Going back to the LTTE decision to resume the military angle, and saying that is the ONLY solution is flawed. It’s time to recognise and acknowledge what has been achieved by the military struggle and decide the route forward. If you feel that terrorism/militancy is the only weapon left to you, then I’m afraid your leaders have failed you, and you should look for more imaginative ones.

And btw, it isn’t a Sinhalese-only Army. I myself am an ex-soldier, and I’m certainly not Sinhalese. My 10-man rifle section had eight Sinhalese, one Moor, and one Burgher. There were lots of other non-Sinhalese in my battalion, in spite of my regiment being considered one of the more ‘hard core’ units. Sure, the Army’s demographic isn’t representative of the SL population, but that’s only to be expected because of the ethnic nature of the war.

Pity about my countrymen in the North and East though… but then again, if they say the LTTE represents them, they must know what they are getting themselves into. So, screw them. It’s their funeral. Literally.

Well I agree that the elected governments in the Western countries represents everybody equally, and as a foreigner in a Western country, I’m delighted to have the privileges of living in a country that respects and actually represents me and my fellow Tamils over here. And I don’t think things needs to change in any way in any of these countries. But let me ask you a few questions about how the Singala Governments have “represented” the Tamil-speaking people although we account for more than 25% of the total population.

1. In what why did the Singala Government “Represent” the Tamil people when it enacted the “Singala ONLY” legislation that deprived the Tamils some of their most fundamental rights and prevented them from participating in the democratic process of the Sri Lankan Parliament? And what did the Tamils gain from this legislation enacted by those who should make sure that everybody was equally “represented”?

2. In what why did the Singala Government “represent” the Tamil People when it allowed anti-Tamil riots to take place and even supported it, thus killing and injuring thousands of Tamils and making hundred thousands homeless and leaving them scared to death of the Government’s mobs? And in the aftermath of the 1983-riot, how did the Singala Government “represent” the Tamil People when the leader of their government claimed that he was not “worried about the opinion of the Jaffna people,” and even admitted that he “cannot think about them” or ”about their lives, or of their opinion” about the Singala Government?

3. In what why does the Singala Government “represent” the Tamil people when it’s actually punishing us collectively by allowing its Singala ONLY Army to starve out the Tamil Population of Jaffna and Vaharai and bomb and kill civilians while claiming to “liberate” the Tamil People as a mean to “suppress” the LTTE? If they really wanted to “liberate” us from the LTTE shouldn’t they have attacked the LTTE instead of attacking Tamil civilians which they do so often? The 1995 massacre of about 600 Tamil youth falls into that category of “collective punishment” of Tamils.

4. And how about the P-TOMS? It was supposed to allow Tamils to rebuild their lives after the Tsunami, but instead the Singala Government chose to use the funds for a war “to liberate Tamils from the LTTE”, making hundred thousands of Tamils remain homeless although it has secured that 90% of its own Singala Population have received permanent housing.

The Singala Government does NOT and did NEVER represent anybody else than the Singala People. And certainly it NEVER will be able to “represent” Tamil People. The Singala Government killed nearly 100.000 of its own Singala Youth as they did not obey them. How can these Mad Dogs ever “represent” the Tamil People?

The war will go one till Eelam is achieved. We wouldn’t wish the fate of living with you lot on any hapless and defenseless minority – anywhere in the world. Atleast we have a defense – the Tamil Tigers. The problem with the types of you is, you like to believe that wars of liberation were started with a flip of a coin. Sorry, that not you is it? You are just the spin king.

Keep weaving it baby. At the very least it the Tamils are thankful it keeps you away from the 5 year old girls and guns. Or at least we hope so.

You’ve fought for 25 years and you’ve stilll not got Eelam. It doesn’t even look like it’s close. After 25 years of banging your head against the wall, you need to be able to figure out when you need a drill. And it’s not my head that’s hurting.

You’ve also got to realise that the LTTE is the reason you haven’t got Eelam. Once the East is free of the LTTE it will have self rule. The North willl have to wait. But since you assume that the Tamils will wait (and presumably fight) forever, enjoy the stay.

The Tamil boycott of the presidential election was to allow the Sinhalese to choose their leader and their future, without skewing the results and help elect a Sinhalese president, regardless of who that may have been. It had become accepted fact that no Sinhalese president will represent Tamil interests equally, so why be a part of that fake democrasy.

