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MEDIAWATCH: Is an end to Sri Lanka's civil war in sight?
Written by: Joanne Tomkinson
A Special Task Force motor bicycle unit solder guards a roadside checkpoint in Colombo November 26, 2008. Sri Lanka's military has said the Tamil Tigers' headquarters town would fall imminently.
REUTERS/Buddhika Weerasinghe(SRI LANKA)
REUTERS/Buddhika Weerasinghe(SRI LANKA)
As the Sri Lankan government closes in on the last strongholds of Tamil Tiger rebels, it has declared itself confident of ending the country's bitter 25-year civil war. After capturing key strategic west coast areas from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) - who are demanding an independent state for ethnic Tamils in the north and east of the island - the government now says the fall of the rebels' de facto capital Kilinochi is imminent. Could the decades-long conflict, which has uprooted hundreds of thousands and killed at least 70,000, really be near an end? "Sri Lanka's bitter, 25-year-old civil war - Asia's longest-running conflict - has never been closer to a military solution," says TIME magazine, adding that bringing lasting peace to the country will be something else all together. "Whatever the outcome of this campaign, the work of accounting for both sides' misdeeds and of repatching Sri Lanka's tattered society must begin. There, as elsewhere, peace cannot be won by military bravado alone." The Bangladeshi Daily Star newspaper laments the failure of the Norwegian-brokered cease fire between Colombo and the LTTE and says that there's a long way to go before the war is over. "At this point, the crisis in Sri Lanka is far from over and both sides will be deceiving themselves if they think they can win an outright victory in what is fast becoming a twilight struggle. To all intents and purposes, the LTTE has been weakened by the ferocity of the government onslaught, but for anyone to write it off would be a mistake." The Economist, meanwhile, points out that there is an economic imperative underlying the current push to eliminate the last Tiger strongholds. "Whipping up patriotic fervour in expectation of military victory may indeed distract attention from the worsening economic outlook. But that strategy needs victory to come soon." With an estimated 200,000 civilians still inside Tiger-controlled areas in the north who are reliant on convoys of food, medicine and other essential items being sent by the government and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the only international humanitarian agency left in the northern Vanni region, the Economist says that the Tamils caught in the cross-fire continue to bear the brunt of the renewed onslaught. "Despite vast military gains, Kilinochchi, the Tigers' administrative headquarters, remains a difficult target. Soldiers have been skirting its fringes for weeks, held back by strong resistance and, at one time, heavy monsoon rains," the magazine concludes. But in Sri Lanka, some commentators aren't so convinced that the Tigers have much military resistance left. The Sri Lanka Guardian emphasises how much has changed for the Tigers over the past few years. "Earlier, they could argue that they had territory, a de-facto state including an army, navy, police and an air force...Now they have only a rag-tag ground force which can, at worst, launch deadly sporadic suicide missions which are counter-productive". If the Tigers embark on acts of terrorism, the paper says, they will alienate the international community, which is primarily concerned about terrorism being used as a weapon to win political objectives. The more the government drives them into the wilderness the more the Tigers will be driven to terrorism, and the more international support they have to lose, the paper concludes. Meanwhile, Tamil website Eelamnation, takes the view that there's much more the Tigers can still do. "Capturing of LTTE-held areas will create further complications for the government, result in greater casualties of its armed men, and lead the country deeper into disastrous economic conditions," the Eelamnation commentator says. "The LTTE cadres are very familiar with the jungles and have a strategic advantage over the "visiting" government forces." Autonomy for the Tamils is the only way to ensure peace on the island, the commentator says, disputing the view that the international community will be alienated if the Tigers' persist. "The current situation will only lead the LTTE to gain further support from the Tamils and the international community. Finally, the LTTE would be regarded as freedom fighters and not terrorists, and this would contribute to the paving the way for the creation of an independent Tamil State." Sri Lankan blogger Cerno, meanwhile, wonders about the practical implications if the fighting does end. "Many big questions hang in the air. Among the practical ones is what will happen to the young men and women of the armed forces and LTTE fighters who survive intact," Cerno writes. Not everyone who has fought in the war will find jobs in the military - so what will happen to them, Cerno asks. "Would the rest end up stuffed into 'jobs' in some government department? Where they can pretend to work while the government pretends to pay them? Will the private sector find roles besides security guards for ex soldiers? Will military and LTTE survivors be vacuumed up by organised crime? How many will face withering away on NGO hand outs in IDP camps?" For Jehan Perera, writing for the Sri Lankan paper the Daily Mirror, the biggest worry us the immediate needs of the people trapped by fighting in the country's north. "The plight of between three to four hundred thousand civilians trapped in the war zones is a cost of war that the government cannot ignore," Perera says. "It is incumbent on the government, which has designated its present military operations as humanitarian, to find a solution to the problem of the people trapped in the war zone." A military solution will not suffice, he says, focusing on the role that representatives from the country's three religious groups could play in bringing lasting peace to Sri Lanka. "A humanitarian process that is steered by nationally recognized religious leaders has the best chance of gaining national acceptance and catalysing a change of heart that recognises the sanctity of human life as the supreme value."
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10 responses to “MEDIAWATCH: Is an end to Sri Lanka's civil war in sight?”
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27 Nov 2008 02:29:42 GMT
It is extremely sad that the author has no mention about the scale of the Tamuil suffering both at the instance of the war and along the times past. The future control of Tamil life will be one of phjysical subjugation, torture and abuse. The author joins the long line of western journalists who pontificate from the comforts of Colombo hotels ignoring the suffering or people, mostly Tamils through this war. What is the post war scenario - especially for the Tamils? When wooul their rights be restored? These are the questions.
