JHU Exposes the UNP-LTTE Conspiracy - Feature Article
By C P Kuruppu

Through out the history of Sri Lanka the Buddhist monks played the distinctive role of the guardian deities of the country (the Rate Mura Devathavo). In playing that role they acted against the country's conspirators, traitors and perpetrators. Not once but umpteenth number of times they played that role to the perfection. This time it was the Buddhist monks of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) in parliament. The monks disclosed that on behalf of the LTTE the UNP tried to bribe four of the JHU monks in parliament to cross over and vote against the budget.
The UNP-LTTE conspiracy to topple the Mahinda Rajapaksa government was definitely a futile attempt. The government has already broken the backs of the Tigers and one can understand how they would react. But it is extremely difficult to fathom the UNP's reaction.

The UNP is a national political party with a Sinhalese majority but it overtly and covertly supports the LTTE terrorists. What does the UNP expect to achieve by its support to the LTTE? The obvious fact is that the UNP wants to come to power. The only way a political party in a democracy can come to power is to win elections. The UNP cannot win elections. It was defeated in thirteen elections in a row. It has now given up of wining people and chosen to come to power with the terrorists help. It adopted this tactic not once but several times. Getting the support of the terrorists is suicidal. President Premadasa cultivated the friendship of the Tigers by giving them arms, money and material but they assassinated him on broad daylight.

It is common knowledge that if one gets some one else's help, he will have to help the other in return. The LTTE helps the UNP to topple
Mahinda's government. What does it want in return? It wants to form an elam . It cannot achieve it and the majority of the UNP supporters know it but the party's big wigs do not. They think that they can come to power with the support of the LTTE. Therefore they help the terrorists. However their support would help the already back broken terrorists to drag the war for some more time killing more people.

The LTTE-UNP conspiracy to topple the government by inducing the government MPs to cross over to the opposition through bribes was in the air for some time. However it gathered its momentum with the approach of the budget debate. The JHU monks came forward to reveal the details of that conspiracy.

JHU Leader Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Nayaka Thera said the LTTE had channelled funds through the UNP to offer bribes to the members of the JHU to cross the floor of the House and join the opposition but the JHU would stand by its policy of supporting the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is trying to defeat the LTTE terrorists.

The Nayaka Thera further said that the UNP which had once called the JHU a Dussela Samagama was shamelessly asking for their support. Bribes were offered to four Ven. Theras of the JHU. There was an international conspiracy to strengthen the LTTE and weaken the Armed Forces and recently a pro LTTE group from Canada had come to Colombo to provide funds to bribe the government members to defect. That was a part of international conspiracy against President Rajapaksa but the JHU will not be a party to any conspiracy hatched by the LTTE-UNP and international forces against the government.

Ven. Thera's statement perfectly matched with the revelation about a LTTE supporter named Shanmugam who is domiciled in Canada developed contacts with some UNP parliamentarians while staying at a five star hotel in Colombo a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile the President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at the SLFP Parliamentary group meeting said that it was reported to the CID that world's two top Tamil businessmen who are occupying rooms at a five star hotel were distributing money to some of the MPs and Tiger suicide killers have come to assassinate a few MPs before the 19th of November.

Chief Government Whip and the Minister of High Ways Jeyaraj Fernandopulle speaking in parliament on the second reading of the budget gave further details of how the bribes were offered. He said that Rs. 30 million each were offered to five monks of the JHU, further sum of Rs. 50 million was offered to Rev. Uduwe Dhammaloka and Rs. 30 million each plus perks to three non cabinet ministers.

In the mean time the news reports said that a former non Cabinet Minister and some parliamentarians have had discussions with the LTTE businessmen at another five star hotel. The names of some MPs were rumoured as those who have met the LTTE contact man. The CID has obtained a court order to pursue an account of a private bank where US $ 3 million had been deposited in local currency. Some news reports said that some UNP members strongly objected to those who have deposited the money in their private accounts. The government was to reveal the names of those who have pocketed the money said the Dinamina.

This is not the only time that the LTTE tried to bribe the MPs to cross over to the opposition. The leader of the UNP-D, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya raising a privilege matter in parliament revealed on August 7 th.2007 that an LTTE gun runner called Charles Gnanakoone was trying to topple the government by offering Rs.110 millions (US Dollars one million) to each MP who is willing to cross over to the opposition at a given time and vote.

Every one knows that the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe flew to Singapore to meet the same gun runner Gnanakoone at Conrad International Hotel on June 18th.2000.

In the mean time the pro LTTE Tamil web sites like Elanasam, Vilippu, Nidarsanam and Neruppu have reported that the UNP was fulfilling its promise to the LTTE to stop the security forces from entering the Vanni. It was also reported that some international organisations were prepared to spend large sums of money to prevent armed forces from taking over the rest of the North and a Tiger representatives have come to Colombo to distribute money to bribe the MPs who were willing to cross over.

Most of the UNP MPs are aware of what their leaders do and the unholy connection their party has with the LTTE. But, at the budget debate none of them spoke of that connection but spoke of economic issues like rising cost of living.

However the ordinary people of the country are now very well aware of the noxious connection between the UNP and the LTTE. They cannot be deceived. They are not afraid to come out and express their feelings. They and different organizations now openly condemn and ridicule the UNP-LTTE connection. They talk both to the print and electronic media and vent out their feelings. The classic example was the poster of the Prabhakaran's 'letter' to Ranil and the UNP MPs.

It said:
'dear Ranil and the UNP MPs;
please save me by defeating the budget, V Prabhakaran.

