Sent: Sunday, February 25, 2007 8:49 AM
Subject: Fw: Who are the terrorists in Sri Lanka?
Independent Australian Weekly
SRI LANKA:
Who are the terrorists in Sri Lanka?
by a special correspondent (Web Link:
http://www.newsweekly.com.au/articles/2007feb03_s.html )
The Tamil Tigers are notorious for the long and bloody "war of liberation" they
have waged on behalf of Sri Lanka's Tamil minority. Less well-known, according
to News Weekly's special correspondent, is the relentless oppression of the
Tamils by the majority Sinhalese.
It looks as if war is on again in Sri Lanka and, as usual, it is mostly civilian
flesh being torn from the bone. Bombs are exploding in schools or under buses,
corpses are floating in wells, aid workers are being shot, refugees shelled and
children deprived. And, given the filtering of media by the Sri Lanka Government
and the current preoccupation with "terrorism", it is only natural that people
should blame the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
But things are not that straightforward in Sri Lanka. Certainly, the Tamil
Tigers have earned a reputation for ruthless prosecution of their "war of
liberation" beyond the frontiers of their claimed traditional homeland in the
north and east of the island, and well in breach of the Geneva Convention. And,
if to earn the title of "terrorist" means to have terrorised the enemy, the
Tigers have earned that appellation from the United States, Australian and other
governments.
There are, however, things not well known in Australia that should be considered
before lumping the Tigers with Al Qaeda and other threats to Western
civilisation and concluding, as the media would suggest, that they are the only
source of violence in Sri Lanka.
Tamil oppression in Sri Lanka
The first is something of the history of racial oppression in Sri Lanka of the
Tamil minority by the Sinhalese majority. It is an ugly story, based on
different races with their own languages, customs and religions.
The Tamils are mostly Hindu; the Sinhalese, Buddhist. The Tamils derive from a
Dravidian race in south India. The Sinhalese claim an "Aryan" origin. The Tamils
claim the flat north-east as their historical habitation; the Sinhalese, the
mountains and plains of the south west.
The Tamils once comprised about 20 per cent of the population but great numbers
have fled. The Sinhalese comprise about 70 per cent of the population, and
Muslims about 5 per cent.
The Tamils were more open to colonial influence, especially education and the
English language, perhaps because their less fertile region made them more
dependent on commerce. As a result, they were disproportionately successful
until independence from Britain in 1948.
After independence, governments of the Sinhalese majority began to enact
"Sinhala only" legislation: making Sinhala the official language, restricting
Tamil access to university education and employment, enforcing Buddhism as the
dominant religion, and reducing economic development of many Tamil lands while
settling Sinhalese in others.
Opposition to Sinhalese rule was inflamed by a Prevention of Terrorism Act which
rendered the police and armed forces unaccountable and a Sixth Amendment which
prohibited any public promotion of Tamil autonomy in the north-east. To Tamil
resentment was added the fear of violent race riots, culminating in the terror
of July 1983 when mobs sought and killed Tamils and destroyed their property,
navigating with electoral lists Tamils believed to have been supplied by
government sources.
A contemporary report said: "The violence was vicious and bloody. … In Colombo,
groups of rioters hit only at shops and factories, as well as homes owned by
Tamils. Their careful selectivity is apparent now. In each street, individual
business premises were burnt down, while others alongside stood unscathed.
Troops and police (almost all Sinhalese) either joined the rioters or stood idly
by." (Financial Times, August 12, 1983).
Perhaps 3,000 Tamils died in that onslaught which continued for almost a week.
Tens of thousands sought refuge overseas or in the north of the island. Many
concluded the terror was genocidal and the government complicit. Many youths saw
no alternative to joining the armed struggle for some kind of Tamil liberation
in the north-east.
Tamil resistance to the racial laws had begun with their enactment, but no
progress was discerned at the political level and, by the 1970s, young people
had became radicalised by lack of opportunity, and inspired for action by "wars
of liberation" in other countries and, ironically, by the example of the
Marxist-Leninist insurrection by Sinhalese against Sinhalese in the south of the
island.
