PLEA TO THE LTTE AND THE GOVERNMENT FORCES TO ACT WITH RESTRAINT.
It is distressing to note that due to shelling in the neighbour-hood of the Mullaitheevu Hospital, a child of one and a half years was killed and about 18 civilians including the Government Agent of Mullaitheevu injured; some seriously. In another incident it is understood that due to aerial bombing two civilians were killed along with two others seriously injured. About 10 houses were partly or fully damaged. One should lose a child or Member of his family under similar circumstances, to feel the agony of the loss.
Who are these victims? What harm have they caused to the society except that they are caught up in an area under the control of the LTTE? If we can’t find salvation for these people and give them a breathing space we do not deserve to call our-selves followers of Buddhist Principles. We have people in our country who argue that the war should continue irrespective of what happens and continue to obstruct any settlement. Unfortunately this is the situation. As a patriotic citizen I love my country and its people and I do not want one life lost in vain. We have lost a hundred thousand lives, if properly accounted for.
The on-going war between the Government forces and the LTTE has virtually displace more than 50% of the people from their homes both in the North and the East. They have undergone immense hardships with no proper food, clothing shelter and proper medical care. They have lost almost all their possessions. The victims are all innocent civilians. The LTTE took all the Tamils of the North and the East for a ride. Now knowing fully well that they can’t achieve what they promised, the LTTE must be honest enough to declare a ceasefire uniterally and agree to come to the democratic fold, laying down their arms. The Government for its part also should act with restraint and stop forthwith the air-raids atleast now to avoid civilian causalities. If the LTTE do not act with restraint they have nothing to lose but the Government by shirking its responsibility of protecting its citizens wherever they live, cannot afford to lose its credibility.
Very soon there will be mass scale displacement in Kilinochchi where several thousands had already been pushed in under compulsion. The total number displaced will soon swell to several thousands. All the schools, community centres and vacant buildings available in Kilinochchi won’t be sufficient to accommodate all the displaced ones. Food and sanitation will have to be looked into. The LTTE should now open its iron gate to allow the people to get into the Government controlled areas from all directions. Many people who were squeezed into Kilinochchi from Jaffna if allowed to go into the peninsular, can occupy their own homes there.
The Government itself should open its side to allow the people to escape from the LTTE area to get in to areas under its control. I plead with both parties to the war to act with restraint. I am surprised to see Parliament granting 3 months leave for two Members of Parliament of the TNA to continue their tour or to stay abroad.
V. Anandasangaree,
President – TULF.
