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Thoppigala through political glasses
Friday, 13 July 2007 - 11:36 AM SL Time
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The government is gung-ho and the Tigers are licking their wounds in the aftermath of the fiercely fought battle for Thoppigala. It is, however, a matter for happiness that the government has, as we reported yesterday quoting sources close to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said its crucial military victory will not stand in the way of the on-going efforts to evolve a political solution.
Government propagandists are all out to make a political Himalaya of Thoppigala while the Opposition claims the government has nothing to crow about as that terrain is of little strategic importance. It is trying to bolster its claim with opinions expressed by retired Indian generals, who led the IPKF operations against the Tigers in the late 1980s. The real war, it claims, should be fought not in the East but in the North, where the LTTE is strong.
Military strategies of the present-day political leaders smack of policy U-turns on the part of their parties. President D. B. Wijetunga, to whom appeasement was anathema, upon being inducted as President Premadasa`s successor, launched a military campaign in the East in 1993, in keeping with his policy that defeating the LTTE was contingent upon the clearing of that province. Military experts of his government boasted that they were driving the LTTE from the East and cornering them in the North `like water poured into a funnel`. Their position was that the weakest link of the LTTE had to be attacked first of all! Ably assisting President Wijetunga in his war effort was his Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who used to even chair Security Council meetings at that time.
President Wijetunga managed to achieve his military objectives to a considerable extent and held Local Government elections in the East. Maj. General Lucky Algama was instrumental in making that project a success and openly advocated that weakening the LTTE militarily was a prerequisite for resolving the conflict. That was why the LTTE killed him in 1999 at a UNP meeting on the day when it made an abortive attempt on President Kumaratunga`s life at the Town Hall ground. It obviously wanted to effect a regime change without Algama, who was tipped to be Secretary of Defence under a UNP government. (The claymore mine attack on Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is also evidence that the LTTE goes all out to prevent battle hardened soldiers from functioning as Defence Secretaries.)
President Kumaratunga stood the UNP`s military strategy on its head and pulled out troops from the East to take Jaffna back. The PA government believed it was not `the tail of the Tiger but its head` that had to be attacked. Hence, its decision to launch Operation Riviresa, which it justified on the grounds that the LTTE had already put infrastructure of a de facto separate state in place and UDI was only a matter of time, with Jaffna under its control.
Here is what the then Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who was a trusted lieutenant of President Kumaratunga had to say about the situation that had prevailed in 1994/95, in an exclusive interview with The Island (Aug. 11, 1997): `That was a very serious matter. One of the so-called Eelam stamps had even been registered with the London-based International Philatelic Bureau. The danger was that the registration of that stamp was tantamount to recognition by that institution of Eelam as a separate state. For, only states can issue stamps!`
President Kumaratunga, however, found herself in a contradiction. She publicly admitted that she had offered the North to the LTTE in 1994 without elections for a period of ten years. The LTTE had rejected the offer as it wanted the Eastern Province as well. Later she went to war with the LTTE to wrest control of the very province that she had offered to the outfit on a platter. She also tried to achieve that feat at the expense of the Eastern Province that she had refused to grant to the LTTE. Intriguing, eh?
What is of greater significance is how the SLFP and the UNP have changed their positions on the war effort. The SLFP-led UPFA now believes the East has to be cleared first of all, though it is not seeking to do so at the expense of the North. The UNP, which wanted to strike at the `weakest link` of the LTTE?the East?at one time, is pooh-poohing the government`s successful military campaign in that province. The SLFP dissidents loyal to former President Kumaratunga, who offered the North to the LTTE like?to borrow a word from her political lexicon?a bibikkama (a kind inexpensive cake) are now stressing the strategic importance of that province. The UNP dissidents who were bitter critics of President Rajapakse`s military strategy are now full of praise for it.
Interestingly, for the first time since the inception of war, a government is in control of Jaffna and the Eastern Province, the be-all and end-all of Eelam, at the same time. The present military strategy appears to be a cross between those of the SLFP and the UNP. But, strangely there is no convergence of interests or views of the two parties.
Sadly, political interests of some leaders have taken ascendancy over national security and it is natural that Thoppigala is being viewed through political glasses!
