Ominous signs that the State intends to maintain a highly militarized occupation of the North was indicated in statements made by Rambukuwella that the govt seeks an additional 40-50,000 soldiers. The photo posted in LNP of Russian military helicopters being sought out by the govt. also indicate that the Tamil people of the North are still not out of danger. Sinhala hardliners from groups like the JHU and NFF will also seek to promote Sinhala settlement schemes although that is not confirmed.

The State will claim that the continuing military build-up is to ensure that the LTTE does not stage a comeback in the Tamil areas. How long must the Tamil lands be occupied by Sinhala soldiers before the State is satisfied? How is a continued military occupation by Sinhala forces in the North a `liberation` for the Tamil people?

There have been huge lies thrown around by the State and the LTTE in this war in order to fool the people. The State was calling the shelling and bombing of no-fire zones with civilians and hospitals a `humanitarian operation`. The LTTE called firing from behind civilians knowing that they will incur civilan causalties `Tamil liberation`.

When will the 250,000 Tamils living in squalor behind barbed wire be allowed to resettle in their lands? Will the people be at long last given a voice in dealing with their own affairs now that accordig to the State narrative the `country has been freed from terrorism` and the `Hostage rescue operation` is over? Will the Tamil people, reduced to utter misery, be allowed to stand on their own feet, voice their own needs, elect their own representatives and run their won affairs?

Will the period before us bring true democracy that satisfies the needs of the long-oppressed Tamil people or will the State make the mistake as Sinhala politicians from SWRD onward have of humiliating the Tamil people again and setting the stage for Eelam War V.