Pirabakarans state of the Terror adress

prabakaran will in few hours time deliver the ,LTTEs version of 'state of the Union adress' called the State of the Terror address. what is accepted as the LTTEs annual terror policy speech where Prabakaran will spell out the steps and direction the LTTE will take in attaining their terrorist aspirations.normally this speech has attracted a notable amount of interest from all quarters of interested parties in Sri Lanka and rest of the world and most notably the Tamils who sustain Prabakarans reign of terror from oversease will look in to 'new' rays of hope and vision to expand the war  while , Tamils living under oppression of the LTTE will see this a another sounding of their death knell.

 

Tamilnet reported the SLAF attacking the LTTEs voice of tigers radio station in Vanni just few hours ago and i guess this time it will not be a live broadcast like last times and most probably this time it will be more of a pre recorded message , aired from a overseas location and not from the deep hope where Prabakaran is holed up, somewhere in the deep jungles of Vanni.

 

whats ironic is Prabakaran is more close to the burning Magma crust of the earth than the suffering Tamils of Vanni on the ground, and i guess in a way Prabakaran must be feeling the heat from the hell , being still alive.

 

for the rest of the people of Sri Lanka , this event is on not so much significance let alone the hustle they face on such a day as successive governments tend to take the particular day as a high threat day , thus increasing levels of security.

 

although till recently governments paid some attention to the content of the speech , but since last few years that had changed as more and more the LTTEs real interests keep coming into light.

 

considering the message delivered in the last couple of years, any one can come to the conclusion that this much envisaged speech of Prabakaran is nothing but simply giving on the stand that theirs is No Hope for Peace- War is the only option kind of rhetoric and only last year Prabakaran declared they had 'exhusted' all options for peace and are giving last chance to the Sri Lankan government to come up with a 'solution' .

 

but what solution they want? after four or more Peace efforts from successive governments and the last Peace Accord where a CFA and a number of rounds of peace talks under Ranil Wicramasingha and Mahinda Rajapaksha governments , LTTE opted to walk away from talks when they realised the Governments efforts were serious and the International Community was hell bent on supporting any solution that would have come out of talks.

 

so back to the question of the what solution, well as i see it there can be no solution to this problem in the eyes of the LTTE as for them the only solution is the continuation of war and noting else.

 

so today in few hours only thing Prabakran can say is that they are ' fed up with the MR government and they see no reason to continue with search for Peace'  and may take the opportunity to pull out from the CFA , thus ending the presence of SLMM and the Norwegian Peace meddling ( ooops , sorry Mediation).

 

few other options Prabakaran can take up is -

 

1.declare a Unilateral declaration of Independence ( we've gone through a UDI before.. and know what happened to Mr.Perumal afterwards..)

 

2.call international community to accept LTTEs right to self determination ( dah...!!!! )

 

3. declare all out war on the Sri Lankan state ,claiming that the state is waging a full scale war against them ( they have seen noting yet..)

 

either way , I'm not surprised, and will not be. one thing that I'm certain is that , Prabakaran will never never opt for a another chance of peace talks.

 

all Prabakaran wants is war , destruction and death. that's the only way of life he knows and he is comfortable of . so today in few hours time , from a very deep hole somewhere in Vanni ,he will go on air (if he can get to do that ) or may be its already recorded and ready to go off, from a overseas location to spell out whats next in store for Sri Lanka and Tamils of the world over.

 

either way, all he can say is 'Sinhala government is hell bent on waging war' ' our peace efforts are being ignord' 'Tamils have no future under the current Government' etc.

 

Prabakaran might go forward and declare independence unilaterally or may be call the International Community to accept the LTTEs right to self determination, but all this he will do to ensure one thing..

 

WAR and CONTINUATION OF WAR .

 

26 November - day of Patriots and Monsters

26th November is in many ways monumental to Sri Lanka. it was the day in 1818 the British crushed Sri Lankas first war of independence ( although somehow we were being taught to call it a 'Rebellion' by the same masters who re-wrote the history of Sri Lanka) , when they executed Monarawila Keppetipola , Dissawe of Uva. it was Keppetipola Dissawa who led the first war of independence against the British ,following the transfer of sovereignty to the British after the capture and the end of King Rajasingha II and the Kandyan dynasty.

where as the first monumental event was of a historical and national significance , the second monumental event is the birth of V.Prabakaran in the Jaffna Hospital. V.Prabakaran rose up to be the leader of LTTE, the Tamil terrorist organisation who for the last 30 or so years had been waging a war and reign of terror to curve out a separate state for minority Tamils in North and East of Sri Lanka.Prabakaran is nothing but a monster in human form , wielding a reign of terror , death and destruction not only in North and East of Sri Lanka , but also in every corner of the Island, beyond the seas in India and and many other un named , unknown places and at high seas.

not only Prabakaran had killed many hundred thousands of Sinhaleese and Muslims of Sri Lanka but he has a wiped out several generations of Tamils , including Tamil academics, religious and community leaders , elected representatives and politicians.The LTTE, under the leadership of Prabakaran has done more damages to the cause of the Sri Lankan Tamils than any other .

The LTTE has sabotaged every attempt to a reasonable political solution to the ethnic problem of Sri Lanka. The sole aim of the LTTE is the establishment of a one-party fascist regime by the name 'Tamil Eelam' in the North-East of Sri Lanka.

hence , November 26 th is a monumental for Sri Lanka.

on one side there is Keppetipola Dissawa , a man who fought for the freedom of his people, who was killed in the hands of a colonial oppressor and then there is Prabakan who continues to kill people in the name of establishing a separate state for the Tamils of Sri Lanka.Prabakaran has hijacked the Tamil cause with his gun totting terror tactics.he leads an organization with a fascist tendency. Its only aim is to establish a fascist regime in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

Due to its fascist leaning, it has made a self-proclamation as the sole representative of the Tamils. To maintain the status-quo of the sole representation, it has eliminated all the democratic Tamil leaders or subjugated their parties through their terror tactics.

To name a few Tamil leaders, brutally murdered by the LTTE are, A. Amirthalingam MP and Tamil National Leader, V.Yogeswaran MP, A.Thangathurai MP , Mrs. Sarojini Yogeswaran Mayor Jaffna , Dr.Neelan Tiruchelvam MP and S. Sivapalan of Tamil United Liberation Front the TULF Mayor Jaffna , Kumar Ponnambalam of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress the ACTC, Sri Sabaratnam Leader of the TELO, K. Padmanabha Leader of EPRLF, Sam Tambimuttu MP and his wife Kala Tambimuttu of the EPRLF and recently Luaxman Kadiragama, MP and former Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.

