Monday, August 27, 2012
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/08/26/fea03.asp
An open letter to M.A. Sumanthiran, TNA, MP:
Is the Tamil leadership preparing for another war?
By H.L.D. Mahindapala
Dear Mr. Sumanthiran,
Without much ado let me get to the nub of the political formulas you are prescribing right now for the Jaffna Tamil people who are still struggling to recover from the misery caused by the Tamil leadership that passed the Vadukoddai Resolution of 1976 and dragged them all the way to Nandikadal in May 2009. The tone in the speeches of your leader R. Sampanthan and that of yours is menacing.
The thrust of your speeches is aggressive. Your speech in Parliament on August 10, 2012 and that of Sampanthan in Batticaloa reveal that you both have either gone into a state of denial or forgotten overnight the horrors that came out of the politics of Vadukoddai violence.
M. A. Sumanthiran
Political analysts and Tamil leaders agree that the rise of Velupillai Prabhakaran - he was born out of the Vadukoddai Resolution - led to "Tamils killing more Tamils than any others". Is this what you want once again? Your latest decision to return to Vadukoddai Resolution doesn't add to your public posture of wanting peace and reconciliation. On the contrary, it makes you look like the avatars of Prabhakaran rising from the cold waters of Nandikadal. Ever since May 18, 2009 when all your hopes sank in the bloody waters of Nandikadal both of you have been flogging the dead horse of Eelam.
When the Tamil leadership went for Eelam the first time, you had all the manpower, firepower, the militancy, the finances ($300m annually, according to Janes Weekly), the backing of international community led by Erik Solheim, and charismatic leaders (Prabhakaran and Balasingham) and yet you lost. Without these resources and without any guarantee of winning Eelam now you have gone back to the Vadukoddai Resolution.
Compassion
Have you no compassion for your people who are going to be the victims of your mindless politics? This means that you and other Vadukoddians are very brave in sacrificing the children of other Tamils while you and your children get the security you need from the "Sinhala state" including the perks and privileges granted by "the Sinhala state" to your mob in Parliament. Jaffna Tamils leadership throughout their history have thrived in the comforts of Colombo (like you, for example) while shedding crocodile tears for the victims of Vellahla/Vadukoddai violence.
Your leaders took the biggest gamble when they passed the Vadukoddai Resolution declaring war on the rest of the nation. They never expected to lose. Nor did Prabhakaran, as you know only too well. What guarantee is there that you can win when you take to violence in Vadukoddai War II? Besides, remember, when the old leadership called "the youth to take up arms" in the Vadukoddai Resolution they first turned the guns on the leadership that armed them. How safe are you and Sampanthan going to be when the next round of violence breaks out in Vadukoddai War II?
Your joint action indicate that you are pursuing a course of action tailored precisely to use your people in Jaffna the way your predecessors have used them for their political survival.
Like your colleagues of the failed generation of separatist leaders you are playing the same old tunes of a deceptive Pied Piper to diddle the youth with promises of an Eelam which you know you can't get even if the entire TNA jumps into Nandikadal. You both are now engaged in the business of dragging the next generation of Tamil youth to the last supper that the "Surya Devan" you worshipped gave to the brain-washed youth just before they took off to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi, or President Premadasa, or Neelan Tiruchelvam. You both are beating the drums of Eelam knowing that the blood, the corpses and the graves that are inevitable in its wake will be on your heads.
Veiled threats
Anyone reading your leader's speech in Batticaloa will realise that the Tamil leadership has not learnt anything from history nor are they willing to learn from history. Your leader's speech is replete with veiled threats to wreak havoc if your demands are not met within the time you stipulate. Starting with local and foreign threats is not the best or the brightest way to begin meaningful negotiations, is it Mr. Sumanthiran? Obviously you have no intentions of negotiating because negotiating means compromising and you have no intention of compromising, do you Mr.Sumanthiran? You are following the identical intransigent politics of your late leader, Prabhakaran, and where did it take him?
You also act as if you both are still tied to Prabhakaran's tight leash, making you bark according to his commands. It is pathetic to see two lawyers acting as lap dogs of the most vile Tamil tyrant who violated every decent law under the sun to brutalise the Tamil people - particularly the children - and keep them under his jackboots so that he could cool off and play with his family in the Vanni swimming pool while he dragged forcibly the children of other Tamil parents to a frontline that collapsed almost overnight. Now that you've decided to play Prabhakaran's beastly politics how well do you and your bushy-browed leader manage to sleep these days? Or do you take aspirin before you go to bed?
The main thrust of Sampanthan's speech proclaims that going back to the failed past is the answer to the future. His speech is nothing but a regurgitation of the Vadukoddai Resolution. However, both of you are cocky because you assume that you have the backing of the international community to get what you want. The only new comment in his speech refers to the victory you claim at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. This is what he said: "
We gather here following our victory in the passage of the recent Resolution at the UN Human Rights Council, a condemnation against the Sri Lankan government by the international community, which has recognised that the Sri Lankan government has committed the crime of extermination against our people, and that it continues to deny them their political rights…” Based on this you both crow that you have won the international community to your side. No wonder Prof. Kumar David labelled the Tamil leadership as "stupid". You have assumed that one swallow in Geneva has made an Indian summer for you in Jaffna.
Side-show
Forget for the moment UNHRC which is only a side-show to the main UN body in New York. The highest decision-making body that counts in international affairs is the UN Security Council (UNSC).
Do you know that it is because the Western lobby failed to get a resolution passed at the UNSC that they went to the UNHRC? Again as things stand, do you know that your agents can push as much as they want but they cannot get the UNSC to pass anything against Sri Lanka?
Besides, do you know how many resolutions have been passed by the UNSC with nothing positive coming out of them? For instance, the UNSC has been passing resolutions against Israel and India from day one of the UN and not all the fine words in those resolutions have changed one iota of the Palestinian and Kashmir issues. So where do you stand in relation to one resolution - watered down one at that - by the UNHRC? Can't you remember how your late leader, Prabhakaran, who was sinking in Nandikadal, was still hanging on the phone with "KP" believing, like Sampanthan, that the international community will come to rescue him? Did not the Tamil diaspora, believing in their imagined might to move big powers, made Prabhakaran believe that the international community was with him and that they would save him? Aren't you going down that same track, relying on the uncertain vagaries of the international community which acts according to their international agenda and their internal interests and not on your political dreams?
Tamils streaming across the Nandikadal Lagoon
Like India, the international community is not interested in the Tamil community per se. Nor does any serious analyst believe that they are in it because of their claim to be champions of human rights. They are interested in you because they see an opportunity to make use of you for their agenda in the Indian Ocean overshadowed by the rising might of China. Once that is resolved you will be thrown away like a used condom. Ultimately, whatever outcome that is in store will have to come out from GOSL. And, in any case, there are limits to which the international community can push GOSL.
So you have to go through an agonising reappraisal and recalculate your decision to go back to the Vadukoddai Resolution.
The Tamil diaspora jumping up and down for Eelam like a yo-yo in Western capitals has not worked for you, has it? Remember they even committed suicide the last time. What happened? As for Vadukoddai Resolution, it is the last thing that can produce results, particularly in the post-Prabhakaran period when all that was written in the Vadukoddai Resolution sank in Nandikadal Lagoon. True, the Tamil desperadoes are hoping for Prabhakaran to do a Lazarus. But his Second Coming is as promising as that of Ranil Wickremesinghe becoming the next president.
Fundamental failure
The fundamental failure of the northern politics is their failure to adjust to the ground realities. They are stuck intransigently in the pipe dreams of Vadukoddai Resolution.
Experience should have taught that it is no longer a dream. It has reached insufferable proportions of a nightmare. Not even Ranil Wickremesinghe, your only hope, can get what you want. But, even if Wickremesinghe comes back to power he won't last a week if he gives into the concessions you demand. If his powerful Uncle "JRJ" couldn't sell the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement how can Wickremesinghe sell his CFA deals to you?
Not after Nandikadal was clinched by the Sri Lankan forces. So you will be back to square one.
Your decision to go back to Vadukoddai is tragic -- tragic mostly for the Jaffna Tamils because they will be dragged once again into a war that no one wants. Jaffna, unfortunately, has never been blessed with a leadership that gave them peace. From Sangkili to Prabhakaran they were faced with perennial persecutions, tortures, massacres and subhuman slavery.
The Jaffna Tamilian never had dignity, or even the basic right to walk in God-given sunlight under the fascist Tamil leaderships. Forget for a moment the other oppressed Jaffna Tamils down the ages. Tell us what dignity did you and Sampanthan have under Prabhakaran?
Besides, the Sri Lankan Security Forces will not be caught off -guard this time. They are already in place and, what is more, Jaffna will not find another Prabhakaran to fight the next war.
It is not the international resolutions that will bring Eelam to you. Nor will India or any other big power land their forces to fight your war. They can come like the IPKF. But how are they going to get out?
In other words, you will have to do a do-or-die battle.Where will all this leave the Jaffna Tamils? Your decision to go down the path of Prabhakaran once again is suicidal for the Tamils. Vadukoddai War I reduced your population by half. Vadukoddai War II will get rid of the remaining half.
Problem solved! So who is going to benefit in the end? Aren't you playing into the hands of the Sinhalese once again, Mr. Sumanthiran?
If by any chance you get your Vadukoddai War II
I hope you will get another chance to watch your people suffer the way you did in Vadukoddai War I while enjoying security and all the perks showered on you by "the Sinhala state" you love to hate.
Yours sincerely,
H. L. D. Mahindapala
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/08/26/fea02.asp
The role of the military in today’s context
by Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA
The progress that Sri Lanka has made over the past few years from being a nation fighting terrorism to one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world is remarkable. This progress was made possible by the Government’s sincere and committed efforts to defeat the terrorist LTTE, and its hard work since the dawn of peace to resolve all post-war issues and facilitate rapid economic development. The remarkable service rendered by the Armed Forces during the Humanitarian Operation that rid the country of terrorism is well-known, but its role assisting post-war progress has been similarly laudable and is worthy of wider recognition.
Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa addresses the BCIS convocation
After the successful conclusion of the Humanitarian Operation in May 2009, the Government was faced with a number of significant post-war challenges. The most pressing issues included the accommodation and welfare of nearly 300,000 civilians, demining, reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities, resettlement of the IDPs, and the rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadre and their reintegration to society.
The Government was also tasked with the disarming of armed groups, restoring democracy in the North and the East after many years of suppression, and promoting economic activity in those areas. The military played an important role in meeting nearly all of these challenges.
During the Humanitarian Operation, as the Armed Forces progressed further and further into LTTE-held territory, the LTTE moved the people out of their towns and villages as it retreated to its strongholds. The civilian population was to be used as the LTTE’s human shield.
Further, to prevent the advance of the military, the LTTE created obstacles by laying thousands of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices in the towns and villages left behind. As a result, after the war against terrorism ended, 295,873 displaced people were unable to return to their homes until their homes were demined and made safe for human occupation once again.
Demining process
Accommodating and ensuring the welfare of such a large number of people during the demining process was a very significant challenge. However, it was a challenge that the Government had prepared for since the latter half of 2008. After a national consultation conference with key officials in the Government, the UN and other relevant agencies’ work on creating welfare villages to house the displaced began.
Once the most suitable locations were identified, the military played a critical role in establishing the villages by providing manpower and expertise to prepare their infrastructure and facilities. Once the welfare villages were set up, the delivery of services to displaced people was coordinated through a National Steering Committee comprising several ministries, UN agencies and other organisations as well as district level committees. The military provided administrative assistance as well as staff for the day-to-day operations of the villages.
The facilities provided in the welfare villages were of a very good standard. Each welfare village was divided into blocks of shelters, and each block had separate kitchens, toilets, bathing areas and child-friendly spaces. Provision of water exceeded World Health Organization standards, and steps were taken to provide quality food and nutrition.
Particular care was taken to ensure proper healthcare and as a result, the health of the people improved dramatically within a short span of months. Educational facilities were set up for children, while vocational training facilities were set up for capacity building and empowerment of adults.
Much effort went into promoting religious, spiritual and cultural activities, and kovils, churches and mosques were set up through community consultation.
Although there was some ill informed speculation by various parties during the initial stages, the welfare villages were a tremendous success story by any standard.
While the displaced people were being accommodated in this fashion, demining and reconstruction in the towns and villages they had left behind was accelerated. In total, it was suspected that mines had been laid in over 5,000 sq km of land.
A number of international agencies, including groups from India, Denmark and the United Kingdom, assisted the Government in the demining process. However, the largest single extent of land for demining was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. These regions totalled almost 1,500 sq km, including several of the most densely mined areas.
Demining was carried out in stages. The first priority was demining the towns and villages; the second priority was demining the agricultural areas; and the third priority was demining the forested regions. I am very happy to note that the first two priority areas have been almost completely cleared of mines.
The extent of the problem caused by the LTTE can be seen from the fact that nearly 470,000 anti-personnel mines, 1,400 anti-tank mines and more than 388,000 unexploded improvised explosive devices have been recovered to date. Demining continues in a few areas where heavy fighting took place during the last stages of the conflict, but these will also be cleared in the near future.
With the completion of demining in each area, attention was paid to the reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities that had been long neglected under LTTE occupation. Because of the LTTE’s dominance in those areas for many years, the facilities and infrastructure had been in a poor state.
Although the Government continuously supplied services such as healthcare, education and utilities to these regions over the years, the LTTE did not allow these resources to be used properly.
The NGOs that were supposed to be doing work in those areas were also ineffective. As a result, there was no economic development there. The transport networks, power supply, irrigation channels, administrative facilities and housing were all badly in need of repair.
New houses
The renovation of houses and construction of new housing units was one of the first priorities in terms of reconstruction in those areas. The Sri Lanka Army took on the responsibility to renovate more than 6,000 houses and construct nearly 7,000 new housing units in this region.
The Indian Government has provided a grant to construct 43,000 houses in these areas over the next few years; 1,000 of these have already been built and handed over to beneficiaries.
The next key concern was infrastructure development. Under the ‘Northern Spring’ program launched by the Government in 2009, essential infrastructure such as access roads, minor tanks, public buildings, hospitals and schools were upgraded quickly to facilitate speedy resettlement. Larger projects such as township development, renovation of the road network including the A-9 route, and the restoration of the railway tracks were then undertaken. The provision of electricity, water supply and sanitation, upgrading of healthcare facilities and schools has also been undertaken.
The military provided immense assistance in terms of expertise, manpower and construction plant and equipment for all of these projects. It is thanks to this assistance that work has been carried out so fast, and that it has been possible to resettle so many of the displaced persons so soon.
By the middle of this month, just three years and three months after the liberation of the North, the Government has successfully resettled 240,067 people. As at today, only 3,054 individuals from 866 families remain in the last functioning welfare village, and they too will be resettled in the near future. The resettlement of nearly 300,000 internally displaced people in such a short span of time is a significant and laudable achievement by any standard.
In addition to resettling the people so quickly, the Government has done a lot of work to assist them in reviving their livelihoods. Financial and assistance in kind has been given for those involved in crop agriculture, fisheries, and business activities.
A great deal of assistance has been provided by the military in this regard, through donations of equipment and seeds for farmers, assisting in livestock development, setting up irrigation canals, and helping small business owners set up shops.
The military has also conducted hundreds of health camps in these areas, and it has facilitated numerous religious and cultural festivals for the people.
Through all of the measures just described, the Government has facilitated the return of normalcy to the people of the North, and has provided the platform on which the people can build better futures for themselves.
It is not only the civilian population that has benefited from the speedy actions taken by the Government with the assistance of the military, but also the nearly 12,000 ex-LTTE cadre who surrendered to the Security Forces at the end of the Humanitarian Operation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had a very clear vision that these ex-combatants had been misled by the LTTE and deserved the opportunity to see the error of their ways. From the first day onwards, our intention was to rehabilitate the vast majority of these ex-LTTE cadre and reintegrate them into society as quickly as possible.
Rehabilitation program
A special UNICEF supported rehabilitation program was organised for the 594 child soldiers who surrendered. They were given proper counselling and formal education and given numerous opportunities to participate in spiritual development activities and positive values cultivation.
All of the child soldiers were rehabilitated and reunited with their families within one year. The adult beneficiaries of rehabilitation underwent extensive programs to de-radicalise them and equip them with the ability to return to normal life in society.
It is important to note that organisations like the IOM and UNICEF, visiting diplomats, media personnel, lawyers and family members of beneficiaries were given access to the rehabilitation centres. The rehabilitation programs were organised by various Government ministries and departments together with UN agencies and many local and international non-governmental organisations. The operation of the centres themselves was greatly assisted by the military, under the direct supervision of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation.
During the first year itself, 121 beneficiaries of the rehabilitation program were reintegrated to society; 5,227 were reintegrated in 2010; 5,027 were reintegrated in 2011; and 598 have been reintegrated so far this year.
Many of the LTTE cadre who were detained during the conflict have also been rehabilitated and reintegrated, while only about 560 have been identified for prosecution. Only 636 beneficiaries still remain in rehabilitation, because they require more time to recover from LTTE indoctrination and regain the full capability to lead normal lives.
Research conducted by two American academics, Dr.Kruglanski and Dr.Gelfland of the University of Maryland, College Park, has indicated that there is a significant decline in the support of violence among all beneficiaries of the rehabilitation program, including even the most hard-core cadre. This amply supports the Government’s decision to rehabilitate and reintegrate the ex-LTTE cadre so quickly.
Every opportunity has been given to the rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-LTTE cadre to resume normal lives in society. Many programs have been launched, including those to support them to set up their own businesses, obtain funds for self-employment, and undertake farming and fisheries-related activities.
Because the rehabilitation programs featured a strong vocational training component, many of the beneficiaries have been employed by various private enterprises including garment factories and other industrial facilities. Some have even been able to find jobs in other countries.
A significant number of the reintegrated beneficiaries are also being recruited to the Civil Defence Force, and will be paid a monthly salary and will work in farming and in development activities. As a result of these measures, even former members of the LTTE have been given a full and fair opportunity to build better futures for themselves in a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka.
In this regard, it is important to understand the various other ways through which normalcy was returned to the North and the East. During the war against terrorism there were members of many armed groups including the TMVP, EPRLF and EPDP who carried arms for their own protection against the LTTE. Soon after the war against terrorism ended and Government control was reasserted in these regions, the military took steps to disarm all of these armed groups.
The Government encouraged them to participate in the political process, and most of the personnel in the groups started to work through democratic means for the benefit of the people.
The restoration of elections from very early on in the post-war scenario is a very significant achievement: the people of the North and the East have the ability to vote in free and fair elections without fear of LTTE reprisal for the first time in decades. The fact that political plurality has returned to these regions is clear from the results of the elections that have been held.
Normalcy restored
Another very important facet of the restoration of normalcy is the removal of the many restrictions that had to be in place during the war against terrorism for security considerations. The restrictions on movement at land and at sea have been gradually withdrawn during the past few years, and there is complete freedom of movement throughout the land today.
Thousands of people travel from the North to the South and the South to the North on a daily basis, and more than 50,000 foreign passport holders have visited the North over the last 12 months. Many of them are expatriate Sri Lankans visiting their relatives and their properties in this country for the first time in many decades. It is telling that most of them did not choose to return while the LTTE was active, but have come back after the LTTE has been defeated.
The drastic reduction in the number of security barricades, roadblocks and checkpoints in the North and the East is another significant step.
The high security zones that existed in the North and the East have also been removed progressively, with some restrictions remaining only within the Palaly Cantonment. Even within that Cantonment, however, civilians have access to the Palaly Airport and the Kankesanthurai Harbour.
Almost all of the lands that belonged to civilians, which were taken over through Gazette notification during the war against terrorism have been returned, and owners of properties within the Cantonment that cannot be returned will be paid due compensation and given alternate lands.
The presence of the military in the North and the East has been greatly reduced with several battalions being relocated to other parts of the country.
While military camps will remain for security reasons, the presence of Security Forces personnel will be non-obtrusive.
