LTTE Duplicity in the Presidential Stakes of 2005
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The presidential elections of 2005 saw two candidates before the Tamil people of Sri Lanka. On the one hand there was Mahendra Percival Rajapakse aligned with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP) and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JVP) contesting on a Sinhala hard – line platform .
On the other hand , there was Ranil Wickremasinghe supported by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Up Country Peoples Front (UCPF) and Western Peoples Front (WPF) contesting on a moderate platform.
Rajapakse winning meant a victory for the chauvinist forces among the majority community. It also meant farewell to the fragile peace process and a return to war , this time in search of an “honourable peace”.
A victory for Wickremasinghe too did not guarantee definite peace but it certainly held out the prospects of a negotiated settlement.
Besides a defeat for Wickremasinghe guaranteed one sure thing. The Sinhala hawks would be on the ascendant which in turn would make the Country descend into strife and chaos.
There was also another vital issue. All presidential elections in the past had seen an emphasis on the minority community vote.
Since the entire country formed one vast electorate and the Sinhala votes were more or less divided between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) the votes of the minority communities were seen as crucial in determining the result.
So the chief contenders had always reached out to them. All winners in the past had obtained the bulk of minority votes.
Now for the first time a presidential stakes front runner candidate was going against the grain of this proven wisdom. Rajapakse was appealing to the Sinhala community on a hawkish platform.
Of course he had “minority” hangers on like Douglas Devananda. AHM Athaullah, Riyaz Badurdeen, Sathasivam etc supporting him for cosmetic purposes. But it was apparent that he was relying mainly on Sinhala votes to win.
For this a thinly veiled racist campaign was conducted. The campaign hinged around the allegation that Wickremasinghe had sold the Sinhalese out by entering into a clandestine deal with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
With such clearly drawn battle – lines the minority voters were faced with a virtual Hobsons choice.With Sinhala hegemonism and probability of war on one side and minority accommodation and prospects for peace on the other , was there ever a choice?
Besides the minority communities also had to prove a point to Rajapakse and cohorts that victory was impossible without minority support.As the campaign unfolded it became clear that the Tamils and Muslims were going to vote in large numbers for Wickremasinghe.
It was then that the LTTE intervened on behalf of Rajapakse. It announced that the Tamils of Eelam had no role in the Presidential polls of Sri Lanka. The tigers equated Rajapakse and Wickremasinghe as enemies of the Tamil people.
Anton Balasingham called Wickremasinghe a “cunning fox”. The LTTE wanted the Tamil people to boycott the presidential stakes. No purpose would be served by voting ,said the LTTE ,adopting a lofty posture.
This writer was one of the few Tamils who criticised the LTTE’s announcement and argued strongly that the Tamils should be allowed to vote freely. Among those who called upon the LTTE to call off the boycott were the three Tamil Bishops of the Catholic Church.
It was obvious that the boycott would play havoc with the Presidential stakes. The absence of Tamil votes meant a reduction in Wickremasinghe’s votes and hence an advantage to Rajapakse.
This writer warned the LTTE that a Rajapakse victory would only result in agony, suffering and hardship for the Tamil people. The merits of this warning are felt by the Tamil people now.
The LTTE also realised that the Tamil people would flock to the polling booths to vote for Ranil in spite of the boycott call. This is because the average Tamil had prudently resolved that Wickremasinghe was the “lesser of the two evils” and also that “Rajapakse’s racist cabal” had to be prevented from gaining power.
So the LTTE engaged in violence to frighten and intimidate the Tamils from voting. The bulk of the Tamils who refrained from voting did so unwillingly. They were terrorised into submission.The tigers had not merely called for a boycott but enforced it too.
Rajapakse who garnered around 60% of Sinhala votes won with a flimsy margin. If North – Eastern voters were allowed to vote en masse then Wickremasinghe could have won.
The Up – Country Tamils and Muslims voted in large numbers for Wickremasinghe. Wherever possible Sri Lankan Tamils also voted for the UNP.Still Rajapakse won but with very little minority support.
The Racists began crowing that “Sri Lanka was the land of the Sinhalese” and that Rajapakse had proved minority support was unnecessary for winning.
This was incorrect because had the N- E Tamils voted in bulk the results would have been different. What the poll had demonstrated was that the minority communities could influence the verdict even by default.
A few days after the results this writer gathered bits and pieces of information about an underhand deal between Mahinda and the LTTE and that the boycott was enforced because of that. This was shocking but concrete details were unavailable then.
The name of Tiran Alles transpired as the middleman who enginerred the deal”. Allles got a public bear hug and kisses on both cheeks from Mahinda when he went to congratulate the victor at Temple Trees.
Given the limited information I wrote what was a “speculative” piece on whether the boycott was enforced due to a deal between the LTTE and Mahinda. I posted the piece on my weblog www.transcurrents. com to test the waters. The response was fantastic. No article of mine on the web received so many hits as that one.
At that time I did not have a comments section but my e – mail was available for feedback. There was an avalanche of e – mails from “Sinhala” supporters of Rajapakse and “Tamil” supporters of the LTTE. Both sides criticised me vehemently for even daring to suggest that such a deal could ever have been done.
Usually I update these articles posted on my web and send them for publication in either the Sunday or Morning Leader newspapers. Since this piece was speculative and I did not have concrete details I did not get it published in Colombo.
I also felt it was unfair to expose the Leader to controversy over a speculative article lacking hard facts. It was also amusing to read comments in hawkish websites that “DBS Jeyaraj ” had lost credibility as a result of this piece
Another opportunity arose in February this year. Sripathy Sooriaratchi was making allegations of a Mahinda – LTTE deal and also doling out further titbits of information. Though Rajapakse’s “catchers” denied it and attacked Sooriaratchy there was no doubt that seeds of doubt were being sown in many minds.
Once again to test the waters I re-produced the original article in my weblog. Once again it was widely read. But this time there was a difference. There were practically no e – mails criticising me. The die hard faithfuls were getting enlightened about the clay feet of their idols.
As events took their course and Tiran Alles got targeted it became apparent that there was after all a Mahinda – Koti deal. The involvement of Basil Rajapakse also became common knowledge. More and more details were uncovered.
Last weeks revealing scoop by Sonali Samarasinghe in the “Sunday Leader” and the editorial have provided more insight into the “Mahinda – Koti Givisuma”. People are getting a better perspective of what went on.
There were two matters that puzzled me regarding the LTTE’s conduct regarding the Rajapakse regime. One was the fate of the P- TOMS structure set up for Tsunami reconstruction.The LTTE had for the first time cooperated with Colombo but the courts had stymied it.
The tsunami affected Tamil civilians were left in the lurch. The LTTE could have utilised the opportunity to engage in much propaganda against the state . But the tigers did not do so. Why?
The second was Velupillai Prabakharan’s great heroes day speech on Nov 27th 2005 just 10 days after the Presidential elections. In that the tiger supremo compliments Rajapakse as a “pragmatic” person and promises to give him time to take positive steps to resolve the problem.
Yet within days the LTTE started attacking security forces in the name of the “Makkal padai” or Peoples Force. Why did this happen?
Now the answers are clear. The LTTE did not raise protests over the P-TOMS affair as they were promised more money through other projects like the housing scheme to Emil Kanthan.
Also Tiran Alles being made chief of RADA at that time also indicates many Tsunamil related projects could have been in the pipeline. This explains the silence over PTOMS.
On the question of resuming hostilities what happened seems to be this. The LTTE was promised a lot of things including the handing over of Karuna etc. Some of these promises were implemented.
For instance EPDP leader Douglas Devananda was not given a portfolio relating to the North – East or Tamils or Hindus in particular. He was given Social Services. This was due to LTTE pressure.
Initially the tigers wanted Devananda out of cabinet. Later they relented but laid out a condition that he should not be given portfolios like regional development or Hindu affairs.
Another promise implemented was the release of hard – core LTTE operatives in custody like Kennedy. He was involved in an attack on Palaly military base.
But the Mahinda – Praba deal apparently collapsed due to the Karuna factor. Whether Colombo agreed initially to hand him over was genuine or not is a moot question. Karuna at that point of time was not in Sri Lanka.
It also could have been a genuine promise with scant regard for ramifications involved. But once Sarath Fonseka became army chief and Gotabhaya defence secretary things changed. The Karuna factor became essential for war making. He was indispensable and could not be delivered to the tigers.
Realising this perhaps the LTTE may have lost faith in Rajapakse. Also the finances promised were getting delayed in spite of the pre – election advance payment.
So the LTTE may have exerted pressure through Peoples force attacks but as time went on these events gathered momentum.
The shadow war too commenced in earnest. Still the LTTE was willing to “deal” with Mahinda again to obtain lucrative financial “hand – outs”.