The leaders who succeeded them were cowed down and compelled to be subservient to LTTE. it was Douglas Devananda MP , a Tamil from Norhtern Sri Lanka who once led a Tamil Separatist group against the Government of Sri Lanka, who denounced violence and joined the mainstream democratic politics ,who as a Minister of the current government went on record recently and said " in the four decades of confrontation, not a single Tamil leader has been murdered by the Sri Lankan security forces" .

There are only a handful of democratic Tamil leaders who have still escaped the LTTE death trap, him being one amongst them and one who had escaped at least four attempts on his life.

Prabakaran's reign of terror extended its tentacles to our neighbouring Indian soil and globally as well. In the Indian soil, they killed former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan Tamil leaders. They murdered those who opposed them in the European countries. For example, T. Sabalingam, one of the founder member of the Tamil militant movement in Sri Lanka, was murdered in France.

LTTE extort money from the expatriate Tamils by threatening that their kith and kin, living in Sri Lanka will have to face the consequences, if they do not meet their demand.They also assassinated President Premadasa and attempted on the life of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who as a result, lost her sight in one eye.

Prabakaran thrives on the Tamil cause and has stood in the way of negotiated settlement within the frame work of united Sri Lanka, fearing, such arrangement would not give room for his fascist rule of law. LTTE aspire for a separate piece of land 'Tamil Eelam' to impose their fascist rule. As a result, the Tamils' aspiration for a power sharing arrangement in the areas of their habitation, remain unfulfilled to date. This is a vicious circle which the LTTE cleverly manipulates and thrives upon.

Further, the LTTE survives on the frustration of the Tamil people caused by the after effects of the war they initiate. In an environment of war, people undergo a lot of hardships such as; large scale displacements, non-availability of essential goods and services, black marketing, non-availability of proper educational, health and infrastructure facilities.

The LTTE capitalizes on this situation to win over the support of the Tamil people locally as well as internationally, This is also another vicious circle, the LTTE rides on.

so different to what Keppetipola Dissawa had envisaged , and ultimately brought to an end of his life.Keppetipola not only took personal responsibility for the acts of war and violence that we committed in the name of free Sri Lanka but also yielded to British use of terror tactics against the civilian populace of the Uva province in particular during the ensuring battles against forces of Keppetipola in 1818.

Keppetipola never used the collective suffering of his people to further his war , nor quelled dissension within his ranks.

his war was to attain freedom and restore rights and liberties of the common man of Sri Lanka and not curving out a separate state. it is sad that remembering Keppitipola Dissawa today , for somehow rests with the JVP and not the common man , while the so called 'Civil Society' of Sri Lanka and some pseudo 'free' media elements gather around to silently ( not so long a ago , very openly ) celebrate the birthday of Prabakaran , a monster of our times.

rest assured , come 26th November, next year I'm not going a write a word about V.Prabakaran nor about his LTTE , and way the things are going its also not sure if Prabakaran might make to the next years birthday , but will concentrate more on the first war of Independence and remember Keppetipola Dissawa and the rest of the patriots who had given life for a noble cause and not a cause that surpasses any myth.

Sri Lanka's hour of shame

its been few days since Pakistan got chucked out of Commonwealth and our countries pussy footed approach to the whole saga.looking back i see so many rhetoric against the move and even UNP has gone out hard on the decision and also heavily criticised the Foreign Minister ( who is a MP of their party , by the way ..) and the government in general. President it seems made some noise at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting against the Pakistan being suspended from the Commonwealth.

 

there is now more and more statements and comments coming from all quarters of the government, including the Foreign Secretary Kohona, Deputy FM Husain Bhaila , FM himself , Prime Minister Wicramanayake and the President himself, but as i see it damage has been done.

 

when Pakistan needed us most as friend not only to voice against the sinister moves against Pakistan but also to stand up for a friend who has over and over and over the times had stood for us, Sri Lanka irrespective of who was on power in Pakistan , which party or which General in power , when all the so called friends and International Safty nets and so on failed us.

 

when Sri Lanka faced grave threat to its freedoms and security in the face of terror it was not the Commonwealth nor its Secretary General or its nominal head the Queen of England who stepped in to help us , it was the Republic of Pakistan,very Pakistan we betrayed on 22 November 2007.

 

its true that there is a serious crisis in Pakistan in terms of governance , and there is emergency rule , which is stop short of Marshal law and the judiciary and the opposition parties are under threat, but its also a fact that Pakistan had seen its fair share of turmoil and there is moves within Pakistan to come to a settlement on this continuing crisis.

 

having being suspended from Commonwealth is , in fact for Pakistan is not a big deal, after all Commonwealth is nothing but sort of a glorified club to celebrate the now defunct British Empire and its gathered in the expenses of the UK taxpayers money so that that UK government and its head of state the Queen ( and what ever remnants of the Royal Family) gets to go on a nostalgic trip of a 'once a mighty empire we had ' sort of thing, where they get  a chance to tell their former colonies 'how bad' they are doing and ' what they must to ' to fix things up, the British way of course.

 

its irrelevant what the Commonwealth has to say about Pakistan or about any other country or the suspension of Pakistan from Commonwealth. however,whats relevant is that we have betrayed a friend , a friend who had been there for us in our time of need and had been many times over . therefor , the Government including the President and the FM must somehow do its best to rectify this grave error.

 

may be the best place to start is the up coming Parliamentary sitting where the Budget of the Foreign Ministry will be taken up. FM Bogollagama can explain what made him to take the pussy footed approach and Deputy FM Bhaila can explain what went wrong with the 'breakdown of communication ' which he seems to be repeatedly referring to and on the top of it , MP Basil Rajapaksha , being the Governments Viceroy in Parliament can say what they are going to do to fix the problem and also remedies in terms of not repeating the same mistake.

 

let us all hope that Pakistan doesn't experience a 'break down of communications' when they have to deal with a crisis facing Sri Lanka, if it arises in the future. 

Fwd: LTTE admits committing mass murder-Nitharsanam 05.11.07

LTTE website Nitharsanam.com , in an article today (05 th November 2007 ) on the arrest of Karuna Amman in UK has admitted to LTTE committing mass murder.

 

in its article, Nitharsanam.com states:

 

" Karuna has to be tried for the mass murder on 11 June 1990 of the 600 Sinhala and Muslim police officers in the jungles of Thirukkovil.They were all blind-folded, with their hands tied behind their backs,and made to lie down before they were shot in the back of their heads"

 

we need to understand that during the 1990s Karuna Amman was the LTTE's Ampara-Batticaloa Area leader and was under the direct command of LTTE leader V.Prabakaran.considering the power structure of the LTTE then and now, its cristal clear who gave the order to carry out such an act of mass murder.

