http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/11/13/main_Editorial.asp


LLRC report will consolidate national reconciliation
When the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) releases its report within the next couple of weeks, all allegations against Sri Lanka and concocted stories on alleged human rights violations will be laid to rest.
LTTE sympathisers and those who made wild predictions prior to the release of the LLRC report will have to eat humble pie when the report is out. It was, indeed, a crying shame that some countries and a few international organisations jumped to their own conclusions even before the LLRC report could be released. This unbecoming conduct would undoubtedly prove that those who can't see beyond their nose would still continue to sympathise with the now defunct terrorist outfit - the LTTE which had killed thousands of people during the three decades of terror.
The LTTE leadership, which projected itself as the sole representative of the Tamils, not only inflicted untold misery on the people in the North and the East, but also forcibly held innocent civilians as a human shield. The so-called liberators of the Tamil-speaking people showed no mercy whatsoever to anyone who opposed their terror acts and sprayed bullets on those civilians who attempted to escape. This alone is ample testimony to the savagery of the world's most ruthless terrorist organisation.
The LLRC, appointed by no lesser person than President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which comprised an eminent group of persons, had been entrusted with the onerous task of taking a closer look at Sri Lanka's humanitarian operation and make recommendations on the country's reconciliation and resettlement. The LLRC has been conducting its own investigations in a responsible and transparent manner cross-examining all stakeholders in the battle against terrorism and humanitarian operation.
The impartial manner in which the LLRC conducted its own investigations would no doubt help it release its final report with what suits the best interests of the country in its reconciliation and development drive. Irrespective of ethnic and religious affiliations, all Sri Lankans are eagerly looking forward to the LLRC report with utmost confidence that it would guide the nation that does everything possible in its development drive since terrorism was eradicated.
The Government has nothing to fear as it had conducted the humanitarian operation in the best interests of the nation. The supreme sacrifices by the Security Forces paid rich dividends as they rescued over half a million people, mostly Tamils, who had been subjected to untold privations under the LTTE's barbaric rule.
Barely anybody in the international community or those now shedding crocodile tears on the human rights of LTTE cadre, favoured the taciturnity on the pathetic plight of the hapless civilians in the North and the East who were held in a vice-like grip by the LTTE during 2006-2009. With the valiant Security Forces liberating those civilians, making the supreme sacrifice, in the world's largest human rescue mission, enough and more prophets have emerged from nowhere to pontificate to us on human rights.
The intelligent masses care two hoots for the Tiger ghosts who raised their voice to canvass votes for their favourite politicians in the West and for the lavish funding by LTTE sympathisers. The Government's only concern is the well-being of all Sri Lankans, especially those who have been resettled in the North and the East.
The Government is accountable only to the people of Sri Lanka and the millions of voters who wholeheartedly supported President Rajapaksa and the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). The Government conducted all elections ahead of schedule and the masses endorsed the policies of the Government at all elections to give the President a fresh mandate. As long as the people of this country give a clear mandate to President Rajapaksa and the UPFA Government in a democratic manner, should Western elements get unduly perturbed over Sri Lanka? Moreover, they should desist from interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
The countries in the West, which shout from the rooftops over human rights issues, should first and foremost practise what they preach. Sri Lanka has acted in a highly responsible and transparent manner in the entire humanitarian operation, having maintained a zero civilian casualty rate at all times. Sri Lanka's democratically elected Government has a legitimate right to protect its people and safeguard the county's unity and territorial integrity.
The LLRC in its study of what transpired would report to the President on how best all Sri Lankans could live in a spirit of camaraderie leading productive lives and eschewing rivalries that had plagued the country earlier.
As Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha MP, in his presentation on the 'Challenges to Reconciliation, the Sri Lankan Experience', presented to the Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers in the UK recently, had pointed out, it seemed important to look into the grievances of all parties, in particular the Tamils who had sought solutions for their problems through political negotiations.
It is needless to state that there is a long-felt need to assuage the fears of those who had suffered immeasurably due to LTTE terrorism. The Tamils are our own brethren who had been denied development in those areas earlier and had suffered appallingly when forced to become hostages of the LTTE in the final phase of the battle against terrorism in 2009.
The Government's development program in the North has been a resounding success as manifested in the East after the province was liberated in 2007. This has led to increased prosperity in the East and greater satisfaction among the masses as borne out by the election results.
The resettlement, which began within a matter of months after the end of terrorism, had been commended by many international organisations, including the United Nations. No other country had recovered so swiftly as Sri Lanka after a conflict situation and accomplished such development strides.
It is fervently hoped that the LLRC report would further strengthen reconciliation which is already in place and the country's forward march which has been inspired by the renewed zeal of the people in the North and the East. It is the duty of the international community to extend its support to the Government's development drive to usher in a better tomorrow for those who had been rescued from the jaws of LTTE terror.