These dislosures reveal that Rajapakse and Prabakharan have reached the nadir as far as political duplicity is concerned. Rajapakse accuses Wickremasinghe of a secret deal with the LTTE whereas it was he who seems to have struck a deal beforehand. The deal was not to promote peace or a negotiated settlement but to ensure his electoral victory.
Rajapakse while publicly maligning the LTTE has been privately” wheeler dealering” with the tigers. Even after the original deal fell through and hostilities resumed Rajapakse has attempted to do a deal with the LTTE by allocating 700 million rupees to a LTTE front organization. Meanwhile a war rages with Tamil civilians suffering immensely.
The LTTE too has shown that it is a master in the politics of duplicity. Whatever his faults Wickremasinghe had tried sincerely to accommodate the LTTE in a peace process.This gave the beleaguered Tamil civilians a much needed respite. For this Wickremasinghe was attacked as having appeased the tigers and betraying the country.
Under these circumstances the LTTE should have backed Wickremasinghe or at least not laid obstacles in his path. Instead the tigers tried to get the UNP leader give an assurance in writing that he would give the LTTE an Interim Self – Governing Authority (ISGA). Wickremasinghe ,to his credit, refused.
Now the LTTE now cuts a deal with Rajapakse. For an organization claiming to fight for the liberation of the Tamil people a man like Rajapakse should have been anathema. But these liberators are very business like literally and metaphorically. So they bargain with his representatives and strike a deal.
In return the LTTE enforces a boycott and ensures Rajapakse’s victory. Later the deal sours. So the LTTE begins a peoples war. Even then the tigers are prepared to do a sordid deal and get money. But things worsen and an undeclared yet full – scale war continues. The Tamil people have suffered in a way never experienced before.
Rajapakse and his cohorts are receiving criticism for their role in this underhand deal. But curiously the LTTE remains a sacred cow. It maintains deafening silence.Prabakharan is praised as a man who cannot be bought. But that is not true.
The reality is that the LTTE has entered into a deal with the likes of Rajapakse in which monetary considerations have played an important part.
If the LTTE deal was only to extract political or military concessions then the tigers could have tried to downplay the implications of this deal. But by accepting filthy lucre the tigers have demeaned themselves. There is no redemption.
Prabakharan got money from Rajiv Gandhi to help work the Indo – Lanka accord. He got assistance from Ranasinghe Premadasa to fight the Indian army. But now money seems to have been obtained to enforce a boycott and help a hardliner like Rajapakse win.
The Tamil people were asked to boycott on a matter of political principle but in reality the LTTE had done a deal with the man portrayed by them as a Sinhala hawk.This is the depth of duplicity.
With the opposition raising the issue the Government is hard pressed to present a defence. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle counters by asking whether the LTTE will issue a statement admitting the existence of a deal and the acceptance of money?
Fernandopulle knows the LTTE would not do so because the tigers too are “partners in crime”. Prabakharan is equally guilty as Rajapakse in this miserable exercise.
As a democratically elected President Rajapakse’s role may be more reprehensible but the self imposed “national leader” of the Tamils also has much to answer for.
Here are two men who entered into a “commercial yet clandestine” deal through their agents. They did so while attacking each other as enemies of their respective nations. Despite these public stances they were not averse to a deal between themselves.
Rajapakse accuses his opponent of doing a deal with the LTTE while entering into one with the tigers secretly. Prabakharan enforces a boycott saying Tamils have nothing to do with the Sinhala presidency after striking a deal to ensure Rajapakses victory.
The deal sours or both betray each other. That does not matter. What matters is that both persons have plunged the Country into an unnecessary war.
The LTTE leader deserves greater condemnation because the Tamil people – whose cause he claims to represent – are suffering the most in this war.
This then is the tragic result of the LTTE’s politics of duplicity in the Presidential stakes of 2005.
DBS Jeyaraj can be contacted on: djeyaraj@federalidea.com
Kurudan said,
July 10, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Western friends of Ranil Uncle and ?Co-Chairs? of the ?Peace Process? were pushing VP into a corner, ?abandon Tamil Eelam?. Suck it up VP, settle for something or else. He could sense the ?war on terror? storm over the horizon. He decided to dock his ship in a relatively safe harbor ?peace process? for a while. Ranil was able to convince the west he will bring peace to Srilanka, if he becomes the president. Neither Ranil uncle nor Mahind mama is going to be the saviors of the Tamils.
I think VP played the game very cleverly,
He knew exactly what he is doing, all he needs a Sinhala hardliner on the other side of the table. VP and the west are now ? observing Mahinda?s political manouvers and actions? .
I am not surprised VP got money from Mahinda, but he did not support Mahinda for money. Mahinda joined the list of democratically elected leaders who gave money to a ?terrorist? and his ?terrorist organization?. I think VP?s whole game started from the day he took out Laksman Kathirgamar!
Bell Vannan said,
July 10, 2007 @ 8:34 am
Well done DBS.
P.Nathan said,
July 10, 2007 @ 8:47 am
‘Karuna at that point of time was not in sri lanka’
How did Karuna get a passport and a visa to travel to another country?To obtain a passport, he would have had to come to colombo and queue up to hand over the application, and be interviewed, and later, to obtain the passport. There are no reports that this was done at the batticaloa divisional secretariat.
Then he would have had to apply for a visa at a foreign embassy/high commission giving reasons for travel,availability of funds/addresses abroad, & proof of intention to return to sri lanka.
Then, he would have had to purchase an air ticket,which involves at least two interviews in a colombo ticket agent’s/air lanka office.All these are difficult exercises, and invove more than two interviews usually.
He would have been recognised from his pictures on the internet and the media as the head of a paramilitary group, by the foreign mission, by the ticketing agent & by the passport authorities & at the airport.
How did he obtain passport, visa and ticket under these circumstances.
jay said,
July 10, 2007 @ 8:53 am
Jayaraj
the following also may be true, who knows
Premadasa financed LTTE not to wage war against him in his period so that he could crush JVP
JVP (while they were banned by UNP) financed LTTE to disrupt the economy and disrupt UNP open economy policies
India financed LTTE god knows why,
South Asian countries (such as Malasia) Financed LTTE to detabilise Srilankan economy and foriegn investment
UK always wanted to prove without their control we browns are bunch of losers, hence finaced LTTE to destroy sri lanka
Thamil diaspora (unknowingly/unwilling) to bring misery to sinhalease after 83 riots(but their own poor and innocent who are suffering the most)
In my eyes whether a poor paddy cultivator in down south of srilanka or a chilli farmer in northern sri lanka both pray the unknown god day and night, please leave us alone, we both had been discrimated by the rich, so long and continuing
Neville de Silva said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:13 am
I was wondering when I first heard of it, why the LTTE was turning against Ranil W. He seemed to be their best bet- a Hobson’s choice perhaps, but from the LTTE point of view a better choice.
You make an useful point-that the LTTE are business-minded people (in more senses that one). That is quite obvious from the many ventures they have launched abroad with the helpful of overseas Tamils.
If all this is true- and the burgeoning information and comments and silence on the part of the main dramatis personae in the government seem to increasingly validate its veracity- this is surely duplicity at its highest and a betrayal of all those who had faith in either side to fulfil its promises to their people.
sen said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:17 am
D.B.S. Jeyaraj, you are courageous person to bring this matter to light. The Self Imposed National Leader and his gang are criminals and experts on Money laundering. It is a common knowledge in Sri Lanka many LTTE leaders are living like Kings by getting money for passes and demanding ransom from business people.
These greedy Tamil leaders are a curse to the Tamils that is why the Tamils are suffering from 1950s?. First GG ponambalm and so called Sir Arunachallm, demanded 50:50 and shut their stupid mouths after getting the lucrative minister posts under a Sinhala leader.
There are plenty of so called Tamil leaders, who have sold the soul of innocent Tamils. It is a shame that Prabahran is following their paths after condemning them. ONLY God can save Tamils.
Siva. said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:17 am
1) Let’s NOT fool ourselves thinking that Ranil would have solved the ethnic problem with JVP, JHU and SLFP in opposition. Ranil doesn’t have a mandate from his own people. He also lost the parliament elections earlier. Without a clear mandate from the Sinhala majority, Ranil wouldn’t have dared to do anything bold to resolve the ethnic problem. After becoming the president, Ranil’s focus would have been on winning the parliament elections and NOT resolving the ethnic conflict. After all, he is just another Sinhala politician.
Even if he were to do something bold, the Sinhala dominated parliament would have ‘impeached’ him or the Sinhala dominated Supreme court would have stopped him. At worst the extremist would have killed him, if they felt Ranil was ’selling’ their country.