P.S. Please give my regards to Mangala, Sripathi and Chandrika'.

In the mean time most of us cannot understand why the JVP joined in hand with the TNA and the UNP to vote against the government. The JVP did not disclose its decision of voting until the last moment as it was god's secret. But it voted against the budget. Right throughout the JVP said that its first priority was to defeat the Tiger terrorism and attacked the UNP as pro LTTE. But the same JVP joined in hand with the TNA and UNP to try to defeat the government at the second reading. The JVP criticised the government's economic policy and expenditure on the large cabinet but praised the policy on the terrorists. The main issue before the country today is to defeat the terrorism and if the JVP gives priority to that it should have voted for the government and not opposed it. To us the stand taken by the JVP is very questionable.

The JVP won the last General Elections as a constituent partner of the United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and now it says that it is going on a separate path. It has won 39 seats at the last elections not because that it had a country wide appeal but because it was partner of the UPFA. There were two other factors that contributed to the disproportionate number of seats it won. They were: a large number of SLFP supporters voted for it and the proportionate electoral system. The JVP was over confident and elated about it's artificially inflated strength and predicted that it would win 50 local councils and get second place in another 50 councils at the local government elections of 2005. But it won only one council came second in a few and obtained 12% of island wide vote. The JVP now says it want go on its own way. But if it is to contest as a separate party at the coming elections how many seats will it expected to get with its 12% followers? It has not done anything to cultivate its popularity among voters other than verbally attacking the others. During 1950s and 60s the LSSP and the CP were the popular left parties and those parties too dreamt of going it alone. But we know how far they have gone. First the Marxism as a political force died a natural death. Then with the passage of time except for the old timers, no new supporters rallied round them. With more youth getting employed, country's economy is moving up and the war coming to an end the JVP will not be able to take the youth into hostage to support them by inciting the students at universities and workers at places of work to strike.

The JVP said recently that it did not join President Rajapaksa's government because the President had given the dissident UNP members ministerial posts. But how many times had the President invited them to join him before he accommodated the UNP-D?

The JVP has one more chance to support the government. That is on the third reading of the budget on 14th December.

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Terrorism: A challenge to democratic societies
- Dr. Kohona

