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By Vasantha Raja

The Rajapaksa-administration, misguided by JVP theoreticians and a section of the military leadership, has driven Sri Lanka towards an unwinnable war already inflicting untold suffering on people. Hopes for a quick victory are fast receding, and Sri Lanka is getting bogged down in a long, atrocious conflict with catastrophic economic consequences to follow.

The Tigers, on the other hand, may see the developing scenario as a God-given opportunity to get rid of the Sinhala troops stationed in Jaffna, restore its dented image following the ‘Karuna rebellion’ and win much-needed global sympathy for its cause.

Recent LTTE attacks have virtually cut off aerial/naval supply routes to some 40,000 troops in the Jaffna peninsula. (the Tiger-controlled Vanni belt of jungle terrain effectively blocks all land links to the north). The Tigers’ overall scheme is apparent in their rocketing of the Palaly airbase and the Trincomalee harbour.

Disconnecting all lifelines to Jaffna troops from the south, opening up several warfronts to confuse and drain them, and forcing the military to overstretch its capacity in the south -all appear parts of a well-thought-out strategy.

Successful attacks within high-security zones have shown the vulnerability of southern military/economic targets to Black Tiger strikes. The LTTE attack on the Pakistan ambassador’s military convoy allegedly engaged in a “suspicious mission” to see Sri Lanka’s president and the bombing of the military high command before that, are all indicative of an effective intelligence network in place.

These are ominous signs indeed of what could be in store for the Colombo administration in the coming period.

The tense atmosphere engulfing the entire country will only deepen the economic mess and exacerbate spiralling living costs. In this climate, the JVP’s efforts to keep the lid on smouldering trade union unease may not work for long.

The labour unrest that broke out just before the military’s ‘Watershed Operation’ was temporarily halted thanks to JVP intervention. The president threatened to bring in troops to break up the strike wave in the energy sector.

How long the JVP would be able to control growing trade union discontent remains to be seen. If strikes eventually do break out and troop-mobilisation to counter a labour unrest becomes indispensable, then the military’s burden could reach unbearable heights.

The message is simple: The JVP-guided government strategy to reap quick results with pin-point aerial bombing is clearly failing; in all probability, the war will drag on. And the implications for the JVP and the Rajapaksa administration are dire.

If, on the other hand, global pressure forces both sides to revive the ceasefire agreement and negotiate, the LTTE is likely to emerge with an enhanced image, having overcome the that reversals Karuna split had caused.

By contrast, the government’s way of handling the peace process – with an overtly hostile attitude towards the global players – has considerably damaged its image internationally. The whole world knows the government wanted to push the Tigers to the limit and start the war with ulterior motives.

The president’s trusted ally, the JVP, has publicly said everything the president was reluctant to say. But then the government’s actions have spoken louder than the JVP’s words.

Clearly, the government is loosing the propaganda war in relation to the present conflict, just like what happened to the Israeli government recently. And if there is going to be a globally-sponsored ceasefire and talks, the Tigers will emerge triumphantly, just as the Hezbollah did.

Whether in Lebanon, Iraq or Sri Lanka, wars perpetrated with hidden agendas are bound to backfire. Honest efforts to tackle the root causes of social conflicts are the key to peace – just as the efforts of Mandela and De Klerk once proved in South Africa. [Lankaeye.com]

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

National Anti War Front organised a peace rally in Colombo on August 17th 2006.The peace rally started from Hyde Park in Colombo 2 and went onto Viharamahadevi open air theatre after an hour. The organisers say that, around 1,000 peace loving people and politicians participated along with religious dignitaries. After the peace rally a meeting was held. Few Buddhist monks got onto the stage and asked the organisers to go to Vanni and have the peace rally and meeting there, following which it ended in a brawl.