They no longer have a role to play in terms of day-to-day law enforcement; instead, these duties have been handed over to the Police. New police stations are being set up in the North and the East, and several hundred Tamil-speaking policemen have been recruited over the past three years to staff these stations.
The role of the military in the North and the East in future will be to maintain national security and ensure that any pro-LTTE elements remaining among the resettled population or who are based in other nations do not have the opportunity to destabilise our hard-won peace and harm Sri Lanka.
The maintenance of military camps in strategic locations throughout the country is essential for the maintenance of national security. The establishment of military camps in locations such as Mannar, Palaly, Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Thalladi, Karainagar and Mullaitivu began in the 1950s with a view to enhancing internal security and minimise the smuggling of persons, drugs and materials in and out of the country. These concerns remain to this day.
Similarly, the Navy has an immense responsibility to ensure the security of the seas around Sri Lanka and prevent the trafficking of persons, smuggling of drugs and the incursion of terrorists and their weapons into Sri Lanka. Over the past few years, it has done a lot of work to prevent these problems from occurring, and has shared vital intelligence on human trafficking with authorities in other nations. At the same time, the Navy also has to protect the international sea lines of communication that pass close to Sri Lanka from piracy, and provide a safe Indian Ocean not only for Sri Lanka but for the entire world.
Important tasks
Apart from such security-related considerations, the role of the military in post-war Sri Lanka extends to many other areas. Because of the professionalism, training and expertise possessed by the Security Forces, many of their personnel have the ability to undertake important tasks in diverse fields.
Not long after the war, the President appointed several flag rank officers who were at the war front as ambassadors and deputy ambassadors in different countries around the world, and many officers were also posted as defence attaches to important embassies. In these capacities, they have worked hard together with the foreign service staff to serve Sri Lanka’s interests with great distinction in foreign capitals.
Officers from all the Services have also become involved in various forms of development-related work and the military has played a pivotal role in expediting the construction of vital infrastructure and facilities throughout Sri Lanka.
The heads of many authorities and agencies increasingly request the secondment of military officers to their organisations because they are aware of the capacity these personnel have to deliver results.
The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have proven this during the Humanitarian Operation, and then proven this again in our present efforts to accelerate economic development.
The lesson you must draw from this is the importance of leadership, hard work and professionalism in performing your duties. As you obtain your diplomas and embark on further higher education or start your careers as educated young people, you must strive hard to work with these qualities in everything that you do.
You must develop your leadership skills, and understand that there is an element of leadership in every vocation and in most positions in which you will work. You must develop a capacity for hard work that will enable you to undertake difficult tasks, and you must develop your professionalism so that you can work to a high standard and deliver results.
Sri Lanka today is a country with many opportunities. To capitalise on these opportunities, our young people must contribute their many talents and skills wholeheartedly and with commitment. I hope you will take this to heart and do your utmost for this country in the years ahead.
Address by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was the chief guest at the Annual Convocation of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) at the SBMEC Auditorium, BMICH last week.
The role of the military in today’s context
by Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA
The progress that Sri Lanka has made over the past few years from being a nation fighting terrorism to one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world is remarkable. This progress was made possible by the Government’s sincere and committed efforts to defeat the terrorist LTTE, and its hard work since the dawn of peace to resolve all post-war issues and facilitate rapid economic development. The remarkable service rendered by the Armed Forces during the Humanitarian Operation that rid the country of terrorism is well-known, but its role assisting post-war progress has been similarly laudable and is worthy of wider recognition.
Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa addresses the BCIS convocation
After the successful conclusion of the Humanitarian Operation in May 2009, the Government was faced with a number of significant post-war challenges. The most pressing issues included the accommodation and welfare of nearly 300,000 civilians, demining, reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities, resettlement of the IDPs, and the rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadre and their reintegration to society.
The Government was also tasked with the disarming of armed groups, restoring democracy in the North and the East after many years of suppression, and promoting economic activity in those areas. The military played an important role in meeting nearly all of these challenges.
During the Humanitarian Operation, as the Armed Forces progressed further and further into LTTE-held territory, the LTTE moved the people out of their towns and villages as it retreated to its strongholds. The civilian population was to be used as the LTTE’s human shield.
Further, to prevent the advance of the military, the LTTE created obstacles by laying thousands of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices in the towns and villages left behind. As a result, after the war against terrorism ended, 295,873 displaced people were unable to return to their homes until their homes were demined and made safe for human occupation once again.
Demining process
Accommodating and ensuring the welfare of such a large number of people during the demining process was a very significant challenge. However, it was a challenge that the Government had prepared for since the latter half of 2008. After a national consultation conference with key officials in the Government, the UN and other relevant agencies’ work on creating welfare villages to house the displaced began.
Once the most suitable locations were identified, the military played a critical role in establishing the villages by providing manpower and expertise to prepare their infrastructure and facilities. Once the welfare villages were set up, the delivery of services to displaced people was coordinated through a National Steering Committee comprising several ministries, UN agencies and other organisations as well as district level committees. The military provided administrative assistance as well as staff for the day-to-day operations of the villages.
The facilities provided in the welfare villages were of a very good standard. Each welfare village was divided into blocks of shelters, and each block had separate kitchens, toilets, bathing areas and child-friendly spaces. Provision of water exceeded World Health Organization standards, and steps were taken to provide quality food and nutrition.
Particular care was taken to ensure proper healthcare and as a result, the health of the people improved dramatically within a short span of months. Educational facilities were set up for children, while vocational training facilities were set up for capacity building and empowerment of adults.
Much effort went into promoting religious, spiritual and cultural activities, and kovils, churches and mosques were set up through community consultation.
Although there was some ill informed speculation by various parties during the initial stages, the welfare villages were a tremendous success story by any standard.
While the displaced people were being accommodated in this fashion, demining and reconstruction in the towns and villages they had left behind was accelerated. In total, it was suspected that mines had been laid in over 5,000 sq km of land.
A number of international agencies, including groups from India, Denmark and the United Kingdom, assisted the Government in the demining process. However, the largest single extent of land for demining was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. These regions totalled almost 1,500 sq km, including several of the most densely mined areas.
Demining was carried out in stages. The first priority was demining the towns and villages; the second priority was demining the agricultural areas; and the third priority was demining the forested regions. I am very happy to note that the first two priority areas have been almost completely cleared of mines.
The extent of the problem caused by the LTTE can be seen from the fact that nearly 470,000 anti-personnel mines, 1,400 anti-tank mines and more than 388,000 unexploded improvised explosive devices have been recovered to date. Demining continues in a few areas where heavy fighting took place during the last stages of the conflict, but these will also be cleared in the near future.
With the completion of demining in each area, attention was paid to the reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities that had been long neglected under LTTE occupation. Because of the LTTE’s dominance in those areas for many years, the facilities and infrastructure had been in a poor state.
Although the Government continuously supplied services such as healthcare, education and utilities to these regions over the years, the LTTE did not allow these resources to be used properly.
The NGOs that were supposed to be doing work in those areas were also ineffective. As a result, there was no economic development there. The transport networks, power supply, irrigation channels, administrative facilities and housing were all badly in need of repair.
New houses
The renovation of houses and construction of new housing units was one of the first priorities in terms of reconstruction in those areas. The Sri Lanka Army took on the responsibility to renovate more than 6,000 houses and construct nearly 7,000 new housing units in this region.
The Indian Government has provided a grant to construct 43,000 houses in these areas over the next few years; 1,000 of these have already been built and handed over to beneficiaries.
The next key concern was infrastructure development. Under the ‘Northern Spring’ program launched by the Government in 2009, essential infrastructure such as access roads, minor tanks, public buildings, hospitals and schools were upgraded quickly to facilitate speedy resettlement. Larger projects such as township development, renovation of the road network including the A-9 route, and the restoration of the railway tracks were then undertaken. The provision of electricity, water supply and sanitation, upgrading of healthcare facilities and schools has also been undertaken.
The military provided immense assistance in terms of expertise, manpower and construction plant and equipment for all of these projects. It is thanks to this assistance that work has been carried out so fast, and that it has been possible to resettle so many of the displaced persons so soon.
By the middle of this month, just three years and three months after the liberation of the North, the Government has successfully resettled 240,067 people. As at today, only 3,054 individuals from 866 families remain in the last functioning welfare village, and they too will be resettled in the near future. The resettlement of nearly 300,000 internally displaced people in such a short span of time is a significant and laudable achievement by any standard.
In addition to resettling the people so quickly, the Government has done a lot of work to assist them in reviving their livelihoods. Financial and assistance in kind has been given for those involved in crop agriculture, fisheries, and business activities.
A great deal of assistance has been provided by the military in this regard, through donations of equipment and seeds for farmers, assisting in livestock development, setting up irrigation canals, and helping small business owners set up shops.
The military has also conducted hundreds of health camps in these areas, and it has facilitated numerous religious and cultural festivals for the people.
Through all of the measures just described, the Government has facilitated the return of normalcy to the people of the North, and has provided the platform on which the people can build better futures for themselves.
It is not only the civilian population that has benefited from the speedy actions taken by the Government with the assistance of the military, but also the nearly 12,000 ex-LTTE cadre who surrendered to the Security Forces at the end of the Humanitarian Operation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had a very clear vision that these ex-combatants had been misled by the LTTE and deserved the opportunity to see the error of their ways. From the first day onwards, our intention was to rehabilitate the vast majority of these ex-LTTE cadre and reintegrate them into society as quickly as possible.
Rehabilitation program
A special UNICEF supported rehabilitation program was organised for the 594 child soldiers who surrendered. They were given proper counselling and formal education and given numerous opportunities to participate in spiritual development activities and positive values cultivation.
All of the child soldiers were rehabilitated and reunited with their families within one year. The adult beneficiaries of rehabilitation underwent extensive programs to de-radicalise them and equip them with the ability to return to normal life in society.
It is important to note that organisations like the IOM and UNICEF, visiting diplomats, media personnel, lawyers and family members of beneficiaries were given access to the rehabilitation centres. The rehabilitation programs were organised by various Government ministries and departments together with UN agencies and many local and international non-governmental organisations. The operation of the centres themselves was greatly assisted by the military, under the direct supervision of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation.
