As an expatriate Sri Lankan, I have been closely monitoring the developments in Sri Lanka and the support she has received from friendly nations like the US which has been a strong supporter of Sri Lanka’s war on terror for some time now.

However, I am a bit puzzled and confused at the recent statements, policies and news about the position that the US is now taking towards Sri Lanka’s efforts to capture one of the most notorious criminals in the world’s history – Velupillai Piribaharan who probably ranks higher compared to those like Adolf Hitler and Pol Pot. My personal view is that Osama Bihn Laden is a mere cowboy compared to Piribaharan who has not only killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Sri Lankans, almost all the democratic Tamil politicians but also has set up a powerful international organization conducting illegal activities such as drug smuggling, money laundering, human trafficking and credit card fraud. As you well know, these activities are taking place as we speak in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Western European countries.

In this context, I am surprised that a country such as the US, is now going all out of its way (or it appears to be) to force the Sri Lankan Government halt its final military push to capture these criminals. From what I have read in the media it appears that an unrelenting force, both politically and economically, is being applied on the Government of Sri Lanka to halt its military campaign which of course will help the LTTE leaders to escape the country.

In particular, I refer you to the today’s editorial in the Sri Lankan daily, Island, a copy of which I have attached hereto. I would like to draw your attention to the highlighted paragraphs which is a very serious allegation against the US and others who have jumped on to this bandwagon. It is true that a newspaper has the freedom to publish whatever it thinks, whether there is any truth or not, but surely there cannot be ‘smoke without a fire’ as well?

Whilst I have no reason to disbelieve the genuineness of the US Government to assist the people of Sri Lanka, such media attention is beneficial neither to the US nor to Sri Lanka. Therefore, I think it is high time that the US and especially your office publicly declared your position with regards to the LTTE and, in particular, capture of its leadership.

As you know, the events that unfolded over the last 48 hours, should clear all doubts about the Sri Lankan army’s ability to rescue trapped civilians and perhaps it is time that US and others provide support to these missions which have been executed with such precision and with minimum loss of civilian lives.

Mr. Blake, Sri Lanka needs unwavering support from its friends like the US at this hour to complete the mission which no one thought would be possible a few years ago and towards that end a clear public statement from the US as well as from your office would go a long way.