"The scourge of terrorism has unsettled societies, hindered progress, and shaken confidence in the future with a foreboding feeling that life will be unremittingly violent and disastrous. Sri Lanka has been a victim of this menace for over twenty-five years.
We have faced a terrorist group called the LTTE or the Tamil Tigers all these years" said Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Dr. Palith Kohona, during a presentation delivered on 13th November, at the Institute of International Relations, at Prague in Czech Republic.
Full speech delivered by Dr. Palitha Kohona:
Today, I wish to address you on a serious challenge that is confronting the international community: a challenge that did not grip our ancestors on the same tragic scale. In the past disciplined armies confronted each other and caused loss and misery. But shadowy groups, trained to kill and destroy, did not cause havoc among innocents, to their lives and to their livelihood to this extent. I refer to the challenge of terrorism. Sri Lanka has been a victim of this menace for over twenty five years. We have faced a terrorist group called the LTTE or The Tamil Tigers all these years.
The number of countries that have suffered from terrorism in recent times is very large. Some of them have been victims for over half a century. The U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Algeria, Russia, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines - the list goes on and on. Thousands of non-combatant innocents have died, have been maimed and millions in property damage caused. One thing is clear. While this menace has plagued a range of countries, there is no discernible common thread among those who resort to terrorism. This has caused difficulties in formulating common solutions to this global menace.
In the modern era the scourge of terrorism has unsettled societies, hindered progress, and shaken confidence in the future with a foreboding feeling that life will be unremittingly violent and disastrous. Children grow up and reach adulthood knowing nothing but senseless violence. In the absence of the normal influences of childhood, children reach maturity immune to violence. For them, it becomes a normal part of life. Life becomes debased - a commodity to be readily sacrified. Furthermore, terrorist violence has had a significant impact on economic progress of some countries. At a time when the world is witnessing unprecedented economic progress, some societies are held back by the cruel vice of terrorism. Sri Lanka is no exception.
Sri Lanka's economic growth rate reached 7.4% last year. Exports increased by 8.2%. Foreign Direct Investment more than doubled. Unemployment reached an all time low and foreign currency reserves expanded. However, this performance would have been further increased dramatically into more impressive figures if not for the negative perceptions generated by LTTE's terrorism. At a time when rapid economic growth could have addressed the aspirations of all our youth, including minority youth, terrorism holds us back. The strategic value of economic disruption in facilitating their goals has not been lost on the perpetrators of terrorism. Economic hopelessness is a happy recruiting ground for cannon fodder and suicide bombers and terrorists have always created this background to facilitate their objectives. The misery generated is a necessary price they demand to assist their strategy. While the economic growth of the state is constrained, the glamour of violence is constantly highlighted for the consumption of disaffected youth.
The challenge before us is to strengthen international cooperation among states, governments and people world wide, against terrorism and to develop national mechanisms that not only confront the menace, counter it with resolution but also develop initiatives for addressing its root causes which could include economic factors. While measures to counter the violence are essential we must not forget the need to address economic and social concerns that could nourish terrorism. As democratic societies and responsible governments, we have no choice but to counter terrorism in all its virtually limitless manifestations. We owe it to our people and to future generations.
As part of the process of engaging the international community in its struggle against terrorism and being party to the global effort to counter this menace, Sri Lanka has assiduously worked at strengthening its linkages with the international community. Sri Lanka has lobbied vigorously to have the LTTE listed as a banned organisation. Most democracies of the world - the US, Canada, the EU, India, etc. have done so. Furthermore, we have concluded intelligence sharing and cooperation agreements with most of our neighbours. We will actively share information with governments as they work towards countering terrorist groups, including the LTTE. We are cooperating with a range of countries in tracking terrorist financing networks. We monitor over 300,000 financial transactions involving our banks every month for any suspicious transactions. We recognize the value of law enforcement agencies around the world cooperating with each other and maintaining their focus. Our efforts have produced considerable results. In the US, 17 LTTE supporters have been brought before the courts, following a sting operation, for various illegal activities including attempts to purchase lethal weapons and to corrupt government officials. Judge Bruguiere of France has charged over 20 LTTE members in Paris, including on counts of intimidation and extortion and fund raising for LTTE's terrorist activities. The LTTE maintains a sophisticated network of fund raisers in Paris with a well defined command structure, who resort to intimidation and violence targeting the Tamil community to raise funds. Individuals are expected to pay about Euro 2000 per year to the LTTE under the threat of violence to themselves or their families back in Sri Lanka. Credit card fraud racquets by LTTE supporters are being investigated in London, Cairo, Vietnam, etc. In London, LTTE petrol shed attendants obtain credit card details of unwary customers to be used later for fraudulent purposes. Australia has taken action against fund raisers and human smugglers. The challenge remains and it is enormous. The LTTE raises funds mainly in Western countries through various means, including intimidation and extortion, the narcotics trade, human trafficking and arms smuggling. These funds are transferred to other locations, including through countries which have no restrictions on fund transfers and used mainly for procuring weapons. Foreign funds collected ostensibly for charitable purposes are diverted for terrorist purposes. The Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation, an LTTE linked charity, is under investigation in many Western countries. It is vitally important to curb this fund raising, money transfers and arms procurement by LTTE's activists; for this is the lifeline that keeps feeding the LTTE in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is working closely with friendly countries on these matters. However, tracking illegal fund transfers in the modern world is a major challenge for national security services. We need to be constantly vigilant, refine our methods and be uncompromising in our opposition to terrorist violence. The LTTE's methods could very easily provide inspiration to other terrorist groups around the world.
The LTTE is alleged to be collecting in the region of US$ 20 - 30 million every month. Jane's International says that this funding goes mostly to procure weapons which are transported to Sri Lanka in a fleet of ships owned by LTTE front entities. Some of the funds must also go to develop its illegal business empire. It is known from other illegal organizations that success in business ventures is an incentive for self perpetuation. It is noted that so far this year, four of these ocean going ships of the LTTE have been sunk by the Sri Lankan Navy. This has been achieved through close cooperation with friendly nations. They have also smuggled in light aircraft which have been used for dropping small improvised explosive devices. The existence of light aircraft could pose a security threat, not only to sensitive installations in neighbouring countries but also to shipping. Any tolerance of an LTTE air capacity will be picked up quickly by other terrorists. It is clear that the biggest danger in all this is the possibility of emulation. Any success by a terrorist group could spawn copycat reactions from other groups.
As a civilized society, we cannot accept those who would seek to justify the deliberate taking of innocent life, regardless of cause or grievance.
The events of September 11 in the United States brought the issue of terrorism into the forefront of the global agenda. We watched with horror as those mighty towers crumbled causing the deaths of about 3000 persons. Those people had gone to work in the morning hoping to return home in the evening. That was not to be. But we also recall that many countries were confronted by this threat long before 9/11.
The international response
The world has incrementally taken a firm stance against terrorism. Although the argument relating to liberation struggles and terrorism still continues, certain acts have been acknowledged as being unacceptable by the international community. It is also suggested that the vast majority of the countries of the world do not recognize a distinction between good terrorists and bad terrorists. Those who kill, maim and destroy innocent lives and property, whatever the cause, are bad per se. There cannot be good terrorists. The catalyst for this hardened approach was 9/11. If we were to condone terrorism in any form, on the basis of motive, we will never be able to eliminate it.
The UN General Assembly and the Security Council adopted strongly worded resolutions denouncing the Twin Tower attacks the day after they occurred. Two Weeks later, on September 28, 2001, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1373, aimed at targeting terrorist fund raisers and those who harbour, aid and support them.
From the very specific prohibitions regarding the financing of terrorism through the recruitment of terrorists and supplies of weapons to them, to the actual exchange of information in tracking the activities of terrorist; Resolution 1373 had the cumulative impact of establishing rigorous barriers against global terrorism which under Chapter VII of the UN Charter is mandatory for all member states to implement. The reliance on Chapter VII by the international community is significant. It is now acknowledged that terrorism is a threat to world peace. It is significant that the world community relied on the Security Council, with its ability to take decisions binding on UN Member States, to address the question of terrorist funding. The need for speed and effectiveness were clearly recognized. Treaties take time to negotiate and too many compromises have to be accommodated.
Through this Resolution the Security Council also established a new organ called the Counter-Terrorism Committee( CTC) which is working with international, regional and sub - regional organizations to explore ways of expanding assistance to States on a host of financial, regulatory, and legislative issues. The CTC is staffed by specialists and it reports to the Security Council. Over the past few years, it has established an effective network of linkages in its efforts to counter terrorist fund raising. This is supplemented by national bilateral efforts which are beginning to have an impact.
The Resolution calls upon all UN Member States to report to the CTC on the specific steps they are taking to implement Resolution 1373. While the reporting is mandatory, assistance is provided with reporting. Many countries may find this obligation oppressive as they themselves have had no experience with terrorism. However, given the global dimension of terrorism, it is imperative that all states take serious measures to implement their obligations to contribute to the multilateral effort to eliminating this menace. Terrorism impacts on countries indirectly, including economically. Therefore the effort to address this problem must have the support of all countries.
A few days later the then UN Secretary - General Kofi Annan called for developing a broad, comprehensive and sustained strategy to combat terrorism. At a subsequent open meeting on Terrorism in the Security Council, Kofi Annan called on the CTC to develop a long - term strategy that would enable all States to undertake the steps needed to defeat terrorism. The Chairman of the CTC at the time, Sir Jeremy Greenstock (UK), stated that the Council's aim was to "improve the average performance level of governments against terrorism across the globe by upgrading the capacity of each nation's legislation and executive machinery to fight terrorism".
The international 'rule of law' against terrorism is being strong themed each year. There are 13 UN Conventions addressing different dimensions of the global terrorist threat. A comprehensive convention is being negotiated, unfortunately, too slowly. Gradually certain strong principles are being established by the international community. First and foremost, it is clear that terrorism is being rejected as an acceptable means of political expression. The international community has also embraced the view that terrorist offenders must either be prosecuted or be extradited. While a definition of terrorism has evaded negotiators so far, a range of acts have been identified as terrorist acts - acts which no civilized society can condone. The international community now has the basis for making progress with the comprehensive convention.
In 2004, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1540, which required States to adopt specific measures against terrorism, including the mandatory enactment of legislation. Both in 2001 and 2003, the UN organized special treaty events to encourage wider participation of states in the global legal framework to counter terrorism. Membership of the UN terrorism related Treaties is extensive and international cooperation is expanding among police, customs and intelligence officials across the globe in recent years. Sri Lanka has been working assiduously to strengthen this cooperation. Over the years Sri Lanka has acquired considerable practical experience in this field.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his address to the 62nd Session of the General Assembly of the UN called on the Secretary General to allocate more resources to UN agencies that deal with counter terrorism matters. This we see as a priority as many states may not participate fully in the global framework against terrorism, not for the lack of will but for the lack of skills and resource.
Terrorism will never be eradicated solely by cooperation among law enforcement officials. It requires a concerted political effort and policy coordination among countries. Further, it also requires an ability to understand and minimize the motivation and impetus that inspire terrorist acts.
It is the firm conviction of the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the present conflict in Sri Lanka cannot be solved through military means alone. The government is fully committed to finding a lasting negotiated political settlement to the conflict. For this purpose a grand coalition of parties has been created with a view to developing political proposals to address minority concerns. Given the nature of the coalition, progress has been slow but this factor also will assist in delivering the commitments undertaken. The proposals for a political settlement, addressed mainly to the Tamil people of Sri Lanka, are expected to be tabled in December. His position is very much in line with the thinking of the Sri Lankan Government. The Government is consistently striving to arrive at a political solution which will address the concerns of the minorities, in particular the Tamil minority, without compromising the sovereignty, national security or territorial integrity of the country by caving into the unreasonable demands of a terrorist group. A group which has for over twenty five years maintained a monolithic fascist power structure and which has methodically eliminated all rivals, in particular the moderates of that community. A group which has chosen terrorism as its preferred mode of political expression.