Peace rallies will be held in fifteen districts throughout the country, and 100,000 peace loving people will gather in Colombo on September 21st 2006, according to the organisers

The yougest Buddhist nun Wasgaduwa Sumangala attending the peace rally in Colombo on August 17th 2006, organised by the National Anti War Front

People from all parts of the Island participated

“Innocent people including children and students are killed. This has to be stopped immediately. The voice of the innocent people has to be heard. All have to work towards genuine peace. We have to represent humanity” says Reverend Brother Hippolius Benedict of Franciscan Church

Participants urged the warring parties to renounce violence

A.S.Perera, corn seller participated in the peace rally

Peace rally will be held throughout the island to urge the value of peace

“Women and children are the worst affected section of communities by war.Women and children of this country have suffered enough. We do not want to see another war in Sri Lanka. The warring parties must work for concrete peace” says Padmini Weerasooriya (45) from Katunayake, Mothers and Daughters of Sri Lanka

All walks of life participated

Participants say that, there is an undeclared war going on, and it has to be stopped immediately

“We do not want war. We want peace” says Sellathurai Raviprakash (30) of Mattakuliya

Participants queried although there is no declared war in Sri Lanka, curfew is imposed in Jaffna peninsula, and there is no communication to North

“We have to forgive each other, and live in harmony” says Alhaj Zufian of Leader of displaced Muslims in Puttalam

The sign in Tamil says:

“Country united against violence…Price of war is high…No matter who and however they burst, blown up ultimately is the country and her future… – Voice of the general public”

Source: humanityashore

Contact: Dushi.Pillai@gmail.com

The Sri Lankan government clamped down continuous curfew in Jaffna on Wednesday August 16th. The curfew was lifted for three hours on Tuesday but not lifted at all on Wednesday. People are unable to bring the injured civilians from areas around where there has been severe fighting recently such as Mandaithhevu, etc to Jaffna hospital, according to NGO sources.

Nearly 50,000 people have sought sanctuary already in churches in the Jaffna area fearing for their safety. Jaffna Government Agent S.Ganesh has requested the Government of Sri Lanka to send 5,000 metric tons of essential items to the peninsula. The stock in hand is available only for a week according to Jaffna Trader’s Federation. [TWNewsline]

by K.T. Kumaran

UNICEF issues Press Release

“These children are innocent victims of violence”

Little wonders they, the children grow up aspiring about their future, a betterment that will dawn in the world around them. Adversities are a mountain climb yet they don’t get deterred. A smile and confidence is their trait. American Poet Maya Angelou aptly captures this – “Children’s talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives”.

The horror of death from the air pounding the hearts of the young came Monday August 14th, near Kilinochchi – again.

When children are plucked away, violently, hearts bleeds in grief.

These children and their parents faced decades of war, food embargos and then the tsunami.

“Our deep sorrow is with their loved ones during this time of grief -for this senseless loss, and a promise to work for a better and more peaceful tomorrow for other children is the only glowing tribute to those young hearts that are not among us today”, said a caller on a Talk Radio on Monday.

Many Tamils, particularly in the diaspora communities expressed their sadness but also anger on the airwaves and several online portals over the horrific incident.

However the Sri Lankan authorities, particularly their spokesman Rambukwella and his Peace Secretariat cohort Kohona seem to be paying scant regard to loss human life, children.

According to a Voice of America report, U.N. spokesperson Orla Clinton said U.N. is still gathering information about the incident, in collaboration with international cease-fire monitors form the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM).

The VOA report further says:

The orphanage was evacuated before recent hostilities erupted, but Clinton says it was being used by another group of young people.

“What we know at the moment is that these seem to have been students between 16-and-18, A-Level students, from the Kilinochi and Mullativu area, who were on a two-day training course in first aid,” she said.

Investigators say it appears that the facility was bombed by “Kfir” jets, used by the Sri Lankan Air force.

“And apparently, four Kfirs, according to SLMM [the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission], dropped bombs on the area, the center where they were,” added Clinton, according to VOA News.

International ceasefire monitors who visited the site of the Sri Lankan airstrike Monday, said they couldn’t find “any evidence of military installations or weapons.” Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Ulf Henricsson, said monitors who visited Chencholai Valaham after the airstrike said they found at least 10 bomb craters and an unexploded bomb. “It was not a military installation, we can see [that],” Mr. Henricsson told Sri Lanka’s MTV television.

UNICEF Sri Lankan representative Joanna van Gerten said a UNICEF team had visited the site in the northern rebel-controlled district of Mullaitivu and saw the extent of the carnage.

“These were children from surrounding schools in the area who were brought there for a two-day training workshop on first aid, by whom we don’t know yet,”Agence France-Presse quoted her on Tuesday.

