SARRC Summit and what next?

- The Sudar Oli Editorial

(August 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) SARRC Summit, hosted at great expenses and amidst tight security, has come to an end without any untoward incidents, in the back drop of a unilateral truce offer by the LTTE. Meanwhile, the government, which turned down the truce offer of the LTTE, has indulged in military advances into Vanni during these ten days. There were air attacks and the government has announced that it has captured certain areas, while the LTTE has informed that it engaged in defence measures and that they did not violate the Ceasefire declaration made by them.

It is expected that the LTTE may respond to the military advances after the expiry of ceasefire agreement.

The announcement that the security forces have captured all of Mannar district came during the truce period. It is during this period that the defence establishment revealed that the security forces have begun moving towards Killinochchi. The military Advancement that began with Mavilaru continues incessantly and the South says that the LTTE is withdrawing.

Here, it is apt to recall the Heroes' Day address by the LTTE Leader Prabaharan last year.

"The Sinhala country has mistaken ideas about our freedom struggle. It underestimates the struggle. We execute our military strategies after careful scrutiny of the strength and the weakness of our foe, the geography of the area, the external factors and after a clear perception of the would be military objectives and strategies of our foe."

"It was strategic withdrawal in the east. The Sinhala country would have learnt during Jaya Sikkuru operations how precarious it is to engage in extensive military occupation. They have conquered a land sans people. They will have to meet serious repercussions." - That was what he said then!

(An English translation of the Editorial in the Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily based in Colombo)
- Sri Lanka Guardian