CLASSIFIED | POLITICS | TERRORISM | OPINION | VIEWS

Nedumaran and the Sovereignty of Sri Lanka

Sisira Pereira, Panadura

It has been given wide publicity. Many international and local news sites have reported that the infamous LTTE coolie Nedumaran has embarked on a self-styled "humanitarian campaign" to reach Sri Lanka by boats with his henchmen (probably LTTE terrorists) with a million worth "Assistance" to the "innocent" victims of the North and East of Sri Lanka. The scheduled date for this voyage is said to be the 12th of this month and Nedumaran has been reported to be heavily campaigning in Tamilnadu for this outrageous trip of his.

Now, everybody very well understand what his "humanitarian effort" and "assistance" really mean. And everybody understands who the "innocent victims" he is trying to save through his bravado. I wouldn't know for sure if this much publicised "event" would really take place but on the other hand, given the porosity of the sea border, his threatened attempt cannot be taken lightly. I, for one, see a few facets in this campaign. One aspect of Nedumaran's threatened invasion of the territorial waters and land of this island nation, as everybody should understand, is to grab the international news headlines to add colour to the "Humanitarian Crisis" picture that is projected as prevailing in Sri Lanka, which is meticulously sketched by the LTTE proaganda campaign and also to white wash the terrorism perpetrated by the LTTE (I am sure international media, especially BBC, is waiting fingers crossed to see this happen!!).

The second aspect would be to win back and build on the sympathy of the Tamilnadu people towards the LTTE in order to pressure the central government of India to intervene more in Sri Lanka's internal affairs and stop military assistance. And the third aspect would be the real "material assistance" to the LTTE in terms of much needed medicine and related equipment that the dying LTTE is needing at this hour. The fourth aspect, however much unimaginable as it is, would be to divert the SL Navy's attention from a well-planned sea tiger movement elsewhere along the coast of the North and East on the said date. May be to smuggle arms or relocate LTTE terrorist cardres.

The tri forces of Sri Lanka have cornered the LTTE like never before. Recently, the retired Indian Army Colonel Hariharan in an interview has claimed that the LTTE has been severely weakened by the SL armed forces and that Sri Lanka has proved that they can handle the LTTE threat on our own successfully. This is a huge, I mean HUGE, victory for the people who are against terrorism. This is really why now we see all the Human Rights Champions, Anglican Bishops, Anti War activists, Opposition leaders of the UNP, INGO's, foreign politicians like Gareth Evans and business tycoons like Gnanakoon, are crying foul and devicing "other methods" to topple the legitimate SL government. They are on a multi-faceted, multi million dollar campaign to undermine the current military thrust against the number 2 terrorist outfit in the whole world. They are doing this because they know it is the only way forward for the LTTE under the present circumstances. And in the midst of all these comes Nadumara's threat to invade Sri Lanka.

What should Sri Lanka do?

Fisrt and foremost, a clear diplomatic message should be sent to the Indian government early, clearly condemning the vociferous invasion threat of Nedumaran. Afterall, he is the leader of a political group in India. It should not be ignored as child's play. The Indian Government should be asked to address the issue internally and as early as possible, as Nedumaran's campaign is and, if enacted, would be a direct violation of international relations of the two countries. I am sure this channel should be in operation now. If it is not, well, there is a serious lack of countermeasures on our part regarding national security and dignity. If India takes proper action to discipline their black sheep, the smoke may die out without fire. Secondly, if the SL diplomatic chanels have informed and yet if the Indian government is paying no real attention, conveniently ignoring the situation, it should be communicated to them as tantamounting to breach of diplomatic trust between the two soveregn Nations. That happens, then nobody else will come to safeguard the dignity and sovereignty of our nation but us and only us.

And we should act fast.

The SL government should make it very clear to the Indians that Nedumaran's unlawful visit would not be tolerated by any means. They should be communicated that it would be considered as blatant invasion of the highest order despite repeated warnings by Sri Lanka. The Indian government should be notified that the SL navy has been given strict orders to shoot to destroy on sight at his flotilla of boats, if they manage to enter the territorial waters; We are in the midst of a war against a ruthless terrorist outfit; Those who do not obey the law of our country and try to breach security of the Nation, would be severly dealt with; National integrity and sovereignty should not be taken for granted. This way, the Sl government should have the Indian chiefs and Nedumaran know better. On the other hand, ff this terrorist supporter were to aprehended and prosecuted, one thing is that it will take weeks and months and years and more importantly, it will draw all the mega media publicity Nedumaran and the LTTE would have been waiting for. And Sri Lanka simply do not want that.

Somebody, who has been an ardent supporter of Ltte terrorism, has seriously threatened to invade Sri Lanka despite repetaed warnings. Let them know the consequences and let them dare do it and get killed in the process. No baby-sitting of terrorists.

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