Humanity plunged at the start of the year with horrific execution of innocent youths on the ocean front in the Eastern port city of Trincomalee. The months followed after have seen several violent incidents, many of the fallen are youths and children also women and elders.

Many such wanton acts happened but international community was blind folded. Only when a few days ago, humanity in service fighting hunger got eradicated in Muthur louder voices were heard. Several leaders around the world, including former US leader, President Bill Clinton called for an independent inquiry. However, Sri Lankan authorities are deliberately hampering efforts to investigate the murder of 17 aid workers, ranging from ages 24 to 54. The chief truce monitor retired Maj. Gen. Ulf Henricsson, who heads the unarmed Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has said that when independent observers are not let in, it’s a sign that there’s something they want to hide.

Senseless loss again, will the Sri Lankan government be held accountable by the international community over the death of children, young hearts pounded from the air?

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PRESS RELEASE
UNICEF: Children are victims of the conflict in Sri Lanka

Colombo, New York, Geneva, 15 August 2006 – The bombing on Monday of a Vallepuram compound in Mullaitivu district that reportedly killed dozens of girls and wounded many more is a shocking result of the rising violence in Sri Lanka, UNICEF said today.“These children are innocent victims of violence,” said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. “We call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure children and the places where they live, study and play are protected from harm.”

The compound in the northern part of the country was bombed, reportedly killing as many as 40 adolescent girls. Some 100 children were wounded, many critically. Girls from various schools in the nearby district of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi were staying overnight at the compound, attending a two-day course in first-aid.

UNICEF staff from a nearby office immediately visited the compound to assess the situation and to provide fuel and supplies for the hospital as well as counselling support for the injured students and the bereaved families.

This latest incident comes amidst escalating hostilities in Sri Lanka in recent weeks, where tens of thousands of children were displaced from their homes. Hundreds of children have been injured, lost family members, and live in constant fear of the violence and continuous shelling of their communities.
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“Children’s talent to endure stems from their ignorance of alternatives”. – Maya Angelou – (Apr 4, 1928 – ) Civil Rights Activist, Poet, Historian

Maya Angelou: Angelou’s fight – with poetry – BBC
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By Sumanasiri Liyanage and Nimanthi Perera-Rajasingham

This article is dedicated to the memory of fellow activist, friend and co-thinker, Kethesh (Ketheswaran Loganathan)

Is it true that the war began with water? However, later developments suggest that it is not so simple. Vasantha Raja in his article on the Mavil Aru incident said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) made a big mistake over the Mavil Aru issue by providing space for the Government of Sri Lanka to make a ‘strategic move’ to drive the LTTE away from the Eastern Province. What he suggests is that the Mavil Aru is only a pretence for the GoSL to implement its planned military strategy. We wish to add, the closing down of the sluice gates of Mavil Aru seems to be a part of the military strategy of the LTTE as well. Some months ago, the LTTE had warned Muttur Muslims that they should leave Muttur immediately. There were hand bills posted and distributed in Muttur asking Muslims to leave the area. Discussions between the community leaders and the LTTE, and heightened security presence stopped this expulsion temporarily. Muttur is a strategically important place for the LTTE to operate against the Sri Lankan Navy and to capture Trincomalee. In this context the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut seems to be clearly linked to the LTTE’s strategic move to capture Muttur. It appeared to be an attempt to deviate the focus of the Sri Lankan security forces toward a different location, so that the LTTE could capture Muttur.

Hence, both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE moved toward strategic action that would enable them to obtain their desired objective. This main objective seems to be the Trincomalee harbour. In the military perspective of the GoSL, the continuous presence of the LTTE in Sampur would be a threat to Trincomalee harbor and its naval base. Simultaneously, the LTTE wishes to gain control of Muttur as this would enable them to strengthen their control over the Trincomalee harbour and attack navy activities in the area. What becomes clear through the actions of both parties is that neither particularly cares for the well-being of the large civilian populations living in this area be they Muslim, Thamil or Sinhalese.

