Feeding Jaffna
By Major-General J. B. Pagoda (Retd.)
The media reported a few days back that the LTTE is against the opening up of the A9 route for the transport of food to Jaffna. The LTTE is a peculiar crowd of terrorists who demand that the country should be administered the way they advocate and not by any other means. I don’t understand why those in power do not deploy their defence forces fully and eliminate the LTTE lock, stock and barrel and rid the country of this menace once and for all.
It is a fact that there are lots of complaints, accusations and counter-accusations in the the media, both nationally and internationally, regarding a severe shortage of food in the government-controlled areas of the Jaffna Peninsula. Thus, it is logical to assume that the situation in the LTTE-controlled areas could be worse. Pressure is mounting in Chennai and other south Indian states against the near starvation level in Jaffna. A few days back, lawyers in Chennai staged a protest demonstration on the streets demanding the Union Govt. of India intervene by sending food stocks to Jaffna. The next demonstration is to be staged in Switzerland, to be followed in the capitals of countries sympathetic to the LTTE. Within three minutes of the killing of Nadaraja Raviraj, the information was flashed all over the world. This, I state too shows how quick, prompt and efficient the LTTE propaganda machine is, whereas the state propaganda machine is almost at a standstill. I fail to fathom this timed inactivity. I understand that the President is extremely keen on sending adequate stocks of food to Jaffna regularly, but the machinery handling the operation is extremely slow. They little realise that their inaction and inordinate delays will spoil Lanka’s image.
It is said, in Jaffna the distribution of consumer commodities through co-operative stores does not produce the desired effect because the officers handling the exercise are under the remote control of the LTTE. Consequently most of the commodities reach the hands of youngsters through backdoors and they market those goods at exorbitant prices on the pavements of Jaffna town.
For public information, I quote the prevailing black market rates in Jaffna:- A box of matches is Rs. 45/-,
A mosquito coil is Rs. 185/-,
A Packet of Lakspray — 400g is Rs. 385/-,
A bottle of coconut oil is Rs. 600/-,
This information is no exaggeration whatsoever as the source of information is reliable.
It is suggested that the Government uses its initiative and open up food distribution points (Sales) through armed services counters and even semi-government institutions, such as banks, to sell daily needed domestic items.
This deviation does not matter much, the aim being to feed the Jaffna populace. Their immediate needs are not only rice, flour, sugar and dhal, which are normally shipped, but also milk foods for the sick and kids and ingredients such as coriander, garlic, pepper, mustard, biscuits, maggie noodles, coconut oil and kerosine oil.
Jaffna people say that the services have successfully and effectively sealed off all entry points to Jaffna to keep the LTTE away, though a few characters are still at large. The services are very popular among the Jaffna Tamils but winning the hearts and minds of the people cannot be achieved fully if the stomachs are empty.
[A Letter to the Editor, published in the island.lk]
Related: Jaffna Bishop urges firm action from Co-chairs
[Robert O. Blake, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka paid a sudden visit to Jaffna Thursday and met with Jaffna Bishop Rev. Thomas Soundaranayagam at the Bishop's House, and discussed the current situation in the Jaffna peninsula - TamilNet]
N said,
December 9, 2006 @ 12:58 am
Major-General J. B. Pagoda (Retd.) says that “Jaffna people say that the services have successfully and effectively sealed off all entry points to Jaffna to keep the LTTE away”
And Major Pagoda this is why there is a food shortage.
Then he says” The services are very popular among the Jaffna Tamils ”
How can both be true?? How can those who have stopped the food supply still be very popular?
Think Major Pagoda !!
But he is right in saying “winning the hearts and minds of the people cannot be achieved fully if the stomachs are empty.”
Major Pagoda begins “I don’t understand why those in power do not deploy their defence forces fully and eliminate the LTTE…”
The obvious answer is that it cannot be done.
The People must be fed and Peace must be negotiated, (labelling people as terrorists or other name calling and silly propaganda may boost the ego but it does not help anyone).
And I don’t understand why those in power (or those who were in power and still have influence) cannot see this.
The People must be fed and Peace (between people, fellow human beings) must be negotiated.
This can be done.
Dr.R.G.Sankaralingam,London.UK said,
December 9, 2006 @ 6:52 am
Economic embargo causing famine had been used in the past in several countries to suppress a rebellious population. Nigeria used it in Biafra 20 years ago, Indonesia used it in Timor 5 years ago and Sudan is using it in Darfur at present. In Srilanka, Premadasa used it for 5 years and Chandrika used it for 10 years in order to force the Tamil population to accept the Sinhala rule.It is no wonder that Rajapakse is using it now, giving lame excuses for his action, knowing very well that the same tactics used by his predescisors failed to bring any tangible results rather than creating more hatred.
Freedom of unhintered movement is a basic human right, which the CFA quite rightly upholds by declaring that A9 road should be kept open for people and goods.Most of the Tamils feel that the GOSL wants to transport military men and materials under cover of the human shield in order to prevent their ships being targetted,which cannot be achieved if A9 road is opened for trafic.The international community has repeatedly told GOSL to open A9 road unconditionally, which GOSL has not complied with.Thus if the LTTE takes military action to open A9 road, no one is likely to find fault with LTTE.
