Suicide Terrorism: Why Are Sri Lanka’s Women Blowing Themselves Up?
by Shenali Waduge
- Sri Lanka -
“While nothing is easier than to denounce the evildoer, nothing is more difficult than to understand him” - Mikhailovich Dostovsky
The tiny island nation of Sri Lanka has been plagued by terrorism for the past 25 years. Citing irreparable differences with the majority ethnic group, the armed militant group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelaam (LTTE) is demanding 35% of the country’s landmass and over 75% of its surrounding sea for a separate Tamil state. Constituting only 6.5% of the country’s population, over half of the country’s Tamils currently live amongst the majority Sinhalese.
It was the LTTE that reshaped conventional warfare by introducing suicide bombers – in particular, the female suicide cadre. The LTTE arguably still remains the global leader in suicide terrorism, carrying out two-thirds of the world’s suicide attacks. The real “men of steel” for the LTTE have been its female suicide bombers, who account for 40% of its suicide activities. It’s difficult to understand how a woman would choose to become a human bomb.
• Many of the LTTE's women become suicide bombers in Sri Lanka. Photograph courtesy of Women Make Movies. •
Why Suicide Terrorism?
Much study has been dedicated towards identifying and evaluating the psychological and sociological motives for suicide terrorism. The suicide unit of the LTTE calls itself the Black Tigers – of this, one-third are women who are venerated for their acts in LTTE cemeteries. With no body to bury, their granite tombstones watch over an empty grave. Before embarking on their mission, suicide cadres are given a special meal of their choice with the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabakaran and a handsome monetary benefit is given to the family of those who are successful in their suicide missions. And each year on July 5th, the Black Tigers who have given their lives to the cause are celebrated by the LTTE, with Prabakaran lighting a lantern for each.
In her book, Women Fighters of Liberation Tigers (1989), the Australian wife of LTTE theoretician, Adel Balasingham describes the decision of Tamil women who join: “they are not satisfied with the social status quo; it means they are young women capable of defying authority; it means they are women with independent thoughts; young women prepared to lift up their heads.”
But this still does not explain why a woman would need to choose death over life to assert her power.
All suicide missions are generally successful - there have only been a few cases where vigilant military and even the public have been able to identify suicide bombers before an attack. A female suicide cadre sent to assassinate the current Prime Minister of Sri Lanka was apprehended on January 5, 2000 by the police before she could carry out her mission. Having been sent from the rebel-held territory in Sri Lanka’s jungles, it was only natural that she not be aware of the fashion trends in Colombo. So after watching her for a few days, the police apprehended her and removed the suicide kit strapped to her bra, stopping her from biting the cyanide capsule that all LTTE members are compelled to wear in an amulet. She is still in prison.
Recently the Norwegian government funded the movie My Daughter the Terrorist, which explores the paths of two female Black Tigers. The film raises an important question for me - how can a government, especially one that has been acting as a peace facilitator in Sri Lanka, agree to fund a movie when suicide and suicide bombing are deplored the world over? Though there have been different interpretations of the film, the Sri Lankan embassies have objected saying it sends the wrong signals to youngsters by glorifying suicide bombers on film.
But it also makes an important point about how politicized the world has become. Though many become cadres believing that the militant outfit is giving its all for “the cause,” it’s more likely that these men and women have been brainwashed and even drugged. Throughout the world, militant groups often sedate their cadres, sometimes in their food, to ensure loyalty and obedience. This partially explains how young men and women could choose to remain in the most challenging of conditions – often in the jungles, exposed to the elements, enduring the mosquitoes, without proper nutrition or even clean sheets or towels.
Though no official statistics exists, some reports claim that there are as many as 5,000 child recruits in the LTTE, accounting for 30% of the group’s brigade. Young boys, forcefully taken by the LTTE from their mothers’ arms, grow up knowing nothing more than hero worship for their militant leader. Childhood pranks are soon replaced by shooting at government armed forces in cold blood. Young girls are also taken against their wills, forced to strip and change into tiger attire - their dreams of home replaced by rigorous, early morning training sessions, LTTE indoctrination, tasteless meals and ultimately, a suicide mission.
Is this what these women suicide cadres want from life? Is this what they really want to be remembered as? Have they simply buried their old identities, giving up the desire to have or career or a family? Or is there something more to this gruesome exploitation of women? Even the LTTE leader’s only daughter did not become a member of the elite Black Tigers, showing the obvious hypocrisy of the LTTE’s philosophy – she was sent overseas to study and has never experienced what any of these LTTE women have had to endure.
