The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Thought-provoking

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Thursday, Jul 09, 2009
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Thought-provoking

N. Ram’s interview with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, published in three parts (July 6, 7 and 8), was thought-provoking. I wish the interview is translated and published in Tamil dailies so that the people of Tamil Nadu will know the ground situation. All efforts must be made to bring back normality to the lives of Sri Lankan Tamils.

The allotment of Rs. 500 crore in the Indian budget for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced in Sri Lanka is praiseworthy. It will be interesting to see if leaders of the major political parties in Tamil Nadu visit Sri Lanka and meet the Tamils to assure them of all help.

V.S. Srinivasan,

Hyderabad

Any military victory is bound to lead to some display of triumphalism. The Sri Lankan forces did rejoice over their decisive victory against the LTTE whom they consider anti-national. President Rajapaksa’s acceptance and admiration of India as “a friend to defend us in international forums” must be reciprocated. The need of the hour is to help Sri Lanka rehabilitate and resettle thousands of hapless Tamils driven out of their homes by the LTTE.

Col. C.V. Venugopalan (retd.),

Palakkad

True, Mr. Rajapaksa did not underestimate the LTTE. But the LTTE grossly underestimated the Sri Lankan army’s capabilities. It is now time for the Sri Lankan government to prove its governance by bringing together the alienated sections. For this to be achieved, equal treatment of all and inclusive development are necessary.

Rajeev Hanumanthu,

Hyderabad

Mr. Rajapaksa’s three-part interview was revealing. The Sinhala attitude towards the Sri Lankan Tamils has matured a great deal. The Hindu has made a tremendous effort to remove the misunderstandings prevalent in Tamil Nadu on the nature of the problem in Sri Lanka. More such efforts are necessary to persuade Colombo to adopt a humane approach to the democratic aspirations of Tamils.

The pictures of the facilities in the Vavuniya IDP camps (July 4) also throw light on the serious efforts by the Sri Lankan authorities to address the human catastrophe inflicted by the ethnic conflict.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

Mr. Rajapaksa’s words will not heal the wounds of Tamils. Only time and timely action to provide the Tamils equal rights will restore normality in the island nation.

M. Xavier,

Tirunelveli

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