some coordination of These are the political front and the With most of the major political parties President cannot achieve success if he Jaffna coast to the Dondra Head in the operations on both the axes of advance human rights front. not participating in the APC delibera- makes up his mind to trigger the politi- southern tip of Sri Lanka is now fully for finally taking on On the political front, just as expect- tions, it has become a big joke. The con- cal process as well as set right the dis- under government control after more Puthukkudiyiruppu/Chundikkulam- ed already , the US, Japan and the tinued inaction on this front is likely to mal human rights record, just as he has than two decades. Regardless of other Mullaitivu where main LTTE assets are EU have asked for starting the political be used by the LTTE to light of the done in his war of “liberation” as he issues, the President and the security likely to be concentrated. process to resolve the Tamil issues embers of Tamil chauvinism to turn it calls it. Otherwise all the talk of war of forces have shown what they can Security Forces will now be facing speedily. It is significant that they have to its advantage. freedom will be meaningless, not only achieve if they makes up their mind. It the major task of keeping the A9 high- accepted the military successes fait The other front where the govern- to Tamils but all Sri Lankans. And after is a creditable military achievement in way safe from LTTE’s hit and run accompli as possession is three fourths ment is clearly losing is the human all the sweat and blood of soldiers, that successfully coordinating a large scale attacks for free traffic. Already 61 of law. But they would like to expedite rights front. There had been relentless would be a national achievement wast- offensive involving a number of forma- Division, the holding formation, report- the political process that stands pressure on the media, to crush dissent. ed. tions. There were a few hiccups, but ed killing four LTTE cadres who had grounded. All means are being used. Even BBC (Col. R Hariharan, a retired Military wars are always full of imponderables. been operating in area Pampaimadu. The US has probably articulated news is under unannounced censorship Intelligence specialist on South Asia, Now the focus of the war is on Probably politically it will be appropri- their view best: “The United States does despite being hosted by the Sri Lanka served as the head of intelligence of the Mullaitivu where the LTTE hopes to ate to open the A9 highway for public not advocate that the Government of Broadcasting Corporation. The latest Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri offer major resistance. Probably this use as early as possible. And in all like- Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a victim of calculated violence against Lanka 1987-90.He is associated with the was conditioned by the requirement to lihood safe public passage can take group designated by the United States the media is the brutal killing of South Asia Analysis Group and the provide sufficient linear space for dis- place only when at least about three to since 1997 as a Foreign Terrorist Lasantha Wickrematunge shot in broad Chennai Centre for China Studies. rupting the advance of the security five-mile stretch on both sides of the Organization. However, we do believe day light in a busy thoroughfare near E-mail:[email protected]) ! forces towards Mullaitivu with a series entire highway is totally sanitised and that a broad range of other Tamil voic- Colombo, a city bristling with police