I think the LTTE is turning to women for its suicide missions because they are less conspicuous and can easily blend into a crowd. Men are prone to greater scrutiny and their movements watched. Similarly, the LTTE targets children as they are able to move quickly in the country’s thick jungles and easily escape detection.
The LTTE would have us believe that these women are prepared for their “cause,” but we really do not know what goes on in their minds – none of the journalists I know have ever been able to question these women before their deaths. But a lot can be gleaned from the suicide cadre who was apprehended before carrying out her mission. Today she begs for clemency, begs to be given a new lease on life and asks to be pardoned. She is cooperating with the authorities, helping them obtain vital information about LTTE hideouts and operations. She is also undergoing psychiatric treatment in the course of her rehabilitation and hopefully someday, will lead a peaceful life.
Though we may never really understand what makes these terrorists tick, we do know that the leaders of these groups have brainwashed their followers into carrying out tragedies that serve only their personal desire to achieve power outside of the democratic framework that is accepted by the rest of us. Politicized and polarized, they are hidden in Sri Lanka’s jungles, waiting to use their bodies as human shields and bombs for a leader who will stop at nothing to secure a separate state.
About the Author
Shenali Waduge is a working mother of two from Sri Lanka. She received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Delhi in India. She has lived abroad in both the UK and India and derives great joy from learning about other cultures. Shenali’s journalism is an outlet to express her desire to see a more fair and just society. A voice for truth, she covers politics, social change, culture, women’s issues and education. Shenali regularly contributes to the Asian Tribune and Lankaweb.
Shenali is also an artist and volunteers her time to programs that help the needy in Sri Lanka. Her dream is to see a world without armaments, without strife and with the freedom for all to experience world cultures.
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Comments (15)
It is sad to note that Shenali Waduge's writing about women suicide bombers is immature and lop sided. Whilst its clear that she has not done proper research into the matter and most of her statements are based on hearsays and her own thinking. Her long article does not reveal any analitical findings or show any signs of research. I am compelled to add her to a list of irresponsible journalists from a community that does not share a common will to over come decades of descrimination by a system which is not in the interest of a united Sri Lanka.
First and foremost Shenali (if I may address her this way)must put herself in a nutral position irrespective of what community she belongs to if she genuinly intends contributing as a true journalist. A journalist canot allow feelings to infuence self. She often uses the term 'us' not realising that the reader can judge her. She is obviously ignorent of the fact that she is telling the reader she belongs to the 'good' side of the communities in question.
Obviously she is biased.
This is an era where not only LTTE terrorising the nation. There is also the state terrorism which uses its enire power against a community to which they dont belong to. What do you expect the child soldiers or what ever they may be, to do when they are trained for other than to 'shoot at government armed soldiers in cold blood'. Here, you are failing to stick to the point of your core subject 'Women suicide bomber'
Shenali has not made an effort to go to the depths of what could be driving these women to commit to such a gruesome act by voluntering to becoming live bombs rather than just say what everybody says, 'Brain washed'.
These are surely the women who saw their sons, husbands, brothers, fathers being indiscriminately killed, saw their daughters, sisters, mothers get raped before their own eyes and got raped themselves, wached helplessly their pocessions being looted. These are surely the women driven by feelings of revenge towards the state sponsored attrocities plagued over them over decades. They have nothing left to loose. These acts were and are being commited by the special armed forces personal with the blessings of the government authorities as a stratergy. There is no need for 'brain wash' Its mere revenge. They do have a cause. It is not at all 'difficult to understand how a woman could choose to become a human bomb'
There is all the possibility that the apprehended 'would have been suicide bomber' has said so much under duress.
By the way Shenali, you have terribly missunderstood Adel Balasingham's book and 'My daughter the terrorist'.
Shenali also has no knowledge as to who the inventors of the suicide bomb are. The Japanese first used it to distroy American ships by paragliding into the ship's funnels at the pearl habour and the LTTE thought it came handy.
Please do not lable me as a LTTE sympathiser. My dream too is a world without armament and most of all a united and proporous Sri Lanka.
We all live in a brain washed state with the state media properganda controlling everything. It is upto an individual to choose to be brain washed or wake up to reality, learn to think, write independently. Journalists are supposed to be of above average mentality. Journalism is, not writing from the comfort of your home. Journalism is, not taking things for granted but going on missions of fact finding.