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AlfredSen
Joined: Apr 2006
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13 Jul 2007 05:43:38 GMT Report for Abuse
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The Traitor of the Nation
Thoppigala Thuppaiya 'how many times we captured that area'
This was uttered by the Politically starved and greedy one who only wants to be the President of the Nation even sacrificing good part of our country to the world's most dangerous and criminal terrorists. RW is deaf and blind to hear and see anything else. Yet the whole nation unanimously stand together with their palms over their hearts praising and cheering the great achievement of our War Heroes of Sri Lanka along with all other bold and victorious Forces bestowed on our Nation.
All Political parties equally joined in praising and celebrating this historical event but the Opposition Leader who can Never be the Leader of our Nation whose sympathy devoted to the greatest enemy of our Country.
Ranil Wickramasinghe, you have nailed your own Political Coffin on this fearfully damaging statement Disgracing UNP and all people of our Nation equally! Remember we the people of the Nation whole heartedly with tears in our eyes 'Honour all Our Heroes of the War and Members of Families of those who sacrificed their lives or wounded in the exercise carried out on behalf of our Great Nation.'
May the Blessings of the Most Sacred Triple Gem Guide and Bless You at all times!
Alfred F Seneviratne
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Damed
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13 Jul 2007 06:03:14 GMT Report for Abuse
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Whatever said and done,politicians will come and go.
Sri lankans should understand the consequence for selecting politicians of mere agendas.
Still too early to see what planes MR having in his mind.
A issue pending about a hidden transaction with LTTE and many more uncertain comments from sections about a plan to keep north with LTTE.
If GOSL want to take control North sincerely,then it should be a advance plan better to conquering Al quida or capturing Bin laden. |
samanj
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13 Jul 2007 06:44:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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Alfred Sen:
Ranil is in the payroll of the Norwegians and so are the Tigers.
Norwegiand stateoil company is willing to dole out to these two persons to enable them get their claws on power of the country. All what the Norwegians are interested is to get their hands on the natural resources GOSL posess in the NE & NW. Its in abundance.
This is longterm Norway goal.
They want Ranil to keep going as the head of the UNP ans ltte has failed but can support to propel the unp & Ranil. Those pro Ranil stooges are well oiled by Ranil through Norwegian funds so RW waits untill the leadership falls on his lap.
Also, now, through Norwegian funds Pakiyasothy Saravanamuthtu of the Policy centre, Basil F'do of AHRC, are being activated along with AFP who are well oiled.
Unless GOSL finish off the ltte completely in the sense disarm them completely and rescue the youth,Norway will continue to fund them long term to recover their costs which are at the moment excess money to them.
Have you met up with Hilary.H, CC, Milan and company ??? |
Damed
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13 Jul 2007 07:21:44 GMT Report for Abuse
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Ranil by discrediting values of Military Commitment,Whatever political leader ship governs the Country, lost the votes of 200,000. military and there families.
RW is in MR's payroll. |
LankaweKolla
Joined: Jul 2007
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14 Jul 2007 14:10:56 GMT Report for Abuse
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RW & other self-centered politicians rather dance naked at Galle Face Green than making & barking at policies of the curent government!
What a shame, regardless of UNP, PA or JVP or whatever, for petty political gains to question the achievement of the Security forces who sacrificed life & limb for none other than 'US'!
The very people who gain from the spilt blood of our innocent men and women!
The least we could do is thank them 1st before questioning them! |
saliya
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14 Jul 2007 21:47:40 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Government must make every effort to delelop East as faster as it can. Earlier many countries said they want to allocate more funds for North and East development. Now they have a chance to utilize so called funds, specially Norway, Japan, Germany and some Scandinavian countries. |
justman
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14 Jul 2007 22:00:54 GMT Report for Abuse
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| It is sad to see that most of the members of this forum seem to be pointing a finger at Ranil.Though Iam not a UNPer,due to the severity of the situation in the country we have to judge this objectively.It was during Prez. Wijethunge(UNP) that Major General Algama managed to clear the East and then all the battles in Vanni was run to a political agenda bled the country of it's Military and the security forces,with ltte getting ever so bold and strong,losing mullitiuve and EP and to stop the carnage and as a damage control declared a CFA.This damaged the tigers badly where the diaspora funding was reduced due to the relative peace in the country,so was the carder enrollments and Karuna factor.Then the second step was inevitable military action to put the tigers in line,therefore winning this recent battle,even clearing up Vanni will not end our problems,as long as the tigers are in possession of vast sums of money as this money and the considerable support of the Diaspora will influence the future events for a long long time.To tackle this all parties must come together and meet these challenges and I am sorry to say that what Ranil said is right.Mr is doing a good job by giving the SF the help it needs,but much more has to be done and it is not wise to exploit this gain for political reasons as it will used for the benefit of the politicians to stay further in power to exploit the country.The politicians created these blunders and why should we praise them and we should praise the brave SF defending the country? |
gamiya
Joined: Feb 2007
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15 Jul 2007 09:55:35 GMT Report for Abuse
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Justman,
Please don't bluff... You love Traitor Ranil and that's fine with us......
