War Crimes allegations against popular Lankan leaders will certainly ruin reconciliation

By Thomas Johnpulle

(May 27, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Certain Western countries are hell bent on making war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka. They say there is a possibility of war crimes in Sri Lanka, especially in the last phase of the war and they want them investigated. Ironically, UK which is making war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka has skeletons in its own closet; in millions! This is a classic case of trying to cover up their genuine war crimes by levelling allegations against another. On the other hand they urge the Sri Lankan government to reconcile and build bridges between the communities. Their two acts are contradictory; one nullifies the other.

Although those alleging war crimes say that their charge is against both warring parties, the government and the LTTE, they know darned well that the LTTE is no more. Even India is in the process of closing the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case since the LTTE, the culprit, has been annihilated. Therefore, the real intention of these busybodies is to cause trouble to Sri Lanka in return to winning the war.

Anyone expecting reconciliation in Sri Lanka after 26 years of continued war must understand that the largest majority of Sri Lankans are overjoyed by the decimation of the LTTE. This is an undisputable fact. Call it jingoism, dastardly celebrations or whatever, the fact remains that most Sri Lankans are very happy about wining the war by eliminating the LTTE. Their support is paramount in any reconciliation process. By threatening with war crimes investigations and levelling allegations, some sections of the international community will completely ruin all chances of reconciliation. Public sentiments must be taken into account by the international community if serious about long term workable reconciliation. Sinhalas being the majority must be encased into any reconciliation process, else it becomes totally meaningless and Sinhalas are not going support any move by the international community to secure a political solution if their heroes were to be investigated for war crimes.

The government will also hit back by executing rarely used laws aimed at curbing separatism. This can lead to a ridiculous situation as in the early 1980s where the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) which was the second largest party in parliament and represented the most number of Tamils was barred from parliament for supporting separatism. The impact of executing anti-separatism provisions of the Constitution and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be enormous on Tamil politics of the nation. That will engrave the positions of pro-government Tamil parties as the sole voice of Tamils.

In addition, changing the Constitution is an essential part in ensuring the improvement of rights. As in any democracy, Sri Lanka needs the support of its majority to effectuate a Constitution change. Antagonize them and the international community can forget about any Constitution change or a political solution!

Further, close to 300,000 IDPs got to be resettled as soon as practical. Only the government can carryout proper resettlement of IDPs by providing them the necessary infrastructure, mine clearing and support to rebuild houses. By inconveniencing the government over alleged war crimes they will delay the resettlement of IDPs causing never ending hardships to these people for no fault of theirs.

Recently highly influential Buddhist monks conferred on the President the highest national honour. This reflects the sentiment of the masses as well. It is very easy to turn this powerful popular support for destructive purposes if the international community fails to value what is valuable for Sri Lankans.

Elements of the Tamil Diaspora pressing the international community for a probe do not care about coexistence and reconciliation. If Sri Lankans reconcile and coexist, they are going to fail in extorting a chunk of land from Sri Lanka for the establishment of Tamil Elam.

Henceforth, the international community should be guided by the better good of all Sri Lankans. European nations represented at the UN Human Rights Council must stop their confrontational approach towards Sri Lanka and adopt a reconciliatory method. Else it is foolhardy to expect Sri Lanka to do a committed process of reconciliation. It will be simply impossible.
-Sri Lanka Guardian
Lasitha said...

Excellent article which discuss what's going to happen if so-called international community again commit their hypocritical crimes against Sri Lanka.
There are so many people in SL who are ready to fight onto death for heroic leadership.

Upali Gunasekara said...

This is a very logical analysis on the repercussions of the move to punish Sri Lanka on alleged war crimes. Naturally, the authorities get discouraged by such unwanted bullying by the so-called HR champions and the communities develop anti-reconciliation feelings towards each other. The fact that these HR advocates themselves are the real violators of HR, makes matters worse in the minds of people. These attempts are nothing but avenging for what Sri Lanka achieved without a damn care for their calls to spare the terrorist leadership! As the President stood firm all throughout, he will continue to do so during all these harassments, we believe. -Upaligun

lfonseka said...

Excellent article and I concur with the author. It is not the time to bring war crime investigation against the Sri Lankan army who rescued over two hundred thousand civilians. It will impede the reconciliation process which has begun by the Sri Lankan people.

However, it is time for western countries to assist Sri Lanka to re-settle all rescued civilians in the Wanni area as soon as possible.

chelvashan said...

Dear Editor,
the actions taken by UN and the west is a part of a democratic process to check and find out who were the culprits in the war between LTTE and Government of Srilanka. No need to scare the public and create doubts in their mind. Educate them. This is your duty. Of course I know your pen is under the control of the higher Government personel who have to stop interferring in free press and opinion. Let us pray that you will be permitted to be a good analyst and writer.
thanks and regards

chelvashan said...

Action taken UN and the western member states is a democratic process to check and moniotr war crimes committed by LTTE or the Government. Why anyone should worry if they did not commit anything. Why cant the Srilankan Government be open to public and press freedom. Even good old john the editor is under control and he cannot express a good analysis. Dear John you should educate the public and not to create any doubts and miscommunications. God bless you for your futre freedom.
regards
chelvashan

Unknown said...

Very true. This article said everything. It is quite clear now that west is using their so called war crimes story against GOSL to show off their power. They never cared for the citizens of Sri Lanka and they will never care for the IDP.US and UK should be highly worried of the unity in East after all. One day their power could be taken over by India and China.

RanjithT said...

It is obvious as the writer said with no LTTE in existance except in the minds of the terrorists active and passive supporters the resolution by the west is clearly directed against the GOSL. The fact that GOSL and the people of Sri Lanka refused to bow down to the whims and fancies of the so-called IC made them to use the HRC to discredit Sri Lanka. If the west truely concerned about the welfare of the victims of terror thay should support the efforts by the GOSL. Lack of such activities shows the deep rooted animocity against Sri Lanka and it's people who are prepared to say NO to the RICH and the POWERFUL.

manuri said...

Mr.Johnpulle,You live in London and I live in another side of midnight,so we know the ground realities of the western world.

During the last phase of war I stuck me finally and painfully who have kept the two communities apart for such a long time.It is not the LTTE it is just the whole of the western world paticularly Britian.They kept LTTE alive so that they can keep you and me apart and get the best out of it.What stupid idiots we are ?I am in rage just by thinking about it.

What is their rush in this human right issue just at this juncture?It is clear they want to keep sri lanka and all it's people forever in the dark.

We have to fight against this.This is the real terrorism that is hidden under the table and that does not surface.The terrorism of the gentlemen.

Let's go for this and that is why we need more and more people who could take up the pen to write and to enlight the public now that we saw that the gun culture never works no matter what.

a brilliant piece of thinking

chelvashan said...

As suggested by writers for west to step in and assist the affected people in the war zone, mind you the Srilankan Government has been never quick enough to allow humanitarian aid to come in freely. What kind of Government is this? As susual they are showing their need not care for minorities needs. This is not the direction to win the hearts of the tamils of the world.
regards
chelvashan