LTTE strength around Trinco port is high- Marapana

by Saman Indrajith and Dilanthi Jayamanne

Defence Minister Tilak Marapana on Wednesday admitted that the LTTE strength in the areas surrounding the Trincomalee harbour has increased during the ceasefire period.

"I do perceive this as an increased threat, but the threat to the harbour was there for a long time perhaps from about five or six years ago," Minister Marapana said in his reply to the adjournment debate on the security situation in the East.

"It has been a very interesting debate and I must say very fruitful also. Many valuable contributions were made and I must thank both the government and opposition speakers and of course the movers of this motion for focusing attention on this matter," Marapana said.

I believe that everyone of us present, here today is interested in the welfare of our country and concerned about the security situation. It is true that with the ceasefire and the MoU many opportunities have been afforded to the LTTE to strengthen themselves. But that I believe is the price we have to pay if we are to pursue the peace process to achieve a permanent solution of the problem. We knew that when we signed the MoU. As I have said before, when we entered into a ceasefire our aim was to solve the problems we had with the LTTE not by the use of force but through negotiation. If that is our aim, then we must try to give the peace process a genuine chance without once again dragging the country to a burdensome war. But this is not to say that we should tolerate anything and everything and allow the LTTE to get stronger and stronger and be suddenly surprised by an attack which we are unable to withstand. We have to act judiciously, be mindful all the while and take every new factor into consideration to face any eventuality in the future. In that respect I welcome debates of this nature which draw the attention of everyone to the problems which have ensued consequent to the ceasefire.

Many speakers referred to debacles in the past. We have made in depth studies of these incidents. To my mind, what is important is not to blame anyone for these unfortunate episodes but to learn something even it be from the mistakes made so that we are better prepared in the future.

It is true that the LTTE strength in the areas surrounding the Trincomalee harbour have increased during the ceasefire period. I do perceive this as an increased threat, but the threat to the harbour was there fore a long time, perhaps from about five or six years ago. If you recall until about 1995 this entire area was well secured with many army camps with large number of troops in the area surrounding the harbour both to the North and the South. But then these troops were withdrawn for operations in Jaffna and gradually the LTTE established a foothold. By the time of the ceasefire the LTTE, it is well known had at least four major camps, two to the South and two to the North of the harbour. Their heavy artillery was also within striking distance of the harbour. That was the scenario even before the ceasefire. So the threat was there. What happened with the ceasefire was that the army did not move about from their camps into the area South of the harbour. We claim this area to be under our control, but we have since the withdrawal of several camps and troops from this area in 1995, not been able to effectively dominate this area. The LTTE has taken advantage of this and increased their presence in this area. To my mind the significance is not the number of camps in which this increased strength are stationed in, but the fact that the LTTE strength has nearly doubled since the ceasefire. That we were well aware of because there is a regular monitoring of LTTE presence everywhere. We have taken this into consideration in the preparation of military strategies to defend the harbour and the civilian population in this area as well as for any eventual offensive against the LTTE should the occasion arise. That is the important thing. So I assure this House that it is not as though the government and the forces have blissfully permitted the enemy to surround us without making adequate preparation to counter any threat. We have the plans, we have the troops and we have the equipment if the need arises.

This is so not only for Trincomalee but to meet any threat at any time. I do not think that it is necessary nor prudent to elaborate on our plans and preparations on this occasion.

Moving the motion the Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapakse said that the government has failed its duty towards people by undermining the serious threats posed by the LTTE. He said that government is silent against LTTE’s strengthening its cadres and gunning down Muslims in the East.

"The President following her consultations with security chiefs of the area has warned the government about these threats. What action the government has taken in this regard?" he queried.

Opposition Leader told the House that President Kumaratunga has sent two letters to PM dated 2003.09.12 and 2003.10.06 on the serious threat posed to the Trincomalee harbour and naval base and to the lives of Muslims living in the East.

He tabled the two letters to be included in the Hansard.

Opposition Leader said that LTTE has set up 13 camps to the South of Trincomalee harbour and given the past track record of the terrorist outfit this would be a serious security threat.

"Thamilselvan had once said that they were ready to remove these camps if the government says it is a hindrance to the peace process. But the government is inactive and did not have power to request the LTTE to withdraw these camps," he said.

"Why can’t the government make this request and ensure the safety of the harbour and Muslim people’s lives in the East" he querid.

Rajapakse further said that the security of the entire country has deteriorated and violence is on the rise.

He called upon the government to take swift action to ensure the safety of people so that public of this country live without fear.