Your interpretation of Mahinda making political Capital of the War is a result of your deep love for Traitor Ranil.....
The Govt. has every right to celebrate the wiping out of the LTTE Terror from the East....In fact the Govt. is Dutybound to celebrate this Patriotic Achievment of our Galant Soldiers.....Do you expect the govt. also to behave like Traitor Ranil and say that wiping out LTTE Terror from the East is 'No big Deal'?????
We know that TRAITOR RANIL and You would love to sweep this victory under the carpet for political Reason's...Traitor Ranil and you are both Trying hard but You all will never succeed........
Govts. in power always gain popularity with Military Victories......This is becasue the President is the Commander in chief of the Armed Forces......Which is the case in Sri Lanka......
Mahinda Rajapaksa has not interfered with the Military....So please learn to control your political frustrations and also control your jealousies.....You are deeply jealous that Mahinda, as Commaner in Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka, has gained popularity after a successful mission in the East......
Well tooo Bad Justman........Traitor Ranil is a born Looser..and that's that.
Edited By - gamiya - 15 Jul 2007 09:57:04 GMT |
justman
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15 Jul 2007 16:11:43 GMT Report for Abuse
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Gamiya,
Thanks for your wrong assumption about me liking Ranil.Time will tell who is right.Any way we are still free to debate in our country and in this forum.I am honestly telling you that I am no UNPer.People who know me will justify my claim.As I said before we are in a critical state in the country and toppigala is a small step but a very significant one and one must build on it,without stopping for celebrations etc,as the forces can't for ever be on the war front as any battle hardened person will tell you that.We must unite for the better of the country and finish this problem once and for all.One can't unite or get the co operation of the others by accusing the likes of Ranil or any other party who is not in the government and to do so is to go alone,thus weakening the front against the terror that is facing the nation.During the war in UK PM Churchill had Clement Attlee,from the opposing party as his deputy PM,just to unite the country in their hour of great need.We need the backing of the IC and the likes of Ranil to replace Kadir.We too need the backing of the JVP to keep the government machinery in check,as last time the government was battling the rebels corruption and other practices impeded war effort and some made money and now living abroad.Unity of parties is a must now.Don't accuse people,if they with the best of intention point a finger at the government in power,if one think that something is wrong or not adequate and that's our right and nothing treacherous about it.Personalities does not matter,but policy and the methods does. |
rswkv
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15 Jul 2007 19:20:03 GMT Report for Abuse
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Justman,
There is a truth in your claim that SLFP (former) always conducted war according to a political agenda. Also I don't agree with the move to start celebrations on Phoppigala. It can be done in better way by compensating the families whose loved ones have scarified their lives for the cause
But Don't try to brainwash us by saying CFA was crafted to stop carnage. Truth is CFA was crafted by LTTE Norwegian fraction to rescue terrorist from post 2001 global anti terrorist wrath. Also don't forget tigers had declared unilateral ceasefire twice during this period. All as survival tactics.
So Ranil had nothing to craft CFA but accept as wholeheartedly because he didn't no the meaning of national interest or what are the security implications forthcoming. Remember VP had signed the doc even before Ranil had seen it.
You should not forget how tigers virtually blocked the entire Port city of Trincomalee during this period. According to security analysts tigers had managed to build more than 15 camps (Manirasakulam etc) surrounding the port(In less than one year of CFA) Did you forget about the greatest betrayal of millennium city followed by wiping out of entire intelligence hierarchy, Demarcation of Terrorist controlled areas, Giving diplomatic status to bloody terrorist all came as a package with CFA. These all happened with terrorists were being allowed to violate the socalled cease fire for more than 1000 times including suicide bombings, Child abductions, Arm smuglings etc. So your attempt to credit Ranil is only a unjust and stupid move.
Edited By - rswkv - 15 Jul 2007 19:28:32 GMT |
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