During the first year itself, 121 beneficiaries of the rehabilitation program were reintegrated to society; 5,227 were reintegrated in 2010; 5,027 were reintegrated in 2011; and 598 have been reintegrated so far this year.
Many of the LTTE cadre who were detained during the conflict have also been rehabilitated and reintegrated, while only about 560 have been identified for prosecution. Only 636 beneficiaries still remain in rehabilitation, because they require more time to recover from LTTE indoctrination and regain the full capability to lead normal lives.
Research conducted by two American academics, Dr.Kruglanski and Dr.Gelfland of the University of Maryland, College Park, has indicated that there is a significant decline in the support of violence among all beneficiaries of the rehabilitation program, including even the most hard-core cadre. This amply supports the Government’s decision to rehabilitate and reintegrate the ex-LTTE cadre so quickly.
Every opportunity has been given to the rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-LTTE cadre to resume normal lives in society. Many programs have been launched, including those to support them to set up their own businesses, obtain funds for self-employment, and undertake farming and fisheries-related activities.
Because the rehabilitation programs featured a strong vocational training component, many of the beneficiaries have been employed by various private enterprises including garment factories and other industrial facilities. Some have even been able to find jobs in other countries.
A significant number of the reintegrated beneficiaries are also being recruited to the Civil Defence Force, and will be paid a monthly salary and will work in farming and in development activities. As a result of these measures, even former members of the LTTE have been given a full and fair opportunity to build better futures for themselves in a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka.
In this regard, it is important to understand the various other ways through which normalcy was returned to the North and the East. During the war against terrorism there were members of many armed groups including the TMVP, EPRLF and EPDP who carried arms for their own protection against the LTTE. Soon after the war against terrorism ended and Government control was reasserted in these regions, the military took steps to disarm all of these armed groups.
The Government encouraged them to participate in the political process, and most of the personnel in the groups started to work through democratic means for the benefit of the people.
The restoration of elections from very early on in the post-war scenario is a very significant achievement: the people of the North and the East have the ability to vote in free and fair elections without fear of LTTE reprisal for the first time in decades. The fact that political plurality has returned to these regions is clear from the results of the elections that have been held.
Normalcy restored
Another very important facet of the restoration of normalcy is the removal of the many restrictions that had to be in place during the war against terrorism for security considerations. The restrictions on movement at land and at sea have been gradually withdrawn during the past few years, and there is complete freedom of movement throughout the land today.
Thousands of people travel from the North to the South and the South to the North on a daily basis, and more than 50,000 foreign passport holders have visited the North over the last 12 months. Many of them are expatriate Sri Lankans visiting their relatives and their properties in this country for the first time in many decades. It is telling that most of them did not choose to return while the LTTE was active, but have come back after the LTTE has been defeated.
The drastic reduction in the number of security barricades, roadblocks and checkpoints in the North and the East is another significant step.
The high security zones that existed in the North and the East have also been removed progressively, with some restrictions remaining only within the Palaly Cantonment. Even within that Cantonment, however, civilians have access to the Palaly Airport and the Kankesanthurai Harbour.
Almost all of the lands that belonged to civilians, which were taken over through Gazette notification during the war against terrorism have been returned, and owners of properties within the Cantonment that cannot be returned will be paid due compensation and given alternate lands.
The presence of the military in the North and the East has been greatly reduced with several battalions being relocated to other parts of the country.
While military camps will remain for security reasons, the presence of Security Forces personnel will be non-obtrusive.
They no longer have a role to play in terms of day-to-day law enforcement; instead, these duties have been handed over to the Police. New police stations are being set up in the North and the East, and several hundred Tamil-speaking policemen have been recruited over the past three years to staff these stations.
The role of the military in the North and the East in future will be to maintain national security and ensure that any pro-LTTE elements remaining among the resettled population or who are based in other nations do not have the opportunity to destabilise our hard-won peace and harm Sri Lanka.
The maintenance of military camps in strategic locations throughout the country is essential for the maintenance of national security. The establishment of military camps in locations such as Mannar, Palaly, Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Thalladi, Karainagar and Mullaitivu began in the 1950s with a view to enhancing internal security and minimise the smuggling of persons, drugs and materials in and out of the country. These concerns remain to this day.
Similarly, the Navy has an immense responsibility to ensure the security of the seas around Sri Lanka and prevent the trafficking of persons, smuggling of drugs and the incursion of terrorists and their weapons into Sri Lanka. Over the past few years, it has done a lot of work to prevent these problems from occurring, and has shared vital intelligence on human trafficking with authorities in other nations. At the same time, the Navy also has to protect the international sea lines of communication that pass close to Sri Lanka from piracy, and provide a safe Indian Ocean not only for Sri Lanka but for the entire world.
Important tasks
Apart from such security-related considerations, the role of the military in post-war Sri Lanka extends to many other areas. Because of the professionalism, training and expertise possessed by the Security Forces, many of their personnel have the ability to undertake important tasks in diverse fields.
Not long after the war, the President appointed several flag rank officers who were at the war front as ambassadors and deputy ambassadors in different countries around the world, and many officers were also posted as defence attaches to important embassies. In these capacities, they have worked hard together with the foreign service staff to serve Sri Lanka’s interests with great distinction in foreign capitals.
Officers from all the Services have also become involved in various forms of development-related work and the military has played a pivotal role in expediting the construction of vital infrastructure and facilities throughout Sri Lanka.
The heads of many authorities and agencies increasingly request the secondment of military officers to their organisations because they are aware of the capacity these personnel have to deliver results.
The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have proven this during the Humanitarian Operation, and then proven this again in our present efforts to accelerate economic development.
The lesson you must draw from this is the importance of leadership, hard work and professionalism in performing your duties. As you obtain your diplomas and embark on further higher education or start your careers as educated young people, you must strive hard to work with these qualities in everything that you do.
You must develop your leadership skills, and understand that there is an element of leadership in every vocation and in most positions in which you will work. You must develop a capacity for hard work that will enable you to undertake difficult tasks, and you must develop your professionalism so that you can work to a high standard and deliver results.
Sri Lanka today is a country with many opportunities. To capitalise on these opportunities, our young people must contribute their many talents and skills wholeheartedly and with commitment. I hope you will take this to heart and do your utmost for this country in the years ahead.
Address by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was the chief guest at the Annual Convocation of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) at the SBMEC Auditorium, BMICH last week.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201208/20120822draw_inspiration_victory.htm
| Draw inspiration from victory - Defence Secretary |
| "There is complete freedom of movement
throughout the island today.
Thousands of people travel from the North to the South and the South to the
North on a daily basis, and more than 50,000 foreign passport holders have
visited the North over the last twelve months", said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa, in the convocation address of the Bandaranaike Centre for
International Studies (BCIS), yesterday (21). With regard to the presence of military, the Secretary said that "The presence of the military in the North and East has been greatly reduced with several battalions being relocated to other parts of the country. While military camps will remain for security reasons, the presence of security forces personnel will be non-obtrusive." "Police Stations are being set up in the North and East, and several hundred Tamil-speaking Policemen have been recruited over the past three years to staff these stations" the Secretary further added. In conclusion the Secretary Defence advised them to draw a lesson from on the importance of leadership, hard work and professionalism in performing ones duties. A large number of recipients of Diploma and Higher Diploma of BCIS, Members of the BCIS Staff and a large number of distinguished guests participated the event. Full text of the speech I would like to thank the Board of Governors of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies for having invited me to be the Chief Guest at this occasion. I am happy to note the good work being carried out by the BCIS in the teaching of International Relations, and I am confident that all of the students being conferred diplomas today will have learnt a great deal that will help them in their future careers. Sri Lanka needs educated young people of a high calibre to contribute in various capacities and positions as it capitalizes on its present peace and stability to transform into a more prosperous nation. The progress that Sri Lanka has made over the past few years from being a nation fighting terrorism to one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world is remarkable. This progress was made possible by the Government's sincere and committed efforts to defeat the terrorist LTTE, and its hard work since the dawn of peace to resolve all post-war issues and facilitate rapid economic development. The remarkable service rendered by the Armed Forces during the Humanitarian Operation that rid the country of terrorism is well known, but its role assisting this post-war progress has been similarly laudable and is worthy of wider recognition. After the successful conclusion of the Humanitarian Operation in May 2009, the Government was faced with a number of significant post-war challenges. The most pressing issues included the accommodation and welfare of nearly three hundred thousand civilians, demining, reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities, resettlement of the IDPs, and the rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadres and their reintegration to society. The Government was also tasked with the disarming of armed groups, restoring democracy in the North and East after many years of suppression, and promoting economic activity in those areas. The military played an important role in meeting nearly all of these challenges. During the Humanitarian Operation, as the Armed Forces progressed further and further into LTTE held territory, the LTTE moved the people out of their towns and villages as it retreated to its strongholds. The civilian population was to be used as the LTTE's human shield. Further, to prevent the advance of the military, the LTTE created obstacles by laying thousands of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices in the towns and villages left behind. As a result, after the war ended, 295,873 internally displaced people were unable to return to their homes until their homes were demined and made safe for human occupation once again. Accommodating and ensuring the welfare of such a large number of people during the demining process was a very significant challenge. However, it was a challenge that the Government had prepared for since the latter half of 2008. After a national consultation conference with key officials in Government, the UN and other relevant agencies, work on creating welfare villages to house the IDPs began. Once the most suitable locations were identified, the military played a critical role in establishing the villages by providing manpower and expertise to prepare their infrastructure and facilities. Once the welfare villages were set up, the delivery of services to IDPs was coordinated through a National Steering Committee comprising several Ministries, UN agencies and other organizations as well as District level committees. However, the military provided administrative assistance as well as staff for day-to-day operation of the villages. The facilities provided in the welfare villages were to a very good standard. Each welfare village was divided into blocks of shelters, and each block had separate kitchens, toilets, bathing areas and child friendly spaces. Provision of water exceeded World Health Organization standards, and steps were taken to provide quality food and nutrition. Particular care was taken to ensure proper healthcare and as a result, the health of the IDPs improved dramatically within a short span of months. Educational facilities were set up for children, while vocational training facilities were set up for capacity building and empowerment of adults. Much effort went into promoting religious, spiritual and cultural activities, and kovils, churches and mosques were set up through community consultation. Although there was some ill informed speculation by various parties during the initial stages, the welfare villages were a tremendous success story by any standard. While the IDPs were being accommodated in this fashion, demining and reconstruction in the towns and villages they had left behind was accelerated. In total, it was suspected that mines had been laid in over 5,000 square kilometres of land. A number of