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SL Defence Secretary rejects ceasefire
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MahaDev
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 23 Jul 2008 06:02:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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Berty,
Yup. I doubt there will be any play today. Gale force winds in the morning! But there's some sunshine now.
Sinthaka, Are you in Colombo today??
Though said there's some sunshine now, I don't see it.!
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Kaliamma
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 23 Jul 2008 06:02:59 GMT Report for Abuse
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[Q: You have taken part in almost all the major military operations in the last 25 years. Where do you think that we had failed and why?
A: We had failed due to many reasons. The main reason was the Army did not have an overall strategy to fight and capture the LTTE controlled areas. We were only going for very limited operations. We launched offensives without aiming to capture Jaffna and there were no plans to liberate the East.
We commenced operation 'Jayasikuru' and fought for three years without a proper plan to eliminate LTTE cadres from that area. We merely captured camps. We were limited only to certain operations like the rescue of Jaffna Fort or the Elephant Pass. The Army started Eelam war I and II just to rescue camps.
At that time we did not have plans to deploy troops to hold on to these camps. While we were conducting operations in the North the Army vacated all the camps in the East. When I was the Brigade Commander, Welikanda, I remember how we vacated Mavil Aru, Vakarai and Kadiraweli in 1993 and in 1994 because we were attacked from the Punani - Valaichchenai road.
Today, we have an overall plan and this plan did not come up from nowhere. We worked very hard, trained troops, then created over 40 new battalions, and then we have deployed over 8,000 additional troops in the East. And we have a reserve about 12,000 in the North, where we had only 1500 earlier.
In Wanni, Mannar and Weli Oya, over 13,000 troops are going on the offensive operations. We have filled almost all the vacancies. The Sri Lanka Army which had a force strength of 118,000 has now gone upto 162,000.
We have put lots of efforts on training and the expansion of the Army. Although we are fighting in Mannar, Weli Oya and Vavuniya we are also planning ahead to capture Kilinochchi or Mullaithivu. The top officials of the Army do not sit in well secured offices and give them orders. Guidelines are very clear and don't give impossible tasks, so the soldiers are going ahead with lots of confidence.]
[Q: The Chief Opposition Whip, Joseph Michael Perera has accused you of having a special squad to attack media personnel who are critics of the military. Is there any truth in what he says'?
A: I have a large force operating with a strength of 162, 000 who have been trained to kill and not to assault. He who says all these things must furnish all the details to the police if he has all the information. I think he has lots of sympathy for me. No point in him talking inside the Parliament, where nobody is going to take any action. As far as what he has mentioned all what I can say is that these are baseless allegations.]
[Q: But it is reported that the Army is behind the attack on Keith Noyair of The Nation newspaper who had written a military story criticizing the military few weeks before the attack. What do you have to say about this allegation?
A: How many other journalists write political or military columns? Why should the Army attack only on Keith Noyair. I have never seen anywhere that Keith Noyair had said that the Army had attacked him. Some people are trying to put us against him. He has never accused that the Army had assaulted him. And I think perhaps he is guilty that he has done something wrong by writing against the military.]
[Q: Is he tight-lipped because he is supposed to be in fear of reprisals?
A: If he has not done anything wrong, he does not have to live in fear. If he has done some damage to our organisation or to a person, especially when he has done something which he is not suppose to do, then it is natural he must be living in fear. If they think that they have done something of that nature the best thing for them is to correct themselves and rectify the mistake.]
[Q: What is the role you expect the media to play during the time of war?
A: War or no war, the media should write in the interest of the country and not to please their favourites. The media is supposed to play a neutral role to educate people. They are not supposed to create situations where they groom people and make heroes out of them. I do not think that certain media in this country is doing their duty with a sense of responsibility.
We know that they are being bribed, given 'drinks', treated in restaurants and they have their own vested interests. And is it ethical them to go for agendas misleading people?.
These so called media guys are not responsible to the people and they are not entitled to such media freedom. Media freedom is there for you to do the right thing and to be fair by everybody. Nobody has given freedom for anybody to drive their own agendas. We know very well about those media people who take bribes, write and voice their opinion for some personal gains.
That Keith Noyair who was assaulted was returning from a restaurant with his friends and they were drunk. We do not know that somebody in the restaurant had got annoyed with them, followed him and assaulted.
So, especially the media people should behave well and set an example to others. To me, those who stage protests with unshaven beards, long hairs and wearing costumes like in fancy dress competitions are not scribes who are clamouring for media freedom but a gang of thugs. ]
Q: Journalists too have the right to stage protests demanding media freedom, justice and their appearance seems to immaterial. Can you deny that right?
A: They can stage their protests in a decent way. I do not mind learning from them if they can behave properly. Behaving like thugs! Is that what you call media freedom? They can talk if some thing goes wrong in the interest of people and the country. They can point it out. I am ready to learn from those who have a sense of responsibility towards national interest.]
[Q: Some media organisations claim that the military wants to cover up reality in the name of war. What is your comment?]
A: I hope I have explained the reality of some of the media people in this country. Those who are criticising on the progress that the Army has made, by confining to their editorials can come with us to have a look at most of the bunkers.