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Humbugs, human rights and peace
By Janaka Perera

The past several days saw developments that may not be very pleasing to the 'peaceniks.' The government passing the budget with a 16 vote majority without question has dashed the hopes all the humbugs waiting to re-start the usual `peace talks' game. Had the budget proposals been defeated it would have very likely led to dissolution of Parliament and a general election that would have definitely added to the financial burdens facing the country.

In the process all major anti-LTTE military operations would have had to be halted thereby giving breathing space to the Tigers and demoralizing the Security Forces. A new government possibly with Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister would then 'reinvigorate' the so-called ceasefire and withdraw government troops to the positions they held before the Mavil Aru operation for that is what the 'Sun God' would demand in order to re-consolidate his power in the East.

Wickremesinghe would then be in his element playing the role that history has assigned to him as the second 'Don Juan Dharmapala.' (The first Don Juan D handed over this country by gift of deed to the King of Portugal in a failed attempt to make Sri Lanka a vassal state of that country).

Promptly, all anti-war crusaders, 'human rights' champions and sections of the 'international community' will then urge new government to revive the hackneyed 'peace process.' 'Negotiations' with the LTTE of course would very likely be on the latter's terms – in other words legitimizing Tiger rule in the areas they held when the 2002 MOU was signed between Wickremesinghe and Prabhakaran.

Thereafter only Karuna and the Pillayan group or the TMVP would be branded terrorists, disarmed and prosecuted for past human rights offences, many of which were actually committed on Prabhakaran's orders.

But there is perhaps one obstacle to the full realization of this cherished dream of the 'peace industrialists.' It is the international tightening of screws on the LTTE - especially the U.S. Government freezing all assets of the so-called Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) a few days before the budget debate began here.

Following the action to freeze the funds, Washington has urged the Tigers to get back to the negotiating table. It is the first time that a Western Government told the Tiger terrorist outfit to do so instead of pontificating to the government. This has obviously disturbed the NGO-engineered so-called civil society' which never gets tired of demanding that it is the government that should get back to the negotiating table.

They have continuously blamed the Sri Lankan State for the failure of negotiations, breakdown in law and order, human rights violations and the loss of peace in the country. In this context the U.S. Government telling the Tigers to return to the negotiating table is a very significant development.