I agree with you that there would be ‘peace’ in Sri Lanka but it is neither permanent nor a long lasting one though!
Keep in mind that the election also proved that over 60% of the Sinhalese favor a military solution.
The world bodies started to realized the true colors of Sinhala politicians, thanks to Rajapakse and his brothers.
Let’s also not forget that before the elections
1) UNP M.P. Moragoda said
When asked about the fate of the Karuna Group in the event of Wickremesinghe?s win, Moragoda claimed that the Karuna Group was a product of the peace process of which the UNP was instrumental in creating. Moragoda asserted that the government delegation of the peace talks predicted the creation of Karuna Group.
Fellow UNP leader Naveen Dissanayake also claimed in a recent campaign speech in Hatton that UNP created the Karuna faction.
Moragoda spoke about Wickremesinghe ?creating the right environment? so ?even a cadre who had seen all these positive changes would think twice because he has been offered an alternative to their resolve to die for a cause.? Moragoda insinuated that the ?right environment? is one which undermines the people?s resolve to struggle. Moragoda claimed that the role of the peace process and ?silencing guns, opening roads and removing barricades? will weaken the LTTE, and not offer any means that will engage them in the peace process.
In addition to his statements on weakening the LTTE, Moragoda acknowledged their role in ?intercepting (destroying) several LTTE ships with the help of an international intelligence network.? He added that the SLA will not be downsized and in fact will be built up by acquiring more human and material resources.
Moragoda is right. They may NOT be directly responsible for the breakage but they have created the environment for the breakup. There is no doubt about that!
Arvinth, Trichy said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:27 am
‘Prabakharan got money from Rajiv Gandhi to help work the Indo – Lanka accord. He got assistance from Ranasinghe Premadasa to fight the Indian army. But now money seems to have been obtained to enforce a boycott and help a hardliner like Rajapakse win’. – DBS
Not only that, he had a deal to kill Rajiv Gandhi, now also all three Eelam Tamil Tiger TAF bombings were soft targets & all three were done when the Srilankan Sinhalese president was away from Srilanka.
What is this deal?
Now with the help of Little Tiger Karuna GOSL forces wiping out the Eelam Tamil Tigers from the East. But after before they wipe out all Eelam Tamil Tigers from the east, EPDP Dogs & the Eastern Tigers started to fight (kill) each other. But both of them are in GOSL payroll & living within Srilankan Sinhalese military camps (EPDP fully depend on Sinhalese GOSL).
This is Srilankan politics & the Eelam Tamils liberation.
Now after the Sinhalese GOSL wipe out the Eelam Tamil Tigers from the East the Sinhalese GOSL forces will try to put the Eastern Little Tiger Karuna in the barracks, then other problem will start.
Ennaiya poraddam enda peyarilla poochandi kadddirenka?
Roopa Chetty said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:29 am
Here we go again. Shame on you Prabakharan. You have betrayed Eelam Tamils once again!
Peace Lover said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:40 am
Thank you for your article. I thought UNP was instrumental in the emergence of the Karuna factor!
Objective observer said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:49 am
For the people of the liberated east, living under the rule of the Government (or even the Karuna faction) is obviously better than the LTTE (terrorism, extortion, child soldiers, etc.). The tamil people who are suffering right now are living in the North, not the East
Even if there was a deal done (unlikely) for the election, it’s the worst decision ever made by the terrorists because it was the beginning of the end for them, and therefore a very smart political move by the Government.
Maybe next time you should focus on the deals done between the terrorists, the Norwegians and Ranil during the false ceasefire to ignore LTTE ceasefire violations. That’s much more serious.
Nihal.Goonetilleke said,
July 10, 2007 @ 11:06 am
This goes to show how disgustingly corrupt our leaders are,just to be in power,may they be Tamils.Muslims or Sinhalese.We need a group of honest leaders to run the island.Jvp should be supported by all good meaning politicians to eradicate this basic sin.This particular problem is the reason for communal politics since Independence it is a wagon to seek power and previlages.If the tigers are genuine,they should have devoloped their areas with the vast sums they have in their possesion.
H. R. Advocate said,
July 10, 2007 @ 11:13 am
DBS–Great read!
Your analysis of the impact of the minority vote is important for a future settlement.
However, I question your buying into the payment scheme involving the Rajapakse Bros. and the LTTE.
Where is the evidence? If there has been a payment, where is the paper trail? Money in the hundreds of millions leave a definite trail. Show us the paper trail, then one can say you are not just passing on another rumour. You of course realise that assertions by journalists and those in opposition to the Rajapakse govt is not good enough.
Fruther more, what if the Machivellian Rajapakse Bros. did promise a deal and played the LTTE against itself? That would be ultimately Machiavellian, would it not? The facts certainly support this view. Afterall, conspiracies to gain power are not new: it is what the those in power, once they are there, do that matters.
The facts on the ground are there for all to see.
June 2005, the LTTE kills the MI Lt. Col. and the LRRP people, whom Wickremasinghe exposes. This was before the Rajapakse Bros. got to power. Indeed, it would have been impossible for them to win if not for the death of SLA’s prized MI types. Thus the war actually started before the current government came to power.
Until you show us a paper trail that the LTTE was paid to shoot itself on the foot, it is still idle speculation.
Cheers!
HRA
Ratna said,
July 10, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I think all Tamils are aware of this. LTTE is not in a position to accept full responsibility as a government due to it’s past acts and promise by it’s leader that he will not accept anything less than full independance. Therefore they will continue the ’struggle’ and pass it on to next generation.
In the mean time, if other Tamil ‘leaders’ are smart, they can use LTTE factor to make a good deal for Tamils and of course for all Lankans. But unfortunately these leaders are spineless. Take Mr. Sangaree for example, he is suppose to take federal solution to international level and fight for it, but he wastes his time issuing memos (prepared by?) against LTTE.
LTTE is fighting for a cause and they will not succeed until they get heavy weapons such as long range missiles or nuclear.
But other leaders (including Indian leaders or from Tamilnadu) can achieve a good settlement for all Lankans. But they all are ‘worse’ than LTTE.
The truth said,
July 10, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
They are simply mercineries who kills for the sake of money and self interest of Prapakaren. The never looked after the wellbeing of tamils. The tamils living outside Sri-Lanka is supporting because to seek vengence for the civil riots created by the buddist monks and sinhalese chavanist.
Dr. Raymond Philips said,
July 10, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Declare the General Election as ILLEGAL and INVALID Election – and Have a new election under UN Supervision – where all the Tamils of North-East Homeland are allowed to vote………………It is …..like —crying in the wilderness!!!!
Raj Singh said,
July 10, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
This all deal making in the name of tamil people. The victim of this war is Tamil people not Piraparkaran. A very good example what happen between Seevratnam and Jeyadavan. For a family matter Prapakaran & co touched Jeyadavan in the name of liberation of tamil people. Who said he is leader of tamil people but he is the leader for his community. This all part of criminal gang.
Sellam in UK said,
July 10, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe wanted the Tamil votes, he did not get it.
Mr Rajapakse wanted the support of the Tamils and he got it.
What is wrong? Everything is going on in Sri Lanka by hook or by crook.
Thevan said,
July 10, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Hello Siva,
You are making the point that the UNP would not have solved the problem of the Tamil people and they engineered the Karuna split. True.
But how does that minimize the fact that it was still duplicitous on the part of the LTTE to make a secret deal with Rajapaksa, especially as it concerns the very people on whose behalf it claims to fight ?
I have no doubt that Tamils don’t want any oppressive Sinhalese governments to rule over them; and in principle the struggle of the Tamil people, even the armed struggle, is justified. But the Tamil people don’t want self-serving, mafia-like organizations and leaders mixing Liberation rhetoric with business and underhanded deals when these leaders know the result would be loss of lives for thousands of innocent Tamil people who in their naive idealism supported them..
The LTTE has to make drastic course correction, come clean about it and apologize to the people and then choose a path that minimizes Tamil suffering. At the moment, they stand naked and exposed.
murugan said,
July 10, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
The choice of LTTE at the election was perfect and well calculated.Ranil and UNP are clever in bringing the international community to fight for them.We tamils cannot forget the distruction created by UNP in the hands of indian forces in the name of peace keeping
Alex said,
July 10, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
This is not new! From 1985 LTTE making deals for their survival; the Sinhalese governments making deals to wipe out the Tamils from the Srilanka.
Who said LTTE fighting for Tamils liberation/ self determination?
LTTE doesn?t have a cause. Only LTTE leader Vellupillai Pirabaharan wants to be a leader, for that he?ll pay any price. Now hundreds of innocent youngsters killed themselves as human bombers, thousands of youngsters, children killed in the battle field for nothing; all are in the name of ?Liberation for Tamils?, but all are for the LTTE leadership?s survival.