One such young person was Velupillai Prabakharan, from north of Jaffna, whose
group in 1976 was renamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Under his
single-minded leadership, the LTTE gained such strength in the succeeding 15
years that it not only dominated the Tamil resistance and prevailed against the
Sinhalese military, but humiliated the regional superpower, India, in a
guerrilla war after India's army had entered the north-east, and the theoretical
goal of bringing peace to the Tamils had deteriorated into rape, pillage and war
with the LTTE.
After the Indian army withdrew in 1990, India's Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit
reluctantly praised the leadership of his adversary, Prabakharan:
"I cannot help but acknowledge his deep idealism and his political and military
skills …. Events over the years have shown him as an accomplished political
strategist and military tactician, qualities strengthened further by his
forbearance and his capacity for survival."
Somewhat wistfully, Dixit concluded, "His surviving [the Indian peace-keeping
force's military operations] and carrying on his struggle [have] made him a folk
hero among his people."
This "folk hero" is still leading the LTTE in a struggle for at least Tamil
autonomy in some kind of federal arrangement, if not independence, in north-east
Sri Lanka. He leads a military force whose most feared weapon are the ranks of
Kamikaze soldiers and sailors, but he also leads a de facto government which
administers the territory, provides schools, orphanages, hospitals and courts of
law.
Because the LTTE has not renounced violence or terrorism, according to Richard
Armitage, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, it remains listed as a Foreign
Terrorist Organisation.
The role of Buddhism in violence
Contrary to the common perception of Buddhism as a religion of tolerance,
compassion and peaceful withdrawal from the affairs of the world, much of the
racist force against the Tamils has derived from a national-socialist form of
that religion in Sri Lanka that believes it has a duty to re-establish a
Buddhist nation run on socialist lines under the spiritual leadership and
political counsel of the "Sangha", or council of monks.
This strain aims to return to a perceived happier period of communal life around
the temple, the tank (irrigation system) and the paddy which was destroyed,
according to their chronicle of "history" The Mahawamsa, by Tamil invaders who
deserved the physical destruction they received at various times by Sinhala
kings under the spiritual leadership of the Sanghas.
Believing they have been entrusted by Buddha with the preservation of Sri Lanka
from latter day "Yakkas" (a "terrifying demonic race who occupied the island in
vast numbers", whose members are not fit subjects for conversion, as of old),
expulsion remains the only option.
Of course, not all congregations of monks are heeding that call and neither do
all Sinhalese; but, on the other hand, the call for "genocide", publicised on
Lankaweb (August 7, 2006), is not all that surprising.
The author, a D. Kannangara, declares it is "time that we learn from our
history" and notes with approval how the "Mahawamsa describes in great detail
how genocide was used effectively".
He says: "Although brutal, it [genocide] appears the only viable solution to all
our ills, as proved time and time again in [Sri Lanka's] history and the
contemporary history of many stable countries including Turkey, USA, Canada,
Australia, China, Germany, Japan.
"A genocide will solve the terrorist problem for good.
"Without advancing this historically tried and tested solution, there can never
be an end to our problems. We can split hairs about peace, devolution, war,
dhamma, co-existence, etc., without any achievement.
"Unless all cancer cells are exterminated, the sickness will take over the
entire living body. This surgery should be done soon and entirely if we want to
save the patient - the nation."
Whether Tamils are justified in fearing genocide or are merely paranoid may be
argued. Current Sinhalese politicians seek to reassure Tamils they have nothing
to fear in a unitary state. What is undeniable, however, is that many Tamils
have concluded they do face physical and cultural genocide and perceive an armed
resistance to be their only option.
Marxist-Leninist terror
The Sinhalese Marxist-Leninist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), or People's
Liberation Front, was formed in 1965 and led a widespread uprising against the
state in 1971. Many thousands died, including some 15,000 insurgents, before the
uprising was put down by the Government with foreign assistance.
