To my mind, the decision to suspend and severely deal with the three doctors who were caught up in the Vanni battles, for their alleged reports of army ‘atrocities’, lacks understanding and foresight. They would have been but clay in the hands of the then mighty LTTE. It does not require much imagination to understand that the slightest resistance on their part would have meant immediate death for them.

Civilized cultures forgive what is done under such circumstances. Roman Dutch law does not enforce a contract entered into under duress. If these doctors are to be punished for their statements under compulsion, we might as well punish the refugees under rehabilitation, for paying taxes to the LTTE.

If they were insightful, the authorities would have instead, ascertained the truth behind their so-called false propaganda and revealed it to a world still confused. Of course the disclosure has to be recorded by an independent third party, if the charge of duress is not to be repeated.

The same remarks apply to members of the TNA. Imaginably, under the LTTE, they would have had to walk on the tightest of ropes precariously, with imminent danger to their lives. They were elected with the blessings of the Tigers and most of them had to operate in areas under their absolute control. It would be a travesty of justice to blame them for what was done under such circumstances. The need of the hour is to win them over to the campaign for national reconciliation, with love and understanding.

If we are really serious about nation building, we must not begin that task with a witch-hunt. Let us begin with equanimity and turn over a new leaf with no blots on it from the past. Forgiveness is the umbilical cord of the new Sri Lanka, struggling to be born.