 

there for not only its important that Karuna Amman be tried of Mass Murder but also V.Prabakaran,along with the rest of the LTTE leadership must be tried for Mass Murder and acts against humanity.

 

LTTE website http://www.nitharsanam.com is believed to be run by the LTTE's intelligence wing , under the direct supervision of LTTE Intelligence and Assassination wing leader Pottu Amman.

 

following is a screen shot of the article as it appeared in Nitharsanam.com and the link to the said article.

 

http://www.nitharsanam.com/?art=24873

Dispatching Terror 20 Fathoms Down

A group consisting thieves, smugglers, bank robbers and common
criminals organizes itself into a rag tag terrorist group with a few
hand guns. In time with support of politicians and other interest
groups they become a group practicing political terrorism and end up
with a flotilla of old ships and small air craft resembles farm
tractors. This is the evolution of the LTTE in a nutshell.

Leaving aside the LTTEs 'air power', in resent times there has been a
lot of chanting and praising about the deep sea fleet of LTTE gun
running, drug smuggling ships. LTTE not only used to talk about its
strategic sea lift 'ability' but also the fact that the LTTE own more
ships than the Sri Lankan Government. They were considered one of the
crown jewels of the Overseas Tamils who overtly supported the LTTEs
murderous cause to carve out a LTTE Eelam in Sri Lanka.

These ships represented the LTTEs ability to move weapons and other
warlike material to sustain its campaign of terror without hindrance,
and in tern exert pressure on any elected Government in Sri Lanka or
overseas. utilizing the sojourns within different bogus 'peace talks'
and cease fires ,and by spreading misinformation about Sri Lanka all
over the globe , the LTTE amassed a massive global network of support
and acceptance, portraying them as a indestructible force and a major
power player to recon with.

Then there was the former leader of this country who at times not only
accepted this as a fact but also gave justification and legitimacy to
such claims and continued to follow a policy of non engagement with
the LTTE, recognizing a somewhat 'de facto' status of the LTTE
'controlled ' areas. In a twist of fate this quasi Eelam states all
powerful ground elements lost all its ground and strength, stating
with the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut .

Military operations to save the Eastern Province from the LTTE had
dealt a major defeat to the LTTE and, effectively sounded the death
knell of the LTTE as a force to recon with. The over estimate state of
the LTTEs land fighting power seems to diminish on a daily basis, with
the continuing operating of the Sri Lankan Security Forces.

However, the LTTEs 'sea power' was a totally different in context. It
was foreseen as a major player in both shallow and deep water
operations and boasted as more powerful than the Sri Lankan Navy by
some 'think tanks' and 'independent' experts. Successive Sri Lankan
Governments, including Chandrika and Ranil administrations at many
times had to resist stiffly to the SLMMs moves to recognize LTTE 'Sea
Tigers' as a legitimate force.

all that came to a sad end on Monday the 8th October 2007, with the
sinking of the last of the 10 sea lift ships of the LTTE. Not only the
ship went to the bottom of the sea, 1700km south of Sri Lanka but with
it took a considerable consignment of arms and war like material. But
more than the material it took with itself down to the bottom of the
sea , it also took the prestige and the false dream of LTTE Sea Power
to the deep bottom of the Indian Ocean.

the dreams and aspiration of the LTTE, its Tamil Diaspora sponsors and
International guardians (including Local Supporters from so called
'Civil Society') of having the LTTE dominate the waters surrounding
the Island of Sri Lanka, the Indian Ocean that surrounds it and the
Sea Lanes that cross this Island went down the toilet when the Sri
Lanka Navy Spokesmen Commander D.K Dassanayake announced the
distraction of the last of LTTE ships on Monday.

by not having the anchorage rights at neighboring port around Sri
Lanka, its well known that LTTE ships acted as a network of floating
warehouses ,storing and ferrying arms and material for the LTTE and
disembarking as when required . This was thought the history of the
LTTEs 'sea power' and that was the very history that was put to an end
two days ago, 1700km south of Dondra head. Sri Lanka Navy should have
the full credit for ending this legacy and all the officers and
sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy must be commended for its actions.

Having said that, one must not expect that LTTE will not put and end
to its sea lift capability nor should the Navy not let off the guard,
expecting no more LTTE ships entering Sri Lankan waters. There are
many expatriate Tamils and other parties who benefit form the
prolonged conflict in Sri Lanka to the effect that LTTE will be able
to replace or may be may have already replaced couple of lost ships by
now. trained and experience crew, who not only are used to the waters
and arms smuggling may come hard to find for the LTTE and also crews
able to operate covertly in neutral ports and understand the Sri Lanka
Navy tactics will be a major hurdle the LTTE has to overcome in order
to restore the sea lift capability, knowing well the fact that all 10
shies the LTTE lost, had no single survivor.

After LTTE lost each and every engagement with the Sri Lankan Security
forces, in Land, Sea and Air the LTTE will call for a time out, just
so that it can get some critical rest and recuperation for its
fighters and sharpen its arsenal by replenishing its armory. they will
want to use this time out to chart out the prolonging this savage war
for another few years as it had happened in every 'Peace Talk' time
during the past couple of decades. unfortunate day for LTTE is that
this time that most wanted R&R is not possible due to a leader with
back bone within the seat of Government in Sri Lanka.MR has over and
over made his intentions clear , and his intentions for peace dose not
include granting a weekend and war weary LTTE re coupe rating/ re
arming period.

Added to this, there is the Sri Lankan Security Forces, who are with a
firm and strong resolve to give LTTE a permanent rest.

Question remains, despite these victories, why some quarters within
the Sri Lankan society want to play doom such victories.

State of the key rocketing cost of living and the continuation of war
against LTTE should not be mixed together and be considered as a
single issue. Any such linking of cost of living with war should be
considered a treacherous act , and should be seen as an act to destroy
the current march towards destruction of the LTTE and an attempt to
resuscitate the LTTE.

Annihilation of the LTTEs ocean going fleet is not a victory of the
Sri Lanka Navy nor a victory of MR, but a Victory of all peace loving
Sri Lankans, be it a Sinhalese , a Tamil , a Muslim or any other
community in Sri Lanka.

