http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/04/02/news02.asp


Country’s division, still the aim of Tiger proxies - GL
Rasika SOMARATHNE
External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said although the LTTE has been
militarily vanquished in Sri Lanka, its proxies and supporters abroad were using
various methods and tactics at achieving their stated objective, which is to
divide the country.
“The need of the hour is for the public to have a clear awareness of the
campaign and what is being attempted by these anti-national elements. Sri
Lankans irrespective of political differences should unite to confront this
challenge,” the minister said.
He was speaking at the first of the series of rallies titled Rata Ekata
(country united) at the Bogambara grounds in Kandy on Saturday under President
Mahinda Rajapaksa’s patronage.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said that LTTE supporters who are
carrying out a vigorous campaign internationally to divide Sri Lanka have only
changed their methods but not their aims. “The aims remain the same,” he added.
‘The latest episode in this campaign is the situation involving Major General
Prasanna Silva attached to the Sri Lankan High Commission in London,” he pointed
out.
The minister explained that to bring war crimes charges against Major General
Silva, LTTE supporters were now using an unusual method of bringing litigation
against British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary William Hague. “The
underlying aim is to deprive Major General Silva of diplomatic immunity and
bring charges against him in British courts” he added.
Explaining another such anti - Sri Lankan campaign, Prof Peiris pointed out
that in the Channel 4 video there is reference to a chain of command or a
command structure in several places.
He added: “The clear purpose behind this is to target the political and
military leadership that was responsible for eradicating terrorism from Sri
Lanka”. The minister, while stating that all of this could be countered
effectively, noted that however it was important for the public to have a clear
awareness of the issues at hand.
“To sow the seeds of discord within states like Sri Lanka as was the case in
the Arab Spring states, there was a highly sophisticated and orchestrated
campaign.
‘There is an attempt to create bitterness and confusion within the country.
That was to prepare the ground for direct foreign intervention which comes
later,” he added. Prof Peiris explained that in the aftermath of the resolution,
certain people with ulterior political motives had tried to create fear in the
public mind on various things including the possibility of sanctions. He assured
that there was no basis to these fears. However, the minister said that the
people should be alert to the motives behind these campaigns.
“If we unite as one, then no foreign force can deprive us of the peace and
stability which the country enjoy today,” Prof Peiris said.
Prior to the meeting, a massive crowd marched and gathered in the capital
city of the hill country, to show solidarity against foreign interference and
attempts to create division in the country.
President Rajapaksa also spoke.
Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Central Province governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa,
Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Susil Premajayantha and Patali Champika Ranawaka
were also present.