From Anurathapura massacre untill now Kollannava Tamil Eelam Air force bombing are deals!
Now in Srilankan government?s propaganda they say they are liberating the Eastern Tamils from the LTTE (wiping out Tamils from their homeland for the Sinhalese colonization under the banner of HIGH SECURITY ZONE). But what?s the different? Before under the leadership of Vellupillai Pirabaharan, Karuna recruited, abducted children for the LTTE military; now after spilt from LTTE the same Karuna doing the same thing?. Abducting children, killing opponents (only change stopped killing Sinhalese, but killing Tamils). ? For more detail read HRW reports
Before the previous Srilankan governments tried & used the LTTE?s opposite factions like Rasic group to control the LTTE activities in east & PLOTE Mohan group for deep penetration like killed Colonel Shankar.
Now the Srilankan government using Karuna group (already the government divided them as Pillaiyan group & Bharathy group) to get in to LTTE territory & to clear the area. But after them clear they are going to have an election there, now only we have to watch how many heads (Tamils) will fell in the ground. Before only LTTE put others, now all are going there including EPDP, JVP?may be JHU also will go there.
But some people thinking it will be better than the LTTE (terrorism, extortion, child soldiers, etc.)……hahaaaa
Its government control area or not only, the only Tamil people in North & the East who are suffering very much now.
LTTE making deals for their survival, but from the Late UNP Premadasa period to now SLFP Rajapahshe period all the Sinhalese governments taking a very smart political & cleansing (Tamil) move.
Daily some Tamils killed by someone in the name of liberation by the LTTE, in the name of liberation from the LTTE by the GOSL & Karuna group, supporters, sympathizers killed by both LTTE & former LTTE & now before the election Eelam Peoples Democratic Party after Jaffna start to kill the Tamils in the name of opponents like before did/ tried/ failed attempt to kill the TULF leader Anandasangaree in Kayts (Sorry, later the EPDP & TULF leader went together South Africa is a different deal)
As Mr. Sen (comment: 6) say the writer D.B.S. Jeyaraj, brought this matter to light, but most of the genuine freedom fighters know this.
I agree with Mr.Sen, ‘The Self Imposed National Leader and his gang are criminals and experts on Money laundering. It is a common knowledge in Sri Lanka many LTTE leaders are living like Kings by getting money for passes and demanding ransom from business people’.
Today the one & only Douglus Devanada?s Eelam People?s Democratic (?) Party (EPDP) and the Karuna?s Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) have come to an agreement with the assistances/ influences/ order of the Mahinda?s GOSL intelligence, military commanders , to forget the bitter experience and to proceed in their own ways to kill, abduct the Tamils.
This decision was taken after the high level discussion held in their masters? order between the EPDP and TMVP on Monday, July 9th 2007, and a joined memorandum was released.
In their joint statement they said, in the history of the struggle of the Tamil speaking people, the Tamil parties have been fighting amongst themselves, which has created an indelible mark.
Yes it?s not new Tamil parties have been fighting amongst themselves.
Therefore, although the EPDP and TMVP have different political views, the both parties (groups) who are in Mahinda?s GOSL payroll & guidance have come to an agreement with mutual understanding to bury the hatchet, avoid future conflicts and work in a friendly manner in the banner of political arena and proceed in their own ways towards in kidnapping, extortion & killing Tamils.
All are deals, local deals; international deals; terrorist groups? deals, arms dealers? deals?.. ..
Not only in our country, all over the world DEALS; in Afghan & Iraq what?s happening?
Only innocent HUMANS lives!
Not even God can save Tamils; only deals can save Tamils!!!
Anonymous said,
July 10, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
In the game of Political Chess, this possibly one of the wrong move by VP, (or else, we have to wait and see the long term effect)
dias said,
July 10, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
The Tigers made a huge strategic blunder that has boomeranged to hurt their goal’ an independent Eelam. Irrespective of the short term deals (if there were any), are insignificant to their long-term strategy of attempting to drive a big enough wedge so that the outside world would conclude that the only option available is ’separation’. Tiger strategists believed that they could create sufficient differentiation if a nationalist oriented government was put in power as opposed to, as Jeyaraj suggests, a moderate government led by Wickremesinghe. The latter would have meant being forced into an eventuality that they did not desire’ some power sharing arrangement, but within a sovereign Sri Lanka.
Their strategy has completely backfired. To add to this mistake, the Tigers made the second big error when they refused to go for negotiations because of trasport issues, at a time when they had GoSL cornered on the negotiating table in Geneva. This gave a very welcome out for the government to skip Geneva and escape being trapped into a quandry. The third error was Mavilaru. Having underestimated a trasformed security force, despite the warnings of U.S. Ambassador Jefforey Lundstad, Tigers pushed their luck at Mavilaru’ the turning point that has led to the present situation.
Indeed, the newly striped Tigers seem to be strategizing from their tails ‘making mistake after mistake after mistake. All for good’ since a solution to the conflict is highly unlikely to emerge from extremists on either side of the spectrum rather from moderates at the center. It is important to recognize that despite invasions and intrusions by both, Tamils and Singhalese have lived in harmony for most of thousands+ years of history. Surely, we must be able find a solution to the present conflict also ‘among us friends. Having now learned well from the past, our focus must be on how we can construct a solution in the present for the benefit of future generations’ Singhalese, Tamils, and Muslims alike.
Suresh M said,
July 10, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
DBS, what you have written is known secret since Samaraweera/Sooriyarachi fall out with Rajapakse regime.
Only an external power is capable of finding a just solution to the Tamil question, and enforces it. No Sinhala leader is capable of leading the nation to peace.
Jaffna Janani said,
July 10, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
Now, the whole international community and India wants to find a solution through the APRC . I understand that the APRC was formed to consolidate the ‘Southern consensus’. And if Rajapakse was elected by 60% of Sinhala votes, this mean to us that there is no ‘Southern consensus’ accepting Tamils aspirations.
I do not know whether Prabakharan is being bought over or not at the expenses of Tamils’ aspiration?
janani said,
July 10, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
your article is interesting.but as a young Tamil girl who suffered in 1983 and then later in Jaffna due to the countless aerieal bombings carried out by the the SLAF, I am still pinning my hopes on the LTTE.
I have had loved ones killed, friends who had disappeared. I have lived in refugee camps and I know the cruelty of the SLA. They are barbaric. I prefer the rule of LTTE to sinhalese occupation. Prabakaran might have made mistakes but he’s still my hero when compared with criminals/traitors like Karuna and Douglas.
Kurudan said,
July 10, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
Dear DBS you are very good in mixing your analysis and arguments with facts.
Raj said,
July 10, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
Mr. Jeyaraj
Its curious that we hear so much about a secret agreement between the SLFP and the LTTE yet no one has produced any hard evidence to prove that such a pact ever existed. Even though major players involved in the agreement have been clearly identified. Why do you think that is?
Raj said,
July 10, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
Thanks for exposing the happenings behind the curtins.
let all the communities of our mother lanka knows the facts about our politicians those who talk something and do opposit.
kindly keep up your efforts to provide all this type of the informations to our citizens. we know it is a tough task.
once again we appreciate your good work.
shankar said,
July 11, 2007 @ 3:26 am
UU ahh bloddy asshole DBS……son of the bitch…
u guys getting money frm UNP and blame others….first u stop to get money frm UNP then u will talk about others…uuuu ahh not DBS u r fucker.
SHANKAR – sankarnz@yahoo.co.nz
mathy said,
July 11, 2007 @ 6:14 am
DBS,
You are critisising LTTE for making deal with Mahinda. It is your entitlement in a democratic society. We have to look these issues in a broad picture and learn from the past to plan future stratergy through that. Error is human. we have to accept that. When we plan some thing and if it yields an unexpected results, we should not blame them. LTTE has to plan stratergy according to the situation.
What ever their plan may be, they have stepped up to another level to achieve their goal. If we consider current suffering, we will not be comfortable in future. That is their belief. Until the goal is achieved the stratergy will be planned in so many ways. This is the fact.
Now people may blame, but when their goal is achieved, people forget everything and praise them. They understand this very well. Thats why they do not worry about others criticism. But one thing, if they feel that if a person is really blocking to achieve their goal, they consider the elimination as they are not in a democratic process. That is easy and quick solution fot them for the current obstacle.
If I continue this, raeders may thing that I a supporter of LTTE, but I am not. I want peace.
The Sinhala Governement and people should give an acceptable power to Tamils, so that they can easily eliminate LTTE from the scene, but the present politicians can not survive as their livelihood is very much depended on the war.