A "capitalist demon" in the JVP march on May Day, 2003
In 1982, the JVP re-emerged as a political force and won some 275,000 votes in
the presidential elections of that year. Although the JVP publicly denounced
violence, the Government proscribed and forced the movement underground for its
alleged role in the 1983 race riots against the Tamils.
It gained more strength and, during 1987-89, launched another revolution that
almost succeeded in crippling the Sinhala state. Possibly as many as 40,000 died
in the revolutionary terror and reprisals. The economy was maimed by violent
strikes, curfews, the destruction of factories, and the disruption of energy and
transport.
Once again, the JVP was crushed militarily, only to flourish politically.
Pursuing the parliamentary road with the social force of Sinhala nationalism,
but without renouncing any of its ideological roots, the JVP has grown in recent
years.
In the 2000 general elections it gained 10 seats; in 2001, 16; and in 2004, 39
seats, including four ministries. It has established itself as a major political
force in the governing coalition.
The JVP is at the forefront of rejection of any compromise with Tamil
initiatives for any kind of self-government in the Sri Lanka's north-east.
According to its published theory, "We Marxists, we proletarian revolutionaries,
oppose the division of the country and decentralisation …
Our teacher Marx was called a great centralist by his greatest disciple himself,
Lenin. Yes, this is correct. We Marxists are centralists."
Quoting Lenin, the JVP declares "federalism" should only be a transitional step
towards a rigid centralisation of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and never
a step that could weaken that goal.
The JVP campaigns for the proscription of the Tamil Tigers: they should be
declared illegal, neither recognised nor consulted, and crushed, if necessary,
by the "military option".
The JVP has campaigned, apparently with success, for the "de-merging" of the
northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka which had been merged into one region
of administration by the Indo-Sri Lankan Accords of 1987 in recognition of the
historical habitation of Tamils.
Destruction of this principle of Tamil "autonomy" has been a long-standing goal
of Sinhala nationalists. Several members of the JVP who petitioned the Supreme
Court against the merger were rewarded, in October 2006, by that court finding
in their favour on a technicality. It is most unlikely the current government
will try to revive the principle, despite India's insistence.
Collusion between the Marxist-Leninists and Buddhists
A common interest in Sinhala nationalism has, itself, encouraged a working
alliance between the Marxist-Leninists and Buddhists, but for some the union is
much deeper.
In a parallel with Liberation Theology, in which some Christians "contextualised"
the Bible to Marxist theory, some Buddhists find theoretical concord with those
teachings. Both look back to an imagined communal beginning and perceive
progress to an egalitarian future under the leadership of an elite both
enlightened and guided by history, on the one hand, and justified in the use of
violence, including terror, against opposition to that goal.
Monks, therefore, have been in the front ranks of JVP violence and temples have
provided haven for cadres and the hiding for weapons. There was once even a "Bikkhu"
(Buddhist monk) branch of the JVP!
There is now a political party of monks, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), whose
eight members of parliament have the same program as the JVP for Tamil autonomy:
no form of self-government, and proscription and destruction of the Tigers.
The JVP and the JHU were prominent in the abandonment of an agreement between
the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE regarding foreign aid for reconstruction
of the north-east from the effects of the tsunami.
Though disproportionately affected by the tsunami, the north-east remains
devastated.
Not coincidentally, the JVP and the JHU have promoted bills for "The Prohibition
of Forcible Conversions" which, though pending, could severely restrict the role
of the Christian church in Sri Lanka, endangering such social actions as the
provision of food, shelter, medical care, orphanages, old people's homes and
education. Some Buddhist monks have been in the mobs intimidating congregations
and even destroying church buildings.
State terror
Though not reported widely by the Australian media, Sri Lankan Government
defence forces in recent months have bombed children in schools, refugees in
churches and camps, and civilians at work in the north-east.
Economic blockades remain in force over the entire population of Jaffna in the
north, and over thousands of refugees living in the east. A severe shortage of
medicines and food has compounded the chronic under-nutrition of mothers and
children.