Gotabhaya and the grim reality of peace talks with LTTE

in midst of war, the best news can be the news of a victory but for some unexplained reason we seemed to be waiting for news of a 'peace', and this is quite common with not only our public but also with politicians and soldiers. However, LTTE, denied of any news of victory in war currently seems to be waiting for any news of 'peace', anxiously waiting for a chance to involve in 'peace'.  

this in not because they the LTTE understand the peoples urge for peace but its more due to the fact that by portraying their inclination towards peace they can avoid facing decimation in the face of war and a total destruction of its terrorist livelihoods.   Although in reality the LTTE was never genuine about a lasting peace, they embarked on a path of fake peace for few reasons. One is that, with the inclination towards a fake peace they could easily deceive the international community .secondly the LTTE utilized the fake peace to deploy ,train and place its informants, suicide bombers and 'tax' collectors within the government controlled areas.  

During this time LTTE knows its sympathizes in South would bring in Democracy, Human Rights and other Rights and Liberties to hide the LTTEs intentions of war and protect the war preparedness and violent act of LTTE against its enemies and crate path for LTTE to wage war by proxy.  

During this time ,such sympathizers in the South will bring in Berthold Brecht to Pablo Neruda, great artists who utilized their pens against fascism to great revolutionaries like Ernesto Cheguara and great fighters against Apartheid and racial discrimination like Nelson Mandela as plates of bytes in a drinking table and use moonshine distilled in Norway to raise glasses for a future Eelam.  

As this happens there will be a continued flow of sermons on pleasures of peaceful life in North and East, with calls to enjoy the joy of saving money earmarked for war, and use of such savings on economic development.  

Mr.Prabakaran ( as Prabakaran, the leader of the LTTE will be called during that time) , who will put up his combat fatigues for laundry at this time, will donne  white safari suites and will appear every night in Sirasa ,Shakthi and MTV TV, talking with no lip movement about LTTEs commitment to 'Peace' and dialogue.  

Stop..... Stop.....pause.....  

Above was some of the scene and acts from the LTTEs 'Peace' drama. A drama we experienced and watched with disbelief many times over the last couple of decades.   What ever the brand of 'Peace' the LTTE promotes, there is a notion that we need to follow it as it is within the ruling class of the main political parties in Sri Lanka today. This is more fueled by the myth that floated around stating that the LTTE cannot be defeated militarily and there is no alternative to LTTEs power of terror.  

However, starting with Maavil Aru to Silawathura the military victories against the LTTE terror has proven that this notion of LTTEs invincibility is nothing much but a myth cultivated to nourish a culture of defeatism. It's irrelevant as much as a used paper napkin today.   Therefore, when Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha claimed that no political solution, however effective and realistic to end the ethnic conflict can be successful without defeating the LTTE militarily, it makes sense.  

only way we can achieve peace is not by few military victories but by defeating the LTTE hundred percent ,states the Defence Secretary , and further adds that the Sri Lankan security forces have managed to chase LTTE out of East and Jaffna and managed to corner LTTE to Vanni. 

 I think a terrorist group of the brink of collapse might call for a fake 'peace', with no intention for a genuine peace for many reasons. However, there has to be an immediate solution to the ethnic crisis but as Gotabhaya puts it "A total defeat of the LTTE is necessary before a political solution to the ethnic crisis can be implemented".  

Bravo Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapaksha, for not being scared to speck the truth.

Nedumaran and voyage to 'save' Jaffna Tamils

Pro LTTE Tamil Nadu politician P.Nedumaran announced his intention to cross the Palk strait with 'hundreds of boats' full of his supporters and 'supplies' to the Tamil people of Jaffna as protest against the Indian governments support towards the government of Sri Lanka.Nedumaran the leader of the Tamil National Movement it Tamil Nadu has been a longstanding supporter and promoter of the LTTE ,its leader V Prabakaran and LTTE murderous campaign of terror in Sri Lanka and in India.

 

Nedumaran is known to be one of the few people who never condoned the murder of Rajiv Ghandhi , former PM of India ,by the LTTE and had travelled many time illegally to Jaffna and Vanni in Sri Lanka with the help of the LTTE to further its cause in waging terror.

 

since of yesterday the Indian Cost Guard has informed the Sri Lankan Navy that they will prevent any illegal crossing and nothing much is expected from Nedumaran as accoriding to the news reports from Tamil Nadu , support to Nedumarans move has gathered  little or no support from the populace of Tamil Nadu.

 

however, there is a very interesting twist to this 'crossing' .

 

yesterday the Sri Lanka Navy destroyed and sunk three major ocean going vessels of the LTTE  ,believed to be carrying a large consignment of arms, ammunition, light air crafts and speed boats ,off the south east coast of Sri Lanka.

 

can this 'crossing'  be a diversion to the more extraordinary move by the LTTE to resupply itself with arms ?

 

its about time the Government , and its security apparatus should make more seriously look into  the real reasons behind this 'crossing' and the timings as one could expect the bulk of the small Sri Lankan Navy to be positioned in Manner Sea , with the intention of intercepting and blocking the planned 'crossing' of Nedumaran while the three LTTE gunrunning ships slide un checked and dislodge its dangerous cargo.

 

Prabakarans 9/11

while the rest of the world commemorated (some celebrated) the infamous attack on the World Trade Centre in New York and rest of the sites in Washington D.C on September 11th, 6 years ago, Prabakaran felt the jitters of a major attack on LTTE as he learned the news of the capture of Kumaran Padman alias ' KP', the elusive LTTE financier and logistician in Bangkok and the loss of three arms smuggling LTTE ships off the coast of Sri Lanka.

the all 'powerful' ( as the so called Civil Society of Sri Lanka call's him)  LTTE supremo , Prabakan has been riding the downwards slide lately, the loss of all LTTE controlled territory , the arms and equipment in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka was the sounding of the death knell to Prabakaran, starting with closure of the Anicut in Maavil Aru , the 'powerful' LTTE started to feel strength and the resolve of the Sri Lankan Military and the Government . 

there seems to be a major breakdown in the 'powerful' military machine of the LTTE, and by looking at the series of events lately , one can determine that Prabakarans unending world of terror is falling part. 

I guess the beginning of the end, started with the Sri Lankan Security Forces move towards the East.

President Premadasa had the ability to start this beginning, but he some how he didn't, and in the end he met his death in the hands of the LTTE. Then came President Chandrika, who never wanted to embark on that beginning, ultimately, she also had to leave, but without losing a eye to a almost fatal suicide attack of the LTTE. Prime Minister Ranil never wanted the beginning, all he believed was peace with the LTTE and he never had an interest in touching the Prabakarans world of terror, so Prabakaran made sure that Ranil didn't become President. 

However, under the intense pressure from the so called International Community, and under a barrage of murderous and heinous campaign of disinformation by the bogus Civil Society, MR started this beginning.

Cost of living started to sky rocket and people started to get uncomfortable.