Seconding the motion, JVP parliamentary group leader Wimal Weerawansa said that LTTE has increased its number of camps to the south of Trincomalee harbour. "It is no secret that there are 13 LTTE camps. The government has allowed the deterioration of the security of the East. The govt. is not concerned about the security of the people," he said.

Today, the government has no dignity. It humiliates itself by making presentations to save their imperialist masters.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has justified US-led Iraq invasion at the UN General Assembly while other independent nations have condemned it.

Weerawansa blamed the government for letting masses’ lives in danger by allowing the LTTE to strengthen itself. "The government’s hands are tied by the ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile the LTTE has imported armament, build up its cadre strength and established camps in strategically important places," he said.

Tamil organisations who were against the LTTE were disarmed and are now at the mercy of the LTTE.

During the ceasefire, LTTE has strengthened its international relationships. LTTE has procured arms and set up supportive cells in Colombo, he said.

"The government is aware of the dangers to the security of the country. Just because there is a threat the govt. cannot return to another war situation.

"What we want is a peaceful solution to the North and East conflict. Nearly 87% of the Sri Lankan population want a negotiated settlement.

"Only seven percent of the population want war," he said.

Markar claimed that all religious groups of the country want peace. He said that it was the duty of the opposition, the LTTE and the government to make a concerted effort to recommence peace talks.

"We all aware that peace talks have come to a temporary halt due to various reasons. We must create an understanding between all parties concerned to re-commence talks," the Minister of Mass Communication said.

He claimed that at one stage the international community had identified Sri Lanka as a danger zone. But with the peace efforts made by the government tourism has now boosted. Tourism and the economy is reviving.

R. Sambandan (TNA-Trincomalee) said that the issue of LTTE camps in Trincomalee was a distortion of facts.

"I state from the floor of this august House that not a single LTTE camp has been constructed in government-controlled areas," he said.

He said that the issue of LTTE camps in Trincomalee is a "sexed up" version of reality presented to public by "imaginative journalists."

He blamed ‘anti-peace’ imaginative journalists for spreading rumours and said that 22 journalists from south were taken to Kinniya camp by the LTTE to show the exact position. "The SLMM made a genuine mistake in their determination. The Kinniya camp is in LTTE territory. The nearest Army camp is 14 kilometres away in Wan-Ela."

MP Sambandan expressing his disappointment over Opposition Leader not visiting Tamil refugee camps, said that despite everything being positive, some members were thinking of a ‘worst-case scenario’ which he said was a ‘serious impediment’ to the peace process.

Dr. Rajitha Senaratne (Minister of Lands) said that Army spokesman Col. Sumedha Perera had told Sirasa TV on Wednesday morning that there is no threat to security in the East.

"Threats are not something anew. Threats from the LTTE was always there, and our security forces are ready to face any threat", he said.

Referring to military statistics Minister Senaratne said that during the UNP regime since the war started from 1981 to 1995 only 8537 servicemen died. "But, we lost 14,105 during PA regime from 1995 to 2001".

He said that some anti-peace forces are attempting to hinder government’s endeavour to peace.

He further said that the proposed alliance between PA and JVP did not materialise as the JVP is against the concept of power-sharing.

"Everybody knows that none can form a government and get international communities assistance if the government is not willing to share power", he said.

Minister of Shipping and Muslim Affairs, Rauff Hakeem, said that losing confidence on the peace process by one of the three communities in the East is a far greater threat to the peace & security of the country than the acquisition of arms or recruiting soldiers by the LTTE.

"The biggest threat to security is not the arms build up or recruiting soldiers by the LTTE or the government. If one community feels insecure, it is a far greater threat", he told the House joining the adjournment debate on the security situation in East.

"Peace to be sustainable every one must feel secure," he said. "Cohabitation is the lasting way for peace in this country".

"LTTE has become more responsible than they were before the ceasefire agreement. Now they are maintaining law and order".

"But, it does not mean that one must take anything for granted. Nobody can drop their guards. Both parties must maintain their military balance."

Muslims want to be unified. But unfortunately we are divided today.

Minister Hakeem said that the exchange of letters between Prime Minister and President is the cause for the deterioration of confidence of Muslims on peace and safety.

"If one of the communities living in the East lose their confidence in peace, it will be dangerous. This no-confidence is a far greater threat than the issue of military situation we are debating now", he added.

T. Maheswaran (Minister of Hindu Affairs). "There is no threat to the security but there is a predominant threat to the people of the area as they do not have a place to resettle.

Maheswaran claimed that four schools, the two main factories and Hindu temples are occupied by armed forces, he said.

He claimed that nearly 300,000 people had to be resettled in the Valigaman area. He said that the Defence Minister had agreed that these people had a right to live in places they want in the North and East.