Venugopal said,
July 11, 2007 @ 6:15 am
DBS is undoubtedly the finest Sri lankan journalist alive. He not only has an astonishing talent for nosing out hidden facts, but has the integrity and courage to say the truth and to speak his conscience. In an otherwise highly partisan and politicised media, he towers above the others for the credibility of his reports, the incisiveness of his commentary and the persuasiveness of his arguments.
There are several issues raised in this article and on this issue that remain nebulous or under-explored, and require further investigation and commentary, and I hope DBS will address some of these in future articles.
Firstly, there is the impression that the LTTE did a deal with the devil for filthy lucre, which certainly sounds bad. But this can be rationalised by the LTTE as a necessary evil – a strategic or tactical manoeuvre executed within a complex and fast moving situation. Yes, they were certainly expedient with the truth and duplicitous in their dealings with the Tamil public. But (if they ever lift their silence on this issue) they will explain it away as saying that receiving the money (as with Rajiv or Premadasa’s similar gifts) hardly amounted to personal corruption – (nobody has yet suggested that it supplemented the lifestyles of anyone in the LTTE) – but that it was a political ploy which organisations sometimes have to do. In fact, what it confirms yet again is that the LTTE cannot be bought off with money. In other words, I don’t think the money was the issue per se, but the LTTE might have done this deal to give MR the impression that they had been bought off, whereas in reality they were trying to lull MR into a false sense of security before striking hard and provoking the war that they knew would come sooner or later.
Secondly, and relatedly, the issue of the Makkal Padai attacks is still not fully explained by the known facts at hand. If VP was in fact 0waiting for MR to fulfill his part of the deal, he should presumably have given him some time to deliver on Karuna etc. Instead, he almost immediately launched the Makkal Padai attacks, in which over 150 soldiers and sailors were blown up in November/ December 2005. This vitiated the atmosphere to the point where MR could not possibly keep his part of any bargain (even if he intended to). In fact, it led to a short term improvement in MR’s international image as someone who resisted the pressure to launch an immediate war.
Thirdly, there is the issue of Tamil public opinion at this time. Most Tamils, who were aghast at the election of MR, were in November-December 2005 desperate but powerless to stop the LTTE’s headlong plunge into provocation and war. They knew full well that the Makkal Padai attacks were rupturing civilian-military relations in Jaffna, and that the war would quickly re-start. After decades of war, they had tasted the benefits of normality under the CFA for a few years. But they were completely powerless to prevent the LTTE’s actions, even though their opinions certainly filtered through to the LTTE through the thousands of LTTE cadres rooted and drawn from that same society.
Fourthly, the Sonali Samarasinghe article on Sunday points out that payments were made to an LTTE front man at the height of the Mavil Aru crisis. This is interesting, but difficult to comprehend. Eelam War IV started at Mavil Aru in late July. The atmosphere between both sides was extremely tense and unfriendly. The government had just started bombing Killinochi and Kokkadicholai, and at one point almost killed the Norwegian monitor at Mavil Aru itself. Both sides were at the brink of war in every sense, pounding their chests and making threats, and nobody on earth (literally) was able to pull them back. Why would they release millions of rupees to the LTTE at this time?
Finally, there is the question of where this is all going to lead. The present war has no end point in sight. Both sides are in no mood for negotiations. The government’s goal is to contain the LTTE, if not defeat them entirely. The special conditions in the east (Karuna) contributed to their victory there. But this is not easily replicable in the north, where the LTTE is waiting to deliver a knock-out blow to the army if they ever dare to attack. But what then? Even if the LTTE manages to take over the whole of Jaffna and does a UDI, it will only be a return to 1990-95, as no foreign government will ever recognise them, regardless of how much they all hate MR.
Maramandai said,
July 11, 2007 @ 8:20 am
One could wonder whether giving up east to MR also part of the deal.
Tamil Tiger eastern base ‘taken’
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6290780.stm
P.Nathan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 9:15 am
The latest is that MR gave Rs 700 Million to the LTTE in the guise of a fictitious housing scheme, to have LTTE prevent tamils voting at the presidential election.The persons who divulged this and the newspaper which published details are being harassed.
Also he has banned killing of stray dogs though around 200 persons die of rabies annually, because it is against ‘buddhist principles’.
But not the slaughter of chickens & cattle.
Occasionally money is collected by pious individuals to free a cow/bull from the slaughterhouse so thay they all gain ‘merit’ in this birth.
But MR and the buddhist hierarchy tacitly approve the killing of not only the LTTE members, but also civilians who are targetted by state paramilitaries, bombs shells & rockets.
Dr. Mike Hernandez MD/PhD(USA) said,
July 11, 2007 @ 10:33 am
The game of duplicity should end right now, this senseless war has been going on for almost 25 years with the LTTE and the existing ruling parties of Sri Lanka making fortunes from
military deals at the expense of the suffering masses of
Sri Lanka. Corruption in all its form should be address forth right in order for democracy to prevail in Sr Lanka. The people found guilty should face justice just like any common folk. Singapore’s President Li was a hero to his nation, when he formulated a presidential commission that found his very friends guilty of corruption charges. President Li did not hesitate to give them the maximum allowed sentence under the law. Singapore is a shinning example of democracy at its best, where all races including tamils live in harmony in one of the most developed countries in Asia. Therefore, corruption should be address for a nation to prosper and for its fellow citizens to build trust in its leadership for a better and brighter Sri Lanka.
Dr. Mike Hernandez MD/PhD(USA)
thamilachi said,
July 11, 2007 @ 11:59 am
TOPIC:- THE WRITER ACCUSES THE LTTE OF STRIKING A DEAL WITH MAHINDA WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A DODGE ONE.
we have to remember ,,,
1)the Tamils are *NOT* dealing with a govt like the UK or for that matter
a western TYPE of govt to free the Tamils from the oppressors but a Buddhist taliban country which is hell bent on bombing it’s citizens to death regardless of age or gender.
2)deal or no deal, by hook or crook, we Tamils need is a group to resist the Buddhist taliban govt’s genocidal war against the Tamils. in this case the ltte is lot better than the other groups we had in the past.
3)who would knowingly enter into a Dodge deal?
deal or no deal the real victims are the ltte and the Tamils , betrayal after betrayal since 1948 by the govt is the cause for all these troubles.
if the Tamils voted and ranil won , what sort of federal he could have put on table? a district level power devolution?
district level proposal TOO CAN BE CALLED FEDERAL.
only difference we will see is the states of ranil’s proposal will be too small than one would usually expect.
the idea of power devolution based on district level is to avoid the north and east recognized as Tamil home land .
WHY RANIL COULD NOT HAVE COME OUT WITH A CLEAR CUT POWER SHARING PROPOSAL BEFORE THE PE? or EVEN NOW WHAT IS STOPPING RANIL ?
WHAT RANIL MEANS BY FEDERAL? NO ONE KNOWS!
may be just may be, ranil might come out with a clear cut proposal one fine day!!
let say,,, ranil won the PE,now , he needs 2/3 majority in the parliament to pass the proposal
if not the JVP ens will go to court to block the proposal.
the international agreement like the indo-lanka did not survive,(a matter of policy) what are the
chances the UNPen ranil’s proposal will survive in the hands of JVPens?
let say, the ltte agreed to make a deal with mahinda enterprise only for the money then what is the point the same mahinda enterprise asking the west to do the dirty job criminalizing the diaspora Tamil community on behalf of him?
so the conclusion is,,,
if there was a deal, the ltte put the best points which could have served the Tamil interests
better but betrayed once again by the Buddhist taliban regime. what can the ltte do? kill mahinda ?? NOWAYYY!!
it is a drama that the south stages time to time when they feel they are cornered by the international community.
they always have to blame on something.
S.Rajan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
LTTE never had the interest of the Tamils at heart.It had long ago ceased to be an organization fighting for freedom.
It is business minded in its thinking and activities.
It did business with Rajiv Gandhi, then with Premadasa and now with Rajapaksha at the expense of the Tamil Community.
They have done more harm than good to the Tamils and the earlier they are liquidated, the better for the Tamils and Sri Lanka.
Sevidan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
LTTE is wise to get MR’s money. If somebody contribute to Tamil’s cause why reject it. RW and MR are same for Tamils. By defeating RW, the ball is in now in the International community’s court.
Again Kurudan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Dear DBS,
I appreciate your work.
DBS you could play one of the two roles either an honest journalist or an anti VP spinner , choice is always yours.
Ilamathy said,
July 11, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Even before the election I thought VP would bring MR rather RW. RW is a cunning fox his mentor JR. By bringing MR he could further strengthen the Tamil’s cause by embracing Sinhala extremism.
