This is an English translation of Ambassador GunanayagamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Interview to the Venezeula newspaper “Correo del Orinoco”)

1. You are Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Ambassador to Cuba. What brought you to Caracas?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Our attention was drawn to the active presence in Caracas of aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  delegation representing Canadian HART meeting Government authoritiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  making false, fabricated and defamatory accusations against theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Government of Sri Lanka, alleging that there was a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”genocideƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ againstƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”concentration camps.’ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It baffles me why an organisation in Canada, an immigration country withƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ some 250,000 Tamil residents, should ask VenezuelaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ countryƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ world – Indonesia and who want to go to Australia!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

I can only surmise that this was only a pretext, the real objectiveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ being to lure Venezuela into providing symbolic recognition to theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ pseudo Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) that had just heldƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ its inaugural Congress in Philadelphia, its goal being to establish aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ separate State in Sri Lanka. They were also hoping to obtain VenezuelaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ help to organise a network in Latin America to promote their separatistƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ cause.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

2. Who is behind Canadian HART?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Canadian HART was launched in 2008 by LTTE front organisations, theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Tamil Youth Organisation of Canada (TYOƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Congress and Tamil WomenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Organisation. The LTTEƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Tiger flag boldlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ flutters on the home page of the TYO-Canada website, despite the LTTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ being banned as a terrorist organisation. The TYO and the Canadian TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Congress are also listed as supporters of the Canadian HART operatedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ websiteƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The Canadian Tamil Congress is one of the most influential founders ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the recently formed Global Tamil Forum (GTF), which was created by ex-ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LTTE International Chief Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias KP by bringingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ together 15 existing LTTE front organizations from different WesternƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ countries with the goal of establishing a separate State in Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ KP is one of the two architects of TGTE.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

In January this year, Canadian HART Media Team Coordinator JessicaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Chandrashekar accompanied Saradha Nathan, a member of another LTTE frontƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ organisation, the Australian Tamil Congress, to Indonesia to visit theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ so-called asylum-seekers detained in Indonesia. The Australian TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Congress is also founder of the pro-LTTE pro-separatist Global Tamil Forum.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Canadian HART Jessica Chandrashekar was apprehended trying to smuggleƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ laptops and other documents to those on board. Both she and SaradhaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nathan were taken into questioning in Indonesia on suspicion of humanƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ trafficking. It is reported that a high-profile LTTE leader who had beenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ deported from Toronto and several other identified LTTE members were onƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ board the vessel.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

These organisations and their campaign of defamation have the support ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ certain major powers, their institutions and NGOs such as theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch, Reporters withoutƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Borders, Amnesty International, The Real News Network of SharminiƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Peries, and individuals such as Ron Ridenour and Patrick OƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢Donoghue.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

3. You are part of the Tamil community yourself. What do you have toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ say about the allegations of genocide by Canadian HART?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Such allegations are ridiculous, a caricature and dangerous. Yes, IƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ belong to the Tamil community and IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m proud to be Sri Lankan!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Cries of genocide were heard only during the last phase of the war andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ only when the military defeat of the LTTE became possible and to justifyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ external intervention to rescue its leaders.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If one takes a closer look at the definition of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”genocideƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ in the 1948ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ you will have a hard time finding evidence that there was intent on theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ part of the Government of Sri Lanka “to destroy, in whole or in part”ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Tamil community.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The Tamil community represents about 18% of a total Sri LankanƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ population of about 21 million. Although there is a large concentrationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the community in the North, the majority live outside alongside otherƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankan communities, Sinhala, Muslim, Moor, Malay and Burghers. IfƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ there was genocide, would the communities be living peacefully alongsideƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ each other? Since time immemorial, mixed marriages have been common.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