Yet, Prabakarans world of terror too started to crumble. Two significant event of yesterday were a significant and major milestone in the end of Prabakarans rain of terror. a turning point in struggle to free people of Sri Lanka from the clutches of LTTE terror.

One of the main aspects of the complexity of Kumaran Padman is the number of passports he used to travel  and the latest figure states as 200. Prabakaran used the best man for the required task, and that a trade mark of Prabakaran. For Prabakaran the task was always been the use of terror and nothing else, therefore he made sure he eliminated others who were not up to the task.

KP coordinated the arms smuggling network of the LTTE, and his capture in Bangkok, Thailand is not only a victory of the Sri Lankan government but also a victory in the International War on Terror. 

LTTE lost its 2/3 of its power when the government took control of the East. Any person who travels within the East including Vakare and Verugal will witness this. all the LTTE cams that were there a year ago are in the hands of the Sri Lanka Army today, all LTTE check points are now Sri Lanka Army check points and all the arms and equipment (including the vehicles and other equipment ie- generators, tents, boats etc that the LTTE 'captured' from INGOs) are in the hands of the Sri Lanka Security Forces today. They have become property of the Government of Sri Lanka and this includes a highly equipped hospital close to the Swarnam Base of the LTTE, in Verugal, again built/equipped by INGOs.

In this moment of time, when Prabakaran is facing a speedy decline in his rain of terror, there is other among us who abhors this. Fall of Prabakaran should be celebrated as a 'National Victory' without any party alligances.KP counting the bars behind the door that locks him in a Thai jail and the LTTE ships that kissed the sea floor are a testimonial to the start of such a National Victory.

Return of the Tinker of Colombo

after many weeks , lost in the wilderness i have returned to the Blogspear!

many things have happened in my absence ,not that i had any hand in it, but just that many times i wanted to voice my pinch of salt on issues of concern,

but then.. access to the Internet ,a decent connection and a PC were few of the questions i had to face.

resolved they are,

back on the business I'm.

 

Ethiopia accuses Norway of undermining security

28 Aug 2007 11:36:50 GMT

Source: Reuters

Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Ethiopia accused Norway on Wednesday of undermining its national security and spreading instability in the Horn of Africa, a day after the Addis Ababa government asked Oslo to recall six diplomats.

"Norway has consistently and repeatedly (been) involved in acquiring leverage with the focus of causing instability in the Horn of Africa region," said Wahide Belay, spokesman for Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry.

"This, in turn, has seriously aggravated problems of stability in the Horn of Africa region and also threatened to undermine Ethiopia's national security. ... It has now become clear that there has been no change of policy in this regard."

Late on Monday, Norway's foreign minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, said in a statement that his government regretted the "unilateral decision" taken by the authorities in Addis Ababa.

"We must now take the consequences of the fact that the Ethiopian authorities are upholding their decision and we are therefore making preparations to withdraw six diplomats from our embassy in Addis Ababa (by Sept. 15)," Stoere said.

Stoere did not say whether Ethiopia provided any background on the reasons for the expulsions.

Stoere said the "sharp reduction in staffing" meant Norway might not be able to maintain development cooperation with Ethiopia at current levels, he said. Oil-rich Norway is one of the world's biggest aid donors in per capita terms.

Wahide said Ethiopia's government remained ready to talk.

"Our efforts have been and still are to engage Norway's government in serious dialogue over the matter," Wahide said. (Additional reporting by Wojciech Moskwa in Oslo)

 

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L28378886.htm

Tamil Tiger Inc. exposed by Jane’s Intelligence Review

Jane's Intelligence Review, in its August 2007 edition will publish a major expose on the Global financial network of the LTTE, according to a press release issued by the JIR.

 

This will be some what the most updated and informed report on LTTE's international funding and procurement network, published on the public fora in resent times and surely will be welcomed by almost all who are interested in LTTE and its rain of terror.

 

This report will be a chronicle of LTTE's culture of fear and deceit as lions share of its funding are gained through 'taxes' from overseas Tamil Diaspora and the people living in areas under the LTTE in Northern Sri Lanka.   

 

Reuters commenting on the Jane's report added that the report paints a picture of a powerful global network of professional managers -- both Tamils and others -- across a string of countries with operations perhaps from shipping to drugs and extortion.

 

Furthermore, Christian LeMiere, managing editor of Jane's Country Risk, commented to Reuters "Some of the money will go on arms, some of it on administrating areas controlled by the LTTE," and It further states that "with financial and procurement structures well organized and strategically positioned around the globe, the group has a profit margin that would be the envy of any multinational corporation – some USD200 to 300 million per year"

 

Some of the interesting aspects of the envisaged report as highlighted by the JIR press release are the LTTE's channeling of Tsunami aid money, LTTE use of fronts and cover organisations involved in charity and social work, transfer of arms, narcotics ,contraband and people smuggling. Press Release further indicates the reports details of how the LTTE convert the gains into arms, utilizing a charitable façade's tax-free status and legitimacy.

 

This report will be very much welcomed in terms of understanding the depth of the LTTE's reach and its nature as a global financial terrorist group. I guess the LTTE will face more increased pressure once the report will be public, so are the governments who's territory are being used by LTTE for its illegal activity.

 

Of the main hubs of LTTE activity the report has highlighted Cambodia and Southern India, being its principal staging posts, while it lists some other countries in Southeast Asia and rest of the world as sources of arms for the LTTE.

 

How much the Sri Lankan government will do to curb such activity in terms of raising this issue with host governments remains a question.

 

Below is the full text of the Press Release issued by the Jane's:

 

USD200 million profit margins maintain sophisticated Tamil Tiger war

 

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has created one of the most sophisticated insurgencies in the world, largely due to a complex global network of financial resources and weapons that are integral to prolonging its campaign for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka.

 

In a unique report on the financial operations of the LTTE, Jane's Intelligence Review reports that with financial and procurement structures well organised and strategically positioned around the globe, the group has a profit margin that would be the envy of any multinational corporation – some USD200 to 300 million per year.

 

The Tamil Tigers is consequently the only known insurgent organisation with its own army, navy and now even a rudimentary air force, with access to financial resources and weapons giving it the luxury of introducing bold, new dimensions to the conflict.

 

The report details two overarching financial and procurement bodies that provide the main source of LTTE money, manpower and weapons; the Aiyanna Group and the Office of Overseas Purchases (nicknamed the KP Department).

 

The Aiyanna Group functions as the group's intelligence and operations body, likely to be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the organisation's financial support and revenue streams, while the KP Department is most probably the LTTE's procurement arm.

 

In addition, the LTTE creates and staffs some charitable organisations, projecting its influence through this front to raise money from Tamil communities and, ultimately, convert the gains into arms.

