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Eastern Tamils caught up in an endless cycle of violence:
The attention of the STF has been drawn to the article by, Mr. D. B. S. Jeyaraj, presently
residing in Canada, appeared on the Sunday Leader newspaper, on 15/05/2005, under
the above noted heading.
In the said article, Mr. Jeyaraj has invited attention to the assassination of Mr. D.
Sivaram, linking it to the on going violence in the east, caused after the break away of
the Karuna Faction. He has further elaborated that what is seen in the East today is a
continuous and consistence pattern of inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic political violence
directed against easterners over the years, since the inception of the conflict.
Mr. Jeyaraj, states that, manifestation of violence takes different forms at different times
in the East. He denotes several elements as the causative factors, directly attributes to
the present destabilisation of the east.
He makes a direct reference, to the effect that the systematic violence, was compounded
and institutionalised in military campaign, coordinated by state and its agents, is one of
the elements, creating the present volatile atmosphere.
In the same piece, he proceeds to make wild accusations on the Special Task Force,
being indulging in grave inhuman activities, such as, massacring civilians destroying their
livelihoods, displacing people, indiscriminate arrests, inhuman torture, acts of sexual
violations on women etc.
It is surprising that Mr. D. B. S. Jeyaraj perusing a deliberate attempt to tarnish the image
of the Special Task Force indicating that the dealings of the Special Task Force, during
their tenure in the East, a contributory factor towards the prevailing situation.
The Special Task Force widely known as the STF was established in the East, in 1984,
purely to make way for the Sri Lanka Army to meet the challenges of the northern
theatre. It is common knowledge that the STF has been maintaining a high level of
standard, through out. What baffles us is the motive being making these allegations at
this juncture. The timing seems to be significant. The kind of inhuman acts referred to by
Mr. D. B. S. Jeyaraj, were never heard before, not even on the LTTE's own website, as
the slightest misdeed on any Tamil, will be published, with out any delay. We are positive
that Mr. Jeyaraj being a permanent resident in Canada, writing from Greater Toronto,
must have been looking through a crystal ball under freezing weather conditions.
After a careful review of the article, it is obvious that the circumstances which has led for
the writer to compile this script is totally beyond his control as he has purposely
downplayed, most of the key factors, responsible for the prevalent situation, and the
ongoing cycle of violence. Surely, as a person who considers himself as an authority of
the conflict situation in Sri Lanka, we believe that he is fully aware of the fact, who is
responsible for committing atrocities, acts of violence, advocating cruelty, brutality, under
the guise of Liberation in the East.
Massacres of Muslims in Kathankudy, Eravur Sammanthurai, Valachchanai, during the
conflict and post conflict situations, naturally points a finger at the organisation, which
has practised violence in the East for the past two decades. The fate of the Buddhist
monks at Arantalawa and displacing the Sinhalese from the east, are further indications
of their calculated efforts to disrupt the peace and harmony in the East. Assassinations
of the moderate political leadership, intellectuals and other leading sons of the soil, has
made a serious impact on the society where, the loss of these noblemen created a
vacuum in the Eastern society.
Mr. Jeyaraj is fully aware that the series of missteps taken by them in the name of
liberation has pushed the East towards anarchy. It is known that they had destroyed
most of the critical infrastructure, and had blocked the development programmes
launched by the successive Governments, purposely for their benefit.
It is widely acclaimed that the STF had maintained a cordial relationship, with the peace
loving citizenry of the East, since its inception in 1984. Today after 21 years the bond
between the people of the East and the SF has further strengthened through
contributions of post tsunami relief measures.
Immediately after the killer waves struck the east the STF personnel took all endeavour
to safeguard people, even before the authorities got their act together. These services
were rendered, irrespective of the caste, creed and race. This is one instance where the
public understood the true role of the SF, weather in conflict or during a natural disaster.
Security is not providing physical security and dominating ground. Security has to be
provided in a holistic way, which includes economic, social and mental security. Well
being of the people is the responsibility of SF. Providing shelter, food stuff, medicine
instantly, dedication, commitment, displayed in executing the tasks at hand, had earned
tremendous public confidence. These commitments were carried out with out any ulterior
motives, unlike the so called sole representatives, who are in the habit of perusing
Politico-Military strategic, in all activities, they undertake. The STF has shown
professionalism in all endeavors, having understood the basic tenets of counter
terrorism, in accordance with the norms accepted universally. We fully understand the
plight of the people of the East, who had been terrorised by the so-called saviours of the
Tamils, during the past two decades.
These contributions have been highly recognised locally and internationally, a fact that
even the LTTE cannot resist. They are trying to wriggle out of their present predicament
due to the waning popularity of the organisation, resulted after the breakaway of the
Karuna faction, now seems to be resorting to unconventional methods to sling mud at
organisations engaging in public duty, to distract the attention. It is not the acts of Armed
forces, which has led to the destabilisation of the East. The very acts of people who have
projected themselves as the sole representatives are responsible for this situation. All
The terrorist organisations are thriving on the sufferings of the masses. The Sri Lankan
terrorist outfit is no exception. People have been used a tool to maintain their authority,
knowing that illiterate and downtrodden segment will only cater for their needs. Forcible
conscription has become another way of exercising their authority on people. The
so-called liberators know that it will not sustain in a developed society.
What you see in the East today is the systematic elimination of all present and future
challenges, to maintain the status of the sole representatives. Taking undefended
targets is a glaring example, that they do not respect, even the basics of humanity. But
we have understood that the human beings are the most sacred element and they
should be treated humanly.
We feel that Mr. Jeyaraj should have considered all these aspects before launching a
scathing attack on the STF. We are fully aware of his plight. How he had suffered at the
hands of the LTTE, not in a LTTE controlled territory in Sri Lanka, but in the Democratic
republic of Canada. To understand his grievances one has to read the Sunday Times of
7th April 1996. "The Death of a newspaper".