27 Nov 2008 02:31:54 GMT
Whatever the outcome of this war the people are going to suffer immensley. Should the LTTE lose their defacto capital, they will be driven underground and more bloodshed will befall. The Sinhalese civilians, who have been enjoying the 'freedom' thus far, will have to face the brunt of the LTTE revenge since they are partners with the government on this campaign. The International Community, especially India, have to take moral responsibility for the sufferings of the people of Srilanka. It was India who had demolished the military might of the LTTE which had lead to this state. Had India taken a lead role and forced a fair solution, both parties would have negotiated to an end, failing which the people would have rebelled against their 'guardians'. India had failed miserably and will pay dearly in the years to come.
27 Nov 2008 13:39:26 GMT
No country can survive when they are severely effected by terrorist activities. We need to defeat them first in order to proceed with the development of these so called areas. LTTE has done nothing that's good for the tamil people. They are just using the money and the voice of educated tamil people who are living outside the country to get funded. When you go to SRI LANKA you will notice that 90% of the TAMIL people are living in and around the major city areas. They live in a peaceful environment with other nationalities. The truth is that there's no such CIVIL WAR in SRI LANKA.
It's only a military operation to vipe out the LTTE TERRORISTS. These so called IDP's the results of LTTE holding them as 'Hostages' to cover up as a human shield. It should be taken as one step at a time, let the government clear all the LTTE captive areas first. Then they can start like what they did in EAST cos they now have a CM appointed by a fair election. If all goes well with everyones contribution, this should be over in no time..!!27 Nov 2008 13:39:51 GMT
The problem here is that the above two people here have the wrong attitude. I am a Tamil living in Colombo. I i LOVE it here. My best friend is a Sinhalese Buddhist and we all have a pretty jolly good time. It's extremely shameful that some of you think in this fashion. All said and done we are all Sri Lankans. Who cares what ethnicity we are from. This is the attitude followed by all of the younger generation. Its sad that you old idiots cant learn from us. At least once Praba and his thugs and the thugs of the current government is wiped out, we of the new generations can live in peace without the stupid thought patterns shown by you old men.
27 Nov 2008 13:40:08 GMT
The fact is due to Tiger Terrorism, the majority Sinhala as well as Tamil and Muslims have lost their fundemental rights to live a normal life.
The Sri Lankan government has no option but being push to fight the war to eradicate the terrorism. If Prabhakaran really has heart for the suffering masses whether they are sinhala or tamil, he should agree for negotated settleemnt. The Sri Lankan government cannot hold talks alone.27 Nov 2008 13:40:34 GMT
i m a university student of sri lanka live in colombo.my birth place is mallavi{a village in eelam dream country}.2 of my brothers were kidnapped by LTTE and forced to join the terroorist group.they were just 17 and 19 when they were kidnapped.their bodies were returned after 2 months.i hate Prabakaran,his daughter or son was never sent to battle field.he is just pure terrorist nothing else.Sinhala or tamil no difference in this country,all live happily in colombo.terrorism should be terminated.thats where the birth of peace
27 Nov 2008 20:24:06 GMT
I don't think people talk like "The problem here is that the above two people here have the wrong attitude. I am a Tamil living in Colombo. I i LOVE it here. My best friend is a Sinhalese Buddhist and we all have a pretty jolly good time" this have any idea what is going on in this shit country. If you want to see the reality go to jaffan or east and live there for few days....then tell us how your friends treat you...and why.
27 Nov 2008 20:24:41 GMT
Sri Lankan state, its proxy killers and apologists cannot explain away Sri Lanka���s atrocities and cover-up by simply invoking the word "terrorism" as an all-purpose code to discredit any person or group that raises questions against such blatant atrocities. The above reaction to the Tamil issue reminds me of a cop at the scene of a monumental crack-up ��" "Move it right along, folks, nothing to see here." Sadly, this conflict is far from over.
Sri Lanka and its supporters may beat their "democratic drums" around the world claiming that they are working for democracy and good governance. If Sri Lanka wins, it will be a stupendous victory for state terrorism -- not for democracy.27 Nov 2008 20:25:34 GMT
The tension between Tamil and Singalese is created by British.Where in the world a freedom war goes this many (60)years.India tried but due to Singalese Govt knows that India is friend of Tamil people and they sow the poison and now India is totally against Tamils.Tamil Tigers are made a blunder mistake of having their name spoiled by Rajiv's assasination.Eventhough India forgave Indira Gandhi's killer and gandhi's killer Indai is not ready to forgive Tamil Tigers and this caused another 20000 people's death.Clinton regreted when there was a massacre in Rwanda and so many world leaders kept quiet when Idiamin killed lots of Udanadens and Asians in Uganda.Hitler killed millions of Jews .Now Singalese killed 600000 Tamils .No body bothered except Norway.But both party's did not come with clear sense of bringing the conflict to its end. Congo got peace troops, Liberia got peace troops what happened for Tamil Tragedy.UN is keeping absolute silent about this issue.Actually what is the use of Elam area for majority Singalese are they going to make Tamils to singalese.Why can't give the land to the Elam tamils and just live with the other part of the land.This conflict will not be solved by Tigers or Singalese Govts.This can be solved only by UN with the support of our New President OBAMA.He understands this conflict.His direction will bring this issue to the end.I pray for this great good END.
01 Dec 2008 03:06:24 GMT
If can't win the minority people's minds, capturing the land is not a victory. The problems will continue endless.