Hence the “let them decide who they want – a professed peace lover or a war monger”. Surprise, surprise…the Sinhalese chose a war monger. End of story. The Sinhalese don’t want peace. They love blood. They just want to kill Tamil children, rape 5-year old Tamil girls and fornicate with their own children in the southern beaches.

Me thinks the state of affairs is pretty clear. The Tamils quite simply have no alternative but to win this war and realize Tamil Eelam.

Actually, the Sinhalese-majority GoSL was elected by Sinhalese, Tamils, Moors, Malays, and Burghers outside the North & East. The population of the North & East (mostly Tamils), decided not to participate, thereby putting their vote on the side of the Mahinda regime. When you don’t vote, you allow things to bypass you. That is ALSO how democracy works. So what are you complaining about? If the NE Tamils had voted, you would’ve had a GoSL more to your liking.

“In how many places around the world does this pratics take place? How about Europe, America, Australia? Nowhere!”

Actually, in all of the above. In all these countries, the majority is white Caucasian Christians, and the elected administrations reflect that majority, but also represent the minorities such as blacks, Asians, Arabs, etc. Do you feel things should be different in SL?

“Concerning who’s the representatives of the Tamil people, we will choose when the circumstances allow us to conduct a fair election, were Tamil people are allowed to choose their own leaders. ”

So until then are you happy to let the strongest rule you? I’m not being sarcastic, but would like to know what you think. For example, in the Eastern Province the TMVP is gaining strength while the LTTE is diminishing; so will you be OK with the TMVP representing the Eastern Tamils?

“But a fake democracy where the Singalese are the ones who choose our leaders doesn’t belong to anywhere.”

Well who would you like your leaders to be?

“Don’t waste our time.”

Since you have the time to post, I assume you are willing to spend the time. If not, don’t. No one’s asking you to answer, but I have the right to ask.

“Let the Tamils discuss who’s their leaders.”

So where is this discussion taking place?

You’re damn right about that. The Singala leaders (GoSL) represent the Singala people, that’s how democracy SHOULD be like. But that’s not the case, cause the Singala leaders who were elected by the Singala people are automatically representing the Tamil people as well. What kind of democrazy is that? In how many places around the world does this pratics take place? How about Europe, America, Australia? Nowhere!

Concerning who’s the representatives of the Tamil people, we will choose when the circumstances allow us to conduct a fair election, were Tamil people are allowed to choose their own leaders. But a fake democracy where the Singalese are the ones who choose our leaders doesn’t belong to anywhere. So, only the Tamil people can give you answer to that Question, cause if I, on my own or the Singalese for that matter did that, it won’t be democracy anymore. Hence the Singalese or anybody else have no say at all in this matter. Don’t waste our time.

Let the Tamils discuss who’s their leaders.

But what’s the answer?

As for who represents the Sinhalese, I guess the GoSL represents everyone outside the NE. Isn’t that how democracy works? You vote and the winner represents you.

If you think this article is a waste of your time, why are you wasting even more time posting about it.

Behind your backs, eh? Naughty, Indi, naughty.

So, why don’t you Singalese discuss about whom is representing you, instead of wasting our time with discussions about everything else than the Question itself?

We know what’s best for ourselves, so there’s no reason for you to “voice-up” and hijack this discussion with all your thoughts which are useless in this context.

And concerning whether the LTTE is the representatives of all Tamils around the world IS OUT OF QUESTION! First of all the LTTE never claimed to represent all Tamils, secondly the author of this thread should know at least a little about the Tamil people to be able to begin a thread about the Tamil Nation.

We are damn happy that we aren’t the only Tamils around and we are damn proud of our brothers and sisters around the world, but still we do have our differences. So, somebody who doesn’t know the relations between the various communities in the Tamil Nation shouldn’t begin a thread about us and talk behind our back.

Well, no one wins every battle in a war, so if you want to call the Army fools ‘cos they lost one battle, what do you call the arse kicking the LTTE is undergoing in the East? The security forces have lost one battle, the LTTE has won one; on the other hand, the Army has won every other battle, while the LTTE has lost every other battle. I wouldn’t presume to call the LTTE fools, but you certainly are one, Murali.