international agencies, including groups from India, Denmark and the United Kingdom, assisted the Government in the demining process. However, the largest single extent of land for demining was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. These regions totalled almost 1,500 square kilometres, including several of the most densely mined areas. Demining was carried out in stages. The first priority was demining the towns and villages; the second priority was demining the agricultural areas; and the third priority was demining the forested regions. I am very happy to note that the first two priority areas have been almost completely cleared of mines. The extent of the problem caused by the LTTE can be seen from the fact that nearly 470,000 antipersonnel mines, 1400 anti-tank mines and more than 388,000 unexploded improvised explosive devices have been recovered to date. Demining continues in a few areas where heavy fighting took place during the last stages of the war, but these will also be cleared in the very near future. With the completion of demining in each area, attention was paid to the reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities that had been long neglected under LTTE occupation. Because of the LTTE's dominance in those areas for many years, the facilities and infrastructure had been in a very poor state. Although the Government continuously supplied services such as healthcare, education and utilities to these regions over the years, the LTTE did not allow these resources to be used properly. The NGOs that were supposed to be doing work in those areas were also ineffective. As a result, there was no economic development there. The transport networks, power supply, irrigation channels, administrative facilities and housing were all badly in need of repair. The renovation of houses and construction of new housing units was one of the first priorities in terms of reconstruction in those areas. The Sri Lanka Army took on the responsibility to renovate more than 6,000 houses and construct nearly 7,000 new housing units in this region. The Indian Government has provided a grant to construct 43,000 houses in these areas over the next few years; 1,000 of these have already been built and handed over to beneficiaries. The next key concern was infrastructure development. Under the "Northern Spring" programme launched by the Government in 2009, essential infrastructure such as access roads, minor tanks, public buildings, hospitals and schools were upgraded quickly to facilitate speedy resettlement. Larger projects such as township development, renovation of the road network including the A-9 route, and the restoration of the railway tracks were then undertaken. The provision of electricty, water supply and sanitation, upgrading of healthcare facilities and schools has also been undertaken. The military provided immense assistance in terms of expertise, manpower and construction plant and equipment for all of these projects. It is thanks to this assistance that work has been carried out so fast, and that it has been possible to resettle so many of the IDPs so soon. By the middle of this month, just three years and three months after the liberation of the North, the Government has successfully resettled 240,067 IDPs. As at today, only 3,054 individuals from 866 families remain in the last functioning Welfare Village, and they too will be resettled in the very near future. The resettlement of nearly three hundred thousand internally displaced people in such a short span of time is a significant and laudable achievement by any standard. In addition to resettling the people so quickly, the Government has done a lot of work to assist them in reviving their livelihoods. Financial and assistance in kind has been given for those involved in crop agriculture, fisheries, and business activities. A great deal of assistance has been provided by the military in this regard, through donations ofequipment and seeds for farmers, assisting in livestock development, setting up irrigation canals, and helping small business owners set up shops. The military has also conducted hundreds of health camps in these areas, and it has facilitated numerous religious and cultural festivals for the people. Through all of the measures just described, the Government has facilitated the return of normalcy to the people of the North, and has provided the platform on which the people can build better futures for themselves. It is not only the civilian population that has benefited from the speedy actions taken by the Government with the assistance of the military, but also the nearly 12,000 ex-LTTE cadres who surrendered to the Security Forces at the end of the Humanitarian Operation. His Excellency the President had a very clear vision that these ex-combatants had been misled by the LTTE and deserved the opportunity to see the error of their ways. From the first day onwards, our intention was to rehabilitate the vast majority of these ex-LTTE cadres and reintegrate them to society as quickly as possible. A special UNICEF supported rehabilitation programme was organised for the 594 child soldiers who surrendered. They were given proper counselling, formal education, and given numerous opportunities to participate in spiritual development activities and positive values cultivation. All of the child soldiers were rehabilitated and reunited with their families within one year. The adult beneficiaries of rehabilitation underwent extensive programmes to de-radicalise them and equip them with the ability to return to normal life in society. It is important to note that organisations like the IOM and UNICEF, visiting diplomats, media personnel, lawyers and family members of beneficiaries were given access to the rehabilitation centres. The rehabilitation programmes were organised by various Government Ministries and Departments together with UN Agencies and many local and international Non Governmental Organisations. Theoperation of the centres themselves was greatly assisted by the military, under the direct supervision of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. During the first year itself, 121 beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme were reintegrated to society. 5,227 were reintegrated in 2010; 5,027 were reintegrated in 2011; and 598 have been reintegrated so far this year. Many of the LTTE cadres who were detained during the war have also been rehabilitated and reintegrated, whilst only about 560 have been identified for prosecution. Only 636 beneficiaries still remain in rehabilitation, because they require more time to recover from LTTE indoctrination and regain the full capability to lead normal lives. Research conducted by two American academics, Dr.Kruglanski and Dr.Gelfland of the University of Maryland, College Park, has indicated that there is a significant decline in the support of violence amongst all beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme, including even the most hard-core cadres. This amply supports the Government's decision torehabilitating and reintegrating the ex-LTTE cadres so quickly. Every opportunity has been given to the rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-LTTE cadres to resume normal lives in society. Many programmes have been launched, including those to support them to set up their own businesses, obtain funds for self-employment, and undertake farming and fisheries related activities. Because the rehabilitation programmes featured a strong vocational training component, many of the beneficiaries have been employed by various private enterprises including garment factories and other industrial facilities. Some have even been able to find jobs in other countries. A significant number of the reintegrated beneficiaries are also being recruited to the Civil Defence Force, and will be paid a monthly salary and will work in farming and in development activities. As a result of these measures, even former members of the LTTE have been given a full and fair opportunity to build better futures for themselves in a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka. In this regard, it is important to understand the various other ways through which normalcy was returned to the North and East. During the war, there were members of many armed groups including the TMVP, EPRLF and EPDP who carried arms for their own protection against the LTTE. Soon after the war ended and Government control was reasserted in these regions, the military took steps to disarm all of these armed groups. The Government encouraged them to participate in the political process, and most of the personnel in the groups started to work through democratic means for the benefit of the people. The restoration of elections from very early on in the post-war scenario is a very significant achievement: the people of the North and East have the ability to vote in free and fair elections without fear of LTTE reprisal for the first time in decades. The fact that political plurality has returned to these regions is clear from the results of the elections that have been held. Another very important facet of the restoration of normalcy is the removal of the many restrictions that had to be in place during the war for security considerations. The restrictions on movement at land and at sea have been gradually withdrawn during the past few years, and there is complete freedom of movement throughout the land today. Thousands of people travel from the North to the South and the North to the South on a daily basis, and more than 50,000 foreign passport holders have visited the North over the last twelve months. Many of them are expatriate Sri Lankans visiting their relatives and their properties in this country for the first time in many decades. It is telling that most of them did not choose to return while the LTTE was active, but have come back after the LTTE has been defeated. The drastic reduction in the number of security barricades, roadblocks and checkpoints in the North and East is another significant step. The high security zones that existed in the North and East have also been removed progressively, with some restrictions remaining only within the Palaly Cantonment. Even within that Cantonment, however, civilians have access to the Palaly Airport and the Kankasanthurai Harbour. Almost all of the lands that belonged to civilians, which were taken over through gazette notification during the war, have been returned, and owners of properties within the Cantonment that cannot be returned will be paid due compensation and given alternate lands. The presence of the military in the North and East has been greatly reduced with several battalions being relocated to other parts of the country. While military camps will remain for security reasons, the presence of security forces personnel will be non-obtrusive. They no longer have a role to play in terms of day-to-day law enforcement; instead, these duties have been handed over to the Police. New Police Stations are being set up in the North and East, and several hundred Tamil-speaking Policemen have been recruited over the past three years to staff these stations. The role of the military in the North and East in future will be to maintain national security and ensure that any pro-LTTE elements remaining amongst the resettled population or who are based in other nations do not have the opportunity to destabilise our hard won peace and harm Sri Lanka. The maintenance of military camps in strategic locations throughout the country is essential for the maintenance of national security. The establishment of military camps in locations such as Mannar, Palaly, Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Thalladi, Karainagar, and Mullaitivu began in the 1950s with a view to enhancing internal security and minimise the smuggling of persons, drugs and materials in and out of the country. These concerns remain to this day. Similarly, the Navy has an immense responsibility to ensure the security of the seas around Sri Lanka and prevent the trafficking of persons, smuggling of drugs and the incursion of terrorists and their weapons into Sri Lanka. Over the past few years, it has done a lot of work to prevent these problems from occurring, and has shared vital intelligence on human trafficking with authorities in other nations. At the same time, the Navy also has to protect the international sea lines of communication that pass close to Sri Lanka from piracy, and provide a safe Indian Ocean not only for Sri Lanka but for the entire world. Apart from such Security related considerations, the role of the military in post-war Sri Lanka extends to many other areas. Because of the professionalism, training and expertise possessed by the Security Forces, many of their personnel have the ability to undertaken important tasks in diverse fields. Not long after the war, His Excellency the President appointed several Flag Rank Officers who were at the war front as Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors in different countries around the world, and many Officers were also posted as Defence Attach‚s to important embassies. In these capacities, they have worked hard together with the Foreign Service staff to serve Sri Lanka's interests with great distinction in foreign capitals. Officers from all the Services have also become involved in various forms of development related work and the military has played a pivotal role in expediting the construction of vital infrastructure and facilities throughout Sri Lanka.The heads of many authorities and agencies increasingly request the secondment of military officers to their organisations because they are aware of the capacity these personnel have to deliver results. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have proven this during the Humanitarian Operation, and then proven this again in our present efforts to accelerate economic development. The lesson you must draw from this is the importance of leadership, hard work and professionalismin performing your duties. As you obtain your diplomas and embark on further higher education or start your careers as educated young people, you must strive hard to work with these qualities in everything that you do. You must develop your leadership skills, and understand that there is an element of leadership in every vocation and in most positions in which you will work. You must develop a capacity for hard work that will enable you to undertake difficult tasks, and you must develop your professionalism so that you can work to a high standard and deliver results. Sri Lanka today is a country with many opportunities.To capitalise on these opportunities, our young people mustcontribute their many talents and skills wholeheartedly and with commitment.I hope you will take this to heart and do your utmost for this country in the years ahead. In closing, I take the opportunity to congratulate the students on having been conferred diplomas by the prestigious Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, and wish all of you every success. Thank you. |
| Wednesday, August 22 , 2012 - 9.30 GMT |
| Draw inspiration from victory - Defence Secretary |
| "There is complete freedom of movement
throughout the island today.