Finally journalism in Sri Lanka today should be, to write to heal the woonds of hatred.
May God Bless Sri Lanka.
Posted by roverover | September 23, 2008 3:02 AM
Shenali, I want to thank you for this article. I appreciate very much learning about the situation, about the book by Adel Balasingham, and the Norvegian film. I appreciate your willingness to address this painful subject and to raise the questions that you do. All of us in the world must continue to seek solutions that empower people to choose life not death.
Posted by Nancy Vining Van Ness | September 23, 2008 9:16 AM
An article was posted today in the byline portal about female suicide bombers in Gaza. Here are some quotes of 18 year old Umm Anas, suicide bomber.
"This is a gift from God" she told the BBC reporter.
"We were created to become martyrs for God," she continued, her eyes burning behind the full face veil.
"All the Palestinian people were created to fight in God's name. If we just throw stones at the Jews they get scared. Imagine what happens when body parts fly at them."
Her main motivation in becoming a suicide bomber appears to be religious rather than nationalistic - the fulfilment of a long-held ambition, reported the BBC.
"When my husband married me, he knew my way of thinking. He knew exactly who I am and based on this he decided to marry me. Marriage doesn't give me a second's doubt."
Her parents, brothers and sisters do not know her plans to become a martyr.
"Martyrs - male or female - have to work in secret. No one can know about it. We have to be careful not to give our parents any sign of what we are about to do.
"Sometimes, maybe, they can tell and see on your face the signs of martyrdom. They are suspicious but they don't know for certain."
To hear of young women meeting the crises they are facing in their countries with violence is beyond my comprehension but it is real and we must talk in forums like this about what can be done.
Posted by Kate Daniels | October 13, 2008 2:39 PM
I have to admit to only having read the first paragraph of this article.
The writer concludes her first paragraph by noting: “Constituting only 6.5% of the country’s population, over half of the country’s Tamils currently live amongst the majority Sinhalese.”
This is factually incorrect. I have cross-checked the numbers with population data published by the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka.
Tamils constitute significantly more than 6.5% of the island's population and “over half” do not live outside the disputed region of Tamileelam.
Unfortunately, the first paragraph has set the tone for a patrician “analysis” of the situation in Sri Lanka, weaved with all forms of misconceptions and backed up with imaginary evidence.
While I appreciate that what remained of the article may be of value, the credibility of the entire work, and the writer, is lost in the first paragraph.
In the future, please take care not to make bold untrue statements.
Posted by peterratna | October 14, 2008 1:58 PM
peterratna - Thank you for your comment and perspective. Fact-checking is an integral part of our editorial process and something that we value highly.
All of The WIP's featured articles are fact-checked, but in some instances, when reliable statistics are difficult to obtain, are outdated, or in the event that our contributor has access to local governments/agencies that are more able to accurately provide facts and figures, we defer to our contributor's sources. In this instance, when our fact-checker found differing statistics that were actually far lower than those reported by her, Shenali informed us that she obtained the population statistics from Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry.
I'm sure we'll hear from Shenali on this issue as well.
Sarah McGowan, Features & Photo Editor
Posted by Sarah Mac | October 15, 2008 10:42 AM
Thank you for commenting on the above - favorable or otherwise, it is the right that everyone has to express oneself.
I dont think anyone can compare suicide terrorists in the Islam dominated countries & Sri Lanka because of cultural differences.
Most of these suicide cadres have never lived in areas where Sinhalese are - how can they then hate the Sinhalese so much? They hate because they are made to hate, brainwashed into hating & drugged into maintaining that hate. Is it not so? They come or are sent on the "mission" to kill & they are like robots - the mobile phone has been a great facilitator for their target - the latest suicide mission, a girl was waiting near the shrubs with phone in hand until her informant gave the red light to jump infront of the ministerial convoy.
I cannot understand how anyone can blow up their bodies like this.
If anyone wishes to learn about our country i am very open for comment even criticism.
Posted by Shenali | October 17, 2008 12:19 AM
“How can they then hate the Singhalese so much?” You as a Journalist Shenali, should have researched this and had an answer for us readers. You don’t seem to know. Any problem has a route cause and it is best to find that route cause even in the issue of the Ethnic problem in Sri Lanka. I don’t understand if you are beating about the bush or just being childish. You don’t seem to understand why there is hatred among the communities in question when the hatred is cultivated on a daily basis by the Singhalese regime using the controlled media. Some irresponsible journalists only keep adding fuel to the current situation.
