Agreements that betrayed Sri Lanka : 2002 Ceasefire Agreement
Posted on April 7th, 2013
Shenali Waduge
Winning hearts and minds of terrorists, mentality of surrender, advocating theory of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-unwinnable warƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and policy of appeasing, reducing the country to a pariah state, knowingly giving a terrorist organization status on par with a sovereign state and a democratic government were the characteristics of those led by Ranil Wickremasinghe that went on to sign 2002 infamous ceasefire agreement today described as one of the greatest betrayals of the nation.
The supporters of the ceasefire were those that equated the removal of checkpoints giving them freedom of movement as a victory for freedom and peace to the entire nation. Little did these people think what these ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-removalsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and carte blanches would eventually mean to the entire nation.
Lust for power is no different from those unwilling to give up power. Similarly, those that hunger for personal glory and international acceptance rarely view what is good for the nation above their personal gains. These weaknesses as one should view them led to the blindness to the reality of what the 2002 ceasefire agreement would entail. The lack of consultation and the total disregard to the views of the People of Sri Lanka depicted arrogance of those that hungered for personal glory. The lessons are that these very protagonists signatory to the agreement and those that praised it and spoke in favor of it are not suited to be entrusted with handling any matters related to Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sovereignty and territorial integrity ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” ever. Unfortunately, some of these players continue to hold key portfolios and continue to maintain the same mentality and questions those that watch these officials once again attempt to dig Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s grave.
It was Kathy Stone writing to the Weekend Liberal in 2002 that exposed how LTTE would have used Charles Gnanakone to strike a deal with the UNF Government that led to the 2002 CFA. Incidentally, it was GnanakoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s brother who smuggled shipments of weapons to the LTTE via our own customs.
It was RanilƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Chief Negotiator and our present Foreign Minister who went to the extent of requesting the lifting of the ban on the LTTE that his predecessor Mr. Lakshman Kadiragamar worked hard to achieve. Did we also forget to say that this same Chief Negotiator and present Foreign Minister called Anton Balasingham as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Your ExcellencyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚!
It was Subramaniam Swamy who declared that the UNF Government of Ranil Wickremasinghe functioned according to a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Surrender MentalityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ and when the entire show was being led by a Chief Negotiator and present FM we realize that same mentality prevails. The question is did the present Government win a war to succumb to surrender? The bargaining was what was missing on the side of SL at all times throughout the peace talks and this same policy is what the present FM continues to follow ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” why are the Sri Lankan leaders not reading between the lines of the dangers likely to result. GLP called his victory of negotiating the CFA deal with the LTTE a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-road map for peaceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” yes, he remains our FM.
It was Madam Maria Carrilho, Member of the EU Parliament and Head of Parliament Delegation for Relations with South Asia who went on to say that a new autonomous State will emerge as a result of the CFA and a flag and new anthem should also be given and the then PMƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s secretary appears not to have even protested against it.
Let us first look at some key facts:
Date Signed : CFA MOU signed on 22 February 2002
Signatories : GOSL and LTTE (Ranil Wickremasinghe and Prabakaran) Ranil signed agreement and handed it to Norways Ambassador John Westburg in Vavuniya, while Prabakaran signed in Kilinochchi.
Mediator : Norwegian Government
Important:
- Ranil Wickremasinghe (then Prime Minister of UNF Government) did not inform his own cabinet nor the President of Sri Lanka (Chandrika Bandaranaike) of the agreement being signed.
- The nationalists viewed the signing as one of the greatest betrayals of the nation no different to the signing of the Kotte Kingdom to the PortugueseƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ by Don Juan Dharmapala and the signing of the Kandyan Convention on 2 March 1815 to the British
- 6 rounds of talks abroad were subsequently held between GOSL and LTTE ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” all failed.