This is true in my own family.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ You will find political parties emanating from the Tamil community inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Government. Others emanating from the same community have electedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ representatives in parliament. Even the pro-LTTE political Party TNA hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ entered the democratic process and participated in recent elections.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Members of the community are at senior levels of Government, in theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ judiciary and law enforcement agencies, in the various professions, inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Universities, in the press, in businessƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lakshman Kadirgamar was fromƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ community. He was assassinated by the LTTE. After the EasternProvince was liberated by Government forces with the aid of a breakawayƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LTTE faction, provincial elections were held and a former LTTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ child-soldier was appointed by the President as Chief Minister of thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ province. An ex-LTTE Commander was appointed as Minister of NationalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Integration.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Government forces were engaged not against the Tamil community, butƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ against a terrorist organisation that fought a relentless and ruthlessƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ war for separation. They were engaging LTTE suicide squads, the BlackƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Tigers, trained in suicide operations, unprecedented in history. TheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Black Tigers were involved in the assassination of former Prime MinisterƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of India Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

LetƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s recall that right from the beginning of his mandate andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ practically until the end of the war in May 2009, President MahindaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rajapaksa continued to call for discussions, even face to face, with theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ leader Prabakharan, who didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t even respond.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Throughout the war, the Sri Lankan Government continued to transportƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ physicallyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Tamil community was not deprived of essential services.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The Eastern Province was liberated in 2007 by the Sri Lankan armedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ forces fighting alongside other groups emanating from the TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ community, including an important faction that split from the LTTE,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Within 6 months the Government had resettled 220,000 IDPs from thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Province. In fact, some NGOs and governments protested that it was too fast!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The more recent IDPs numbering some 300,000 members are those who fledƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for safety from LTTE-controlled areas to Government cleared areas in MayƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 2009. They had been forced to follow the trail of a retreating LTTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ across jungles for use as human shields. Many had been corralled out ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Jaffna peninsula at gunpoint by the LTTE, as early as 1995, duringƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the first big enforced exodus.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

In the last stages of the war when the LTTE was cornered, it is wellƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ known that civilians were prevented from moving out of the line of fireƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ or escaping to government-controlled areas. In an attempt to preventƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ them escaping, the LTTE fired at the fleeing civilians, launched grenadeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and mortar attacks, and sent suicide bombers to explode in their midst.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

4. But, what about allegations of concentration camps?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

There are NO concentration camps in Sri Lanka!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ To accommodate this unprecedented surge of fleeing hostages, theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Government rapidly set up welfare villages with UN assistance. In theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ welfare villages, not a single person starved even for a day! Not aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ single outbreak of disease! Not a single death by unnatural causesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ reported! Efforts were made to provide education facilities forƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ children. In November 2009, 19,364 boys and 19,644 girls were attendingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ classes within the Welfare Village. An important programme ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rehabilitation of former child soldiers and ex-combatants was conducted.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ From May 2009, mortality rates had dropped to an average of 2 to 3 perƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ day giving an annual crude mortality rate of 4,4 per 1000 persons inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Vavuniya, which had the largest number of IDP villages. This isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ compatible with mortality rates in any other part of the country.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The resettlement process conducted in cooperation with UNHCR accordingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to International standards has been rapid, despite the over 1.5 millionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ landmines and UXOs that have had to be cleared to guarantee the safetyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of returnees. Today, more than 80% of the IDPs have returned to theirƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ homes or are with host families. The 20% remaining in welfare villagesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ have been cleared to leave at any time.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

More than 68 UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs have access to the villages andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ assist in the resettlement process. More than 173 media personnel haveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ visited the area since 2009 and can testify.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ So far, out of 11,000 IDPs identified as LTTE combatants, over 2000 haveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ been released after completing a rehabilitation programme. These includeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 847 females, 253 children and 55 university students. At present, thereƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are 148 University students, including 51 females, under rehabilitation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Canadian HART and foreign supporters of separatism such as Ron Ridenourconveniently forget the collective forcible eviction of the MuslimƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ population by the LTTE from the North and North-West of the country inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ October 1990. They were given only 24 hours to take a few personalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ items. It is only now, 20 years after their expulsion that my GovernmentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ has been able to even begin resettling the over 60,000 Muslims stillƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ displaced.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

At that time and ever since, nobody called this barbarous act ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”genocideƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ or ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”ethnic cleansingƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

5. Does the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and the Transnational GovernmentƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) represent the Tamil Diaspora and the entire TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ community?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