“Maybe David is new to the military history of the Eelam Wars, but in any of the previous wars I, II or III, the ability to inflict the lose of around 5 battle tanks, multiple fighting vehicles and around 200 soldiers in a “few hours” is impressive ”

Maybe I am new to war. Maybe actually participating in the fighting doesn’t compare to Googling, but that’s a different topic, for another time. What you, Murali, and the other LTTE apologists here need to do is stop glorying in the past and look at the present realities. Yes, back in ’91, when the Army had all of 25 MBTs, losing five would’ve been a major blow. Not today. And while saying that the LTTE inflicted 200 casualties (nice round figure that) looks impressive on paper, the KIAs were under 20. If you think holding back a half-squadron of tanks on a 300m front from prepared positions is “impressive”, I’m afraid I must conclude that you’re easily impressed.

“The Americans were said to be quietly impressed with the LTTE victory.”

Really? Any evidence of these quiet Americans? Like a link? Thought not. Branching out into fiction writing is laudable, Murali. Good luck with that.

“Maybe what in order for David Blacker is to stop believing in the Sri Lankan government’s own propaganda and take up a reality pill.”

I try to steer clear of all propoganda actually, aand I suggest you do the same.

“Having said that, if I could have resisted the urge to set the facts straight, it would have been wiser of me to keep my fingers to myself and “play our cards close to our chest”.”

Aw, stop trying to be such an LTTE wanna-be. Why don’t you say that you just don’t know what’s going on, and that the SL Tamils are like a rudderless ship hijacked by terrorists?

Just to serve some to the discussion…Muhamalai was a military lesson in defensive operations by the LTTE. David seems to be living in lala land when he claims the defeat had to messages to the SL government. It was a controlled operation by the LTTE that made the SL Army look like fools.

Maybe David is new to the military history of the Eelam Wars, but in any of the previous wars I, II or III, the ability to inflict the lose of around 5 battle tanks, multiple fighting vehicles and around 200 soldiers in a “few hours” is impressive for any army with limited weaponry. It was a display of the LTTE’s tactical and human superiority against massive enemy numbers of well trained and motivated troops. Yes, the SL Army has come a long way with the quality of its front line troops. The Americans were said to be quietly impressed with the LTTE victory.

http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/207

Maybe what in order for David Blacker is to stop believing in the Sri Lankan government’s own propaganda and take up a reality pill.

Having said that, if I could have resisted the urge to set the facts straight, it would have been wiser of me to keep my fingers to myself and “play our cards close to our chest”.

Where exactly do the “Tamils” say this?

“killed in a war orchestrated by the Sinhala Army.”

Actually the war was orchestrated by the LTTE when it took up arms. The cause for that war was Sinhalese racism.

You’re right that most non-Sinhalese would support a Tamil viewpoint. Like me. Just not an LTTE viewpoint.

I didn’t say that Sampur, etc weren’t violations of the CFA. Obviously it is. But the fact remains that they were retaliatory violations spurred by LTTE violations. For example, the closing of the sluice gates by the LTTE in order to deny water to civilians. Both sides are violationg the CFA with impunity, I agree. Point of fact however, is that the GoSL is achieving its military goals.

“The BBC interview of civilians in October showed that the SLA had systematically used shelling to herd the population South across the Verugal into Vaharai. ”

I doubt very much that civilians could give an objective account of SLA strategy or tactics beyound “Shells fell, we ran”, etc.

“As they are all civilains who wish to remain in Vaharai rather than GOSL territory they are considered LTTE also and are being annhilated.”

Sadly, your facts are incorrect, Jey. First, if they wish to remain in Vharai, why is it that everyone who could make the journey to GoSL territory have already done so, leaving behind mostly 15,000 old, sick, and very young? Second, if the GoSL wants to ‘anhilate’ these Tamils, why did they allow in the trucks of food in November? Third, if the LTTE cares so much about these civilians, why are they preventing them from leaving?

“The LTTE said that it was a tactical withdrawal.”

Yes, they DID say that. The point is, do we believe them?

“The truth is in 2002 the LTTE came to the CFA with a stronger position than the SLA or GOSL.”

This is one of the few parts of your post that actually is true. However, the LTTE wasted that opportunity and lost the advantage they had, resulting in the EU ban. The aggression by the LTTE in early 2006 when they were impatient with the peace process, whittled away their position. What exactly is your point, though?

“The LTTE have shown their capability at Muhamalai against the cream of the SLA. That is proof enough.”

Cream? Ha ha. I doubt I’d call the Armoured Corps the cream, but that’s a different story. Muhamalai was a brigade-sized probe to test the northern approaches to EPS. It was on a single squadron front. The LTTE knocked out five tanks and killed a few dozen troops. Hardly decisive in comparison to the loss of almost the entire eastern province, is it?

