Media Release

Thursday, 21 October 2004

LTTE RELEASES ABDUCTED SINHALESE CIVILIANS SPUR REGRETS THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPITULATION TO TERRORIST DEMANDS

The Incident

The Tamil Tiger Terrorist’s abducted two Sinhalese civilians from Trincomalee in early August 2004 and held them to ransom demanding the release of 10 imprisoned LTTE criminals guilty of breaking the country’s law.  The Society for Peace Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka (SPUR) in Australia, a founder member of the World Alliance for Peace in Sri Lanka (WAPS) in a press release on 24 September 2004 condemned LTTE’s dastardly action and urged Sri Lanka’s government and the international community to take immediate steps to free Mr Sarath Bandara and Mr Chandana Piyasiri, the two innocent civilians held hostage by the LTTE.

SPUR is pleased to read in the press that the Government has secured the release of the said abductees sparing them from any further LTTE torture. Equally, SPUR is concerned with the way in which the Government handled the abduction by LTTE terrorists and considers it inappropriate for a democratically elected Government to kneel in front of globally condemned terrorists to secure the release of its law-abiding citizens. SPUR is indeed disappointed with the Government’s insipid conduct.

The North and East Sinhala Organisation

In contrast, we would like to applaud the unwavering stance adopted by the North and East Sinhala Organisation and the practical (sometime desperate) steps it took to bring to the world’s notice the plight of the two kidnapped Sinhalese civilians. The courage and tenacity shown by the North and East Sinhala Organisation should be universally admired. We take this opportunity to appeal widely to all patriotic organisations around the world to help this grass root organisation’s unarmed struggle for democracy in an environment dominated by armed LTTE thugs and harassment by Government polity. SPUR congratulates the North and East Sinhala Organisation’s leadership and empathises with its secretary Mr Sunil Aluthgamage’s view that they are prepared to “resort to any measures to protect the rights of the Sinhalese people in the East and the North” given the lukewarm attention the abductees received from the so called ‘peace lobby’ in the South.

The Government’s Capitulation

It is a pity that the Sri Lankan Government had to capitulate to the LTTE terrorists demand to release 10 LTTE criminals to secure the release of two innocent civilians.  President Bush in the USA, Prime Minister Blair in UK and the Prime Minister of Australia John Howard have all collectively said that they will not negotiate with terrorists under any circumstances and have demanded that hostages taken in places such as Iraq be released unconditionally and immediately.  Terrorists such as the LTTE in Sri Lanka and those operating in Iraq  and Afghanistan all have one thing in common. They do not respect the law or have any regard for human life or human rights.  Thus they should be treated consistently.

The Sri Lankan government’s capitulation to LTTE terror is indeed disappointing as it compromises the law of the land and licences the LTTE to break the law.   The LTTE are masters at testing the tolerance and compassion of the Sri Lankan Government, the International community and the Sri Lankan people.  They will continue to push the boundaries of human rights and watch the reaction of residual stakeholders.  The current government’s impotent conduct has given every encouragement for the LTTE to indulge in unlawful acts. After all, the government is yet to take any decisive action to bring the LTTE to account for any dastardly act, including assassinations carried out by them since signing the ceasefire.  There has been nothing but deathly silence from the Government when the LTTE killed up to 167 members of the EPDP and a number of military personnel involved in long-range operations.

A Three-Step Approach to Curbing LTTE’s Ceasefire Violations

The Tamil Tiger terrorists will and should never have equitable status to a democratically elected Government in any negotiations. As the incumbent Government in Sri Lanka, the people rely on the UNFA to provide a secure and safe environment for all its citizens to care for their families and enjoy life. This is a basic human right.

We urge the Sri Lankan Government to adopt the following approach when facing blackmail from LTTE terrorists:

(1) Take immediate action to progressively stop free movement of LTTE members in the uncleared areas in the East of Sri Lanka. This includes withdrawing costly air transportation and brokering foreign junkets for members of the LTTE.

(2) Progressively wind back other privileges given to the LTTE under the ceasefire agreement

(3) Convince the International community to follow a similar stance and punish transgressions by restricting free global movement, material and financial aid when the LTTE breaks conditions stipulated in the CFA

The adoption of a carrot and stick approach is a must for curbing LTTE instigated violence. The LTTE executes civilians, especially Tamil civilians belonging to democratic political parties such as the EPDP and continues to test the patients of the Sri Lankan government. Inaction and Government preference to pursue a path of passive engagement has been misconstrued by the LTTE as a sign of weakness.

It is time to take a stance and challenge the LTTE’s intransigent bluff. 

Dr Dasarath Jayasuriya

President

Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights (SPUR), Victoria, Australia  

 

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