 

The Jane's Intelligence Review report says that the system works as an efficient way to move funds wherever investment or procurement opportunities arise while utilising a charitable façade's tax-free status and legitimacy.

 

Geographically, the LTTE use a myriad of methods to maintain this formidable, non-state support structure. The southern province of Tamil Nadu in India plays a pivotal role in LTTE procurement and has become an essential transit point in the LTTE arms, narcotics, contraband and possibly human smuggling.

 

Beyond Sri Lanka's neighbour, Cambodia is one of the most significant single sources of weapons for the insurgent group. The remainder of internationally procured weapons are believed to originate from the rest of Southeast Asia, North Korea, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Ukraine.

 

The report adds that the procurement of anti-aircraft technology, given the destruction wrought by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces' aerial assets, will be the primary driver of the LTTE's continued international fundraising campaign. (ENDS)

Ranil, Ranil... Go away…never to come, another day…

Time has come for Ranil Wickramasingha to step down and fade away. He has to step down as the leader of the United National party (UNP) and fade away from Sri Lankan Politics. Ranil has done nothing for this country other then hurting the fabric of this society so much, over the period of time he was in Politics.

Since he became the deputy minister of education in JRJ administration he has caused chaos, like the mess he did with the introduction of a destructive White Paper, to infamous Batalanda torture house and later with the introduction of the CFA, nothing but irreplaceable damage.

During the premiership of Ranil, LTTE not only got a new lease of life, but also a life line in terms of receiving quasi state of recognition. CFA had its own good things, it brought some sense of peace and stability, opened the LTTE controlled 'living prisons' areas to normal life and brought about investor confidence and better economic opportunities, but at what cost?

LTTE never saw the peace process and the CFA as a viable option in search of peace but an opportunity to seek an impasse to engage in terrorism against the people of Sri Lanka. Under the cover of the CFA, the LTTE embarked on a campaign of murder and assassination. It rearmed itself and re trained its cadre. During CFA time, LTTE was instrumental in recruiting more than several thousand child soldiers and used the peaceful and open access as a time to stockpile weapons of violence and murder.

All this was attributed to Ranil's failure to act according to established and agreed norms of the CFA and uphold the laws of the land. While Ranil gave a blind eye to increasing amounts of CFA violations, he never raised the LTTE campaign of assassination and re armament with his 'International safety net'.

If not for the Tsunami of December 2004, the LTTE would have launched a preemptive strike against the Government and annihilate the forces in North and East.

There is much to be said about Ranil and his misdeeds during his Premiership and the time prior to that but that's not the focus of this post. It's more to do with Ranil's constant attempt to undermine the integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka in the resent times, and also role as a campaigner to win back support for the LTTE.

Ranil's resent comments on the capture of Thoppigala, the last bastion of LTTE control in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, aptly describe the inner workings and the portrays the real Ranil Wickramasingha for all the see.

Wickramasinghe's initial position is capturing Thoppigala is a useless exercise as it is worthy only for collectors of fire-woods, and went on to question the use of 700 square Kilometers of jungle .later he had the audacity to allege that the security forces allow the LTTE leaders including Ramesh and its cadres to escape from Thoppigala with all of its military hardware including multi-barrel rocket launchers.

Ranil told the press that the order that the LTTE leaders and cadres should be allowed to escape through pre-arranged route came from Colombo, allegedly from the political leadership of MR administration.

Whatever the value or not of Thoppigala to Ranil, the reaction of the LTTE was, such that it was in shock and at sense of Desperation. Such was the Desperation of the LTTE, S.P Thamilchelvam, the political head of the LTTE vowed to fight back and threthned to hit economic and military targets of the country, with the aim to cripple the economy. And Illanthiriyan, the LTTE spokesmen concede that they were defeated in the East to BBC. Such was the view of the LTTE for the loss of a ' patch of jungle'. But then Ranil went on to say "there was not much to crow about".

Then with regards to Ranil's allegation of letting the remaining LTTE cadres flee Thoppigala, whether it's true or not, the government from the beginning reiterated that this operation was a humanitarian operation, not an offensive, in order to clear the East of the scourge of the LTTE and establish normalcy and civil administration.

By examining the conduct of the operation, it was quite evident that the governments' war strategy was not based on killing as much as LTTE or capturing or destroying its war machine but to follow its interest in clearing the East. As such, the forces were more committed in wrestling control of Thoppigala from LTTE, and not a bloodbath.

If the allegations are true then it proves that unlike the UNP governments' crush of the JVP insurrection in the 1980s, which Ranil was a major player in, the Army was not in for a bloodbath, nor they were intended on butchering the LTTE. But close study of military achievements gained since the Maavil Aru Operation, portrayers a strategy that achieved maximum results at a minimum loss of life. may be this is due to MR administrations claim that they do not believe in a all out military solution but a peaceful end to this conflict, at the same time never to give in to Terror.

So far that in all means stands evident, and the LTTEs' loss of East is very much a reality.

Ranil today stands alone, abandoned by a treacherous international community ,lost among the hoards of NGO wallah's who used to cajole him and surrounded by a group of vultures, awaiting his downfall, to start devolving him. Long gone are the trusted Journalists, who traveled under his wings, justifying his every move, as a traitor of peace loving citizens of this land.

Abandoned, alone and in company of vultures is no qualification for a leader of this land.

Therefore, Ranil must go, never to return.

LTTE Declaration of its commitment to Terrorism

So the LTTE has spoken, after all it seems the LTTE is in shock over the loss of Thoppigala. And this is no more evident in the resent statement by S.P Thamilchelvam, the Political head of LTTE.

In a statement, seen as more as an LTTE reiteration of its commitment to terrorism, Thamilchelvam has gone on to state that the LTTE will effectively engage against the Sri Lankan government and use whatever means to destroy and destabilize the Sri Lankan military.

"(We will) weaken the military capacity of the government of Sri Lanka, which will invariably end up hitting economic targets as well," Thamilchelvam told The Associated Press, declining to elaborate , yesterday 12th July, from their hideout deep in the jungles of Killinochchi.
However, far more ground breaking and what is seen more of a reiteration to its commitment to use of terrorism is more than ever evident in Thamilchelvam's statement where he claimed the LTTE will hit major economic and military targets, in an aim to cripple the economy of Sri Lanka.

Not only this is a indication of the LTTE's mounting loses but also the fact that the LTTE is facing a desperate situation in terms of not only saving face but also long its so called military 'might'.

There is not much to be surprised over Thamilchelvams statement, as the LTTE over its three decades of violence has been using tactics of terror against all kinds of targets, not only restricted to Military and Military related .

