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PIllaiyan must be stopped
Tuesday, 15 January 2008 - 5:15 AM SL Time
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Terrorism is a hydra born pregnant. Not only do its heads grow when severed but it goes forth and multiplies like rabbits at an alarming rate. The situation in Iraq is a case in point. Terrorism in that country remained centralised for decades while Saddam Hussein was reigning supreme. Today, it has been `devolved` to the grassroots and anarchy prevails. When one monster is eliminated, many others move in to fill the vacuum. When Tsar was ousted, commissars took over and repression continued. So, the more daunting task in dealing with terrorism is not so much removing the monster proper but keeping the others of its ilk at bay.
In the Eastern Province, having banished the monster of terrorism, the government is making a grand show of a campaign to rekindle democracy through elections at the grassroots level. But, unfortunately, all signs are that its political project will come a cropper because of a lesser monster sponsored by the military.
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has accused the TMVP or the Pillaiyan Group of unleashing violence in a bid to wreak havoc in the run up to the nominations for the local polls. The TMVP stands accused of intimidating candidates of other parties and even threatening popular politicians to contest on its ticket or face the consequences. The SLMC says the TMVP has publicly stated that no party other than the ruling UPFA would be permitted to contest the polls.
That the TMVP enjoys government backing is only too well known. Therefore, the government has no alternative but to tether its ferocious pets or incur the wrath of the people who have had enough of terrorism. When the LTTE was driven away from the East, it was thought that the government would turn that province into a showpiece. But, its violent allies like Pillaiyan are putting paid to its efforts to rebuild the lives of the Easterners.
However, it was not after his breakaway from the LTTE that Pillaiyan became a bad guy. He has remained a terrorist right throughout. As far as we can remember, he played an active role under Prabhakaran to terrorise the East. Why didn`t the champions of democracy condemn him when he was working for his former boss? The whole caboodle of human rights groups has, ably assisted by the international community, embarked on a campaign to defang Karuna, Pillaiyan et al. That is, no doubt, a noble goal that every right thinking person must endorse wholeheartedly. But, what about the monster in the Wanni? Only a few organisations like the University Teachers for Human Rights (J) dare expose his terrorism and the plethora of human rights violations under his jackboot. If Pillaiyan must be disarmed, then Prabhakaran must also be disarmed. Or, both must be allowed to continue with their terror projects. There must be no double standards in dealing with terrorism.
Pillaiyan knows in Sri Lankan elections the end is not affected by the means. It is not only at the hands of terrorists that democracy has suffered. The so-called democratically elected governments have also abused power, used violence and rigging to retain power. In 1976, the United Front government arbitrarily extended its term by one year. In 1982, the JRJ government extended its term by six more years and retained its five-sixths majority through a controversial Referendum marred by violence and rigging. The JVP which challenged it was proscribed under a false pretext thus paving the way for another bloody insurgency four years later. With the steamroller majority so retained, that government even amended the Constitution to devolve power. The elections in the late 1980s were rigged and many were killed to ensure the UNP`s victory. But, their outcome was taken for granted. In 1999, the North Western Provincial Council polls under the Kumaratunga government became one of the worst elections in this country. But, it was not declared null and void. The results were considered legitimate and the PA ran the council amidst protest from the UNP.
In 2004, the LTTE rigged the parliamentary polls to its heart`s content to ensure the `election` of its puppets. This is what the EU Election Observation Mission said in its report on the polls in the North and the East dominated by the LTTE at that time: `Overall, it would be fair to conclude that the 2004 elections were largely conducted in a democratic manner, apart from the North and the East. If the election results in the North and East had been a critical factor in determining who formed the government, it would have raised questions about the legitimacy of the final outcome. The events that took place in this part of Sri Lanka during the course of this election were totally unacceptable and are the antithesis of democracy.` But, the politicians so returned are going great guns. They are making and opposing laws like their democratically elected counterparts.