This ethnic hatred was cultivated ever since the requirement was created to identify one along his or her ethnic lines. From documentation of a birth certificate to every thing else that is required to get on with life. Added to the plight of Tamils was the introduction of the National Identity card in the sixties which is sometimes pretty much like carrying a death warrant when confronted by the security authorities. This NID says it all. Shenali you will never know these facts because you don’t carry a Tamil identity card. It is the Singhalese governments and the media who are wanting the world to see the separatist Tigers and the Tamils as one thing. The term ‘Tamil Tigers’ is used so much so often that the Tamil people have become so helpless. The Singhalese population on the other hand have no option but to look at even their life time Tamil friend or their Tamil neighbor with suspision. They are victimized where ever they go. Be it the police station, the local authorities or any other government department, their National identity card carried by them often turns un favorable to them. If Shenali could only disguise her self as a Tamil citizen and go about doing things she will definitely get educated.
Amongst thousands of such incidents here is a slightly different one which cultivates hatred in little children’s minds. There was this little grade four Tamil girl who was attending and getting educated in the Singhalese medium and doing well in her academics with plenty of Singhalese friends around her, when one day in class the teacher had asked all Tamil children to stand up, (why this teacher had done so is a different issue) and eventually realized that she herself was the only girl standing up amongst all the Singhalese children. I know personally how this girl’s care free world fell apart because she happens to be none other than my niece. In our times we as children were not aware if we were Singhalese or Tamils and I don’t think it really mattered. But the damage being done today by the Singhalese governments and the irresponsible media is irreparable. Hatred cultivation is even on children’s television programmes. Whilst only the demonisation of the Tamils is continuing in a very systematic way the government and the military is making no effort to win the hearts of the Tamils which un doubtably should be the first step towards any effort in isolating a separatist movement. Instead, by the oppression and harassment, the Tamil population is pushed towards seeking refuge inside an umbrella of such separatist movements. Yes, while spending Billions of tax payer’s money (please remember that Tamils are tax payers too) to defeat terrorism they are also breeding terrorism by their short sighted foolish methods. You keep maintaining that over 50% of Tamil population still live amongst the majority Singhalese. True, but you are forgetting to mention more about the so called mob riots in the eighties and many more such they face occasionally as ‘tit for tat’ action for what is being done by the Tigers in the north and north Eastern areas. You are also forgetting to mention about the Tamils that were killed cold blooded, burnt alive whilst some mobs had fun pushing them from building tops and looted and burnt their properties in broad day light before the very eyes of the police and the army. These atrocities were not carried out by the ordinary Singhalese citizen (the ordinary Tamil knows it and that is why they still live among the Singhalese) but organized, carried out and supervised by the state in an effort to wipe out Tamils from these areas. Me and my family being a first hand witness to most of these so called riots were fortunately spared thanks to our Singhalese friends and neighbors. Our parents told us stories of similar incidents in the past. And still Shenali, you call it mob riots. Whilst rest of the world was made to understand this was civil war. Like to look up the dictionary for the definition ‘civil war’?
It is the Extreme Singhalese and their blood thirsty military (yah! it is a Singhalese military and not a Sri Lankan military) backed by the foolish politicians that breed terrorists and suicide bombers and they don’t need to be brain washed at all.
Having said all the above Journalists like yoursef should know that it is still not too late, salvaging from the broken peace because there is really no ethnic hatred amongst communities but a sense of doubt. There is no Civil war in Sri Lanka as some people claim to have, for their own petty advantages. The ordinary Tamil and the Singhalese don’t look to kill each other. Inter marriages are still taking place. So the responsible Journalists should pick their interpretations carefully not to cause damage to a salvageable peace. You should stop writing as a ‘Singhalese Journalist’ and setoff on investigative Journalism. Celebrating your daughter’s birthday at an orphanage though a good thing is not good enough, to set examples to the younger generation.
In neutral journalism there cannot be ‘us’ and ‘them’. You have to be like a cricket commentator. Other wise you are biased. You have to be careful specially when you mention things like “the children sang in our own language, Singhalese” because as a writer you are addressing a multi communal issue.
Let us leave the rebels and our military to do the war fare whilst doing our best to wipe out germs of hatred in communities in question which would eventually eradicate terrorism. You journalists can do so much towards this.