In this juncture if somebody give money, why don’t you accept it. (Karumbu thinna Kaikuli) If you get ‘reward to eat sugar cane’ who wan’t accept it?.
VP will do whatever is positive to reach Tamil’s goal.
Money from India.
Wepons from Prema.
Again money from MR.
Why not?
We know our goal. If somebody contributes to that goal its fine.
We shouldn’t forget onething. Sinhala chauvanism won’t change. Sinhala people voted for MR.
Even now they are supporting the war.
Now the Sinhala cahuvanism is exposed to the International community.
Kurudan 4 said,
July 11, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
Dear DBS or editor of federal idea,
mmmmmmm.. ………..every one has an agenda.
Kurudan 5 said,
July 11, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
Dear DBS,
I appreciate your work, but you seem puzzled by some actions by VP.
Here is my theory..
1. Why VP did not use the P-TOMS issue against Mahinda to score points?
I think VP won the battle when it comes to P-TOMS. VP and GOSL (Chandrika) signed the P-TOMS. IC and Co-Chairs were very happy. JVP and JVP went Supreme Court, SC shoot down the P- TOMS. Then JVP and JHU promoted the Mahinda Chinthana. VP was the nicest actor in that drama.
2. Why VP started attacking with his Makkal padai ( people?s force), after calling Mahinda a pragmatic leader in the 2005 great heroes speech?
In the same 2005 heroes day message VP announced. We are also aware of the incompatible gaps and the irreconcilable contradictions that exist between Mr Rajapakse?s political vision and the Tamils? struggle for self-determination?.
After placing a hardline 21st century Dutugemunu in Temple Trees, VP forced the new Dutugemunu to choose between then existed shadow war or open war with the help of Makkal Padai.
A simple test for Mahinda, Mahinda answered clearly with open war. No body is talking about Makkal Padai now, there are no attacks by Makkal Padai now.
VP?s testing tool ?Kuthu Oosi? has no role at the moment.
He proved every one what is inside Mahinda Mama?s Sack.
Kannan Saravanan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Come on guys, Let’s leave aside the financial transactions between Mahinda & Bros. and LTTE. Once LTTE ideologue late Anton Balasingam himself said ‘Suththippaarththaal Suththamaana Soosaippillai Enru Evarumillai’. So let’s forget about it.
I think we should also put a fullstop for critisizing the LTTE. Besides it, do we have any other alternative? The answer is a BIG NO.
I agree with Janani. The helpless Tamils have no other alternative than resort to the LTTE. I am also still pinning my hopes on the LTTE.
Mahinda is not for peace.
It looks like the blue print for a full-fledged, final mother of all battle appears to be nearing completion. Moron Rajapakse also appears to have given the green signal fo it. His speech at a function in Thambalagamam two days back underlines the very fact that he is not for peace at all.
The so-called Co-Chairs’ reported efforts to resurrect the peace process after their closed door meeting at Oslo on June 25, 2007 did help Rajapakse make the situation utter mockery.
The hardened stand against the local LTTE sympathisers both in UK and Australia also indicates that the Co-Chairs have already given a lead time to Mahinda & Co to come down heavily upon the LTTE to sooth up its trek to the ziggy zaggy peace process.
Rumour mills are now running with new story too. The seizure of two trucks last month lined with over one ton of explosives wired, and ready behind their panels has been linked to this new story, targetting primarily the LTTE sympathisers in Canada, with annexation of UK.
One columnist says in his weekly column that the two explosive laden truck operations were controlled and directed from Canada and UK respectively. So after UK and Australia, the evil eyes are on Tamils in Canada.
As I said before, unless otherwise the LTTE outsmart Mahinda & Co militarily, the chances are bleak for peace.
The very dire reality is that chances of peace are sinking in the horizon as weapons are cocked and bombs are primed.
We, the Tamils diaspora are fortunate. Just think about the ordinary people of would-be Tamil Eelam. They are the only ones who bear the brunt of dirty war.
May The Almighty Bless the Tamils!
JAY. KATHIR said,
July 12, 2007 @ 1:57 am
Comment made by Shankar (no 30?) is crude and vulgar. It reveals the aggressive mindset of the writer. This type of comment should not be posted here
Gloria Abraham said,
July 11, 2007 @ 11:01 pm
I am horrified by the nasty threats made by Shankar in No 30 comment. These kind of foul language threats have no place in a forum of this kind. Please dont allow these comments to appear here Mr. Jeyaraj
KK Nathan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
Disgusting comments by Shankar in filthy (thooshanam) words must be severely condemned. This is a civilised website not a fishmarket. Why is Mr. Jeyaraj tolerating this kind of muck?
Guna. N. Gunaratnam said,
July 11, 2007 @ 11:36 pm
I think the person who writes dirty threats as comment using bad words is pretending to be LTTE supporter. But must be really a govt stooge. We must condemn this Shankar (no 30) very hard and make sure this is not repeated.
Vipula said,
July 11, 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Stupid comments like Shankar in No 30 have no place here. They should not be allowed
Thillai.T.Thillaiambalam said,
July 11, 2007 @ 10:37 pm
Shankar comments in No 30 are revilting. Such threats in obscene language should not be entertained. Mr. Jeyaraj must not extend freedom of expression to vermin like this
Carlo Kovoor said,
July 11, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
I am intrigued by the fact that a low grade comment by a person known as Shankar (No 30) is allowed on this website. I would have expected it to have been disallowed. The only rational explanation I presume is that the moderator of this forum wished to make an example of this. To expose Shankar and shame him publicly.If so point well taken
Arjan said,
July 11, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
I dont think propogating conspiracy theories add value in this most serious of issues.
Lets deal with facts, VP forced the genral poppulace in the NE to abstain from the democratic processs claiming the elections to be sinhala issue !
There are a million reasons why this was done and there has probably been an article written on each of these theories by the various commentators.
Lets face the facts this is a gangster organisation that does not understand the democratic proces and wants nothing to do with peace.
ravi said,
July 12, 2007 @ 1:33 am
என்னை அன்பு செய்யுமாறு நான் யாரையும் வருத்திட முடியாது.
நான் செய்யக்கூடியதெல்லாம் அன்பு செலுத்த தகுந்தவனாக என்னை மாற்றிக் கொள்வது
‘Ennai Anbu Seyumaru naan yaraiyum vatpuruththi vida mudiyathu.
Naan seiyakoodiyathellam anbu seluththa thagunthavanaga ennai maatri kolluvathu’
‘I cannot force anyone to love me
All I could do is changing me to be capable of being a giver of love’
Vel said,
July 12, 2007 @ 2:34 am
The fact is that Sinhala nation hate Tamils. Whether MR, Ranil or any Sinhala leader will do the same thing that is to destroy Tamils. This is what they are doing for the last 60 years. It is interesting to note that no one want to discuss about what happened before 70s.
Did Tamils get any better? All the Sinhala colonization occurred during that time.It is pity to note that Tamils are more interested in discussion their internal troubles rather than pointing finger on common enemy. At least more than 90% Tamils have been killed by Sinhala state terror military and paramilitary.
Chamira said,
July 12, 2007 @ 2:38 am
I think shankar is a spy from govt. and this kind of foul language is a big threat to journalist. Dear DBS you are doing good job, but at the same time you have to be careful with your life and why did u allow persons like Rajapakashe’s ‘Shankar’ to this web?
thamilachi said,
July 12, 2007 @ 5:49 am
the writer forgot the GENEVA1 to discredit the ltte!! deal or no deal, ltte is the victim here!
Kurudan 7 said,
July 12, 2007 @ 5:51 am
Shankar’s comment has no place here
Dear DBS, my postings will help you achieve your goals.
tamilfrench said,
July 12, 2007 @ 5:56 am
Thanks for this article dear D.B.S, this is not a news but writing about this in your article is a news! And I think that your opinion is share by most of tamil youth students who live in abroad.Mr Prabakaran with his deal
CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE HISTORY, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL !
thamilachi said,
July 12, 2007 @ 5:59 am
dear shankar
i understand your frustration however please refrain from insulting the writer.
hope you would contribute constructively towards the article.
thank you,
your sister!
Sundaram said,
July 12, 2007 @ 8:00 am
Thank you for very much for revealing the facts
Ron Jeremy said,
July 12, 2007 @ 10:46 am
So blaming VP for all the tamil problems ?.. Who protects the Tamils in North East is it Srilankan army or LTTE?.. Most of sinhala support MR ?.. What do the tamils want ?…Did they not vote for TNA?.. What about a UN refereundum like Kosovo for the Tamils?.. Is Srilanka for the sinhala ?.. Why cannot the Tamils majority in north east ruled by sinhala colombo?
thamilachi21 said,
July 12, 2007 @ 11:28 am
P.Nathan
what is the proof the money actually went to the ltte? why gothabaya could not have pocketed it in the guise of a fictitious housing scheme?the govt could say to the international community , that they are building homes for the tamils too in the north east to beg for more?
soumi said,
July 12, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
A real waste of time reading this! After all, it is a DBS article!
