Unmasking the Tiger

A group of Muslims is reported to have spiked the LTTE's gun when the latter made an attempt at a discussion in the British Parliament to drag Sri Lanakan Muslims, too, to the terrorist camp. (A report on the discussion was published in The Island on Saturday) At this forum, "Peace in Sri Lanka and the way forward in Fiji' chaired by Piara Singh Kabra, a British MP, the LTTE propagandists had tried to project themselves as representatives of the 'Tamil-speaking people' including the Muslims. But the Muslims present had risen to their feet protesting against such generalisation pointing out that the LTTE considered Muslims as Tamil-speaking only to serve its (LTTE's) purpose. They had pointed out how the LTTE massacred thousands of Muslims and tens of thousands of them had been driven away from the north using sheer force.

Most parts of the north are today devoid of Muslims and Sinhalese, most of whom were once successful businessmen there. Their places of religious worship were razed to ground, assets seized and driven away at gunpoint.

It is strange that those who are talking about minority rights turn a Nelsonian eye to the plight of Muslims in the north and east.

As we pointed out recently the following are proof of what LTTE terrorism is like behind the facade of 'liberation.' The LTTE has so far committed over 200 massacres obviously to rid the north and east of Sinhalese and Muslims. The following incidents selected at random are glaring examples of LTTE terrorism: 1984 - the LTTE kills 127 civilians, mostly Sinhalese, in the north, 1985 - The LTTE kills 150 Sinhala civilians at prayer in Anuradhapura, 1986 - (May 3 ) The LTTE bombs an Airlanka plane in Colombo killing 16 people and (May 7) bombs the Central Telegraph Office, Colombo killing 14 people, 1987 - the LTTE kills 113 people in Colombo by exploding a car bomb and in June kills 29 Buddhist monks at Arantalawa, 1988 - The LTTE kills 15 Sinhalese civilians in Morawewa on March 3, blows up a truck in Trincomalee killing 24 civilians on March 5, blows up a bus in Trincomalee killing 22 passengers on May 1; and kills 27 Sinhalese civilians in a bus on Nov. 14, 1989 - the LTTE kills by hacking and shooting 34 Sinhalese civilians in Duluwewa on Feb. 11, kills 37 Sinhalese civilians at Borawewa on Feb. 28 and kills 51 people in Trincomalee on April 23, 1990 - the LTTE massacres 600-700 policemen who surrender on government orders during the LTTE-UNP talks, the LTTE uses machetes, guns and grenades to kill 40 Muslims praying in a mosque in the eastern village of Kattankudy on Aug. 3, the LTTE massacres 122 Muslims in Eravur on Aug. 12, 1991 - the LTTE kills 21 Sinhalese villagers in Moneragala on April 21, and kills 27 civilians in Batticaloa, 1992 - the LTTE kills 56 Muslims at Alinchipathana on April 29, explodes a bicycle bomb in Batticaloa on Oct. 15 killing 22 Muslims, the LTTE massacres 166 Muslims in Palliyagodella on Oct. 15, 1993 - the LTTE assassinates Sri Lankan President Ranasingha Premadasa on May 1, together with 22 others, 1994 the LTTE kills 15 bus passengers at Anuradhapura on Jan. 19, the LTTE kills 22 fishermen in Puttalam on March 21, the LTTE kills Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Gamini Dissanayake and 51 others in Colombo during the LTTE-government talks on Nov. 24, 1995 - The LTTE kills 42 Sinhalese civilians at Kallarawa, the LTTE kills 24 Sinhalese civilians in Colombo on June 4, 1996 - the LTTE bombs the Central Bank killing 82 civilians, the LTTE bombs Hotel Galadari killing 18 civilians in October, 1998 - the LTTE bombs Dalada Maligawa killing 16 persons, the LTTE explodes a vehicle bomb in Maradana killing over 10 civilians in May, 1999 - the LTTE explodes a bomb at the Kandy private bus station killing 2 civilians, the LTTE assassinates TULF MP Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam in July, the LTTE makes an attempt on President Chandrika Kumaratunga in December and kills 22 civilians, the LTTE bombs a UNP election rally on the same day killing 10 civilians, 2000 - the LTTE kills Minister C. V. Gooneratne and 22 others in June, the LTTE kills 6 persons opposite the Eye Hospital in October.

Thus could be seen the crimes the LTTE has perpetrated against humanity - and against 'the Tamil-speaking people,' like Muslims.

The Muslims who spoke up their minds at the forum under discussion must be commended for having laid bare the true face of the LTTE. The LTTE sympathisers may still argue that these incidents are only the outcome of the means adopted by the LTTE and the end will justify the means. But in a terrorist struggle like that of the LTTE there is no separation between the end and the means. They both are the same - naked terrorism. This is the real danger of terrorism to which even the so-called liberal countries like the UK have woken up at long last.

Powerful nations such as the US and the UK have come down hard on the LTTE terrorists. India, Malaysia have shut the door firmly in the face of the LTTE. Singapore has imposed a ban on the LTTE activities in her soil. Canada has given serious thought to introducing anti-terrorist legislation, the British ban is very likely to have a domino effect in the European Union with other members of the Union following suit. With the imminent danger of being declared a pariah Tiger the world over for its crimes against humanity, it is no surprise that the LTTE is now trying to woo other minorities in Sri Lanka to project itself as a 'liberation' movement so as to make up leeway.

The LTTE will not turn any stone unturned in its efforts to continue terrorists activities overseas even in the countries it is banned. The LTTE propaganda organ, the Tamil Guardian, in its editorial, a few weeks ago before the British ban was announced, boasted that despite the US ban more funds were being raised than ever before for the LTTE in that country. It is up to the US authorities to investigate and find out whether this is really so.

However, the LTTE having crossed Rubicon in its terrorist struggle will stop at nothing to achieve its final goal. Hence the need for the Sri Lanka government not to be lulled into a false sense of complacency after the British ban. A global campaign must be launched to lay bare the true face of LTTE terrorism. The recent visit of President Kumaratunga to Germany has been fruitful in that Germany has given an undertaking to help combat global terrorism. The momentum must be maintained.

Pressure must be stepped up on the LTTE so that it will give up terrorism and be amenable to a lasting solution acceptable to all communities.

In the meantime, LTTE propaganda must be countered at every possible level like at the aforesaid forum, where Muslims gave thelie to the LTTE claim that it was the 'liberator of the Tamil-speaking people.'

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