I will criticize when I have to but also want to be optimistic about any genuine effort put in by any personal, belonging to any community and hope such forums will turn into healthy arguments for the sake of peace in our country.
Posted by roverover | October 22, 2008 9:25 PM
Sarah, thank you for your assurance that the article was peer reviewed prior to publication. Twenty days have passed since my comment and still there is no reply from the author.
I had reservations about the statement: “Constituting only 6.5% of the country’s population, over half of the country’s Tamils currently live amongst the majority Sinhalese.”
Sri Lanka's Department of Census and Statistics has a website at http://www.statistics.gov.lk/
There are 25 districts in Sri Lanka. Of them, nine are disputed as “Tamileelam”.
The author appears to have had included the nine districts to arrive at “demanding 35% of the country’s landmass and over 75% of its surrounding sea for a separate Tamil state.” Having checked the district level landmass data (http://www.statoids.com/ulk.html) I can confirm that the demand is actually for 30% of total landmass.
The last major census in Sri Lanka was carried out in 2001. Population by district and ethnic group can be found here: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/PDF/Population/p9p8%20Ethnicity.pdf
Unfortunately, only two of the nine disputed districts were included in the above mentioned census. Even so, the numbers are given as 575, 289 Tamils live in the 16 districts outside of the disputed region, while 157, 206 Tamils live in the two included districts: Amparai and Puttlam.
Population statistics were collected from three of the remaining seven districts in 2007. This data can be found here: http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/index.asp
These documents show that 1, 036, 635 Tamils live in the three districts of Jaffna, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee.
Hence, Sri Lankan government statistics show that a total of 1, 193, 895 Tamils live in five of the nine disputed districts. Therefore, the author's statement is factually incorrect even when four of the nine disputed districts are totally ignored.
I would welcome any clarification from the author.
Posted by peterratna | November 3, 2008 2:08 PM
I request Shenali to respond to my comments in the name of a peaceful future for all of us. Please correct me where I am wrong. I hope more Sri Lankans will join in too.
Posted by roverover | November 5, 2008 10:13 PM
peterratna:
I am sorry I was unable to reply this earlier.
Of a total population of 20million people the Tamils constitute 12% making them 2.4million in total.
Of this number 800,000 live in foreign climes leaving only 1.6million. It is believed that half of this 1.6million live outside of the North & East & amongst the Sinhalese. Which leaves 800,000 distributed between the North & East of Sri Lanka.
I am really happy you looked up many sites for statistics – actually these are only estimated figures. No proper consensus has been taken unfortunately & the LTTE has strictly forbidden statistics to be taken in the North. I hope the Eastern province will soon conduct a proper consensus to determine how many Tamils, Muslims & Sinhalese live in the East – we may then be surprised that the projected numbers in the North may well be far lower than we all expected. But I too would really like to know the real statistics because I am not accepting the figures of the IDPs more so on the LTTE-NGOs links that have emerged. There are INGO vacancies even hosted on LTTE websites. Norwegian People’s Aid has even left their heavy vehicles that the LTTE used to dig up bunkers & trenches over a period of time. There are many other examples even sexual exploitation by some NGOs of Tamil women but that is a chapter altogether different & needs to be discussed at length.
Until last year the LTTE had control of the North & East (here too parts of these areas were under military rule but not totally) the LTTE commander Karuna broke away from the LTTE which was a big determinant in helping the army to eventually force the LTTE to leave the East. Thereafter elections were held & a Chief Minister appointed & now a police DIG also appointed reporting to the Chief Minister. Is this not an example of military use later turned into democratic rule?
In the predominantly Sinhalese areas that the Tamils reside – the Tamils are not denied anything – they own property, their children go to schools (private, international & public) they run businesses & most are better off than the Sinhalese.
The 30% & 78% figures quoted was when the LTTE was demnadign the entire North & East for their separate land. That has been now nullified with the Supreme Court demerging the North & East & the East being liberated by the army. Now the LTTE is holding parts of an area called the Wanni & Mullaitivu – dense forests where the LTTE leader is said to be hiding. The Northern capital Jaffna is under army control & the people are happy there.
I do earnestly believe there is no ethnic problem for the 800,000 or so Tamils living presently amongst the Sinhalese have not made any move to go & live with the LTTE in fact the Tamil people in the LTTE areas are fleeing their control daily.