S.Y & Toronto said,
December 9, 2006 @ 3:02 pm
First of all, stop calling Tigers/LTTE a terrorist. Tamil people have the fundamental rights for self determination and free to rule themselves, using whatever means against the enemy. The more you call LTTE a terrorist, the more they become powerful and more support from the Tamil people. Tigers are very close to free the Tamil land from the occupiers (SLA). This is like calling a Priest a Butcher. You are not gaining anything.
Accept the fact that LTTE is a freedom fighting organization, using all means and leave the Eelam peacefully or pay the price soon.
Kanapathy said,
December 10, 2006 @ 3:22 am
Interesting, for all the years before CFA was signed, LTTE kept A9 closed? And yet Jaffna did not starve? What is happeneing now? Or is this created by Jaffna black market which is in LTTEs pocket?
nimalka said,
December 10, 2006 @ 7:03 am
Dear,
S.Y.& Toronto,
If you like to LTTE you must not in toronto you have to be in Sri lanka or in our nabour country India to do something in to your brothers and sisters. Not in Toronto, always terrorist is terrorist never they become to help to your brothers or sisters. You have to be in good mind with word TERRORIST. LTTE nevr become to your freedom. They will loss in near future with all your helping ……….
WE have to try to create a multiculture states but tamil LTTE are not ready to do that they need thier own state EELAM.
Most of the tamils are living in other parts of sri lanka not need to get a EELAM state they can stay with sinhalese.
varakuna-switzerland said,
December 10, 2006 @ 2:06 pm
Ret.Major Pagoda his statement begins” I dont understand why those in power do not deploy their defence forces fully and eliminate the LTTE ?
Now I dont understand from where was he worked as Major and retired.
when he was some where in srilankan defence forces his pension must
stoped immiediatly and ask him not to use his Ret.Major title.
what he did when was in service ?
Eranga said,
December 11, 2006 @ 3:49 am
Good point Nimalka.
Furthermore, the majority of the Tamils are living in Gov Controlled areas and go about their business without a problem. Half the population of Colombo is Tamil. The majority of the restaurants in Colombo are Tamil & most of the Singhala population absolutely love Vadai & Thosai!
WHERE IS DISCRIMINATION?
In fact, it’s the LTTE that spreads mistrust by the indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians and ‘Cleaned out’ North & East of all other races by slaughtering them for the past two decades.
Let’s identify terrorists as terrorists. Sri Lanka should be a free country for all irrespective of it’s citizens beliefs, color, race or any other thing & they should be free to move where they will.
Siva said,
December 11, 2006 @ 7:02 am
oh yeah.. talking about multiculturalism? you the sinhalas only talk about multi-culturism, pluralism and all that only when tamils arm themselvves to be able to defend themselves. where is your multi 1958, 1959, 1960…………….1983 ?????
Thank god ‘engada artkaal’ ( Apay katytiya) the tigers are here so thats making sinhalas like you to speak about muti – if not everything mono -mahavamsaism.
Thanu said,
December 11, 2006 @ 10:53 am
People living in the GoSL control area are living with fear as who could be the next victim of the white van scquad. Each day passes in their life is a golden day.
People in Colombo are not any different. They can’t use the Auto ricshaw anymore. They are in to their houses by 5pm as abductions are continued with impunity.
Thanabal said,
December 11, 2006 @ 1:11 pm
Can the tamils live without the white van abductions in any part of the country?
Ravi , Vavunia said,
December 11, 2006 @ 4:00 pm
Sinhalas (GOSL and its forces) are most dangerous in the world in killing of tamil civilions. Now they have invented another weapon to do so, that is making No access to food to tamils. Theses terrorists should be given proper treatment in a peacefull way. We must launch awareness programs among Sinhala masses about their present wrong paradigm and to recognise equal rights for tamils as well.
A Sinhalese said,
December 13, 2006 @ 7:59 am
Some of these comments are really laughable. LTTE kills and abducts civilians and people opposite to their idealogy even in Colombo. They even hired some Army personal to do that. LTTE backed Peacenicks scream – Army Billa Army billa… And then Government and Army is doing the same as for competiion going on. (As seen in Trinco 5 students killing, Vavunia etc) JVP and JHU looks other way.
Expert panel put out really progressive proposals. Without even discusing it JVP pulls out from APC. They (JVP) are trying to commit another harakiri. They will take another hundred thousand Sinhala youth to death like 88-89. Human rights organisasions will look other way because they will be Sinhala (and Buddhists) youths- Human rights are only for Christians according to western human rights organisations and Diaspora Tamils. Hindus, Mulims and Buddhists who suffer from GOSL and LTTE does not come to their attention.
LTTE now doing it for last 20 years driving Tamil youth to death.
Bias, favouritism, religious bigotry in this country driving us to insane.
When these Diaspora Tamils and Sinhalese who support war, LTTE, JVP, JHU will ever learn?