In the latter part of the colonial era, Sri Lanka never had a full scale people’s struggle for independence and the year 1948 marked the nominal completion of transition of colonial powers into the hands of their Sri Lankan agents. Since then government and people were two distinct and isolated entities, the politicians used to come in front of the people during the election periods and then its people’s turn to criticize the elected government until the next election. The politicians were having their own agenda while people were engaged in their own affaires and looking after their family well fair. It is in this backdrop that one of the old foxy politician shamelessly stated that ‘one should look after his own self defense’.
Winning war
After twenty five years of confrontation, the Sri Lankan arm forces are now at the edge of the victory in fight against LTTE terrorism. This war was once branded as ‘miserable war’ and ‘war that can never be won’ by incompetent politicians. However, in the last year the security forces have proved the nation that they are very much capable of defeating the terrorists in the battle field given the clear political and military leadership. They have done this with minimum of fuss in the south. Other than some minor economic hardship, the people in the south never feel the burden of the war in the recent past.
However, when the terrorists have come to their last stage where they are no longer capable of facing the professional and discipline arm forces of the government, they have start unleashing the terror on the common people. The terrorists have been targeting military leadership, political leadership and the common people to terrorize each of these segments in order to identify the weak link in the society.
The military leadership has time and again proved that they are well capable of handling the terrorists in the battle field. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has personally communicated the self appointed supremo V. Piripaharan that LTTE were challenged by his political leadership and arm forces are carrying the orders of him to eliminate terrorism and therefore there is no point targeting common civilians in cowardly attacks.
Time to rectify the mistakes in the history
In 1948, it was evident that the common people of the country played passive role in winning the independence and the result was bargained independence into the hand of compradors of colonial masters and still Sri Lankan nation is paying heavy prize for that. This is a good time for the entire Sri Lankan nation to rectify the past mistake and actively involve with military and the government to eradicate terrorism which has been spread like a cancer in our society for over two decades.
Individuals Vs Nation
If the citizen of Sri Lanka has been extra vigilant, most of the recent bomb blasts could have been easily prevented. Since open economy was introduced in 1977, the people has been too busy running a big race competing each other. The result was a society of selfish individuals rather than a nation with a broad vision. We have been failed in this individual competition and this is the time to bit slow down the selfish race and rather unite as a nation to help the government and the security forces to end this war in winning note.
This is not the time to dig a hole and hide in fear of terrorists but face the challenge of this coward gang in a collective effort. You can do simple things like being extra cautious about your neighbors, be vigilant while traveling in public transports etc. It is not the driver or conductors work but obligation of all of us to be self disciplined and help reducing the fear psychosis in the society. In this critical period, you may reduce carrying extra baggage when using public transport and you should keep your belongings with your possession rather than packing those in racks. We should demand our security as a collective effort and safe guard the future of the nation rather than let it as an obligation of the government and the security personals. In 1948, the people played rather passive role in winning the independence and we are still paying the political price for that. This is good time to rectify past mistakes and rise as a nation.
Winning war
After twenty five years of confrontation, the Sri Lankan arm forces are now at the edge of the victory in fight against LTTE terrorism. This war was once branded as ‘miserable war’ and ‘war that can never be won’ by incompetent politicians. However, in the last year the security forces have proved the nation that they are very much capable of defeating the terrorists in the battle field given the clear political and military leadership. They have done this with minimum of fuss in the south. Other than some minor economic hardship, the people in the south never feel the burden of the war in the recent past.
However, when the terrorists have come to their last stage where they are no longer capable of facing the professional and discipline arm forces of the government, they have start unleashing the terror on the common people. The terrorists have been targeting military leadership, political leadership and the common people to terrorize each of these segments in order to identify the weak link in the society.
The military leadership has time and again proved that they are well capable of handling the terrorists in the battle field. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has personally communicated the self appointed supremo V. Piripaharan that LTTE were challenged by his political leadership and arm forces are carrying the orders of him to eliminate terrorism and therefore there is no point targeting common civilians in cowardly attacks.
Time to rectify the mistakes in the history
In 1948, it was evident that the common people of the country played passive role in winning the independence and the result was bargained independence into the hand of compradors of colonial masters and still Sri Lankan nation is paying heavy prize for that. This is a good time for the entire Sri Lankan nation to rectify the past mistake and actively involve with military and the government to eradicate terrorism which has been spread like a cancer in our society for over two decades.
Individuals Vs Nation
If the citizen of Sri Lanka has been extra vigilant, most of the recent bomb blasts could have been easily prevented. Since open economy was introduced in 1977, the people has been too busy running a big race competing each other. The result was a society of selfish individuals rather than a nation with a broad vision. We have been failed in this individual competition and this is the time to bit slow down the selfish race and rather unite as a nation to help the government and the security forces to end this war in winning note.
This is not the time to dig a hole and hide in fear of terrorists but face the challenge of this coward gang in a collective effort. You can do simple things like being extra cautious about your neighbors, be vigilant while traveling in public transports etc. It is not the driver or conductors work but obligation of all of us to be self disciplined and help reducing the fear psychosis in the society. In this critical period, you may reduce carrying extra baggage when using public transport and you should keep your belongings with your possession rather than packing those in racks. We should demand our security as a collective effort and safe guard the future of the nation rather than let it as an obligation of the government and the security personals. In 1948, the people played rather passive role in winning the independence and we are still paying the political price for that. This is good time to rectify past mistakes and rise as a nation.