It is a shame that some of these journalists who criticize the military have never gone beyond Madawachchiya. When the offensives were going on in the East they had never stepped beyond Manampitiya.
This is how they write their criticisms claiming the military assault and the media to cover up the reality. So, we can arrange these media personnel to listen to terrorist transmissions. But they have to write what exactly that they listen to.
Meanwhile, I want warn these media guys to beware of those disgruntled high ranking military officials. They are the ones who are leaking out misleading information to the media. We know about them and have sidelined them now.]
[Q: There is a claim that certain top military officials are frustrated as they are not getting their due promotions. What are the steps taken to rectify the situation?
A: Yes, they are frustrated because we are now not looking after them. I want the Army to look after the welfare of the country. Our army officers can not walk around like US or British Army officers.
These people are frustrated because I am not going out of my way to look after their welfare at the expenses of the Army welfare. If I put a weak man to command a division and thereby sacrifice hundreds of soldiers like what happened in Mullaithivu, Elephant Pass and Killinochchi.
Then I will be really looking after them. Those who ran away leaving their command posts in Mullaithivu, kilinochchi and Elephant Pass are senior Generals in the Army now. Their welfare have been perfectly looked after that time. But who looked after the welfare of those who died and went missing? Do they want me to do the same? No, I will never do that.
Those who can't produce results will not be looked after and the only way that I can help them is by helping them to get a job outside. Because, there are lots of jobs for retiring Generals and Brigadiers.
There are others in the Army who deal with anti-war NGOs and the media to insult the Army. These are the people who leak information and pass the wrong information to create unfortunate situations.
So the media should be careful about these disgruntled top military officials. I am not occupying this seat merely to look after those failured officers. ]
[Q: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reiterated the willingness to resume talks with the LTTE, if they lay down their arms. Do you think that holding peace talks is necessary when the LTTE is getting cornered?
A: Yes, only if they lay down arms and come for peace talks after totally stopping terror activities. In such an environment, the President's willingness to negotiate with the LTTE is absolutely a correct decision.]
[Q: If the LTTE accept the condition to commence peace talks will the military be confined to the barracks?
A: That will never happen. They can continue with the Talks but we will clear the North. The President had never said that forward march of the Army to liberate the North will have to stop. Our troops will carry on.]
[Q: We can achieve military victories against LTTE terrorism. But do you agree that the national problem can be solved only through political means?
A: Yes, I think the whole country needs some political changes to solve certain problems. So these political solutions have to come not only for Tamils but for all the communities.
Some Tamil political, especially the couple of TNA MPs who say some thing here and utter differently when in the LTTE controlled areas may have some serious political problems which no one can address as their aspirations are totally different.
In those war torn areas the people are facing tremendous hardships.
The damage due to war is huge and they do not have better infrastructure like roads and bridges like in other areas. People are uneducated and children are suffering from malnutrition.
These problems cannot be solved by making R. Sampanthan or somebody else the Prime Minister of the so-called Eelam. These people need solution for these problems.]
[Courtesy : Sunday Observer ]
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AndyLau
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23 Jul 2008 06:05:50 GMT Report for Abuse
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Maj.Gen (retd) Janaka Perera (PereRaala?), One shot KuruwitaRaala and UNP
Battle hardened soldier Janaka Perera has entered the murky politics. I was somewhat surprised of his choice of political Party, UNP and the office he is contesting, the Chief Minister post of North Central province. Having said that, I respect Maj.Gen (retd) Janaka Perera s right of politics and the informed choices he make.
Maj.Gen (retd) Janaka Perera has demonstrated his bravery, integrity, efficiency and administrative skills during his Army days and his tenure as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner for Australia and the ambassador for Indonesia. General public of Sri Lanka has a very high regard for him. We, people of Sri Lanka have already written off Sri Lankan politics and Media to utter idiots. Ordinary citizens (such as me) of Sri Lanka are very happy that people of Maj.Gen (retd) Janaka Perera s caliber enter in to politics. It does not matter which political party they belong to. What we need is people with education, intergrity and proven track record. Perhaps some more professionals and decent educated people will follow Maj.Gen (retd) Janaka Perera s steps and rescue Sri Lankan politics from current politicians such as Mervin Silva. My only worry is that Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe s foot in the mouth disease that affects him seriously during election campaigns. Imagine Ranil calling Maj.Gen (retd) Janaka Perera as PereRaala in one of those election rallies?
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AstroLTTE
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 23 Jul 2008 06:06:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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Minister Nimal Siripala Silva told parliament today that the Indian Government's victory in the Confidence vote held yesterday was a positive outcome in terms of Sri Lanka's military efforts |
chennaiguuy
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 23 Jul 2008 06:11:06 GMT Report for Abuse
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Why is that so many bad news are Eminating from Sorry Lanka ?
I am waiting for the Good news when Sorrylanka applies for GSP+.
Sri Lanka's hoteliers say the industry is heading for the worst crisis in its history amid an ongoing internal conflict, while a senior government official said the economy and tourism was targeted by Tamil Tiger guerillas.