On the freezing of TRO funds however there is one thing that needs further clarification. It is American Ambassador Robert Blake's statement that the action against the TRO was not a move against the Tamils. It is not exactly clear what he meant. Tamils in Sri Lanka are generally confined to (a) the North and East, (b) the hill country and (c) Colombo. The hill country Tamils are of Indian origin and have largely distanced themselves from the Tigers, although the latter have been trying hard to lure them into the LTTE fold.

That leaves the Tamils in and outside State-controlled areas of the North and East and those in Colombo and suburbs. Needless to say the Tamils who suffer human rights violations the most - as confirmed by TULF Leader V. Anandasangaree himself - are those living in the Wanni under Tiger domination. It is a tyrannical regime which tolerates no criticism, continues to recruit children for combat duties with no compunction and sends young men and women on suicide missions. Ironically for its survival it continues to depend on food, medicine and other essentials supplied by the Sri Lankan State. So if it is these Tamil victims of the LTTE that Ambassador Blake really meant we fully welcome the U.S. government stance.

He however should realize that other Tamils include many who overtly or covertly sympathize with and support the Tigers. The majority of these pro-LTTE Tamils (in addition to sections of the Diaspora in the West and Australia) live outside Tiger dominated areas, especially in Colombo. We can understand the feelings of Tamils who prefer to be neutral or to avoid talking about the Tigers out of fear for their lives.

But what about the rest (including both Tamils and some Sinhalas too) in Colombo who openly oppose any move to marginalize or neutralize the Tiger terrorists? What is the difference between them and the LTTE or the TRO?

They reminds us of certain 'Marxist intellectuals' who tried to justify or rationalize Pol Pot's brutal regime in Cambodia. But none of these bogus pundits lived at the time in Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge had turned the country into a veritable a hell on earth - the so-called Democratic Republic of Kampuchea! It is the same with Prabhakaran's admirers who live outside the Wanni. And some of them like the LTTE 'Supremo' have sent their children not to the battle front but to do higher studies in the West.

As long as Tigers wield power in the Wanni and spread their invisible and visible tentacles to the rest of the island, no proposal to solve the national crisis can be effectively put before the people since LTTE threats and intimidation will prevent the majority of ordinary Tamils from expressing their true feelings, especially if the political solution which they prefer is going to undermine Tiger power and its hold on them.

On the other hand it should be noted that no terrorist outfit or tyrannical regime can survive without at least a section of a community supporting it. Even during the declining days of the Third Reich there were Germans who believed that Hitler was right.

Likewise if LTTE sympathizers of whatever race, class and religion are not recognized for what they are then any action against the Tigers will not prove fully effective. It is necessary for foreign governments - if they want to see real stability and peace in this country – to keep a tab on the activities of such people (including the 'Tamil National Alliance') and help the GOSL to deal with their nefarious activity and refuse them visas to travel to these 0countries. The biggest threat they pose to Sri Lanka is all the falsehoods with which they feed the foreign media so that it would help to create a distorted global image of Sri Lanka.

It is as a result of such slanderous propaganda that the Boston Globe was misled to write on November 14 an editorial full of distortions titled "Violence drags on in Sri Lanka." The editorial describes "A "current offensive into the Jaffna peninsula" resulting in 300,000 displaced civilians - a situation that never happened!

In a fitting response to the Boston Globe's Editor's call for "an international arms embargo on Sri Lanka" our Ambassador in Washington Bernard Goonetilleke states: "It is easy to impose embargoes on legitimate governments. How can embargoes be imposed on the Tamil Tigers, who purchase heavy artillery and other warlike material unhindered?"

In another exposure of double standards on human rights, International activist Jean-Pierre Page (co-author of, War in Yugoslavia: Preparatory Manipulations - Human Rights, Diplomacy, the KLA), has challenged Sri Lankan 'feminist' and NGO 'peacenik' Nimalka Fernando to prove her allegation that he is having a 'stooge state of mind' vis-à-vis the Sri Lankan Government. Her attack on Page was a reaction to an article written by him jointly with Tania Noctiummes, severely criticizing UN High Commissionier Louise Arbour's stance on human rights issues in Third World countries. The article was titled, 'Louise Arbour's diabolical project.' The article drew attention to her proclaimed intention to press the Government of Sri Lanka to open a field office under her authority to "protect" the citizens of Sri Lanka , implying that the Government of Sri Lanka is not capable of protecting its own citizens!

This indeed is a very valid point considering the miserable failure of another international office – the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission – to prevent countless ceasefire violations, especially by the Tigers. No doubt a UN human rights field office would go down the same slippery path, eventually ending up blaming only the Sri Lankan State for all HR violations. We do not need a UN office to do that since the NGO jokers are already doing it.

Page's reply to Fernando's unfair criticism of the article is a damning indictment on the hypocrisy of so-called human rights champions who are waiting to accuse the Sri Lankan State of HR violations at the drop of a hat.

Page writes:

" For my part, I am wary of unilateral arguments! It is hard for me to understand how a human rights activist like you can speak of human rights violations by the Government and the Karuna Group only and conveniently ignore those committed by the LTTE and the support given by certain Western powers and their NGO mercenaries. You cannot be blind to the fact that the LTTE has physically eliminated large numbers of people who didn't share its views, starting with the Tamil people themselves. By being partial, you are not serving the interests of those people that you claim to defend! Is that your way of respecting people? Finally, your letter convinces me that the defense of human rights is far too serious a matter to be left to amateurs, or worse, to those who make a very good living out of it! I'm sure that I will never ever receive an award from Human Rights Watch, but all things considered, I think it is better that way, because I can maintain my independence."