Poonkothai said,
July 12, 2007 @ 6:17 pm
This is a well balanced article. The great philosopher Karl Marx said ” question everything”, unfortunately our Tamil national struggle is completely engulfed in irrationality and authoritarianism.
nam said,
July 13, 2007 @ 3:30 am
Metha, you said it right . Latest from Washington is Mighty USA army is going to withdraw from Iraq? Did they achive anything or they simply open the pandora box.
Terrorism, Extremism and seperatism and all -isms can only be solved with addressing the root cause.
For argument sake, OK VP accepted the money from MR and what happen to that money. Did VP or TC went on a carribean cruise or mediteranian vacation.
I support a De-militarized Federal Solution. However, if we want Federal solution, we need to ask for seperate state. IF we ask for federal structure, even district council would be a day dream.
Seelan said,
July 13, 2007 @ 5:20 am
Get a life DBSJ,
I know U will not publish this.
U lost credibility long ago when U wrote a shameful saga for Ur friend Taraki. Saying that he was “exonerated ” for ahilan selvam Murder. Saying that Taraki was a man of integrity. In fact Taraki was a Sociopath, a not so skilled womaniser, an opportunist washing his bowl by his fluency in English. Why don’t U go into fiction. U have a real future.
Ron Jeremy said,
July 13, 2007 @ 9:41 am
So is VP responcible for MR winning in SL?. Why did the TNA win well in the tamil northeast?..Why did the sinhalese vote for MR?. Can the tamils in the Northeast have a UN sponsored refereundun similar to Kosovo to ask them what they want?. Do the Tamils like the 99% sinhalese army?
rooban said,
July 13, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Shankar exposed DBS !
So DBS exposed shankar in return.
Good one DB.
Arvinth, Trichy said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
On 1983 Srilankan riots time 53 Eelam Tamil political prisoners massacred by the Sinhalese in the prison;
Now more than 5,300 Tamil political opponents massacred, killed by the Eelam Tamil Tigers (LTTE) in their prisons, streets & houses.
On 1983 Srilankan riots time 3000 Tamils massacred by the Srilankan Sinhalese mobs;
Now more than 30,000 Eelam Tamils massacred, killed by the Eelam Tamil Tigers (LTTE) in streets, houses & public places & happening daily in the name of LIBERATION FOR TAMILS.
On 1983 Srilankan riots time 15,000 Tamil refugees came to TamilNadu, India;
Now more than 150,000 Tamil refugees in India & still coming.
On 1983 Srilankan riots time 10,000 Tamil refugees went to European, Scandinavian & North American counties;
Now more than 10,00,000 Tamil refugees in European, Scandinavian & North American countries & still going.
On 1983 Srilankan riots time 10,000 Srilankan military occupied the Eelam Tamil territory;
Now more than 100,000 Srilankan military occupied the Eelam Tamil territory.
On 1983 Srilankan riots time less than 20 Eelam Tamil Tigers killed by the Sinhalese military;
Now nearly 20,000 Eelam Tamil Tigers killed by the Sinhalese military.
On 1983 Srilankan riots time Eelam Tamil Democratic leader “Dog”legs Devananda (Deva) lived without a naya paisa;
Now the Eelam Tamil Democratic leader “Dog”legs Devananda (Deva) living with millions dollar worth assets in S’pore & abroad in with all what he want.
Eelam Tamils know more than us; only we are watching from out side.
These are deals or what?
In the name of “LIBERATION FOR TAMILS” the Eelam Tamil Tigers (LTTE), fighting for whom?
With what kind of deal?
With who?
These are deals or what?
- Arvinth
ilaya seran senguttuvan said,
July 13, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
I have been away from the country for nearly a fortnight till today and did not surf the net in detail the usual blogs that I do while in Cbo. I join the unanimous condemnation of Shankar’s (30) intemperate outburst expressed in the language of the gutter.
You might disagree with DBSJ, as many often do, but you let the Tamil nation down (I presume you are a Tamil) when you sink this low. DBSJ attracts a catholicity of views from discriminating readers from many a spectrum on the Sri Lankan scene from all over the world. I am personally aware his analyses in the Sunday Leader are followed with great attention by many here.
I have been particularly struck by his in-depth knowledge of Plantation politics and hisfamiliarity with the late Thondaman’s political career – something of particular interest to me because of the closeness I enjoyed with the late leader and presently with his grandson. Men like DBS should not be so denigrated but, in a way, celebrated for their learning and the light they shower to a battered and darkened Tamil nation – now leaderless, homeless and thrust into a situation of total hopelessness never experienced before – sadly for no fault of the Tamil people except for the political games that are played in their name. I respectfully suggest let us all contribute to finding a way out of this terrible tragedy for the Tamils maintaining the dignity, decorum and high standards of debate and discussion for which Sri Lankan Tamils have earned a reputation for themselves both in this country and abroad.
Alex said,
July 13, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
What is the use `capturing bare land & jungle’.
May be Kuddummpi-Mallai was the LTTE’s main Eastern headquarters, but how many of LTTE cadres killed or captured by the GOSL military there?
What the percentage of LTTE weapons the GOSL military recovered? few guns!
In chandrika’s government with Anuratvathai’s leadership GOSL military captured the Jaffna peninsula, what happening there?
Srilanka is a sovereign country & Mahainda Rajapaksha is a president for all citizens of Srilanka. In this what is the definition of “capturing the own land”?
Then what about the election deal, millions of rupees?
All like Premadasa deal?
DEAL! OR NO DEAL
Alex said,
July 13, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Kuddummpi-Mallai victory is not a victory, only it’s a victory for the politician Mahinda Rajapakshe.
If any Sinhalese politician wants a real victory they have to win the HEARTS OF TAMILS.
Kuddummpi-Mallai was an “important success” for the military, but keeping it would not be easy from a guerrilla group.
And it’s not a severe blow to LTTE terrorism; it’s a blow only to the UNP.
What is the use `capturing bare land & jungle’.
May be Kuddummpi-Mallai was the LTTE’s main Eastern Headquarters, but how many of LTTE cadres killed or captured by the GOSL military there?
What the percentage of LTTE weapons the GOSL military recovered?…..few guns!
In chandrika’s government with Anuratvathai’s leadership GOSL military captured the Jaffna peninsula, what happening there?
Srilanka is a sovereign country & Mahainda Rajapaksha is a president for all citizens of Srilanka. In this what is the definition of “capturing the own land”?
Then what about the election deal, millions of rupees?
All like Premadasa deal?
DEAL ! OR NODEAL !………
Srilankan Born In Malaysia said,
July 13, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
The writer has exposed the actual facts and this not the first time he has exposed the truth but several times.I think he should expose the atocities that is taking place in Toronto collecting money and enjoying in night club and other places.
Well written and MAY GOD BLESS YOU and expect to read more.
Alex said,
July 14, 2007 @ 1:37 am
DEAL! or NODEAL!
The United National Party says that it has information from Army internal sources that 800 cadres including LTTE leaders to escape by orders from the top and questions if it is a part of the deal between the government and the LTTE. – Lanka News
The head of the UNP media unit Lakshman Kiriella made this allegation at a special press briefing held in its office on 13th.
He said that the Army spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe had told earlier that around 1000 cadres including Tiger leaders Ramesh and Jeyam were stranded in Kuddummpi-Mallai and they would be captured or eliminate within two months. Media gave wide publicity to this. He asked how Kuddummpi-Mallai was captured in two three days in contrast to the earlier statement that it would be captured in two months.
As Indian intelligence had also said the military plans were changed suddenly to allow 800 LTTE cadres to flee to Mullaithivu via Welikanthai, Serunuwara, Muthur and Manirasakulam safely with Multi barrel rocket launchers, Mr. Kiriella said.
Mr. Kiriella asked from Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe and Major General Pannipitiya to explain to the public how the LTTE cadres fled to Mullaithivu whilst the Army had surrounded the Kuddummpi-Mallai area in three cordons.
The UNP MP said that the political hands avoided the victories of the heroic Army.
Mr. Kiriella said that the celebrations of the government after capturing the empty camps following allowing the LTTE to flee was a big joke. He said that this was another part of the President Mahinda Rajapakse’s secret pact with the Tigers providing Rs. 1.5 billion.
He thoroughly denied the betrayal of the military plans of the heroic Army by the political leadership and allowing the Tiger cadres to escape.
He said that the truth was that the Army could not obtain the expected targets of the Kuddummpi-Mallai operation.