Foreign visitors to the island fell 9.3 percent in May, hard hit by travel warnings, though intensive action by a restructured tourism promotional body and the industry may be helping ward off some of the negative fallout.
Tourism secretary George Michael said the government was now trying to hard to stop Japan issuing a travel warning against Sri Lanka, with the deputy foreign minister making a flying visit to Tokyo.
Worst Crisis
Srilal Miththapala, who was appointed president of the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka last week, says the current downturn was 'possibly the worst crisis' that the industry has faced.
Though he took up the position with 'some sort of apprehension' Miththapala says his industry is ready to take an active part in bringing peace to the country by helping the government reach a solution to the problem.
Tamil Tigers have been waging a separatist campaign for the last 30 years, and a ceasefire formally ended this year after talks broke down and fighting broke out.
Miththapala says a study by Marga Institute, a think tank, has estimated that in the period between 1983 and 2004, the industry has lost 6.3 billion US dollars based on a conservative 6 percent increase in tourist arrivals each year.
'We have sat back and waited in hope for a long time. We have to lobby the government to ensure that there is peace in this country,' he told members of his association soon after being elected.
'Tourism is a peace industry. We bring people together. We need to get out of our comfort zones and work towards it. What I hope is get to together with the government and work with them to resolve this problem.'
Strategy
Sri Lanka's foreign secretary Palith Kohona says in the past the Tamil Tigers have won military battles by targeting the economy.
'In every insurrection in the recent past, the insurrection has been won or defeated on its ability to impact on the economy,' he told hoteliers.
'And this is something we have to keep in mind. We might talk of solutions which may be attractive today or it might be attractive tomorrow, but the primary goal of a group of this nature is to damage the economy.
'Damaging the economy has been a way to achieve success. It is very important to recognize that the economy, the tourism industry, is being deliberately targeted to achieve the goals of those who are fighting the government.'
Guerilla organizations throughout the world use 'asymmetrical warfare' to score against larger and usually better equipped government forces. Such organizations use strategy and tactics rather than numerical superiority to achieve their goals.
Meanwhile, a top marketing expert says Sri Lanka's tourism industry needs a strategy to compete with others.
'Strategy is not to compete with rivals on the same dimensions,' says Uditha Liyanage of Sri Lanka's Postgraduate Institute of Marketing, who is involved in developing a plan for the industry.
'If you slug it out with your competitor, or rival on the same dimensions that is not strategy. Strategy is about being different.'
He says Sri Lanka has an opportunity to build a brand on tourism based on 'values'.
Liyanage says products and services based on natural or traditional values have now become a billion dollar industry worldwide and is growing fast.
Edited By - chennaiguuy - 23 Jul 2008 06:11:41 GM |
EEELamaya
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 23 Jul 2008 06:11:14 GMT Report for Abuse
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It is regrettable the once high flying Sorry lankan airlines is going the way of Mihin air .
Whatever the Chingala Muniya touches bound to doom!
Even Tamil Eelam is suffering, because Chingala Muniya is there! |
rasak
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23 Jul 2008 06:12:35 GMT Report for Abuse
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As I mentioned on July 9, the LTTE is following its well-known strategy to stop the military offensive. It is forcibly inducting civilians in LTTE-controlled areas and giving them two weeks training in arms, and sending them to the battlefront. The LTTE leadership has ordered that every civilian below 50 years of age and children above 10 should undergo military training and then go to the battlefront The LTTE still does have large quantities of explosives (C4 and TNT). At the moment, even children are forced to help in the manufacturing of johnny mines, IEDs, land mines and anti-tank mines. Two boys, 17 and 18 years, were reportedly killed in an accidental explosion while manufacturing bombs, a source from Kilinochchi said. The LTTE does not handed over the bodies of such children to their parents. Not only that, even bodies of LTTE child cadres killed in battle are not hand over to their parents because arrival of such bodies in their territory, demoralises the rest of the cadres. This writer has witnessed fresh graves of bodies buried in the Mannar cemetery (Rice Bowl area). To discredit the Sri Lanka Army and Air Force internationally, and influence the international community to stop the military offensive, the LTTE is reportedly planning to conduct a most cruel and barbarian tactic, a source from Kilinochchi said. Accordingly, when the Air Force bombs an LTTE military installation, the LTTE is reportedly planning to blast a powerful bomb targeting civilians and then blame the Air Force. The LTTE will try to explode bombs in Colombo or other parts of the country to create unease and hope that soldiers from the battlefront would be diverted to the affected areas. LTTE Peace Secretariat head Nadesan, has issued a statement that the LTTE would like to go for peace talks. This is its well-known tactic when it is militarily weak. It is very clear that the LTTE is in a difficult position and wants to regroup and rearm as history shows. The latest statement from Nadesan is that, the LTTE has declared a unilateral ceasefire for the duration of the SAARC Summit. BL |
XFactor
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23 Jul 2008 06:12:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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Hey Sinthaka,
Sinthaka, Are you in Colombo today??
Though said there's some sunshine now, I don't see it.!
Are we in the same Colombo? Me no see the sun either!! |
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