Thousands of people travel from the North to the South and the South to the
North on a daily basis, and more than 50,000 foreign passport holders have
visited the North over the last twelve months", said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa, in the convocation address of the Bandaranaike Centre for
International Studies (BCIS), yesterday (21). With regard to the presence of military, the Secretary said that "The presence of the military in the North and East has been greatly reduced with several battalions being relocated to other parts of the country. While military camps will remain for security reasons, the presence of security forces personnel will be non-obtrusive." "Police Stations are being set up in the North and East, and several hundred Tamil-speaking Policemen have been recruited over the past three years to staff these stations" the Secretary further added. In conclusion the Secretary Defence advised them to draw a lesson from on the importance of leadership, hard work and professionalism in performing ones duties. A large number of recipients of Diploma and Higher Diploma of BCIS, Members of the BCIS Staff and a large number of distinguished guests participated the event. Full text of the speech I would like to thank the Board of Governors of the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies for having invited me to be the Chief Guest at this occasion. I am happy to note the good work being carried out by the BCIS in the teaching of International Relations, and I am confident that all of the students being conferred diplomas today will have learnt a great deal that will help them in their future careers. Sri Lanka needs educated young people of a high calibre to contribute in various capacities and positions as it capitalizes on its present peace and stability to transform into a more prosperous nation. The progress that Sri Lanka has made over the past few years from being a nation fighting terrorism to one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world is remarkable. This progress was made possible by the Government's sincere and committed efforts to defeat the terrorist LTTE, and its hard work since the dawn of peace to resolve all post-war issues and facilitate rapid economic development. The remarkable service rendered by the Armed Forces during the Humanitarian Operation that rid the country of terrorism is well known, but its role assisting this post-war progress has been similarly laudable and is worthy of wider recognition. After the successful conclusion of the Humanitarian Operation in May 2009, the Government was faced with a number of significant post-war challenges. The most pressing issues included the accommodation and welfare of nearly three hundred thousand civilians, demining, reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities, resettlement of the IDPs, and the rehabilitation of ex-LTTE cadres and their reintegration to society. The Government was also tasked with the disarming of armed groups, restoring democracy in the North and East after many years of suppression, and promoting economic activity in those areas. The military played an important role in meeting nearly all of these challenges. During the Humanitarian Operation, as the Armed Forces progressed further and further into LTTE held territory, the LTTE moved the people out of their towns and villages as it retreated to its strongholds. The civilian population was to be used as the LTTE's human shield. Further, to prevent the advance of the military, the LTTE created obstacles by laying thousands of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and improvised explosive devices in the towns and villages left behind. As a result, after the war ended, 295,873 internally displaced people were unable to return to their homes until their homes were demined and made safe for human occupation once again. Accommodating and ensuring the welfare of such a large number of people during the demining process was a very significant challenge. However, it was a challenge that the Government had prepared for since the latter half of 2008. After a national consultation conference with key officials in Government, the UN and other relevant agencies, work on creating welfare villages to house the IDPs began. Once the most suitable locations were identified, the military played a critical role in establishing the villages by providing manpower and expertise to prepare their infrastructure and facilities. Once the welfare villages were set up, the delivery of services to IDPs was coordinated through a National Steering Committee comprising several Ministries, UN agencies and other organizations as well as District level committees. However, the military provided administrative assistance as well as staff for day-to-day operation of the villages. The facilities provided in the welfare villages were to a very good standard. Each welfare village was divided into blocks of shelters, and each block had separate kitchens, toilets, bathing areas and child friendly spaces. Provision of water exceeded World Health Organization standards, and steps were taken to provide quality food and nutrition. Particular care was taken to ensure proper healthcare and as a result, the health of the IDPs improved dramatically within a short span of months. Educational facilities were set up for children, while vocational training facilities were set up for capacity building and empowerment of adults. Much effort went into promoting religious, spiritual and cultural activities, and kovils, churches and mosques were set up through community consultation. Although there was some ill informed speculation by various parties during the initial stages, the welfare villages were a tremendous success story by any standard. While the IDPs were being accommodated in this fashion, demining and reconstruction in the towns and villages they had left behind was accelerated. In total, it was suspected that mines had been laid in over 5,000 square kilometres of land. A number of international agencies, including groups from India, Denmark and the United Kingdom, assisted the Government in the demining process. However, the largest single extent of land for demining was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. These regions totalled almost 1,500 square kilometres, including several of the most densely mined areas. Demining was carried out in stages. The first priority was demining the towns and villages; the second priority was demining the agricultural areas; and the third priority was demining the forested regions. I am very happy to note that the first two priority areas have been almost completely cleared of mines. The extent of the problem caused by the LTTE can be seen from the fact that nearly 470,000 antipersonnel mines, 1400 anti-tank mines and more than 388,000 unexploded improvised explosive devices have been recovered to date. Demining continues in a few areas where heavy fighting took place during the last stages of the war, but these will also be cleared in the very near future. With the completion of demining in each area, attention was paid to the reconstruction of infrastructure and facilities that had been long neglected under LTTE occupation. Because of the LTTE's dominance in those areas for many years, the facilities and infrastructure had been in a very poor state. Although the Government continuously supplied services such as healthcare, education and utilities to these regions over the years, the LTTE did not allow these resources to be used properly. The NGOs that were supposed to be doing work in those areas were also ineffective. As a result, there was no economic development there. The transport networks, power supply, irrigation channels, administrative facilities and housing were all badly in need of repair. The renovation of houses and construction of new housing units was one of the first priorities in terms of reconstruction in those areas. The Sri Lanka Army took on the responsibility to renovate more than 6,000 houses and construct nearly 7,000 new housing units in this region. The Indian Government has provided a grant to construct 43,000 houses in these areas over the next few years; 1,000 of these have already been built and handed over to beneficiaries. The next key concern was infrastructure development. Under the "Northern Spring" programme launched by the Government in 2009, essential infrastructure such as access roads, minor tanks, public buildings, hospitals and schools were upgraded quickly to facilitate speedy resettlement. Larger projects such as township development, renovation of the road network including the A-9 route, and the restoration of the railway tracks were then undertaken. The provision of electricty, water supply and sanitation, upgrading of healthcare facilities and schools has also been undertaken. The military provided immense assistance in terms of expertise, manpower and construction plant and equipment for all of these projects. It is thanks to this assistance that work has been carried out so fast, and that it has been possible to resettle so many of the IDPs so soon. By the middle of this month, just three years and three months after the liberation of the North, the Government has successfully resettled 240,067 IDPs. As at today, only 3,054 individuals from 866 families remain in the last functioning Welfare Village, and they too will be resettled in the very near future. The resettlement of nearly three hundred thousand internally displaced people in such a short span of time is a significant and laudable achievement by any standard. In addition to resettling the people so quickly, the Government has done a lot of work to assist them in reviving their livelihoods. Financial and assistance in kind has been given for those involved in crop agriculture, fisheries, and business activities. A great deal of assistance has been provided by the military in this regard, through donations ofequipment and seeds for farmers, assisting in livestock development, setting up irrigation canals, and helping small business owners set up shops. The military has also conducted hundreds of health camps in these areas, and it has facilitated numerous religious and cultural festivals for the people. Through all of the measures just described, the Government has facilitated the return of normalcy to the people of the North, and has provided the platform on which the people can build better futures for themselves. It is not only the civilian population that has benefited from the speedy actions taken by the Government with the assistance of the military, but also the nearly 12,000 ex-LTTE cadres who surrendered to the Security Forces at the end of the Humanitarian Operation. His Excellency the President had a very clear vision that these ex-combatants had been misled by the LTTE and deserved the opportunity to see the error of their ways. From the first day onwards, our intention was to rehabilitate the vast majority of these ex-LTTE cadres and reintegrate them to society as quickly as possible. A special UNICEF supported rehabilitation programme was organised for the 594 child soldiers who surrendered. They were given proper counselling, formal education, and given numerous opportunities to participate in spiritual development activities and positive values cultivation. All of the child soldiers were rehabilitated and reunited with their families within one year. The adult beneficiaries of rehabilitation underwent extensive programmes to de-radicalise them and equip them with the ability to return to normal life in society. It is important to note that organisations like the IOM and UNICEF, visiting diplomats, media personnel, lawyers and family members of beneficiaries were given access to the rehabilitation centres. The rehabilitation programmes were organised by various Government Ministries and Departments together with UN Agencies and many local and international Non Governmental Organisations. Theoperation of the centres themselves was greatly assisted by the military, under the direct supervision of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. During the first year itself, 121 beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme were reintegrated to society. 