The most recent fighting between Sri Lankan forces and the Tigers has revealed that the Tigers are not in a position for a face-to-face duel if the government forces are well equipped, fully prepared, and motivated. Nevertheless, Tigers, whether they are four-legged or two-legged, are well-known as guileful attackers, and it is imperative that Sri Lanka must watch for insidious Tiger attacks such as suicidal night-raids of important places in the peninsula. The immediate advantages of present fighting will swing in favor of the government forces if such insidious Tiger tactics are well read and properly dealt with.

Until now, the fighting was between convention and invention: Sri Lankan authorities always employed their conventional military wisdom, and the Tigers consistently invented innovative strategies. The traditional method worked well for Sri Lanka at the beginning, but, as creative, brilliant, new ideas of the Tigers gradually found their way into the fighting, Sri Lankan traditional wisdom began to flop and nearly collapsed. Amid most recent fighting, however, we glimpse some signs of creative concepts from the Sri Lankan side. The destruction of the Tiger communication tower and a Tiger port provides some evidence for the emerging brilliance of the Sri Lankan forces. This is the right way to tighten the noose around the cunning tiger, and Sri Lanka must look for more.

An invention means not only a new tangible object but also a brilliant new idea. Those who repeatedly do the same thing remain stagnant or move backward while inventors of new ideas visibly advance in every field. Some Sri Lankan military advisors belong to the first group, and consequently Sri Lankan forces suffered some defeats during the last two years or so. It is a very pathetic sight that Sri Lanka has not yet been able to invent a new concept to resist Ceaseless Waves of the Tigers. Having observed their inability for a direct confrontation with Sri Lankan forces, the Tigers meticulously crafted the concept of Ceaseless Waves, with which they reap a rich bounty every time. It is a serious failure from the Sri Lankan side that an effective counter concept to resist the Ceaseless Waves has not yet been activated. The concept of Ceaseless Waves was created from the factory of human brain. Then, brain itself contains the power to enervate this concept. A genuine and collective effort is necessary to look for the ways and means to abort the Ceaseless Waves.

It is highly encouraging to see the new steps taken by the government to retain Jaffna. New weapons, along with the confidence they inject into Sri Lankan forces, will make a big difference. Also, Indian, American, and Israel support is a welcome sign. In a world in which people often receive more words than deeds when they are in trouble, Sri Lanka, no doubt, expresses her sincere thanks and gratitude towards these countries that were involved in the recent weapon deal.

As far as rhetoric is concerned, Sri Lanka still has more to do. Perhaps, we remember the saying that the Berlin Wall was brought down not by politics but by rhetoric. As Gorgias, one of the early inventors of rhetoric, said, carefully crafted rhetoric is similar to magic. We need to know what we should speak and what we should not. To say that the war can be finished off in three months is neither judicious not safe at present, but to expose to the world the heinous crimes of the Tigers is highly advantageous for Sri Lanka. Only from an Indian newspaper we read that thirty one dead Tigers of the latest Ceaseless Waves were children between eleven and fifteen years of age. Sri Lanka must give huge publicity to these Tiger crimes, expose the pictures of the dead children to the world, and win the support of the world. This essential requirement of building rhetorical power has been badly neglected by Sri Lanka.

Of course, it is heart-breaking news that naturally innocent and often brilliant Tamil children are thus sent to the forefront of the battlefield by the Tigers. In actuality, these children are not Tigers; they are the clear victims of the Tigers. One can easily brainwash and persuade a child for any evil deed, but, for a person who respects humanity, such a persuasion is an unpardonable crime. By showing these terrible crimes to the world, Sri Lanka can both prove that the country is fighting against a criminal force and urge the Tigers not to conscript children for the war.

Finally, to what extent does Sri Lankan rich and middle class actively participate in the act of eliminating terrorism from the country? We are aware that Sri Lankan compatriot communities living in the West are hurriedly raising funds to contribute to the cause. Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East may also be collecting funds for the country as they always do. It is an exemplary act that the victorious Sri Lankan soccer team has just given a portion of their money for the Defense Fund. We need to remind every Sri Lankan living in Sri Lanka that his or her primary duty is the service to the country at this very distressful hour. When it comes to their own pocket, people sometimes tend to rationalize or admit poverty, but we also know that Sri Lankans, including the respectable Buddhist clergy, are also generous for the right cause. Idealistic values alone do not suffice at this moment; it is our moral duty to contribute materially to the most urgent need.

Back to Latest News

Copyright © LankaWeb 2000

Home News Business DhammaWeb Info & Services Classified Search