The LTTE has actively targeted civilian centres and government locations, serving purely Civil Administrative tasks. The LTTE has, over the period bombed several locations in Colombo, all Public, including bomb attacks in Maradana, Dehiwala Railway station and Central Bank. Moreover, the LTTE has attacked and crippled the only International Air Port in Sri Lanka, Katunayake International Airport .

Therefore Thamilchelvam's rhetoric of a bloodbath is some what unfounded, but then the important point here is that the LTTE after many years of waging open warfare has suddenly decided to revert to its age old tactics of terrorism.
This is how the LTTE is distinguishes from the rest of the worlds territories organisations, as they effectively identify economic targets as legitimate targets.

But when you consider economic sites in a free country, they are also centres of civilian concentration, and since we don't have the Military running economic sites and institutions, hence, any target against an economic site or concentration should be also considered a target against a civilian centre. Therefore, LTTE's claim of its intention to attack economic targets can be interpreted as a statement of its intent to attack the civilians of this country.
As the desperation mounts within LTTE hierarchy and its search for scapegoats and ghost within, there will be more and more pressure mounting on the LTTE hierarchy to address the issue of losing face and loss of moral both within the fighting cadres and its international network of financiers. Therefore, considering the LTTE's performance in the past and the tactics and strategies employed it is quite evident that the LTTE, given the opportunity will strike civilian targets.

Important question is what will the government does in terms of addressing this threat and also what will be the reaction of the so called 'international community' over such threats and attacks.

As for the government, the MR administration has over the past have embarked on a more stringent security measures over LTTE targeting of civilians, however such attempts were mostly centered on key urban areas in Colombo ,outskirts and other main population centres and not in rural areas , especially in LTTE threat areas. While the security of the citizenry is paramount to the government, civil liberties and freedom must not be scarified in the name of countering LTTE terror.

Consequently, any increase in security measures will be an added advantage to the Colombo based 'Civil Society' and its 'crusade' against the (only) Governments so called 'human rights' abuses. While the 'Civil Society' focuses its sights on the activities of the government and ignore grave violations of all rights know to man by the LTTE, it will use any stringent security measures as an epitome of bad governance and lack of respect for Human Rights.

As for the international community , they need to understand the LTTE threat to attack economic targets, vis a vis Civilian targets as a greave threat against not only Sri Lankan's living in non-LTTE controlled areas but also against any country that has a LTTE or Pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora presence.although LTTE has never (at least not recorded) carried out a major attack against civilians in foreign countries, it has a long and bloody record of carrying out a low intensity campaign of violence against Tamils living in Western countries , who oppose activities of the LTTE.

Resent bombings in London and capture of massive loads of explosives en-route to Colombo in few parts of Sri Lanka are some of the grim reminders of LTTE's commitment to use of terror against civilians and S.P Thamilchelvams statement to the effect of attacking economic/civilian targets is a declaration of LTTE's reiteration towards its commitment in use of violence and murder, or basically terrorism as a alternative against peaceful dialogue. For the LTTE peaceful dialogue or peace talks is not a viable option but an opportunity to seek an impasse to engage in terrorism against the people of Sri Lanka.

Exit Thoppigala, enter Vanni

Fate is sealed, the dye is cast for LTTE presence in Thoppigala, and the last bastion of power of LTTE in Eastern Province has fallen. I got a SMS from Dialog-Reuters alert service saying " Thoppigala captured with LTTE losing its Eastern headquarters a few hours ago, troops still clearing the area-Brig.Prasad Samarashinghe " 1055hrs, 11^th July 2007.

So that's it. Thoppigala has finally fallen, and I wonder what Illanthiriyan, the LTTE "military spokesmen" has to say about it. Lo and behold, he did say some thing. It was sent out via the Dialog-Reuters alert service saying " LTTE "will use every possible mode to engage the enemy" post Thoppigala fall." if they want to come to the North ,let them come and see what happens"

There are few things I observed in that statement. One is that, mentally the LTTE has adjusted itself to the imminent fall of Thoppigala for the last few weeks, and the statement was the culmination of it. That's the reason why they say "will use every possible mode to engage the enemy", hinting that they will revert to guerrilla warfare to fight the Government in the East. There is a hint of desperation within the LTTE in that statement, but then only time will say the validity of my statement.

Interestingly, this was the same view most of the Colombo based Tamils, who were sympathetic towards the LTTE were saying too. They too have been coming under immense pressure, as the Government was seen relentless in its push towards Thoppigala and the LTTE seemed clueless over its defenses in East. So, in turn the Pro LTTE Colombo Tamils started to push the idea that the imminent loss of Thoppigala was no big deal to the LTTE, as they (LTTE) was planning to vacate it anyway (to make space to war affected etc? ), and the LTTE will revert to guerrilla warfare in the East against the Government forces.

However, I have some reservations over this. LTTE has for a long period of time, had operated as a quasi uniformed force, with line fighting units and established support structures. So none of these cadres have been trained nor practiced the art of covert urban warfare and are, like the Military dependent on heavy weaponry at times. That's point one, against the LTTEs revert to Guerrilla warfare in the East.

Then, even if they have trained cadres in such type of warfare, can they operate clandestinely in the East, given the factors posed by the present situation?

Current situation is that the anti-Prabhakaran breakaway LTTE group, the Karuna faction and armed elements of EPDP are at loggerheads and involved in somewhat open war with each other, while at the same time the Karuna Group has split into two with Pillian, Karuna's former trusted Military commander fighting against the Karuna Group (K) has crated a major hotbed of inter-militancy war in the East.

In this scenario, while Karuna (K), Karuna (P) and EPDP are on the look out for each others activity and try and check mate in a violent manner, how will the remaining fatigued and demoralized LTTE cadres in East wage a guerrilla war against the Government?

So, point two is that in terms of actual power, the LTTE is severely drained in the East and in absence of a fresh infusion of blood from Vanni, whoever left in the East, of the LTTE is going to quietly disappear. However, there may be a clamor or two might materialize but it will not hamper the Governments intended political timetable set for East.

Going back to Ilanthiriyan statement, where he said. " if they want to come to the North, let them come and see what happens", it seems that there is a definite expectation from the side of the LTTE that the attack on its Northern stronghold is imminent. Though I will take it in pinch of salt, as I have also heard what both V.Thamilchelvan and R.Illanthiriyan had to say about Muttur/Sampoor/ Mavil Aru and Verugal earlier. LTTE's rhetoric of its great power, war and mother of all casualties within SL military is nothing but a dud.

Ilantheriyan in an interview with Roland Burke of the BBC when asked whether the LTTE has received a defeat said that, "In a way yes. From a point of view it is a defeat." since the government forces have gained a greater control of the Eastern Province".