If there is any discrimination by the Sinhalese instead of just saying discrimination I would like the Tamil representatives to place them down – let the world know what they are instead of vaguely stating discriminating. Point them out – that is not done because many have made good by using these vague slogans.
The LTTE collects USD200million annually as profit & their running cost is USD8million what is happening to the rest & where does this money go to?
I hope that consensus is done & we can determine for sure how many Tamils actually live in the North / the East & throughout all the districts. As of now these are only estimated figures.
Posted by Shenali | November 7, 2008 7:11 AM
roverover:
The dynamics of conflicts are not as simple as we like to make it out to be. Immersed in the problem of Sri Lanka is something much more complicated than the battle of the supposed hate between Sinhalese & Tamils. In essence it is actually not so.
The Tamils as a race follows the caste – the caste system is a very dominant issue for them. Those who live in the North of Sri Lanka (those belonging to the high caste) look down upon those of lower castes even more on those who are non-Hindu. The Tamils of the East are looked down more by the Northern Tamils. Thus one of the main reasons for the LTTE to break up & its Eastern Commander known as Karuna to leave the LTTE & eventually LTTE lost the entire area to the armed forces last year. Many of the LTTE in the early 80s were young men & women who came together mostly as a result of deprivations within their Tamil society - & most of these youth were non-Hindus. Using the caste problem a group cannot internationalise themselves unless they include an “ethnic” element & that is what the LTTE did. It all started by killing Tamil public servants saying that they were unpatriotic to their cause. The LTTE’s first assassination was the Mayor of Jaffna – Alfred Durraiappah.
To your question “why do they hate the Sinhalese” – you see the Tamils don’t hate the Sinhalese. Why did the White Americans treat the blacks as slaves, denied them even a seat on a bus, water from a fountain, education – is there a single answer you can provide? What really happened in Rwanda & why, why does the US aerial bomb Afghanistan & kill children & simply apologize, is what happened in Kosovo really what the Americans want us to believe?
I am firmly committed to the notion that there is no ethnic problem in Sri Lanka. There are only 3 instances of attacks (1958, 1977 & 1983) & all three attacks have not had more than 1500 deaths in total – is this the genocide that takes place in parts of the world where genocide actually goes into thousands – US sanctions, US bombing has killed 1 million Iraqi – would you call this genocide?
Whether people like it or not the truth is that there are 2.4million Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Of this number 800,000 are in foreign countries which leaves 1.6million. Half of this number live outside the North & East of Sri Lanka & amongst the Sinhalese which barely leaves 800,000 in the North & East of Sri Lanka. If there were discrimination & ethnic rivalries of any kind would not the 800,000 living amongst the Sinhalese scamper to go reside with the LTTE in the North of Sri Lanka? Instead, the Tamil people are trying to flee & run away from LTTE controlled areas. If you were living in Sri Lanka & in Colombo you will see that the Tamils are economically prospering more than the Sinhalese who are 74% of the population. Once again I would like to reiterate that there is no disharmony amongst the races because whether it is in the public sector or the private sector we all get about our work & there is none of the oft promoted violence. If you can send me examples if you disagree then we can discuss this further at length.
Many enjoy saying there is discrimination – my answer is, give them in writing, point them out one by one. Even the Sinahalese & Muslims will have much to write. There is no country on this planet where the people do not have some sort of problem, but can Govts solve all of them – let us be a little more practical.
All Sri Lankans have a National Identity Card – it gives the name of the person, his address, a photo of the person, date of birth, profession & gender.
The LTTE name is thus – Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelaam, that is why they are called Tamil Tigers, it is not anything coined by the Govt.
Can you please give examples of these victimizations instead of vaguely stating so. Are the Sri Lankan prisons not housing any Sinhalese, are there no court cases against the Sinhalese, do the Sinhalese live like Kings? this does not happen & it is very wrong to infer so.
I live in a vicinity where there is 99% Tamil residence – I have no problem whatsoever, we all live very harmoniously, we share our different festivities, we exchange food & even at a loss of a dear one, all the neighbors come & help out in whatever way. This is the harmony that exists in many other places also.
There are many who enjoy creating this scenario of unrest – the media can sell their papers, air time, get sponsorships etc, the NGOs/INGOs will have plenty of funds flowing in, will get more risk insurance, will get to travel around – please come & see what a luxurious life some of these NGOs enjoy in Sri Lanka.
Can you also look & see how many children, pregnant women the LTTE have cut to death & then sympathize with these Sinhalese familes too.
