I must add a few words of my own to your super editorial, Giving Tigers ‘Oxygen of Hope’ on the 15th May.

On Wednesday May 13th, President Obama did a 180 degree turn and reversed a decision from a month ago to release photos of prisoner abuse by US soldiers based on a  Federal Court decision on an action filed by the American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU).

He was being pragmatic. He listened to his hardliner Generals Odierno and Petraeus and other top field commanders who are hardliner Military officials.  According to them releasing these disgraceful photos of prisoner abuse by predominantly Christian Caucasian American soldiers would put those on the ground in harm’s way at a time Obama is increasing the level of troops in Afghanistan. According to Obama, the release would serve no other purpose than "inflame Anti-American passions" across the world at a time they are fighting a resurgent terrorist movement.

In another about turn and vindication of Bush’s policies, on May 15th Obama said he will renew military tribunals for those being held at Guantanamo because most of the evidence against those being held there would not stand up in normal courts.  ACLU is going nuts over this lack of transparency Obama promised in the US and government cover ups.  

Why is the former junior Senator who never governed a state before but is now President, having to take these very pragmatic steps? Why is the candidate who promised change from both corners of his mouth and was a harsh critic of Bush’s post 9-11 policies doing what had to be done? Obama (on inauguration day) said, "we do not have compromise between our values and security"  and that was the propaganda line for their diplomats. Do you recall the spin by diplomats to Sri Lanka’s future leaders?  

Well it is because releasing those pictures may damn the US for the deep seated abuse and torture of prisoners and it may compromise America’s national security and it may demoralize their predominantly Christian troops who are in harm’s way fighting a tenacious Moslem enemy.   Abraham Lincoln took all necessary steps including destroying the enemy’s infrastructure; and he knew and approved when General Sherman burnt cities in the Confederate south.  

Today candidate Obama who promised many things from many corners of this mouth to the lefty liberals has had to take pragmatic steps his hardliner commanders have deemed necessary to safeguard America’s national interests. He had no choice but to do an about turn from his "Change" candidate positions because he now  has to really govern and be the commander in Chief instead of being a candidate. Obama is a very pragmatic man and so is President Rajapaska. He has to safeguard US national security interests at any cost. So much for fancy inauguration speeches that seem to mesmerize the gullible public!

But well we all know the maha kakuluwa adeyta gihin podi kakuluwaata kelin awidinna kiwwa wagey story. Obama gives great speeches.  But he is realizing governing in times of war is very different from giving a messiah like speech to adoring fans. 

You were 100 percent right to challenge their hypocrisy with facts.