It may be noted that this woman has been a vociferous demonstrator at all NGO-sponsored 'anti-war' demonstrations directed against the Sri Lankan State. She has spared no efforts to vilify this country and its armed forces in interviews she gives to the foreign media.
In the UN General Assembly resolution 54/164, Member States reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of the methods and practices of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, as activities aimed at the destruction of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy. In that resolution, Member States moreover once again recognized that such acts threaten the territorial integrity and security of States, destabilize legitimately constituted Governments, undermine pluralistic civil society, and have adverse consequences for the economic and social development of States. No end justifies intentionally attacking civilians and non-combatants. Terrorist acts are violations of the right to life, liberty, security, well-being and freedom from fear. Therefore, adopting and implementing effective counter-terrorism measures is also a human rights obligation for States.
If the so-called international community wishes to see genuine and lasting peace in Sri Lanka they should better extend their full backing to the effective enforcement of the above resolution instead of continuously pointing an accusing finger at the government and the State.

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Leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Minister of Social Welfare, Douglas Devananda

Those who criticize defence expenditure, did nothing towards peace -Douglas Devananda

Speaking in the Parliament yesterday (2007-11-19) at the Budget debate the leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and Minister of Social Welfare, Douglas Devananda said that those who have criticised the defence expenditure have done nothing towards finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
"They are in fact supporting the terrorism of LTTE leader Prabhakaran. They have become agents of the LTTE. They are criticising without offering any remedy to the issue. The MPs who have become agents of the LTTE have in fact declared war against the Government," he said.
Recollecting the history of the government's response to innumerable acts of provocation by the LTTE, the minister said "the LTTE created an environment that pushed the Government towards war. They engaged in activities to provoke Security Forces and the Police who were maintaining law and order. The LTTE unilaterally unleashed violations against the Security Forces." Minister observed that over 6,000 ceasefire violations have been committed against the Security Forces by the LTTE. "It was the expectation of the LTTE that Mahinda Rajapaksa would declare war after becoming the President. But instead of doing that President extended his hands of peace to the LTTE. Without war there is no existence for the LTTE leader Prabhakaran," the Minister added.

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To Dear Ranil from Prabha

An amusing poster in the form of an urgent appeal from LTTE Leader Prabhakaran to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has come up all over Colombo.

The poster in Sinhala states:
"Dear Ranil and other UNP Parliamentarians.
Please defeat the budget proposals and save me and my gang this time too.
Velupillai PrabhakaranP.S.: Please convey my love to Mangala, Sripathi and Chandrika"

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LTTE Destroys Tamil Culture

- Ven. Dr. Walpola Piyananda Nayaka Thero

In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese and Tamils lived in harmony for many centuries. They shared customs, cultures and traditions which helped to maintain a harmonious lifestyle in our country.
In Buddhist temples there was always a place of worship for Hindu devotees. The Buddhists even believe that the God Vishnu is the protector of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. God Subramanium or Skandha who is upposed to have resided in Kataragama is respected by most Sri Lankan Buddhists.
In fact all Sri Lankan Buddhists, when they perform any religious service, transfer merit to these deities.
During King Mahanama's reign in Anuradhapura some monks who belonged to the Abhayagiri Vihara were exiled as they accepted the Vaitulya Vada tradition. The monks who lived in Danakataka Vihara in Southern India were supported by Tamil Buddhists. It is also stated that during the Anuradhapura period, Sinhalese monks have lived in Danakataka Vihara. Ven. Buddhagosa the well known Buddhist commentator who composed, The Path of Purification/ (Visuddhimagga) may have been a Tamil from South India.
Ven. Anuruddha, another Buddhist scholar who wrote "Manual of Abhidhamma" was a Tamil monk too.
In recent years Professor Ananda Coomaraswamy, a distinguished Sri Lankan Buddhist Tamil scholar, taught Buddhism at Harvard University. He can be introduced as one of the pioneer Buddhist propagators in the U.S.A. It must be mentioned, that a few of the Sinhala Buddhist monks, who turned out to be world renown scholars learned English in Colombo and Jaffna from Tamil scholars.
Some notable facts that I wish to state here, are my own. Before 1983 the majority of students in the Colombo and Peradeniye Medical College and the Engineering Faculty were Tamil. In Sri Lanka, there were numerous Tamil doctors, engineers, and civil servants. We had a beautiful rapport with everyone, Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burghers.
So why is it different now?
It is obvious the root cause is due to the ruthless, terrorist organization led by Velupillai Prabhakaran. The LTTE cadre forced the educated professional Tamils to flee the country. The terrorists did not leave the families of the immigrants alone. They were harassed, ransoms demanded, jewelry and property taken by force. The children were kidnapped, forced into army training camps. It did not end there; the Tamils who remained were tortured by the LTTE. As a result, anyone who could afford migrated to Europe, Canada , U.S.A., Australia, New Zealand, etc. We are sad that over three million innocent people, left their motherland reluctantly due to the atrocities of the LTTE.
The LTTE killed not only the Sinhala politicians such as President Premadasa, Gamini Dissanayaka, Lalith Athulathmudali, but also killed Amirthalingum, Kadiragama, Tiruchellum and many other distinguished, educated politicians. The LTTE killed the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi, an international figure in May 1991. This resulted in a no faith attitude towards the Sri Lankan Tamils by the Indians. Moreover due to the LTTE terrorist activities the world has begun to shun not only Sri Lankan Tamils, but all Tamils.
Even though the Tamils are a religious and non-violent group of people who try to preserve their ancient traditions, yet the world has come to view them in a different light. Today, some Tamils who fear the LTTE have come to Colombo, the capital to live with the Sinhalese. In fact, now in Colombo the majority are Tamils.