If anyone has done any wrong – I believe they should be punished – that is without a doubt whatever ethnicity they belong to. I am all for that & I do believe that a few undesirable figures are tarnishing the image of the Sinhalese as well as that of the Tamils for their selfserving ends.
A poll conducted in the East following the liberation by the armed forces found out that the Tamil people there did not want a separate homeland, they didn’t even want devolution of powers – all they wanted were better roads, better infrastructure & better educational facilities. This is what all the masses actually want – it is what I think that all successive Governments have denied us & I too question this. It does not take much to put up a road, build a school & provide good infrastructure – it is a will that is needed.
I do maintain that it was mob riots but the Govt of the day was responsible for it. However, you will be surprised to learn that the mobs were made up of Sinhalese, Muslims & even Tamils – gangsters who were only too ready to make a day for themselves in the turmoil. If you recall the Texas hurricane the US Govt had to impose a curfew because the houses were being looted – ours is a third world nation, but the US is a developed one & for looting to occur if was rather a surprise to me especially to have curfew imposed.
I am not a Sinhalese – I am a Sri Lankan & I will not stoop to the level of calling names, because I am very confident that the Tamils & the Sinhalese can live happily as they did without the LTTE presence. The LTTE was turned from an insurgent into a terrorist group by the Indians to realize their objective of destabilizing Sri Lanka. Once internationalized the LTTE is now making over USD200million annually (Jane’s Intelligence) & it is believed that their running cost is merely USD8million. What are the LTTE doing with the rest of the USD192million – paying bribes to all those who enjoy portraying the Sinhalese as discriminating the Tamils.
If the US says that the military can defeat Al Qaeda & Taliban why is it difficult when the Sri Lankan Government says it can destroy the Tigers in Sri Lanka.
The East was cleared of LTTE, elections held & a Chief Minister appointed – even a new police DIG has been appointed to report directly to the Chief Minister. Vast development projects have been also set up – even the UN has commended the Govt on same. If the Government used the military to rid the LTTE from the east & established democratic rule – why is it so difficult for people to accept that the Govt would do the same in the North. Please remember that the LTTE only holds control of small parts of the North & even its capital Jaffna is in Govt control & when the LTTE attacked ships carrying food for the Tamil people, all the shops in Jaffna closed to show their anger at the LTTE. LTTE’s days are numbered & those supporting this terrorist group may have to look elsewhere to continue their income flows. An LTTE that kills Tamils & anyone else coming in their way, an LTTE banned in 32 countries & wanted by Interpol – can it ever be the representative of the Tamil people. Let this farce finally conclude.
Posted by Shenali | November 7, 2008 7:21 AM
Shenali,
Thank you for taking the effort to reply to me comment, but I am afraid that you have, once again, departed on a tangent by resorting to baseless statements.
Let us stick to the facts so that whatever we write contributes towards conflict resolution based on “truth finding”. The other option is to fiddle with phoney numbers, as you appear to want to do; this will only add to “scaremongering”, which only polarises communities even more.
When writing about Sri Lanka's landmass you may want to refer to http://www.statoids.com/ulk.html
There are 25 districts in Sri Lanka. Of them, nine are disputed as “Tamileelam”. Your argument on areas “controlled” by LTTE is irrelevant in this case.
The total land mass of the nine districts is 30% of the entire island. Therefore your claim “LTTE is demanding 35% of the country’s landmass” is factually incorrect.
In my previous comment I gave links to Sri Lanka's Department of Census and Statistics. Unfortunately, you have decided to dismiss the census data from 2001 and 2007 as “estimated figures”. May I suggest that you actually read the census documents in order to familiarise yourself with the methodology which shows that the numbers are not estimated.
You initially claimed: “Constituting only 6.5% of the country’s population, over half of the country’s Tamils currently live amongst the majority Sinhalese.”
You justification, as per comment: “Of a total population of 20million people the Tamils constitute 12% making them 2.4million in total.
“Of this number 800,000 live in foreign climes leaving only 1.6million. It is believed that half of this 1.6million live outside of the North & East & amongst the Sinhalese. Which leaves 800,000 distributed between the North & East of Sri Lanka.”
Both claims are founded on hearsay rather than actual research; consequently, even your initial claim and follow up justification are contradictory. To begin with, 1.6 million is not 6.5% of 20 million.
As per Sri Lankan government figures, 575, 289 Tamils live in the 16 districts outside of the disputed region. I think this number holds more water than your “believed” number.