So from another point of view, fall of Thoppigala is the start of a new Political landscape in Sri Lanka. There is East in one side , along with the governments intention to hold elections there, and then there is the LTTE, backed out from Peace Talks, severely under pressure over- child recruitments , exchange of terror know-how with other international terrorist groups, financial fraud/extortion in host countries in North America and Europe/Australia, to name a few on the pariah list of the rest of the International Community and the falling economy of the country along with the so called HR 'abuses' in the part of the government , will crate a unique mix of choices and options to all the powers to be.

I, Dhutugemunu...

07/07/07 came and went. That was a Saturday, again another 7. Then came Sunday, Sunday comes along with Sunday papers and going through 'The Nation' there was an interesting interview with Hon. Mervyn Silva, MP and Labour Minister (non Cabinet) of MR government.

Mervyn Silva is infamous for not only his acts of assault and harassment (even within Parliament chamber) but also for his relationship with the leadership of this country and also the criminal underworld. So much so many refer to him as the god father of all major kingpins of all illicit trades and is what the Insurance Corporation to an ordinary Merchant to the criminal underworld.

His son is no different from the father, a know thug, he is a regular fixture till recently in Colombo night life, and spares no one who 'crosses' his path. This included Police personal and members of Media.

There was a time when Sirasa and MTV used to repeat over and over, Mervyns blatant threat and an almost assault on a camera man outside the Courts complex in Colombo 10.

Mervyn is a marked man in India, well known for his connections to Drug kingpins of India and is said that Indian Customs and anti Drug Police has a permanent watch on him. In Sri Lanka, Mervyn Silva used his Parliamentary privileges and inside influence to covertly or overtly assist all most all the Drug barons and the lesser drag dealers ,when they face 'trouble' with Police and Law Enforcement services.

Mervyn Silva was a one time supporter of the 'Peace Mafia' even went on to share the stage with the rest of the peace mafia including Jehan perera ,Kumar Rupashingha & Co,. this wan when that infamous incident occurred ,when a group of JHU/NSF supporters led by few monks tried to disrupt a National Anti War Meeting , when Mervyn leashed out his 'Peace Force' against them.

Mervyn Silva is well known for his loyalty to the top. This virtue brought him from a regular SLFP thug to a SLFP Member of Parliament, appointed through the National List (after he lost the election when he received only few thousand votes), mainly thanks to his services provided to one time 'defender' of Democracy and Rule of Law in Sri Lanka, Mrs.CBK. when MR became president, Mervyns loyalties simply shifted towards Medamulana Walawwa.

Anyway here are some interesting points of that interview. Moreover, I suggest all readers should refer to the full text of the interview, as this is, in my view a chronicle of bankrupt leadership and reliance on common criminals in modern day politics of Sri Lanka.

His remarks on being a confidant of the President " When I was in the UNP, I was close to Ranil Wickremesinghe. I have always been close to the leaders. With the present leader, we have a friendship for generations. Nothing has happened to the respect I have for the former president. But, I am very angry with her, for making derogatory remarks of our party and of our leader, in a private newspaper" is a silent testimony to this.

Some excerpts from the Interview:

Mervyn's view of Sripathi and Mangala decamping MR & Co.-

All who came to our party are giants, while the two who went to the other side were just two pebbles.

JVP's accusation of concealing details of vehicles-

I am important to myself and to my family. This is why I refused to give details. I won't reveal further details

On Certain remarks made in Parliament against Anura Kumara Dissanayake which were expunged from the Hansard-

It is an accepted norm that one does not marry the relatives of one's father. But, in today's newspapers, we read of fathers sleeping with their daughters. I am not like this. My record is straight.

How Mervyn deals with LTTE supporters and violators of peace-

But, if anybody supported the LTTE or, attempts to destroy peace, I won't go to the police to lodge an entry. Instead, I will kill them with my own pistol.

Mervyn's license to kill-

To do something beneficial for society, I do not need any license. Never fear to do good. King Dutugemunu said that his efforts were not for his throne but, for the Sinhala race and Buddhism.

Mervyn's Justifications for being a descendant of Dutugemunu-

I have written proof of my lineage to Dutugemunu. My original name is Hewakoparage Mervyn. The name Silva was bestowed by the Portuguese as an honor.

Mervyn's links to abductions –

The importance of a person cannot be judged by his wealth but, should be counted by the virtue of his parents. After all, I am convinced that my mother never slept with outsiders. What runs in my veins is my parents' blood. I grew up drinking my mother's milk. But, dirty blood runs in those who are involved in abductions. I am not that type

On Mervyn's connection with underworld kingpin Lal Peiris alias 'Kudu Lal'-

Who prefixed "Kudu"? Has he been imprisoned? He is a Municipal councilor. He won the election while in England. He is a good friend of mine. I repeat that he is my good friend. So, if he is involved in 'kudu' business, the law enforcement authority should catch him and punish him. The day he is found guilty of drug peddling, I will spit on his face and abandon my friendship with him. I will not give character certificates to such elements. If the police is competent enough, let them catch him

Mervyn on his Son and his brawls –

My son wants to enjoy like others, once a week. There are nightclubs and he has a right to go and enjoy himself. If someone confronts him, he has a right to respond according to his own conscience

On Mervyn's ownership of luxury cars-

I bought this Porsche before I bought the Jaguar. In another year or so, I hope to purchase a helicopter. After this, I will even buy a jet. Why, who cares? My car, my petrol.

Mervyn and his good looks-

The only shortcoming I have is that I am a little short. I would have been more handsome than Vijaya Kumaratunga, if I were three inches taller than him

Reasons for threatening a Muslim beef seller in Kelaniya electorate-

Because, he was selling beef in that area. Kelaniya is a place where Lord Buddha visited and that place must be kept clean. Lord Buddha even bathed in the river and we cannot allow that place to be defiled. Take for instance, India, people don't slaughter cattle. So why encourage this in Kelaniya?

On objection to Tamils and Muslims taking residence in Kelaniya electorate-

No, there is no such thing. But, if a Tamil or, a Muslim planned to settle down there, he should prove his identity. Almost all the destructions have taken place because they have been allowed to come into the city, unchecked. I have made an order in my electorate that all minorities must establish their identity

Mervyn on accusation that the UPFA has given money to the LTTE to win the presidential election-

If this could be proved or if LTTE chief Prabhakaran admits this then we will ask Prabhakaran to take over the government

Solution to the North-East conflict?
Certainly, negotiations.

(For the full text of the interview - http://www.nation.lk/2007/07/08/inter1.htm )