Sri Lanka marks three years since end of war
Three years after the end of the war that obliterated the Tamil Tigers, Sri Lanka celebrated the victory with great pomp and show, emphasising its resolve to forge its own destiny, stationing troops where it chooses to, and blaming foreign countries of supporting Tiger fringe elements. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's message to the international community was clear: keep off; we are creating a new society on our terms.
“Armed services camps are not found in the North alone,” Mr. Rajapaksa said on the occasion of Victory Day at Galle Face Green, responding to requests by the United States, India and some other countries to reduce military presence in the North. “They [Armed Forces] are seen throughout the country. They are in Colombo and Giruvapattu in the South. These are found in our country. Not in any foreign country,” he said, making it clear that the army-to-civilian ratio in the North will not be altered. “We must ask if we are in a position to remove the armed forces camps in the North and reduce our attention national security. That is not possible,” he added.
Diplomats stationed in Colombo reckon that as much as 60 per cent of the Sri Lankan Army is deployed in the North. Another similar estimate puts the army-to-civilian ratio at 1:4.
‘No interference’
“We are aware that the armed forces do not participate in the administration of the North or East,” he said, though according to many prominent Tamils in the Northern province, the Armed Forces interfere in all functions in civil society. “These regions are administered by the public service and the police. Despite this there are many who shout that the security forces camps in these areas should be removed. They ask us why they are not removed,” he said.
Though the media reported on Friday that a student union leader was attacked by a person wearing a mask, and though there have been disappearances from the North, the President claimed that all armed groups and militias in the North and East have been disarmed.
“It is no secret that through 30 years there were armed groups and militias operating, especially in the North and East. All such groups have now been disarmed,” he said.
On the question of reconciliation, the President said the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) was appointed “with great expectations of bringing about reconciliation among communities”. “We are already carrying out what we can agree to and can implement among the recommendations of the LLRC. This is not due to any pressure from anyone. We will not abandon our responsibilities,” he said.
Keywords: Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, military camps, LTTE, victory day
This word “demilitarization” is a wrong caption of a description. Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and many of those military “camps” have been there even before the War started. Just like in any other country, Sri Lanka is free to set up military training camps wherever deemed suitable for specific requirements. So do USA, India or for that matter any nation. In order to demilitarise, there should be militarised emergency governance. In present day Sri Lanka, the country is governed democratically, hence no military presence. Maintaining of military garrisons is a security issue which every government has to uphold for eventual breach of safety and security of sovereignty by terrorist elements which has plagued Sri Lanka for over 30 years. Therefore, such camps are a must to have without time limitations. The West should not poke its nose into internal matters of nations around the globe when they militarily occupy many countries.
I think President Rajapaksha is correct in his stance in this issue since Tamil Diaspora is still gunning for Elam for this small country. Tigers can not be trusted. Army can stay in barracks but they must remain in the north.
what hapened in LIBYA ? WAIT AND SEE .
There are two factors to be considered. What is the purpose of display? Is any of the neigbouring country intend to invade and they want to show their military strength? The second factor is whether it will give any indication step for reconciliation? In the name of terrorism they are alleged to have killed nearly 1,40,000 people during the last days of the war, and the tamil people have a 6 decades of struggle for their demand of equal rights politically, socially and economically. Does their military strength appease their already grieved mind who have lost their kith and kin? It is only to perpetuate their famiy rule in Sri Lanka for another geration to come. Sri Lanka is a beautifu country with all the natural resources available, but due to the short sighted and selfish minded politicians it will never make any headway in the sevelopmwnr of the country even for another century, unless they totally give up their discreminary policies and treat the tamil people with respect.
President Rajapaksa is holding two conficting goals: keeping up ante against any Tamilian concerns (sort of Israel's approach to Palestine problem) and going for developmental cause. The former seeks to alienate Tamils, pushing them against the wall so that they either support him or leave SL. The latter tries to give them or at least show to the world that he gives them some rights. At best, it is playing with fire and at worst, it would only help extremists on both sides. His word "shouting" shows the respect he has for UN resolution. Unfortunately, what goes around, comes around and the President would do a favor to SL if he realises it.
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