5,227 were reintegrated in 2010; 5,027 were reintegrated in 2011; and 598 have been reintegrated so far this year. Many of the LTTE cadres who were detained during the war have also been rehabilitated and reintegrated, whilst only about 560 have been identified for prosecution. Only 636 beneficiaries still remain in rehabilitation, because they require more time to recover from LTTE indoctrination and regain the full capability to lead normal lives. Research conducted by two American academics, Dr.Kruglanski and Dr.Gelfland of the University of Maryland, College Park, has indicated that there is a significant decline in the support of violence amongst all beneficiaries of the rehabilitation programme, including even the most hard-core cadres. This amply supports the Government's decision torehabilitating and reintegrating the ex-LTTE cadres so quickly. Every opportunity has been given to the rehabilitated and reintegrated ex-LTTE cadres to resume normal lives in society. Many programmes have been launched, including those to support them to set up their own businesses, obtain funds for self-employment, and undertake farming and fisheries related activities. Because the rehabilitation programmes featured a strong vocational training component, many of the beneficiaries have been employed by various private enterprises including garment factories and other industrial facilities. Some have even been able to find jobs in other countries. A significant number of the reintegrated beneficiaries are also being recruited to the Civil Defence Force, and will be paid a monthly salary and will work in farming and in development activities. As a result of these measures, even former members of the LTTE have been given a full and fair opportunity to build better futures for themselves in a peaceful and stable Sri Lanka. In this regard, it is important to understand the various other ways through which normalcy was returned to the North and East. During the war, there were members of many armed groups including the TMVP, EPRLF and EPDP who carried arms for their own protection against the LTTE. Soon after the war ended and Government control was reasserted in these regions, the military took steps to disarm all of these armed groups. The Government encouraged them to participate in the political process, and most of the personnel in the groups started to work through democratic means for the benefit of the people. The restoration of elections from very early on in the post-war scenario is a very significant achievement: the people of the North and East have the ability to vote in free and fair elections without fear of LTTE reprisal for the first time in decades. The fact that political plurality has returned to these regions is clear from the results of the elections that have been held. Another very important facet of the restoration of normalcy is the removal of the many restrictions that had to be in place during the war for security considerations. The restrictions on movement at land and at sea have been gradually withdrawn during the past few years, and there is complete freedom of movement throughout the land today. Thousands of people travel from the North to the South and the North to the South on a daily basis, and more than 50,000 foreign passport holders have visited the North over the last twelve months. Many of them are expatriate Sri Lankans visiting their relatives and their properties in this country for the first time in many decades. It is telling that most of them did not choose to return while the LTTE was active, but have come back after the LTTE has been defeated. The drastic reduction in the number of security barricades, roadblocks and checkpoints in the North and East is another significant step. The high security zones that existed in the North and East have also been removed progressively, with some restrictions remaining only within the Palaly Cantonment. Even within that Cantonment, however, civilians have access to the Palaly Airport and the Kankasanthurai Harbour. Almost all of the lands that belonged to civilians, which were taken over through gazette notification during the war, have been returned, and owners of properties within the Cantonment that cannot be returned will be paid due compensation and given alternate lands. The presence of the military in the North and East has been greatly reduced with several battalions being relocated to other parts of the country. While military camps will remain for security reasons, the presence of security forces personnel will be non-obtrusive. They no longer have a role to play in terms of day-to-day law enforcement; instead, these duties have been handed over to the Police. New Police Stations are being set up in the North and East, and several hundred Tamil-speaking Policemen have been recruited over the past three years to staff these stations. The role of the military in the North and East in future will be to maintain national security and ensure that any pro-LTTE elements remaining amongst the resettled population or who are based in other nations do not have the opportunity to destabilise our hard won peace and harm Sri Lanka. The maintenance of military camps in strategic locations throughout the country is essential for the maintenance of national security. The establishment of military camps in locations such as Mannar, Palaly, Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Thalladi, Karainagar, and Mullaitivu began in the 1950s with a view to enhancing internal security and minimise the smuggling of persons, drugs and materials in and out of the country. These concerns remain to this day. Similarly, the Navy has an immense responsibility to ensure the security of the seas around Sri Lanka and prevent the trafficking of persons, smuggling of drugs and the incursion of terrorists and their weapons into Sri Lanka. Over the past few years, it has done a lot of work to prevent these problems from occurring, and has shared vital intelligence on human trafficking with authorities in other nations. At the same time, the Navy also has to protect the international sea lines of communication that pass close to Sri Lanka from piracy, and provide a safe Indian Ocean not only for Sri Lanka but for the entire world. Apart from such Security related considerations, the role of the military in post-war Sri Lanka extends to many other areas. Because of the professionalism, training and expertise possessed by the Security Forces, many of their personnel have the ability to undertaken important tasks in diverse fields. Not long after the war, His Excellency the President appointed several Flag Rank Officers who were at the war front as Ambassadors and Deputy Ambassadors in different countries around the world, and many Officers were also posted as Defence Attach‚s to important embassies. In these capacities, they have worked hard together with the Foreign Service staff to serve Sri Lanka's interests with great distinction in foreign capitals. Officers from all the Services have also become involved in various forms of development related work and the military has played a pivotal role in expediting the construction of vital infrastructure and facilities throughout Sri Lanka.The heads of many authorities and agencies increasingly request the secondment of military officers to their organisations because they are aware of the capacity these personnel have to deliver results. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces have proven this during the Humanitarian Operation, and then proven this again in our present efforts to accelerate economic development. The lesson you must draw from this is the importance of leadership, hard work and professionalismin performing your duties. As you obtain your diplomas and embark on further higher education or start your careers as educated young people, you must strive hard to work with these qualities in everything that you do. You must develop your leadership skills, and understand that there is an element of leadership in every vocation and in most positions in which you will work. You must develop a capacity for hard work that will enable you to undertake difficult tasks, and you must develop your professionalism so that you can work to a high standard and deliver results. Sri Lanka today is a country with many opportunities.To capitalise on these opportunities, our young people mustcontribute their many talents and skills wholeheartedly and with commitment.I hope you will take this to heart and do your utmost for this country in the years ahead. In closing, I take the opportunity to congratulate the students on having been conferred diplomas by the prestigious Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, and wish all of you every success. Thank you. |
http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201208/20120822final_stage_resettlement_process.htm Wednesday, August 22 , 2012 - 7.41 GMT |
| Final stage of resettlement process begins |
| The government has begun the final
stage of resettlement process to resettle the remaining internally displaced
person (IDP) families in the Northern Province.
The Minister of Resettlement Gunaratne Weerakoon said that the remaining
displaced persons in the Menik Farm Welfare Village in Vavuniya will be
resettled within the next few weeks. Recently the government resettled 994 IDPs belonging to 300 families who had been living in Menik Farm Village in Puthukudiyiruppu which had been cleared of mines recently. According to the Ministry, 266,695 displaced persons who had taken shelter in the Menik Farm Welfare Village in Vavuniya had been resettled under the Northern Resettlement programme. The government provides the required infrastructure and other essential services to the resettled people after their resettlement. The resettled families have been provided with all their requirements including the resettlement allowance, cooked meals and dry rations. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has recorded that a total of 512 families comprising 1,481 members have been resettled in Mullaitivu district in the month of July. |
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/08/23/fea01.asp
SL Armed Forces driven by humanitarian spirit
Text of the address delivered by Minister of External Affairs Professor G. L. Peiris, at the Defence Seminar held on August 8
I would like to begin by congratulating Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the defence establishment on this very timely initiative. It can truly be described as the need of the hour. When there is a great deal of criticism founded on erroneous premises and there are false assumptions made, I think the best answer to this is complete, accurate, up to date information. That was precisely what was provided to all of you in abundant measure by the comprehensive presentation that was made by Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
The purpose of this seminar is to focus on the role of the Armed Forces during the conflict, remembering that it is not a role that came to an end with the cessation of the conflict in May 2009. It is very much a vibrant and continuing role, and we need today to understand clearly the nature and the scope of that role. It is to create that understanding that this seminar was conceived of, and it is the spirit in which it is now being presented to you.
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Minister Professor G. L.
Peiris
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I spoke of false impressions and misinformation. A great deal of this is attributable to local situations being approached from a cultural perspective, which is fundamentally different from the ground situation in Sri Lanka. There has been in some quarters considerable misunderstanding about the nature of the Armed Forces and their relationship to the Sri Lankan State and to the Sri Lankan community.
European history
European history has been dominated during extensive periods by conflicts among nations. During these epochs high profile military leaders have dominated the political stage. Indeed it would not be an exaggeration to say that European history during these periods has revolved around personalities like Napoleon and across the water the Duke of Wellington, Bismark of Germany and Garribaldi of Italy. It is these personalities that have moulded the basic forces of European history at that time.
Professor Harold Laski, in his classic work, The Grammar of Politics, describes the Armed Forces of the state as the most visible expression of the coercive authority of the State. Prof A. V. Dicey, in his famous Vinerian lectures delivered at the University of Oxford, defines the relationship between the Armed Forces and the state in strikingly similar terms.
I want to emphasize to you that the Sri Lankan situation is fundamentally different. What the Armed Forces were doing during the conflict was not an engagement against a foreign force. It was not an adventure of conquest. It had an entirely different objective. That objective was to release an oppressed people from the thraldom of terror and make it possible for them to lead a life that was built on dignity and freedom. That was the role and objective of the Armed Forces. People who could not even think of making decisions for themselves, or making choices in a spirit of spontaneity, and were subjugated and intimidated, these are the people to whom the army brought relief during that turbulent period in the contemporary history of our country.
What are the manifestations of this? I recall a visit to Nagadeepa, the historic Buddhist temple situated in the North, and I recall the chief priest of that temple telling me "Minister, I want to tell you that, at the height of the conflict, when there was so much violence, no harm came to us at any time".
The Army and the Navy at that time provided the monks in that temple with every meal and he told me that the Army and the Navy looked after the monks in the temple just as they would look after their own parents. That was the spirit of empathy and compassion which marked the activities of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces during that operation.
In order to assess critically the validity of some of the criticisms that are heard, let us look at the factual context. The situation in Nandikadal in the closing stages of the war represented the most serious hostage situation in modern military history, in terms of numbers 300,000 civilians trapped on a narrow strip of land between the lagoon and the sea, the LTTE using these civilians as human shields, compelling them to accompany the LTTE from place to place to dig trenches and to do other work for them.