Again, government figures show that 1, 193, 895 Tamils live in five of the nine disputed districts. Four districts are affected by the conflict; enumerators have not had access to them. These numbers are more reliable than the elementary argument made in your comment.
Given that the population data given in the first paragraph of your article is contradictory to data published by the government, I am afraid that the WIP editors would have to consider withdrawing the paragraph if they would like to maintain the reliability of the website.
Shanali, I will appreciate any references to government or reputable non-governmental organisation documents that actually support the numbers given by you.
Posted by peterratna | November 8, 2008 3:55 AM
I do not propose to change your stand if that is to side with a terrorist group.
The LTTE did hold a large area of territory but in this present context they are only holding a part of Mullaitivu, a part of Kilinochchi - all those areas they demanded as their eelaam whether it was 30% or 35% of landmass has now being officially nullified (following the Supreme Court decision & demerger of the North & East) & the army's abiilty to recapture territory that LTTE ruled through the gun.
While many enjoy speaking on behalf of the LTTE they forget how much the Tamil civilians who have had no escape from the LTTE are suffering. Have any of the Tamil parliamentarians ever demanded the LTTE to release these people? - NO.
The army has in a clearing up operation discovered an 18 year old female LTTE cadre wounded in her stomach & bleeding, she had a cyanide capsule but she did not take it nor did she take her life because she wanted to live. She has been saved & transported to a hospital by the army - this shows a vast difference in how the Sri Lankan army treats even the enemy.
As a developing nation, i agree there are many improvements & the Govt consensus has not occured for many many years therefore whether it is NGOs reports all are questionable. That is the truth of the matter. When the LTTE does not allow anyone to come into their areas - how can even NGOs report the truth.
I dont know whether you live in Sri Lanka but if you did you would be able to see the farce against the truth. there is no ethnic problem in Sri Lanka people do not resort to the violence that many love to promote. The LTTE has turned themselves into a terror group interested only in killing & making money. If they really wanted to solve any problems why did they walk out of peace talks each time they were held. why do they kill Tamils if they represent the Tamil people?
Once the army regains control of the whole of Sri Lanka we can see how factual all these statistics really are - until such time when a proper consensus is carried out all remain estimated figures. Please call the Govt. Statistics dept & they too would tell you that these are estimated figures.
Posted by Shenali | November 9, 2008 9:37 PM
Dear WIP moderator,
I would be grateful if you could review the past few comments to this article and consider editing accordingly as the credibility of the writer appears to be questionable.
Dear Shenali,
Do you accept that the statements “LTTE is demanding 35% of the country’s landmass … for a separate Tamil state,” and “constituting only 6.5% of the country’s population, over half of the country’s Tamils currently live amongst the majority Sinhalese,” are factually incorrect?
As stated in my first comment, I have only read the first paragraph of your article.
My concern is that your statements do not tally with official data provided by the government of Sri Lanka.
Facts should remain facts: phony figures only add to the fear psychosis that has long prevented a peaceful solution to the ethnic conflict.
In two responses, you have been unable to cite any credible documents to reinforce your statements. On the other hand, I have given links to documents published by the Department of Census and Statistics to demonstrate otherwise.
I understand that you have strong opinions on Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). However, opinions should not mar facts, especially when writing on a public forum, in such a way, that they become a hindrance to conflict resolution.
Posted by peterratna | November 10, 2008 4:29 AM
The LTTE is a terrorist organization as such it has no legal right to any territory in a sovereign nation. They may have demanded 30%, 35% or even more & may have controlled that amount at some point in time by means of the gun - however, even if they did control these areas = the areas DO NOT BELONG TO THEM. The land mass & coastal stretch that falls within the jurisdiction of Sovereign Sri Lanka belongs to Sri Lanka & not the LTTE. Therefore, no one can measure what the LTTE wants or what the LTTE held & even if they did it is not legally binding at all. The fact remains that Sri Lanka's territory belongs to Sri Lankans & not the LTTE.
Once again, in a country that has over 25 years of conflict very little data can be realistic even those of the Govt - that is why I continue to emphasize that most of these data are questionable especially those of NGOs - numbering 3000.
May be we can continue this debate once the LTTE is faced with the reality that they need to give up their armed struggle & the Govt can realistically carry out a proper consensus in an environment of peace.
Posted by Shenali | November 10, 2008 9:42 PM