Indiscriminate artillery and mortar fire is wounding civilians, many of whom are
forcibly prevented from fleeing. Currently, Sri Lankan armed forces are
obstructing convoys of food and medicine to over 15,000 refugees in the east.
Notorious "white vans" are abducting Tamils throughout the island and the
re-institution of the Prevention of Terrorism Act ensures their vulnerability.
People are disappearing and dead bodies are being found.
In January, Sri Lankan forces bombarded a refugee camp, killing 15 children
(including seven children under nine), and a pregnant woman, her child and
husband. The Bishop of Mannar, the Rt Rev Rayappu Joseph, declared this to be "a
crime against humanity" and accused the military of a "barefaced lie" for
describing it as an attack against an LTTE installation. He said the only words
he could use to describe the attack was "state terror".
Publicising of Tiger violence is justified, but is best understood in the
context of the widespread state force, currently being invoked by the JVP and
the JHU, but which has been exerted by the mainstream Sinhalese parties for
decades.
A final force for terror
Many millions of dollars are being spent on supplies for the war in Sri Lanka
and there is a shadowy network of politicians, military leaders and
entrepreneurs for whom the loss of kickbacks would render peace an unprofitable
option.
- by a special correspondent.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TNA appeals to international community to back Tamil
self-determination
[TamilNet, Saturday, 24 February 2007, 11:09 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s ongoing military campaign leaves Tamils with no option but to seek
self-determination and self-rule, the country’s largest Tamil party said Friday.
In a statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the Ceasefire Agreement between
the LTTE and the Sri Lankan government, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called
on the international community to recognise the Tamil struggle pointing out that
in the past five years, “the Sri Lankan government has utterly failed to
alleviate the sufferings of the Tamil people. Neither has it contributed
meaningfully to a lasting solution to the national conflict.”
The full text of the TNA statement, signed by Mavai S. Senathirajah on behalf of
the TNA Parliamentary Group, follows:
Sri Lanka’s military campaign leaves Tamils with no option but
self-determination and self-rule
Five years have lapsed since the signing of the Cease fire Agreement (CFA)
between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE). In these five years, the Sri Lankan government has utterly failed to
alleviate the sufferings of the Tamil people. Neither has it contributed
meaningfully to a lasting solution to the national conflict. The SIHRN
(Subcommittee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation in the NorthEast )
formed to address the humanitarian crisis of the people in the Tamil homeland,
the P-TOMS (Post-Tsunami management structure) and the two rounds of
negotiations in 2006 between the LTTE and the government were rendered fiascos
due to the intransigent and hardline position of the Sri Lankan state.
Today, humanitarian and human rights conditions in the Northeast are
deteriorating rapidly as the Sri Lankan government puts its trust on a military
solution to this political conflict. Armed with draconian anti-terrorism laws,
the Sri Lanka state has launched numerous military campaigns in the Northeast,
resulting in the displacement of 213,000 Tamil people. In the same period, over
1561 civilians have been killed and 635 people have disappeared. Meanwhile the
Sri Lankan state justifies these atrocities committed by its armed forces in the
name of protecting its sovereignty.
Although the Ceasefire Agreement came into effect with the strong support of the
international community, the latter's selective engagement in the peace effort
has had the effect of encouraging the Sri Lankan state in its pursuit of a
military solution to the Tamil National question. The international community's
unreflective insistence on 'a united Sri Lanka' and its unwillingness or failure
to take concrete measures to exert pressure on the Sri Lankan state to abandon
its aggression in its pursuit of the military option has contributed to
rendering the CFA meaningless. The simultaneous international proscriptions of
LTTE, imposed at the behest of the Sri Lankan Government, has also contributed
to the resumption of the conflict.
The Sri Lankan state’s nullifying of the Northeast merger, which was part of an
international treaty, the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, seriously calls into question
the trustworthiness of the Sri Lankan state in future negotiations.
In the face of the Sri Lankan state’s insistence on pursuing a military solution
to the Tamil National question, the Tamil people are appealing to the
international community to recognize their struggle for self determination and
self-rule.