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Jaffna, RIP Jaffna, VIP
Updated 4:08 PM May 15, 2000
By Sid Harth
Jaffna, RIP | Jaffna, VIP |
The internecine war between majority Sinhala government and the rebel Tamil minority, popularly called Tamil Tigers seem to have signs of hope rekindled among war torn Sri Lanka. It is almost over but not officially over as Jaffna is about to fall for V Prabhakaran's rebel army. All past attempts to resolve this human problem have miserably failed. It is highly unlikely that they shall end when Jaffna falls in the rebel hands.
Sri Lanka government has estimated another ten billion rupees in future costs of the war machine to regain the lost territory. I doubt that such sums of money is going to restore sagging morale of the tired SLA soldiers. It was a battle of wits and the first clear round of success goes to the determined and fully prepared rebel army.
If no parties pursue this war any further, perhaps a miracle would happen. The miracle is needed as innocent civilians are sick and tired of this conflict. Sri Lanka government has totally banned any TV, Radio broadcasts. They have also banned BBC News relayed in Tamil and Sinhala, a sure sign that the government wants to keep the country in dark over their losses.
It was wise for India not to meddle, take sides or merely offer mediation in the local dispute. Some Hindu hawks are taking the side of the Sri Lanka government which is very normal and ethical thing to do. However, at this late stage no one can figure out if the country is going to split into two separate nations.
Military victories are recognized all over the world as legitimate claims to sovereignty. If Tamil Tigers establish a state with legitimate power structure, law and order and humanitarian treatment to the prisoners of war, they can manage getting blessings of the countries sympathetic to their cause.
United States of America has kept their distance in this latest battle for Jaffna and perhaps would do nothing to help either side. India's reluctance to send the troup to help Sri Lanka government forces is what cooked this goose.
As I said yesterday, V Prabhakaran may provide more than moral victory to the minority Sri Lanka Hindus but a real model for all those Indian freedom fighters asking for self determination, Kashmir Muslims included. Could Khalistan be far behind?
Sid Harth..."The minority Hindus, your Shudras and not so Hindu Hindus like Tribals must keep fighting, not fighting with arms, fighting with democratic processes to overthrow Brahmin-Bania suzerainty over their native land, India that is."
Fresh advances in Jaffna town -LTTE
[TamilNet, May 11, 2000 16:22 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have advanced close to Jaffna city centre as their offensive in the northern peninsula continues, the LTTE said Thursday. The Tigers have also overrun two key Sri Lanka Army (SLA) bases at Kovilakandy and Thanankillappu in another prong of their operation, the organisation said in a statement from its London offices.
Following is full text of the press release:
"The combat units of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) achieved spectacular military gains in the battle of Jaffna today when they advanced close to the city centre in the Jaffna municipal area and overran two major military bases in the Chavakachcheri sector.
"After heavy fighting that continued from early morning till late tonight in the vicinity of the Jaffna municipal area, the LTTE forces have brought under its control the entire Ariyalai region and Columbuthurai jetty. The advancing combat formations of the Tamil Tigers have destroyed several military camps in that sector and are now positioned 1 kilometre from the Jaffna kachcheri, the administrative centre of the city.
"In the Chavakachcheri sector the Tamil Tigers overran two massive military bases at Kovilakandy and Thanankillappu today evening after two days of intense fighting. Overwhelmed by the fury of the Tiger assault the Sri Lankan troops gave up their resistance and fled in total disarray. The fall of these strategically crucial military bases has made Chavakachcheri town vulnerable to LTTE assault.
"Sri Lankan troops have suffered heavy casualties in the ferocious fighting near the Jaffna city centre and at Chavakachcheri sector. A huge quantity of arms and ammunition has been recovered from the two military bases overrun by the Tigers today.
"As the LTTE forces are enclosing towards the heart of Jaffna city and Chavakachcheri town, the political wing of the Tamil Tigers has called upon the Tamil civilian masses to move to safety areas away from battlefronts."
[TN/2000051104] ©TamilNet 2000
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