Writers of the calibre of Mr. D. B. S. Jeyaraj, who are prisoners in their making, are
compelled to write similar flag waving stories, for the purpose of striking a balance, for
their professional glory, and to in the good books of the organisation, whom they are
being controlled.
We totally deny the referred allegations as baseless, unfounded and highly distorting,
with a view to bring disrepute to a highly disciplined organisation with a malicious intent.
Nimal Lewke - STF Commandant
[Courtesy of Sunday Leader]
It is indeed a waste of time, space and newsprint to respond to a letter such as this.
Respond I must as it is sent by the Special Task Force Commandant Nimal Lewke who
has found time despite his onerous duties to respond to my article. If I fail to do so I may
be accused , at best , of disrespecting the STF , and at worst, of tarnishing the STF
image.
Nimal Lewkes reputation precedes him. He is by all accounts a smart gentleman. His
prowess on the rugby field was remarkable. Unfortunately someone seems to have , in
rugby parlance, sold him a dummy because I cannot believe that a gentleman of his
calibre would have ever signed a missive such as this. I see another "Atha" s role in the
whole situation.
If the STF commandant had read my article in question and fully comprehended its
contents and theme he would not have responded in the manner he did. The greater
part of the article was focused on the internecine warfare going on within the Tamil
community and was quite unfavourable to the LTTE and its factions. Accusing me
therefore of trying to please the LTTE through this piece is downright stupid.
Moreover if the STF commandant had read all my past articles in full he may have never
thought of even charging me of attempting to curry favour with the tigers. My record
speaks for itself. I need not argue on behalf of myself in that respect.
Sadly the STF commandant is also a mirror image of his counterparts in the LTTE. If one
writes something that is deemed unfavourable to their interests the LTTE perceives the
writer as being in cahoots with the enemy or as a traitor. The STF despite its proud
boasts of sophisticated training in counter - insurgency is no better. A little bit of criticism
and bang! one is branded as an instrument of the enemy.
THE STF Commandant has levelled much criticism at the tigers. I hold no brief for the
LTTE and have no need to respond. But I should point out that much of what the STF
says now has already been stated by me. I hope the STF has read that
The STF commandant also insinuates that I may not be aware of ground realities
because I am residing in Canada "peering at a crystal ball under freezing weather
conditions". In the first place it is late spring here and no one is freezing. Toronto is a
lovely place to be in Summer and fall. But then the plight of High Commissioner
designate Chandrananda De Silva indicates that no known member of the STF will be
admissible to Canada. The new Immigration laws will see to that. Despite assertions to
the contrary Ottawa does view the bulk of the Sri Lankan defence establishment
including the STF as notorious violators of human rights and perpetrators of crimes
against humanity. Otherwise the former defence secretary would have been Persona
Grata!
On the question of writing about Sri Lankan affairs from Canada I am sure the STF
commandant is aware that I have written quite a lot about the LTTE from here. Much of it
has not been complimentary to the tigers. Now whenever I did so those accounts were
never disputed by the security sector. In fact they were accepted and praised. But if I
criticise the security apparatus my Bona Fides are suddenly doubted.
I am sure the STF commandant has heard about the My Lai massacre in Vietnam by the
US army. Now that story was scooped by Seymour. M. Hersh. He never visited My Lai but
uncovered the whole story in the USA. He got the Pulitzer for it. So it is quite possible to
write knowledgeably from a distance if you know how.
I know that I occupy a unique place in Sri Lankan journalism at this point of time. Here I
am sitting thousands of miles away writing and commenting about events in Sri Lanka to
a Sri Lankan newspaper. Let me make a very immodest assertion for the STF's benefit. I
have scooped and will continue to scoop many stories on Sri Lankan affairs from here.
My readers, colleagues and editors appreciate my work. As far as I am concerned I am
accountable only to my readers. As long as I retain my credibility with the readers then
Editors will publish me. So I will keep on writing. Even the STF cant prevent that.
The STF Commandant also divines that I think of myself as an authority. Now how does
know that? I have never said so. Then why is he saying that I think so? Maybe he thinks
so! Only a Freudian analysis could help.
The crux of the matter is that the commandant is saying that the STF is or was a bunch
of nice guys as pure as the Jasmine. He says that there allegations were never made
against the STF before and that this is the first time he is hearing about it.
In response I reiterate firmly that the STF, Army, Police, Homeguards and instigated
mobs were responsible for much violence inflicted upon innocent civilians in the past
particularly the late eighties and nineties. The role of the STF cannot be whitewashed
now. All that the STF commandant needs to do apart from reading confidential internal
reports is to read the statements made by various human rights organizations, foreign
media reports and proceedings of various Commissions of Inquiry. Hopefully if I do have
the time and the inclination in the future I may try and set the record straighter with the
STF commandant.
The conduct of the STF during the ceasefire has been very good. The STF performed
creditably during the tsunami crisis. I myself have written so. But the acid test will be if
and when war erupts. I sincerely hope the STF will not regress. Even more sincerely I
hope and pray that war will not occur again. My whole article was about the suffering of
the Eastern Tamils and I do hope fervently that they and all other Sri Lankans enjoy
peace, amity, harmony and prosperity.
Finally let me conclude on a light note. The STF commandant says in support of his
arguments that not even LTTE websites have referred to STF atrocities. Therefore there
are no atrocities is the line of argument. According to this argument an allegation is
factual only if the LTTE websites carry it. Now, now who is flag waving for the tigers?
D.B.S. Jeyaraj
May 20th 2005
[Courtesy of Sunday Leader]
