Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Kilinochchi & after

This refers to the editorial “Kilinochchi and after” (Jan. 5). The fall of Kilinochchi to the Sri Lankan army signals the end of the LTTE’s reign of terror, unless Velupillai Prabakaran and his men manage to escape the punishment they deserve and resurrect their organisation.

An end to the war waged by the LTTE will also mean the revival of democracy in those parts of Sri Lanka that have so far been under the Tigers’ control. Colombo has set an example for others to follow in the war on terror. It has also demonstrated that unless there is political determination, terrorists cannot be defeated.

K.S. Jayatheertha,

Bangalore

The Sri Lankan army’s victory in Kilinochchi is heartening. It has proved that a determined political will can end the menace of terrorism. History will surely remember President Mahinda Rajapaksa for maintaining the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

Ankur Goyal,

New Delhi

Mr. Rajapaksa deserves to be congratulated on his victory. Ruthless acts of sending suicide squads to strike the most vulnerable sections of society with a view to causing maximum damage to life and property are nothing but blatant terrorism. The LTTE eliminated prominent leaders including an Indian Prime Minister and a Sri Lankan President. But it must also be said that peace will dawn in the island nation only if those in authority treat all Sri Lankan citizens alike regardless of their ethnicity.

P.V. Divakaran,

Avittathur

The fall of Kilinochchi was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. In the last two decades, it has served as the LTTE’s nerve centre. It was not only its political and administrative headquarters but also the pivotal military point from where the Tigers executed their plans. It is time for the Tigers to give up arms and work to bring back the glory of the emerald island. The most important lesson for the LTTE is: no group, however powerful, can hold innocent people to ransom in the name of freedom. Freedom can be long lasting only when it is guaranteed to the people in a democratic way.

R. Bhakther Solomon,

Chennai

The ethnic problem in Sri Lanka existed long before the advent of the Tamil Tigers. The editorial is silent on the studious Sinhalisation of the traditional homelands of ethnic Tamils with the intent to make them an insignificant minority. The media elites and others from this side of the Palk Strait should recognise the genuineness of the struggle of the Tamils and their demand to be treated on a par with the Sinhalese majority. It is true that at the moment it looks like the Tigers have been beaten and battered. But it would be naïve to presume that they are out.

A. Thirugnanasambantham,

Coimbatore

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