- Significant was the Karuna-split from LTTE in March 2004
- Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission were empowered to only tabulate the violations and NOT to prevent or punish
Key personnel involved in 2002 ceasefire
- Government Chief Negotiator ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” GL Peiris
- Defence Minister – Tilak Marapana ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I have no intention at all in waging war with the LTTE at the moment. We have embarked on a peace mission and our target today, and my role as Defence Minister, is not to plan strategy to attack but merely to ready ourselves to defendƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
- Secretary Defense (Dec 2001) ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Austin Fernando http://groundviews.org/2008/11/02/interview-with-austin-fernando-a-peacetime-secretary-of-defence-in-sri-lanka/
- Chief Spokesman/Secretary for the UNF ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Bradmon Weerakoon later to be the Secretary to the PM and thereon to ICES NGO
- Head of S L Peace Secretariat ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Bernard Goonetilake and Jayantha Dhanapala
- Deputy Director General, Peace Secretariat in Colombo, Dr. John Gunaratne
- Head, LTTE Peace Secretariat, S. Puleedevan
- Head, SLMM, Tryggve Tellefssen
- Army Commander ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Gen. Balagalle (25 Aug 2000 ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” 30 Jun 2004)
- SL Legal ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Lakshman Marasinghe
What the LTTE gained from the CFA |
Sri LankaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s sovereignty betrayed |
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Article 1: The Modalities of the Ceasefire Agreement
- Neither party to engage in any offensive military operation (total cessation of all military action ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” inclusive of ambushes, assassinations, abductions, destruction of civilian or military property, suicide missions, activities by deep penetration units, aerial bombardments, offensive naval operations,
- SL army can continue to perform legitimate task of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka without engaging in offensive operations against the LTTE
- Separation of Forces:
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Forward defense locations ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” GOSL and LTTE can hold their ground positions maintaining separation of 600metres, movement possible but an absolute minimum distance of 400metres to be kept between them.
- GOSL and LTTE to provide information to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) regarding defense localities in all areas and SLMM will draw up demarcation lines.
- GOSL and LTTE cannot move munitions, explosives or military equipment into area controlled by the other Party.
- Tamil paramilitary groups to be disarmed by GOSL.
- Freedom of movement:
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ GOSL and LTTE shall stay in areas under their respective control
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Unarmed GOSL troops shall be permitted unlimited passage between Jaffna and Vavuniya using Jaffna-Kandy road (A9)
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-individual combatantsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ unarmed and in plain clothes can visit families and friends under control of GOSL and visits to be limited to 6 days every second month.
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ GOSL and LTTE reserve right to deny entry to specified military areas.
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 50 unarmed LTTE members shall for political work be permitted freedom of movement in areas of North and East dominated by GOSL.
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 100 unarmed LTTE members shall be permitted freedom of movement as of D-day +60, and all unarmed LTTE members shall be permitted freedom of movement as of D-day+90.
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LTTE members to carry ID papers.
oƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ GOSL has right to deny entry to specified military areas
Article 2 : Measures to restore normalcy
- GOSL and LTTE to undertake confidence-building measures to restore normalcy.
- GOSL and LTTE shall abstain from hostile acts against civilian population including acts as torture, intimidation, abduction, extortion and harassment.
- GOSL and LTTE shall refrain from engaging in activities or propagating ideas that could offend cultural or religious sensitivities. SL Army to vacate all places of worship that it is occupying.
- GOSL and LTTE to vacate school buildings
- A schedule to indicate return of all other public buildings
- GOSL and LTTE to review security measures and checkpoints particularly in densely populated cities and towns to prevent harassment of civilian population (indirectly aiming at reducing ColomboƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s high security checkpoints)
- GOSL and LTTE to ensure unimpeded flow of non-military goods to and from the LTTE-dominated areas with exception of certain items.
- GOSL and LTTE to establish checkpoints at locations on their line of control to facilitate flow of goods and movement of civilians.
- GOSL and LTTE to ensure Trincomalee-Habarana road remains open 24×7 for passenger traffic
- GOSL and LTTE to facilitate extension of rail service on Batticoloa-line to Welikanda ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” repairs to be done by GOSL.
- GOSL and LTTE to open Kandy-Jaffna road (A9) to non-military traffic of goods and passengers modalities to be worked out with Norway
- Easing of fishing restrictions ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” but fishing will not be permitted in harbours or approaches to harbours, bays and estuaries along the coast.
- Norway to appoint Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (HoM) who will be final authority regarding interpretation of CFA.
- SLMM to liaise with GOSL and LTTE and report to Norway
- Head of SLMM to decide date of SLMMƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s operations.
- SLMM will have offices in Colombo, Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticoloa, Amparai
- GOSL and LTTE agree that search operations and arrests under Prevention of Terrorism Act shall not take place. Arrests will be under Criminal Procedure Code.
