The leaked internal report of the United Nations which has blamed its own officials who were part of its Mission in Colombo for failing the organisation in its mandate to protect civilians in the last months of Sri Lanka’s civil war (Nov. 15) comes as a rude shock. If the world body is hesitant to play any role in such conflicts which involve mass deaths, then ordinary people will have no recourse — to justice or help. Sri Lanka needs to start the process of healing immediately. A truth and reconciliation commission is a first step.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,Srirangam
The report should surprise none. Those who were concerned over the plight of the Tamils and called biased then, now stand vindicated. That the U.N. security staff could not do their duty is disquieting, upsetting and unsettling. It is not known whether this introspection by the world body will serve any purpose now as it smacks of the proverbial saying “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.” All right thinking people hope and trust that justice will be done based on the findings of the panel.
R. Sampath,Chennai
It is heartening to note that at least now the world is waking up to the reality and that the U.N. is acknowledging the fact that it did precious little to stop the war or save the people trapped between two fighting forces. India also needs to ask itself searching questions. Even now those displaced appear to be suffering.
T. Anand Raj,Chennai
