Will Mulankavil becomes the next Vanni?

(Lenin Benedict-Toronto)

Though Srilanka has few events to be remembered in the history, but May 18 marks a very important day after Independence which none of the Srilankans can ever forget.

Mullivaikal became the unforgettable place to all Srilankans and of historically a place to be remembered at all times. The famous Valvettithurai lost it fame due to the significance of Mullivaikal.

The Srilankans may be forced to remember a place called Mullankavil in near future and may once again have a chance of having an important day to be remembered. The recent decision by Government of Srilanka (GOSL) to handover a huge land at Mullankavil to create a farm to the previous Vanni Terrorist and arms smuggler cum Head of International Operations of the LTTE, Kumaran Pathmanaban alias K.P is creating a huge doubt and fear among Tamil community whether GOSL is trying to bring back the LTTE as a military and a political force in the North.

There were speculations that GOSL might promote criminal K.P as a candidate for Chief Minister. But the present political climate of the Tamil community in the North is very much against K.P and they see him only as a traitor. Especially the Tamil Diaspora is dead against K.P for his role-played in the last days of the war and by taking sides with the Srilankan Government. The Tamil Diaspora, which was living with the dream of Greater Tamil Eelam, was humiliated by its own LTTE leader and so the betrayal of K.P will not be forgiven by them. Whatever said and done, the influence of the Tamil Diaspora in making decisions for their Tamil brethrens in Srilanka cannot be ignored at least for some time until a new wave of generation, progress to takes control of the decision making process in the North. Therefore the chance of winning an election through democratic means is totally out of question. Knowing the pulse of the Tamil the GOSL is trying to find alternative methods to baptize K.P as a sole proprietor for the North. 

What was the necessity to allow the former Terrorist to control a vast area under his control?

As K.P says, he is trying to do farming with the rehabilitated LTTE cadres, what about out Government ministries and its agencies are doing? If criminals like K.P has the capability, why not our government ministries and agencies? Are we creating a Vanni again? As we already know, the Tamil Diaspora will be always ready to support for a arm struggle to create a Tamil Eelam, what was the reason to bring the rehabilitated LTTE cadres under K.P control and create farms and camps? Are we creating an atmosphere that Terrorist to take control of our vital areas in the North with the help of ruling elites?

The GOSL announced that K.P would be used to confiscate LTTE global assets and funds. But so far the GOSL has never announced the facts and figures of the funds or assets that have been brought under Government custody. Instead of bring LTTE assets under our government, now the GOSL is under the process of handing over the LTTE assets back to LTTE itself. The hand over of the administrative building of Tamil Rehabilitation Organization  (TRO) the front organization of LTTE to the North East Development Rehabilitation Organization (NEDRO) the new fund raising arm of the K.P wing of LTTE raises severe questions regarding the intentions of the GOSL. On the occasion of taking over the TRO building for his NEDRO administrative office, K.P the man promoted by GOSL said that he is trying his best to rehabilitate the children of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Eelam cause. What a noble deed? He will not rehabilitate the children in refugee camps but his priority and duty is only to rehabilitate the LTTE cadre’s children because they fought and died for Eelam. May be K.P needs more of young people for future guerilla war fare. The present LTTE cadres may not be viable for future fighting since they have lost hope after the defeat and morally down.

It seems the Government of Srilanka hasn’t realized yet from the experiences learn from the previous mistakes made by successive governments. May be we need to create a Lesson Learnt and Rectify Commission (LLRC), like the Government appointed Lesson Learnt and Rehabilitation Commission (LLRC) for the purpose of educating our ruling elites to save our country from their repeated mistakes. The Late President R.Premadasa believed in Pirapaharan support him and was betrayed. The former Prime Minister Ranil trusted Pirapaharan and made fool of himself. Almost all the rulers believed LTTE and got betrayed. It is President Mahinda’s turn now. But this time the saddest story is that the man made history in defeating Terrorism is creating Terrorism in the same soil where he defeated them.  Pirapaharan learnt his lessons at Mullivaikal. Mr. President, You will learn your lesson at Mulankavil very soon in the near future. History will not forgive you Mr. President.