Let us remap some of the incidents of the last few weeks. This ‘limited warfare’ as it has been called, commenced with the closing of the sluice gates in Mavil Aru on July 20. This meant that there was no water to the area and 15,000 acres of cultivated land were destroyed as a result. We also know from news reports that this water served the daily needs of civilians in the area, such as their drinking water, washing etc. This humanitarian concern enabled the government to do what it called its ‘limited war’ for humanitarian reasons. We heard time and time again, the likes of defense spokesman Minister Rambukwelle state that the attack to open the sluice gate was “a humanitarian mission and a disaster control measure.” What is forgotten in all of this outcry is that the disaster that the government had created is much bigger than the human disaster created by the closure of sluice gates by the LTTE. After all, people were not dying because there was no water as water was provided to them by the government agencies. This incident was however used by the government as an excuse to bomb and attack LTTE controlled areas, and as a result actually endangering the lives of civilian populations.

Hence, the Mavil Aru water issue needs to be understood in the larger context of the broad strategies of the two main actors. The GoSL desired to use this as an excuse to reclaim Sampur and the LTTE desired to use it to recapture Muttur. Neither party was concerned about the welfare and security of the people living in the area.

Humanitarian Crisis and Collateral Damage

In all these strategies, human beings have become nothing more than collateral damage. According to the Sri Lankan Muslim Information Centre (SLMIC) approximately 40, 000 Civilians have been displaced from Muttur as a result of the violence in Muttur. Many of them live today in refugee camps. Other sources state that 50, 259 Muttur civilians have been registered as displaced. The total Internally Displaced People as at 9 am on August 8 th 2006 in camps were 41,270 persons (Trincomalee Town 6 camps- 2828 persons, Kantale 8 camps- 19,880 persons, Seruwila 16 camps -10,292 persons, Kinniya 6 camps- 1678 persons, Thampalagamam 9 camps- 6592 people and one camp in Negombo-153 persons.) The people left to other districts such as Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Colombo as well. (see “Displaced people of Muthur want to stay in Negombo” by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai. The tragedy of what has happened to civilian populations is beyond narration. What has become clear is that the LTTE demanded that the people of Muttur leave it once they entered the town, they also separated men and women and asked the women to leave, but kept behind certain men they felt were ‘jihadists.’ As people were attempting to leave Muttur, the LTTE checked about 15, 000 men, one by one and chose a few and tied their hands behind their backs and separated them from the others. The LTTE had claimed at the time that they had lists of those jihadists. They separated young men from their families and as families refused to leave these young men behind, they were brutally beaten by the LTTE. We also know that army forces indiscriminately shelled schools and other places in which civilians were taking refuge, knowing very well that civilians were residing in these school. In the midst of this shelling and counter-shelling, many civilians are now displaced in Kantalai and the surrounding areas.

While a large number of those displaced are Muslims, there are also approximately 15, 000 Thamil IDPs in this lot. The gruesome and violent killings/assassinations of 17 aid workers of Action Contre la Faim are a reminder that Tamil civilians continue to be badly affected by ongoing hostilities. These aid workers were Tamil men and women from the Trincomalee area and their murder marks the callous disregard for aid workers who take risks to provide necessities for those affected by conflict. Kantalai is in no way prepared to cope with the massive influx of people into its environs and we have read how the villagers have felt resentment at this huge inflow of civilians, and also that violence in the area continues. On Tuesday the 8th of August two Muslims were taken away in a white van, and their bodies were found the following day. We have also heard from aid-workers in Kantalai that there have been cross fires as tensions have begun to build. Further, we also heard from aid workers there that lorries bringing in supplies for the displaced Tamil communities were barred by the military from entering the areas and were asked to return.

While in Colombo and Killinochchi elite groups shout for war, the reality of war is quite different. On August the 11th, the JVP had a rally in Colombo ‘to show people the way’ and to argue for war to ‘defeat the tigers.’ Wimal Weerawansa highlighted the need of capturing Sampur during a parliamentary speech made on 10th of August. The huge banners by the JVP and around town illustrating army soldiers prepared for battle, looking tough and masculine are to rouse the public toward patriotism and warfare. What LTTE propaganda does is not dissimilar to this. What both forget is the flip side of war, and how this ideology hides other realities and lived experiences. War means, young Sinhala men will return to their families in coffins. It means that Tamil children and youth will be returned to families to be buried along with the thousand others who have died for the nation. It means that women and children, and loved ones will have to face again years of mourning and grief. It means that money which could be spent to reduce the stark poverty in Sri Lanka will instead be spent to kill human beings. It means that the Sri Lankan state will become more indebted as it pays for the high costs of warfare, while more and more welfare expenditure is cut.