Article 3: The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission
- To inquire into instances of violation of the Agreement
- Local monitoring committee in each of the 6 offices set up shall have 5 members (2 appointed by GOSL, 2 by LTTE and 1 appointed by HoM) the international monitor shall chair committee.
- The local committee shall advise SLMM
- GOSL and LTTE responsible for protection and security arrangements of all SLMM members.
- SLMM shall have access to areas where violations take place
- SLMM to take immediate action on complaints made by GOSL or LTTE
Article 4 : Entry into force, amendments and termination of the Agreement
- GOSL and LTTE to notify consent to be bound by the Agreement through letter to the Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry.
- Agreement may be amended and modified by mutual agreement
- Termination of agreement can be given by either Party to Norway within 14 days of advance notice.
The number of violations committed by the LTTE was well over 10,000 as many of these were not even tabulated. The LTTE violations included constructing new positions, firing weapons, moving military equipment, deploying weapons, carrying out offensive naval operations, illegally transporting arms and committing hostile acts against civilians which included intimidation and abductions of adults and children ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ every clause of the agreement violated by the LTTE and not a hum from even Norway or SL Government that signed the agreement.
The very fact that those signatory agreed to place LTTE a terrorist organization in par with a democratic government itself is shameful and allowing LTTE free movement and the capacity to virtually redraw their boundaries only sums the fact that there is no better word to describe these protagonists of the ceasefire than ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-traitorsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
April 8th, 2013 at 4:11 am
We should have NEUTRALISED these traitors before the war ended.
Wasted opportunities!
April 8th, 2013 at 6:01 am
Atleast these traitors should be punished now.If mahinda is a patriotic person he should punish them under a””DESHA DROHI PANATHA””. Atleast put them into rehabilitation camps and brand them as traitors
BRAND THEM AS ””””drohi chakra warthi””
April 8th, 2013 at 7:18 am
There must be harsher penalties for traitors and children must be taught self-respect in their own culture and country and they will be less likely to be traitors when they grow up. This is PARTICULARLY important in Colombo where it seems to be popular to automatically denigrate the indigenous culture. Colombo children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds should be taught this ethic and receive guidance on how foreign tv, films, media etc may portray values detrimental to the country and HOW it affects them. They must not be made to feel “special” or “fashionable” for aping foreign values or putting down their country. Exchange students from countries like Japan, Singapore, Kenya, Thailand, etc should be invited to come and talk to their Sri Lankan peers about their own countries and immediately after, a child from a rural part of Sri Lanka, grounded in our own culture can give a talk on the same stage or in tandem with the visiting children so that our Colombo children can experience first hand how most people in foreign countries are proud of their own country or at least dont dare denigrate it in public.
April 8th, 2013 at 10:40 am
Voice 123, I agree with you.
An Oath of Allegiance to Sri Lanka a must in ALL schools, public & private. It was the villager who spilt his blood to save the Nation from the ruthless ltte.
It is a time for unity and pride of achievement in all spheres of activity in life.
April 8th, 2013 at 10:46 am
I might add that it does NOT matter that a person is dressed in western style and uses a fork & spoon to eat and speaks good English. What matters is that person still respects the villager (whatever ethnicity), and works for the common good of the entire Nation.
April 8th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Agreed with Fran, eating with cultery and being able to wear “western” attire is fine so long as we are not denigrating the local culture. (Such things are no longer putely “western” but of an international culture now). Some Sri Lankans cant seem to do this and I blame that on the legacy of the British. Some Indians are ever WORSE! Japanese, Thais etc seem to be able to absorb things from many cultures without looking down on their own. We can learn from them. We learn NOT to be like those Anglophile and Angloservile Indians. Our politicians must stop extolling a failed state like India. It is not a good example.
April 16th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Lorenzo…So…the goons should have thrown rotten eggs at you this time and not Soap as what the goons did in 1983 for your ignorance, opportunism and blind faith. Shenali is another good Story Teller for gullible like you and as long as there are blind believers there will be story tellers.
Does Shenali gets these visions while awake or in her sleep? Poor lady working overtime to churn out these kathawas for a very few audience like Lorenzo, Kanthar and Senevirath. Hope Senevirath did not cry this time after reading her Kathawa?