The LTTE also forced the people of the North to boycott the last Presidential Election in 2005. The UNP claims the boycott stood President Mahinda Rajapaksa in good stead. If so, Prabhakaran`s nemesis has come in the form of the on-going military onslaught in the Wanni.
Thus, it is not only from Pillaiyan that Sri Lanka`s democracy must be saved. There are many others using violence and election rigging to further their interests. They, too, must be dealt with severely.
However, the fact remains that Pillaiyan and his band of terrorists must be stripped of their weapons and a democratic environment created for the local polls to be held.
Creating monsters is not the way to set about democratising the East and empowering the people.
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elephanthouse
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 517
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 15 Jan 2008 07:21:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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Good article.
The democratic process is an on going process. We knew it wasn?t going to be easy, but where there is a will there is also a solution. It?s a big test and challenge for the GOSL to manage the situation for the benefit of ALL local people who have suffered more than enough under Velu?s regime.
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Damed
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 15 Jan 2008 07:58:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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Democracy comes with peace,Still East is getting settled.
GOSl will be providing basic needs and infrastructure for East.
Muslim radicals and TNA who voiced with LTTE are the most nagging for pillians removal.
Pillian will find his days in UK soon or later.
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p007
Joined: May 2006
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 15 Jan 2008 11:51:21 GMT Report for Abuse
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Yes, Pillayan must be put out of action. What will his successor be? Another Pillayan or worse?
What needs to be done in the East is not only the disarming of the armed groups but also the restoration of law and order through proper functioning of the law enforcement authorities.
It is equally important to stop the spread of Sinhala Racism in the East if there is to be peace and quiet there. Sinhala Racists have had a free hand so far. They are sowing the wind. It won't be long before the whirlwind begins and Lanka will be back to square one again. |
Nayaa
Joined: Aug 2006
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 16 Jan 2008 07:16:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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First of all we must take care of blood thirsty Prabhakaran. Prabhakaran who started this stupid war is counting his days now as Army is advancing in all fronts. Prabhakaran have no alternativ than to commit suicide just like Adilf Hitler did during world war 2.
After we have taken care of Prabhakaran we can discuss Pilliyan. Pilliyan is a small problem. |
j2k6
Joined: Mar 2007
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 16 Jan 2008 13:08:46 GMT Report for Abuse
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UTHR is a bunch of saggy ball academics who whinge about sinhalese racism etc etc and have recently also started shouting about the ltte. to the UTHR saggy ballsacks i say...you created this mess, now deal with it. i hope VP kills all of you.
ugrateful dogs. |
Thambi
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 16 Jan 2008 13:14:27 GMT Report for Abuse
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PIllaiyan must be stopped
lol - he is no different than GoSL state terrorism against TAMILS , why only Pillian ? why no GoSL ? |
pharoah
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 16 Jan 2008 14:57:27 GMT Report for Abuse
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Pillaiyan and felow TMVP people at great risk to their lives have fought for the interests of the Sinhalese people
TMVP have killed and abducted many ordinary Tamil and Muslims.
GOSL would love this to go on, so if Pillaiyan is sent abroad, there will be a replacement |
alwaysalion
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 16 Jan 2008 16:46:39 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Palayan trying make some bucks before going to UK. |
Gaja
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16 Jan 2008 20:50:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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Including JVP was the example set by the majority race. Other communities would take that as an acceptable example in governance.
Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam - Australian Tamil |
Sintamus
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16 Jan 2008 22:44:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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Tamils, Muslims and UN diplomats begged the Sri Lankan government to 'stop' Karuna's kidnapping and killings, but never listened. Instead of checking Karuna's excesses the army and the ministers blamed the UN diplomats and accused them of being in the LTTE pay role.
Karuna is smuggled to Britain and Pillaiyaan is appointed to carry out the crimes his predecessor committed. Pillaiyaan will also be smuggled or disposed of when a replacement is found. UN must take the president to International Court and make him answer the crimes against humanity under his regime. UN also must answer why he has not properly investigated any of the crimes committed or brought any culprit to book during his period?
Edited By - Sintamus - 16 Jan 2008 22:44:43 GMT |
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