Lack of Concern for Human Life and selfish objectives

The GoSL had ample time and ample warning of what has happened in Sri Lanka these past weeks. Muttur was a time bomb waiting to explode. Why didn’t the government prepare to meet the consequences of warfare? Did the GoSL have any plans to meet humanitarian disaster that would associate with its military action? Security in Muttur, as reported by the UTHR has been extremely lax. The LTTE too has no concern what so ever for the wellbeing of civilians and thinks it can expel civilians as it wishes. Both have proven that they make no preparation to protect the lives of people before the onset of war.

As is clear in the manner in which relief is carried out in Kantale, the state has very little control of what is happening to the displaced persons, and relies more and more on international aid and aid workers to do the work for them. Despite ministries and departments to deal with disaster management and human rights, the state has no respect for human beings and no capacity to cope with crisis. This highlights clearly that both the LTTE and the GoSL have only one concern, and that is military strategy and gaining power over one another. The lives of people mean NOTHING to them.

The violence in Mavil Aru, Muttur and now Sampur is but a microcosm of what is to come in the next months if the military confrontation continues. . This ‘limited war’ has given rise to enormous consequences in terms of displacement, deaths, injuries and trauma. War in a large scale, so desired by various factions, will only increase the numbers of civilian casualties in the future. If people, Muslims, Thamils and Sinhalese cannot stop war they should design new strategies to avoid the consequences of ‘dirty war’. For example, Muslims and others in Muttur can declare that their area is a peace zone from which both armed forces should withdraw. People’s committees can be formed to supervise it and a multi-ethnic police force can do policing in case of problems. People in the area can come to an agreement with two parties that both parties would not militarily intervene in Muttur. This is not a utopian idea since many countries give an example of the presence of peace zones in the midst of war.

No colour in the life of the common man

Six months to colour Galle Face Green?

By Shezna Shums

A recent newspaper report stated that the Galle Face Green would be closed for six months. The report said that the authorities are `renovating’ the beloved `Green.’

The question arises as to where the common man could go to for a stroll and a breath of fresh air over the next six months. Never in the history of Galle Face Green, has such grandiose renovations been planned – certainly not for such a long time. It is a shame that this beautiful place in Colombo has never been maintained in a systematic, regular basis. If this was done, then there would be no need to close it for six months.

Galle Face Brown

Galle Face Green – or should we call it Galle Face Brown, given the fact that some parts are green and others brown has been a recreational place to Sri Lankans for centuries and it is all too common to see friends, family or lovers meeting at the green for a stroll in the evening or to take the children out.

It is one place in Colombo that the stressed out people could just relax late into the night with the cool, soothing sea breeze.

It is also the first place that visitors to Colombo from the outstations descend on for a spot of r & r.

Galle Face always seemed to have nice green grass some years ago.

However today with many politicians trying to ‘renovate’ the place they just seem to be spending a colossal sum of money, at the end of which usually neither the grass nor the trees are all that green.

Dying trees

Expensive trees that had been uprooted from somewhere else and planted here a couple of years ago have been basically dying a slow, painful death before our eyes.

‘Experts’ have been trying to help in whatever way they could to improve the condition of the trees but nothing seems to have worked.

Good steps

The steps to the green as well as the ones leading to the tarred road by the beach are certainly in good shape. But it is the ugly vast brown patches on the ‘green’ that have made this place an eyesore. Given that we have very few parks and places where people could jog, relax and take a stroll it is indeed a tragedy that this place is not maintained properly.

Once again in what is becoming a regular feature the government hopes to rehabilitate Galle Face with the assistance of the Urban Development Authority and the Ports Authority, splashing millions of rupees. What species of trees will be planted this time round is anybody’s guess.

Whatever the ‘rehabilitation,’ the authorities have been struggling to keep this place green – whereas in the rest of the city trees are easily grown and the moist and humid conditions are ideal for gardening.

Why the Galle Face Green does not stay ‘green’ is the million rupee question. [theSundayleader.lk]

Related: The People get their Galle Face Green Back