The Tamils who live in the North and East of Sri Lanka are in an unfortunate situation. They cannot escape from the North to go anywhere. They are controlled by the LTTE, during the past 25 years most of the Tamil children were not allowed to study. They were trained to kill non-believers of the LTTE. They instilled anger, hatred and ill will in the children. The Tamils, were mostly Hindus and vegetarian, they were a non-violent group. Unfortunately the LTTE destroyed their culture. However, Prabakaran's children are studying in the U.K. along with the children of the leading LTTE cadres.
For human beings, the most valuable period in life is their childhood. At this time they should be nourished, have parental care and love, be allowed to play and think freely without fear, and be given a good education. None of the above was given to the children in the LTTE controlled areas.
As teenagers, they should have the freedom to socialize, in maturity they should be allowed to marry. The youth in these areas had none of these opportunities.
Why aren't the Human Rights Organizations condemning the LTTE's activities? Why do they blame those who try to liberate the innocent people?
In world history, we cannot find a single organization that has destroyed a great Sri Lankan Tamil culture and civilization. Yet because of fear, the average Tamil is turning a deaf ear to the happenings.
In the past there would have been instances of wrong doings due to lack of spiritual understanding, due to the greediness of politicians and a lack of vision. However in Sri Lanka the situation is different now. This generation has mutual respect, problems can be solved by discussion and negotiations. Lives have been lost needlessly on both sides, due to a lack of communication and a lack of commitment to peaceably solve our problems. This is the time to close the chapters of the past and open new avenues. We must respect each other and strive to live in peace as one nation.

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U.S. freezes pro-LTTE Terrorists TRO funds

The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Thursday announced that it would be freeze the U.S.- held assets of the pro-LTTE Tamil terrorists Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) a front organization of LTTE Tamil terrorists fund raising arm.
The press release, issued by the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka charged that the TRO has acted as a front to facilitate fundraising and procurement of illegal arms for the Tigers terrorists.
Robert Blake, the U.S. Ambassador for Sri Lanka, is scheduled to address media Friday in Colombo on the funds freeze of the TRO by the United States Department of the Treasury.
Full text of the press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka follows:
Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO)
Designated under Executive Order 13224
November 15, 2007
Colombo, November 15, 2007: The U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced that it would freeze the U.S.-held assets of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), a charitable organization that acts as a front to facilitate fundraising and procurement for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The LTTE has been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Organization since 2001 and a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 1997. The Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) was designated today under Executive Order 13224, which is aimed at financially isolating terrorist groups and their support networks. E.O. 13224 freezes any assets held by designees under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from transacting with designees.
The LTTE is a terrorist group that has waged a violent secessionist campaign for over two decades to secure a separate state for Tamil-majority regions in Sri Lanka's North and East. The conflict between the LTTE and Sri Lankan military forces has claimed over 60,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan citizens.
In the United States, the TRO has raised funds on behalf of the LTTE through a network of individual representatives. According to sources within the organization, the TRO is the preferred conduit of funds from the United States to the LTTE in Sri Lanka.
The TRO also has facilitated LTTE procurement operations in the United States.
Those operations included the purchase of munitions, equipment, communication devices, and other technology for the LTTE.
The TRO's efforts worldwide reportedly have allowed the LTTE to use humanitarian aid, which TRO collected for the international community after the December 2004 tsunami, to launch new campaigns to strengthen LTTE military capacity.
According to its website, the TRO maintains a headquarters office in Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka and operates branch offices throughout Sri Lanka and in seventeen countries worldwide, including the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The LTTE oversees the activities of the TRO and other LTTE-linked non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka and abroad. Directives issued by the LTTE suggest that LTTE-affiliated branch representatives are expected to coordinate their efforts with the respective the TRO representatives in their locations and report all activity to the LTTE.
Recent information indicates that the LTTE has ordered international NGOs operating in its territory to provide all projects funding through local NGOs, which are managed collectively by the TRO. This arrangement allows TRO to withdraw money from the local NGO accounts and to provide a portion of the relief funds to the LTTE. The LTTE has reportedly exerted pressure to comply on a few international NGOs that have resisted these arrangements.
The U.S. Department of State designated the LTTE a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on October 8, 1997, in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. On November 2, 2001, the U.S. Department of State named the LTTE a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under E.O. 13224. The LTTE has also been listed as a terrorist organization by the European Union and Canada.
An entity designated under E.O. 13224 may request a delisting from the U.S. government under published procedures if it can establish that there is insufficient basis for the listing or that it has taken remedial steps that would remove the basis for the designation. The United States continues to support a just, negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Sri Lanka that meets the aspirations of all communities.

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Dear TAMILS!