No, they donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The GTF and the TGTE claim that they represent the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Tamil Diaspora,ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ which is then rehashed by individuals like Ron Ridenour, to justifyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ claims of genocide and hence the need for a separate State.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Both organisations were formed by international leaders of the earlierƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LTTE and are composed of LTTE front organisations and their supportersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in various Western countries. What they have in common is their LTTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ origins and the demand for a separate State. Having lost territory andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ control over the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, claims of genocide hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ become a facile argument to justify foreign intervention to help createƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a separate State.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The TGTE is a re-branded manifestation of the LTTE overseas structure.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Its co-architects are Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran, former internationalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ legal advisor of the LTTE and New York based Lawyer, and SelvarasaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Pathmanathan alias KP, previously International Chief in charge ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ international LTTE branch administration, global fund raising and armsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ acquisition. The TGTE is unambiguously clear about its ultimate goalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ being creation of a separate State. At its inaugural Congress inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Philadelphia, the LTTE flag was openly flaunted alongside the US flag,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ despite it being a banned terrorist organization, and Rudrakumaran waselected as Interim Chief Executive of TGTE. As I mentioned earlier, theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ GTF too is an entity formed by bringing together several LTTE frontƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ organisations in the West.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

These organisations are unrepresentative, but project themselves as theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”sole representatives of the Tamil people.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Their leaders belong to aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ financially powerful and influential class of educated professionals andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ businesspeople residing in the West and benefiting from externalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ political and financial backing.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Let us recall the brutal war the LTTE waged against other groups issuingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ from the Tamil community, assassinating intellectuals, politicians andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ activists to establish itself as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”sole representative.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ At the sameƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ time, its representatives moved into gain a stranglehold over the TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ community in the westƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ threats to families in Sri Lanka. Paris and Toronto were prime examplesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the phenomenon, where unquestioning compliance was demanded and wrought.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The TGTE too has made clear that it will not take into account decisionsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of the so-called “Tamil leadership” inside Sri Lanka unless they acceptƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ its separatist agenda.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

No, the Tamil community is not a homogenous group!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Our perceptions of who we are and the choices we make depend essentiallyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ on our historical origins, our economic and social status, geographicƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ location, and cultural background. For instance, the demand of almost 1ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ million workers belonging to the Tamil community brought as indenturedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ labour by the British from India was to obtain Sri Lankan nationality.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The LTTE showed no concern whatsoever for the fate of this working class.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Within Sri Lanka, even in regions such as the East and the northernƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Jaffna peninsula, which separatists claim as their territory, there isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ no popular support for the separatist cause.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

As for INGOs and their backers and individuals who tow the LTTE/TGTEƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ line, genocide is only a pretext for achieving a hidden agenda. PerhapsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ we are seeing a new model for external intervention in the making,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ creation of a dangerous precedent. First, encourage groups withoutƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ territory or control over the population to establish ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”TransnationalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Governments.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Then, facilitate a campaign of defamation to justifyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ intervention by a nebulous ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”international communityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ to exercise theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ so-called ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Responsibility to ProtectƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Of course, all this has nothingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to do with the principles of the UN Charter or human rights!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

My question to you is, would you like to see this happening in LatinƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ America where regional integration, the dream of Bolivar, is on the agenda?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

6. In Latin America we have little information about Sri Lanka. WasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a popular insurrection in your country?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Insurrection implies an organised rebellion aimed at overthrowing theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Government in place. The goal of the LTTE was not to overthrow theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Government but to establish a separate State of Tamil Eelam under itsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ totalitarian control. That is why they projected the Sinhalese people asƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the enemy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The LTTE was NOT a liberation movement. It never had an economic orƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ social programme nor did it concern itself with development of the areasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ it controlled or in improving the well-being of the Tamil community. TheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ only institutions they set up were institutions of coercionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ stations, tribunals, prisons. They had airplanes, a fleet of tankers,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and even submarines.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