Bottom line is, Tamils in the NE are suffering badly; Tamils abroad and in the south are fairly happy; Sinhalese outside the border areas are fairly happy too. So only the NE is suffering. How does the LTTE plan on relieving this suffering? Obviously “tactical withdrawals” aren’t working. Bombing buses only makes things. So what does the LTTE have to offer the Tamil people of the NE for 2007, other than ineffective attacks against civilians that just make them look more like terrorists than ever before?

Jey, what guys like you need to do is stop listening to the bombast of Tamilselvam and the hatred of the diaspora, and start paying attention to the suffering of the NE Tamils. What are you going to do to save them? The LTTE can’t defeat the Security Forces. The best they can hope for is to cause enough casualties to force the GoSL back to the table. But that’ll take awhile, and many more Tamils will die proportionately. So what’s the plan?

Mavillaru and Sampur were both battles started by the LTTE which they couldn’t win. I meant that there were no lands siezed arbitarily from the Tamil population. The LTTE is not the latter. ”

Jey
2007-01-06 06:18:48
David is this plain ignorance or do you enjoy distorting the truth? Sampur and Mavilaru had 40 000 Tamil civilians who were displaced from the region due to SLA shelling. The BBC interview of civilians in October showed that the SLA had systematically used shelling to herd the population South across the Verugal into Vaharai. As they are all civilains who wish to remain in Vaharai rather than GOSL territory they are considered LTTE also and are being annhilated. All the areas the SLA captured were in total breach of the CFA no matter how you try and justify it. The LTTE said that it was a tactical withdrawal. What you haven’t realised is that the LTTE are playing a better political game here. They have shown by greater military restraint who the real aggressor is unlike the accustions against the LTTE in 1995.
The LTTE have shown their capability at Muhamalai against the cream of the SLA. That is proof enough.
All in the South including the SLA thought the war would erupt after the speach on 27 Nov. However at that time the SLA were ready. Also all critics of LTTE would have mindlessly parroted the age old accustation when the SLA is loosing. i.e “Oh they (LTTE) used the CF to rearm and regroup”.

The truth is in 2002 the LTTE came to the CFA with a stronger position than the SLA or GOSL. The counter ops against Rod of Fire in April 2001 and the July 24 firworks at Katunayake spiced down the economy as well as troop morale. Just read up the casualty rates for the 48hr battle on 24 April 2001. The GOSL had to talk and the SLA had to regroup. For the LTTE side the North and East had to have economic restrictions lifted as people were sufffering. They beleived that the ISGA would be possible.

The GOSL has used the 5 years to regroup and revamp the economy and are feeling cocky again.

Don’t know what Vanni have instore for 2007. Maybe nothing will happen until 2008. Maybe the SLA will die off with all the tension in the atmosphere. Like the BBC says only one man can decide the future peace for the island.

All said, can’t beleive the SLA did that dirty thing in Colombo today to diffuse the tension. Evil buggers.

The truth is in 2002 the LTTE came to the CFA with a stronger position than the SLA or GOSL. The counter ops against Rod of Fire in April 2001 and the July 24 firworks at Katunayake spiced down the economy as well as troop morale. Just read up the casualty rates for the 48hr battle on 24 April 2001. The GOSL had to talk and the SLA had to regroup. For the LTTE side the North and East had to have economic restrictions lifted as people were sufffering. They beleived that the ISGA would be possible.

The GOSL has used the 5 years to regroup and revamp the economy and are feeling cocky again.

Don’t know what Vanni have instore for 2007. Maybe nothing will happen until 2008. Maybe the SLA will die off with all the tension in the atmosphere. Like the BBC says only one man can decide the future peace for the island.

All said, can’t beleive the SLA did that dirty thing in Colombo today to diffuse the tension. Evil buggers.

The Tamils on the other hand claim that the Tamil Tigers are their representatives, arguing that the only thing that the Sinhala Government is interested in is “to eradicate all the Tamils from the Island”, which is partly the truth since more than a million Tamils have either gone aboard fearing for their lives (although Sinhalese say that they went aboard due to economical reasons) or killed in a war orchestrated by the Sinhala Army.

So, whom are we to believe in these sort of “discussions”??

One who is not a Sinhalese would definitely support the Tamils’ views. No doubt about that!