The comments by various people show how foolishly we, Tamils continue to glorify violence, suicide and terror. We began all this in 1939 with G.G. Ponnambalam attacking the Sinhalese in a virulent speech in1939, resulting in the first Sinhala Tamil riot.
After the war SJV and others used every chance to gore the government instead of building bridges. They spurned the left leaders who stood for parity and preferred to hob-nob with their Colombo-7 capitalist leaders.
Our Colombo, Tamil leaders arrogantly started the ball rolling, and even claimed that they are “ready for state terror”. The local militants realized that they were being bamboozled by the Colombo set, and they captured control, killed those leaders, our best men and women, and made cannon fodder out of our children.
Look at this partial list:
1. The JR government in 1977 granted all the demands on language etc. that the previous Tamil organizations had asked for. But we could not profit from it, because by then we were under the gun of Prabakaran.
2. India came in and merged North and East two provinces, and provided an honourable framework. But we reengaged the whole thing and started another war. Prabakaran would have been annihilated by the IPKF if not for Premadasa.
3. Further accommodation was possible under Premadasa. But we reengaged him and killed the 600 police who surrendered.
4. Under Chandrika we had the far reaching constitutional proposals by Neelan Thiruchelvan, but we replied by assassinating him.
5. Incredible concessions were made by the Ranil Wickremasinghe government with the Cease Fire agreement. But we used it to stock up arms, get ready for another war and made sure of such a war by preventing Ranil’s Victory.
This list of 5 does not include the innumerable other chances that had been offered. Why would any politician think that a political solution is possible with Prabakaran?
So, why are were talking of a political solution?
LTTE has always worked for a military solution. This Anuradhapura attack is the same old Killinochchi wine that Bishop Chikera is now peddling and desecrating even the Eucharist. The LTTE does NOT want a political solution. It wants a military solution from the barrel of a gun. In the process it will destroy the Ceylon Tamils by destroying the future generation. How many Tamils are now left in the Vanni? What is the percentage of Tamils in Sri Lanka today? The CIA world fact book says that there is now only about 5% Tamils in SL!
Instead of executing this attack on the Anuradhapura military camp, if Prabakaran had declared that HE IS FOR A FEDERAL SOLUTION and that HE WILL PEACEFULLY CONTEST ELECTIONS EVERY WHERE IN SRI LANKA, do you think ANY SINHALA POLITICIAN of any worth could OPPOSE IT? Even the most extreme “unitary man” would have to take up this chance. Even many Sinhala might vote for Prabakaran if he had the capacity to the right thing. But a “Venkai” does not change its spots.
Instead, for 30 years, he has led the Tamils on the path of destruction and suicide. Foolish Tamils, drunk with the venom of hat sing in his praise. I lay the whole blame on Prabakaran for destroying the Ceylon Tamils. He is the biggest friend of Sinhala Chauvinists. Prabakaran has done what no Dutugemunu could ever do - reduce the Tamil areas to a prison for the Tamils, reduce the reputation of Tamils all over the world, kill our next generation and convert the remainder into war-mongering youngsters unfit for civilian life. The adults have been reduced to displace persons.
School principles and Temple dignitaries have been assassinated.
Only the Tamils living in cozy comfort in the foreign lands can continue to rattle their swords, mesmerized by Prabakaran’s war games which have destroyed the Tamil people, and impoverished the Sinhala as well.
Nothing is possible for the Ceylon Tamils until Prabakaran is a factor in the balance of power. Tamils need educated leaders with a vision fit for today’s global village.

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Terrorist Leader Thamilchelvan Killed by SLAF attacks

LTTE Terrorist so called political head S. P. Thamilchelvan was killed in an air force aerial attack.
The LTTE has confirmed the killing. The LTTE mouthpiece TamilNet website said that the Air Force attack had targeted the residence of the members of the Political Division and according to the LTTE With him Lt Col Anpumani (Alex), Major Mihuthan, Capt Nethagy, Lt Adchgivel, and Lt Vahaikumaran were also killed.

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President calls parties to unite to end terrorism

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appealed to all parties to come together to re-unite a divided country by eradicating terrorism and to uplift the national economy.
The President made this appeal yesterday at the BMICH, when he addressed the 'Soorya Sinha' Certificate Awards Ceremony where 34 leading indigenous Brands were recognised for awards from the President.
The event is a part of an integrated national programme and a new initiative of the Mawbima Lanka Padanama, an organisation legally formed to build, promote and support local brands and strengthen local entrepreneurs, in their bid to reach the top locally and internationally.

President Rajapaksa pointed out that the country has had similar 'Buy Our Own Products' campaigns in the '70s, following the industrial renaissance in the '60s.
However, with the passage of time and the introduction of the 'open economy', several local industries failed, and some even closed down. Now the Mawbima Lanka Padanama has re-started their 'Buy Sri Lankan, be Sri Lankan' campaign to save valuable foreign exchange draining out of the country for imports, and thereby uplift the national economy.

"However, our local producers should produce goods of high quality on par with the highest international quality standards.
The consumer who is desirous of purchasing our local products, should not be held to ransom to accept sub-standard goods instead. Our garments have achieved high standards which are in demand in the global markets due to their quality. We are proud of them.
This is also an encouragement and an impetus in our efforts to eradicate terrorism and build an independent economy. This is our duty and also our responsibility," he said. He noted that the State sector would be directed to purchase and utilise locally manufactured vehicles, especially the vehicles purchased on permits.
The President said that the country's future generations should not be burdened with the task of settling the debts of the consumers unknown to them. The Government has gone that extra mile than any other Government in the past. Earlier, concepts which threatened agriculture has been dramatically changed.
"Paddy, tea, rubber, onions and pepper among others fetch high and favourable prices now. The purchasing patterns have also changed. We have focused our attention on enhancing the livestock industry only when the milk powder prices had gone up

We request the people to partake rice thrice a day only when the price of wheat flour is jacked up. This is however an opportunity for change and a blessing in disguise. This is not a journey solely for the Government. We need the co-operation of the entire Nation," he added.
The Chairman of the Mawbima Lanka Padanama Ariyaseela Wickramanayake, Director Kulatunga Rajapaksha, Dr. Wasantha Bandara, JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and several others also addressed the ceremony.

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