It was a terror organisation terrorising even members of the communityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ they claimed to represent. Theirs was an anti-civilian approach! ChildƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ were forcibly recruited for their notorious baby-brigades andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ forewarned that their families would be wiped out if they surrender.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They invented the suicide belt and pioneered the use of women in suicideƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ attacks. Their soldiers wore cyanide vials for consumption uponƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ capture.They practiced extortion. They were known within the TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ community as the “Eelam Enterprise” for their involvement in human, armsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and drug trafficking and sea piracy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Tens of thousands of civilians from the community who did not subscribeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to their separatist goal were physically eliminated, including leadersƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of progressive political groups and their cadres, politicians andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ intellectuals. In one day alone, they killed 175 leaders of the TamilƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Eelam Liberation Organisation. Then they machine-gunned the entireƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Central Committee of the left-wing EPRLFƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Revolutionary Liberation Front.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

It shocks me to hear comparisons being made between the LTTE and genuineƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ liberation movements in Latin America and the Middle East.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Is it ethical to brand an entire communityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” in every walk of life! Sri ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” salaries of pubic servants to LTTE-controlled areas so that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” including through intimidation, assault, and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” police ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the Eelam PeoplesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚´ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the Sinhalese in this case ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ pubic places, transit hubs, buses, trains, marketplaces, temples, banks,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ office buildings, etc.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Ron RidenourƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s presentation of Rudrakumaran, top LTTE and TGTE leaderƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ associate of the mafiosi KP, as a moral reference is an insult toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the intelligence of people, particularly of the Tamil community itself!ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

7. How do you see your country going forward?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

A new historical period is opening up for our country with a strongƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ potential for development. Sri Lanka is the 2nd fastest growing economyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in Asia, second only to China, and the 8th fastest growing economy inƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the world. According to the UNDP, Sri Lanka is one of the countries ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the world on the threshold of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ With the elimination of an autocratic group, democratic space has beenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ opened. A large number of important emergency laws and regulations haveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ relaxed and a Commission on Lessons Learned and ReconciliationƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ established. Soon, Northern Provincial Council elections will be heldƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and members of the Tamil community in the North will be able to chooseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ their own Chief Minister and administration. We are also engaging in aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ comprehensive dialogue with all political parties to stabilise theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ democratic administration.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

We are building a strong national industry and agriculture to reduceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ import dependence and to achieve greater self-reliance, food and energysecurity. Every effort is being made to harness and further develop theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s natural wealth and resources.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ A massive development programme is underway in the recently liberatedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Northern and Eastern provinces with a total budget of US$ 4,3 billionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the period 2007 to 2012. In addition, from 2010 onwards, theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Government will allocate some US$ 1 billion each yearƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ for the North and East for reconstruction and rehabilitation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

With an average GDP growth of 6% or above between 2005 to 2008, ourƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ target is to achieve an average economic GDP growth of 8% after 2010 andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to double GDP per capita to US$4,000 by 2016. Our priority is to ensureƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that growth is spread more evenly.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The almost 30-year old conflict ended and Sri Lanka has the potential toƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ develop into a naval, aviation, commercial, energy and knowledge hub,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ serving as a key link between the East and West. As one of the fastestƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ growing economies and a feeder to rapidly growing China and India, SriƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Lanka can become a regional centre and major gateway to India.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

8. How do you see the relations between Sri Lanka and Venezuela?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Our Governments have excellent relations based on the principles ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ mutual respect, solidarity and reciprocity, and the relations betweenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ President Hugo Chavez and President Mahinda Rajapaksa have always beenƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ warm and friendly.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

Sri Lanka and Venezuela are both firmly committed to the defence ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ State sovereignty, national independence, territorial integrity andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ non-interference, and to the pursuance of an independent, free andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ non-aligned foreign policy. Strengthening the national economy for theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ benefit of people, improving social well-being, achieving food andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ energy security, protection and preservation of the environment areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ common concerns. We are also firmly committed to a strong multilateralƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ system and vibrant South-South cooperation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

During my cordial meeting with the Minister of External Relations,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mr.Nicolas Maduro, we reaffirmed the continuing solidity of the friendlyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ relations between our two countries and the need to strengthen ourƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ cooperation in areas of mutual interest. My Government will exert everyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ effort to do so at the bilateral as well as multilateral levelsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Nations, within the Non-Aligned Movement and the G.-15, which isƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ chaired by Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

(This is an English translation of Ambassador GunanayagamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s InterviewƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to the Venezeula newspaper “Correo del Orinoco”) /ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