The government of Sri Lanka announced that they are welcome in the government controlled areas where food, medical facilities and freedom awaited them. The film that we were just shown provides visual evidence of the measures that were adopted by the LTTE to prevent these people from exercising their freedom of choice and having access to government controlled areas. Indeed the LTTE opened fire and killed many of them. There are also very moving photographs that I myself have seen of members of the army helping the aged, the sick and the children to cross the waters of the lagoon. They do not epitomize aggression of the Armed Forces. On the contrary, the Armed Forces were performing a very unconventional and unorthodox role, because of the nature of the operation and its inherent objectives.
United Nations system
There is also misinformed criticism regarding the no fire zones. Not only Sri Lankan government records, but contemporary records of the United Nations system demonstrate beyond any shadow of doubt what really happened in that situation. The LTTE made systematic and persistent use of the no fire zones to come into these areas and with the full knowledge and assurance that the Armed Forces will not open fire, they considered themselves free to engage in their activities, making use of that situation to fire at government troops. This is documented in reports which emanate from sources other than the government of Sri Lanka.
Economic renaissance
In all these situations the course of action that was adopted by the army gave pride of place to humanitarian considerations. Indeed, the military operation could have ended considerably earlier with far less loss of life and limb to members of the Armed Forces. But a deliberate decision was made by his the President and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa not to do that. That is the true situation on the ground which has been grossly misrepresented by some of the criticism which has emanated from certain parties. That is how the Armed Forces behaved during the conflict.
Both Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya spoke of the continuing contribution of the Armed Forces to nation building, which is no less significant than the unique role they played in bringing peace and stability to our land. Let us consider what the Armed Forces have done after the conflict was over, that is after May 2009.
The Defence Secretary referred in some detail to the very difficult and hard work that was done by the army with regard to the clearing of mines. This was an incredibly complex operation. Several months ago there was a situation in which a French bomb disposal expert was blown up while engaged in demining operations. In Puthukudrrippu and Merintongpaththu, those are some of the areas that the LTTE occupied in the closing stages of the war - the work is still not 100 percent complete.
It is the mining which had been done in those parts of the country which created considerable delays with regard to the resettlement of internally displaced persons. And as Secretary Rajapaksa pointed out, starting with 296,000 people, it is now down to almost nothing and he said by the middle of this month the resettlement of the IDPs would be completed. So demining was one of the principal humanitarian activities embarked upon by the Army after the conclusion of hostilities. Then housing: the whole idea is to make it possible for people who have suffered so much agony and pain during three decades to begin a new life with confidence in the future.
In order to do that you have to provide them with the basic necessities of living. And among them obviously is shelter. So the government of Sri Lanka very rightly placed a very sharp emphasis on housing.
The army played a significant role in the construction of houses by providing, as we were told by the Defence Secretary, both engineering expertise and manpower.
Today we see an economic renaissance in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. One of the principal reasons for this has been the focus on development of infrastructure. No government in Sri Lanka's history has undertaken so much expenditure on the construction of highways and railroads systems. This could not have been achieved without the active contribution of the Armed Forces.
They played not just a useful, but indeed an indispensable role with regard to the construction and improvement of infrastructure in that part of the country, which substantially accounts for the unique economic progress which has been achieved in the Northern Province within a remarkably brief time span.
The other aspect of it is the disarming of violent groups. That is an absolute necessity to provide a backdrop for many other things which need to be done as a matter of priority in the post conflict situation.
For example, how can you move towards the conduct of elections in an atmosphere that is bereft of duress if you still have armed groups operating in the areas where elections are to be held? Who can actually do the disarming? The Armed Forces have to necessarily perform that function.
These are some of the activities that the Armed Forces have been engaged in since the end of the conflict, and without their vigorous involvement, it would have been quite impossible to achieve the degree of success which has been accomplished on the ground during the last three years.
Foreign observers
I want to make a comment on the perception in some quarters which has been articulated persistently abroad with regard to the alleged militarization of the Northern Province. Again it is very important to understand the historical context and the cultural underpinnings of that situation. Every country has a culture of its own, a social history, traditions and values. These cannot be regarded as transferable across nations and cultures.
It is a fact of life which we all recognize that at the height of the conflict the Armed Forces were called upon to perform functions that an army would generally not undertake. For example, the retail trade; they had to do that, not through choice but through necessity.
To be continued
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/08/23/news20.asp
'SL's achievements in reconciliation, remarkable'
Seychelles President James Alix Michel yesterday said that Sri Lanka's achievements in promoting reconciliation in the aftermath of the 30 year conflict which plagued the country 's development are remarkable .
He was of the view that healing the wounds of the conflict that had dragged on for more than 30 years is not possible within 3 years. The visiting President said that Sri Lanka has done many things to reconcile all communities and unite the country within this period and its achievement s are remarkable.
In an interview with some newspaper jounalists at Hotel Hilton, he said the process of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliaton Commission is going on and President Mahinda Rajapaksa is committed to do everything he can to heal the wounds and unite the nation.
The Process of LLRC Commission is continuing and what should be done in the field of reconciliation is being done, he said.
Sri Lanka now enjoys peace and stability which are prerequisites for development, he said. President Michel said that his country will formulate a framework under which more Sri Lankan experts in the legal, educational and many other areas would be employed.
He said that Seychells is in the path of development and it needs experts in many fields .
The President said more Sri Lankan experts in health, legal and education sectors would be employed to achieve their development goal.
He added Sri Lankans have held top posts in the legal hierarchy in his country . The posts of Attorney General, Chief Justice and Legal Draftsman were held by prominent Sri Lankans, he added. He said that tourism and fishing industries are main income earners of the country and his country has sought Sri Lankan expertise to build fishing boats too.
The visiting President also said that Seychelles is facing a shortage of teachers in secondary schools and universities and a framework is being formulated to employ more Sri Lankan teachers in future.
The President said tourism industry in Sychelles is booming and a number of international hotel chains are operating in his country. He added that Sri Lanka can have very close relation with Sychelles in the field of tourism and trade.
He invited Sri Lankan business community to invest in Sychelles .
"We can invest in Sri Lanka as a joint venture too, he said. He also stressed the importance of having close links with the Indian Ocean nations to promote martitime cooperation which would help boost Sri Lankan exports to the African region.
He said that his country is holding talks with SriLankan airlines to have air links between the African region and Sri Lanka to
promote tourism and people to people contact. He said his country is holding negotiations with the Sri Lankan Civil Aviation authorities over this matter.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
| Saturday, August 18 , 2012 - 11.05 GMT |
| Tamil asylum seekers face deportation |
| In a significant development, the
Kerala police are preparing to deport to Colombo 12 Sri Lankan Tamils recently
held at Kollam while trying to illegally sail to Australia for asylum, says
Deccan Chronicle. The remaining members of the 151-strong group, which included 19 women and 22 children, have been already sent back to their refugee camps in Tamil Nadu. Asked why these 12 were being deported to Sri Lanka, a source explained that they had arrived by air from Sri Lanka on June 2 and joined the larger group that had gathered at Kollam from various refugee camps in TN. “Since they came from Colombo, we are sending them back there. Their crime trying to use our land for the illegal boat trip to Australia falls under the Foreigners’ Act. The others have been sent back to their refugee camps in Tamil Nadu”, the source said. This may be the first time in several years that Sri Lankan Tamils landed in India are being deported to Sri Lanka, the News paper further said. Despite the Indian police thwarting several attempts by unscrupulous agents trying to send Lankan Tamils — mostly refugees in TN camps — to Australia and many media reports warning them of hundreds of such people dying at sea, the trafficking of these Tamils has not slowed down. “We recovered `19.88 lakh from the group, which was part-payment collected from the members of the group by the agents. The group included three male agents and a woman suspect. The chief agent is missing”, said M. Ram Subramanian, DSP, ‘Q’ branch. |
http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/08/22/news03.asp
No possibility of destabilizing SL’
Pro-LTTE elements do not have opportunities to destabilize the hard won peace of the country again, Defense and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.
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Defense Secretary
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa |
Over 150 students who successfully completed their courses in respect of the Certificate, Diploma , Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations were awarded certificates.
Students who topped their respective batches and performed in other exceptional ways were conferred awards for their performance. The Defence Secretary thanked the Security Forces who are making a remarkable contribution towards Sri Lanka’s postwar development activities.
“The immense contributions made by the Armed Forces for the country’s development are well known,”he said.
“The government faced a number of significant challenges in rebuilding the country after the war and the military played a pivotal role in meeting all these challenges,” he said.
“The military played a critical role in looking after the welfare activities of the IDPs and everything was provided in a well planned manner. The provision of water to the IDPs exceeded even the quality standard of the World Health Organizations (WHO) ,” he said.
“Though the demining process was assisted by some INGOs, India, UK and Denmark, the main task was entrusted to the Sri Lanka Army. The process was undertaken in stages and is almost complete,with only a few forest areas still to be cleared,” he said.
“ These areas will also be cleared very soon,” he explained.
The government under its “Northern Spring” programme upgraded all essential infrastructure facilities very quickly and normalcy was restored soon after the war.
“Two American researchers of the Maryland University have also shown the significance of the rehabilitation process of the government,” he added. “People have been given every opportunity to lead a normal life in a peaceful environment and livelihoods have been promoted with agriculture, business and good job opportunities, “ the Defence Secretary said.
“The Police have been entrusted with security while military camps will remain according to security requirements. The establishment of military camps began in the 1950’s in these areas,” he said.
The military officers who served the country well during the war have been given responsible duties as everybody is aware of their capabilities to expedite the country’s economic development,the Defence Secretary said.
The Defence Secretary congratulating the students who completed their courses in International Relations requested them to develop leadership and professionalism in their respective fields and contribute to the country’s development drive. “Sri Lanka needs educated youth to expedite the development drive”, he said. BCIS Board of Studies chairman Rajah Kuruppu, BCIS Director Prof. W.I.Siriweera. Presidential Advisor and BCIS Board of Studies Member Sunimal Fernando, BCIS Board of Studies Member Prof. Kshanika Hirumburegama, Prof. J.B.Dissanayake, BMICH Director General Bandula Ekanayake, Daily News Editor in Chief and BCIS Board of Studies Member Lynn Ockersz,other BCIS Board of Studies Members and Faculty Staff were in attendance.
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