Here in my previous comment I asked,
What is the use `capturing bare land & jungle’.
May be Kuddummpi-Mallai was the LTTE’s main Eastern headquarters, but how many of LTTE cadres killed or captured by the GOSL military there?
What the percentage of LTTE weapons the GOSL military recovered?…..few guns!
Now the head of the UNP media unit Lakshman Kiriella made the same allegation.
Not only this as Mr.Arvinth (comment:
said, all three Eelam Tamil Tiger TAF bombings were soft targets & all three were done when the Srilankan Sinhalese president was away from Srilanka.
And in my first comment (#21) I said that, this is not new! From 1985 LTTE making deals for their survival; the Sinhalese governments making deals to wipe out the Tamils from the Srilanka.
In 1989 UNP Premadasa period LTTE made a deal for Rs: 1.026 Million
In Chandrika period LTTE made a deal for Rs: 8.5 Million
In UNP Ranil period LTTE made a deal for Rs: 14 Million
Now in Mahinda period LTTE made a deal for Rs: 757 million in the name of housing scheme.
Now again Norway putting her nose into the conflict with another DEAL.
Only innocent HUMANS lives!
Not even God can save Tamils; only deals can save Tamils!!!
Gokulan said,
July 13, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
Hi Shankar
Cooolll buddy. i understand. but this is not the way to respond to tamil journalist DBS
Neil Weerawardena said,
July 17, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Mangala Samaraweera apologised to the Sri Lankan citizens for having a hand in electing Mahinda Rajapakse as President.
Rather than apologise, he should demand gratitude for having done so! Just think — here we Sri Lankans were being literally destroyed by the world’s worst bunch of terrorists.
Every so-called ‘leader’ before Mahinda Rajapakse bent over backwards to accommodate every wish of the Sun God Pirapaharan and his grisly band of slaughterers. It is only Mahinda Rajapakse who is doing what has to be done cleansing our motherland of the evil stalking it from time immemorial — what had been the primary task of the Sinhala kings.
Your condemnation that the presidential election was won by bribing Pirapaharan hardly matters. Firstly, the arch terrorist would never have exposed just how few Tamils there are to start his Eelam, comprising only 9% of the population island wide. And second, if there was a ‘fund to bribe Pirapaharan’ we assure you we would all have contributed towards it — anything, repeat, anything at all, to stop our motherland from falling into the treacherous clutches of the Sinhala kotiyas, kalu sudhas, Don Juan Dharmapalas, and the international community, all waiting with their tongue hanging out, and all other traitors waiting to destroy our nation.
We hail Mahinda Rajapakse as the saviour of the nation!
N. V. Jen said,
July 17, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Much had been said about the LTTE’s role in the post 1983 scenario, when they appeared as the saviours of an oppressed community that was denied equality by a majority that failed to realise the beauty and potential in plurality as correctly pointed out by the Indian nobel laureate Amarthya Sen.
Despite their contribution in nation building, many Tamils felt that what they could not get through peaceful pleas and agitations could be achieved through the armed struggle of the LTTE.
Alas, the turn of events have disproved this concept, especially after the 2002 CFA. Though both the government as well as the LTTE were compelled to sit and talk due to economic implications and international compulsions, Pirapaharan was afraid that he would be forced to accept regional autonomy.
Hence he tried to sabotage the CFA through various ways. For him anything less than Eelam is a betrayal of the dead LTTE warriors — but he continues to sacrifice them more and more.
As alleged he accepted money to prevent the northeastern people from voting for Ranil Wickremesinghe. While it was a question of life and death for these people, some Tamils in Colombo foolishly heeded his lunatic call to abstain from voting. Boy, wasn’t Pirapaharan happy when Ranil lost? A war mongering president would ensure that not only the north-eastern Tamils, but also the Colombo and upcountry Tamils were targeted, as is happening now, in which scenario the LTTE thrives. More the blood letting, it is propaganda for the LTTE.
More refugees, more recruitment material for the LTTE. More the exodus, it is money for the LTTE from the diaspora. That is why despite the LTTE’s bad name in the international arena, the despicable conduct of the present regime has made them look like innocent boys who are unfairly beaten up by their bullying father. Can those Tamils who still believe that the LTTE is their saviour explain the following?
• How much money has in fact been obtained to prevent people from voting, and why is Pirapaharan silent about these allegations? Can he say he accepted this money for the well-being of the Tamils?
• Why did Pirapaharan try to provoke the government on a trivial, yet humanitarian issue of blocking Mawilaru waters? Isn’t it obvious that the LTTE was just giving the government enough reason to go on a full-scale offensive, which may have been a part of the grand deal? How many eastern cadres were sacrificed for Pirapaharan’s deceptive war game?
• Why did the LTTE not even utter a single word about the persecution of Tamils, the killings, disappearances, extortions, mass arrests, deportation of Tamils in Colombo and the humiliation and mental agony caused to them? Isn’t it obvious that the LTTE wants these conditions to prevail so that more and more Tamils would leave Sri Lanka, and will contribute to their coffers with a feeling of vengeance?
• Ironically in his ‘Heroes’ Day’ speech of 2006 Pirapaharan was attacking Ranil for the Ceasefire Agreement, which has brought immense relief to Tamil people of the north-east. Was the forcible eviction also a secret plot between the government and LTTE, which is a stepping-stone for separation?
• Why is the LTTE silent about the de-merger of the north and east and the outdated District Development Council proposals of MR? Do they have an alternative proposal for a separate state, which if granted they would renounce violence?
• Does the LTTE sincerely think that they can achieve Eelam, especially when no other country is willing to recognise it, and how many more thousands of lives are they going to sacrifice? Do they know that at least 10 innocent people are killed every day in the north and east? Is Pirapaharan fighting for a ‘tomb state?’ Was money paid to him to facilitate ethnic cleansing of his own community?
• Pirapaharan is 53 years old this year. How long can he continue to fight? Didn’t Yasser Arafat with all the backing of powerful Islamic nations finally turn towards peace? What is the LTTE going to leave for the Tamils other than death and destruction l0 years from now? Won’t they be the biggest traitors of the Tamil community, who are blocking a just and reasonable solution?
• Why isn’t Pirapaharan allowing the TNA to act according to their conscience? Wasn’t there an ideal opportunity to defeat the government in parliament during the voting on the supplementary estimates recently if only the TNA had voted with the UNP, JVP, and WPPF? A government that has inflicted so much of pain to the Tamil-speaking people in particular and all people in general, is propped up once again in a similar manner. If Pirapaharan is genuinely interested in the welfare of Tamils, why did he order the TNA not to vote? Did many more millions change hands this time as well?
In his Maveerar Day speech in 2005, Pirapaharan, described Mahinda Rajapakse as a pragmatic person! The events since explain the real truth behind this eulogy. The time has come for Pirapaharan to meet his waterloo because of double crossing his community and also fighting a war purely for mercenary benefits.
People should also be aware of the danger from the LTTE to Mangala and Sripathi, as silencing them would put the lid on further details relating to the dirty deal of 2005 emerging. Already the wrath of the Tamils against Pirapa is much more than they hold against the Rajapakse brothers. Time will soon reveal who the real traitors of the Tamils are. The real traitors of the nation too will be exposed soon.
If the people of this country are patriotic let them openly come out strongly against this unholy alliance, which has been hastily put together for money and power. The pseudo patriots who were shouting hoarse of the green Tigers during the 2005 election seem to have lost their voice with the revelation about the blue Tigers, in order to preserve their parliamentary positions at least till 2009.
veeraya said,
July 17, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
Mr. DBS Jeyaraj
You and your friends at the Sunday leader and morning leader are condemning President Rajapakse for doing a deal with the LTTE. But just see how the Jathika Hela Urumaya sees the matter.
The JHU has decided that if any person gave money to the LTTE to win the presidential election with the aim of trapping the LTTE thereafter such person should be hailed and not condemned for such a clever tactic.
This JHU position was articulated by senior member Udaya Gammanpila during television debates on both the State and Private media.
Gammanpila has said that in the past it is the LTTE that has trapped various governments including former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and that if anyone trapped the LTTE by giving money with the aim of winning the election to destroy them thereafter the people should build a golden statue of such person and garland him everyday.
The JHU defence of the secret deal President Mahinda Rajapakse is accused of entering into with the LTTE prior to the Presidential election comes in the wake of growing opposition calls for a Parliamentary Select committee to probe the allegations.
The JHU members however have not responded to the allegation that President Rajapakse had submitted a Cabinet Paper on August 2, 2006 and obtained approval to provide over Rs 700 million for a housing scheme by a front company of the Tigers during the height of the battle for Mawilaru.