Sunday Column - Government rejects LTTE's unilateral ceasefire

Cornered Tigers want a respite

The REMAINING Tigers are holed up in a small bushy area in a corner of Vellamullivaikkal. Knowing full well that they are close to being eliminated, they have declared a unilateral ceasefire to give themselves a chance to flee either to the Mullaitivu jungles or out of Sri Lanka. They are also attempting to fool the world into thinking that they are concerned for the "plight" of civilians. They are specifically trying to show off to the UN official John Holmes who is currently in Sri Lanka that the LTTE has a human side. However, they are oblivious to the fact that the whole world has been shown footage of them firing at civilians. As soon as the Tigers declared their ceasefire through their TINA outlet - Tamilnet, the Government immeadiately rejected it through an announcement made by the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse.

Current estimates put the Tiger strength at around 200 hardcore cadres and around 2,000 civilian militia, a human shield numbering about 15,000 surrounds them. However, these 15,000 civilians are willingly staying with the LTTE, the shield consists of Mahaveer families who are die-hard LTTE supporters. Mahaveer or not, these are civilians and hence the SLA is proceeding with caution into the remaining NFZ area. If we attack the NFZ without the concern for civilian casualties, the operations may come to an abrupt end due to severe international pressure, hence the current low intensity battles is just right. The Mahaveer families are misguided and brainwashed souls, they are hoping for a BJP victory in the Indian Polls. They believe a BJP led government would militarily intervene in Sri Lanka and give them Eelam, the fat and old former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister cum retired melodramatic B movie actress Jayalalitha Jayaram has made statements to this effect. The decrepit and senile current Chief Minister Karunanidhi has also made statements in support of the LTTE. Both statements are seen as vote grabbing ploys. Delhi has dismissed the statements made by these two political jokers. Delhi is keen not to see dangerous precedents set, if this continues they might have politicians making statements in support of Al Qaeda and Taleban to curry favour with sections of the Muslim voter base, moves which will upset the BPO partners and hardline Hindu nationalists.

The Indians conclude their show of face trip

India's Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan have concluded a visit to the Island. The objective of their surprise visit was shrouded in msytery and the MOD maintains a veil of secrecy around the outcomes. However, we can set minds of our readers at ease by stating that the visit was NOT intended to request the GoSL to stop ongoing operations. The Indians did request a media blackout on ongoing operations so as not to upset the vast uneducated Tamil Nadu voter base. Therefore, there have been tremendous successes in the battle front which EFT cannot reveal. Secretly, the Indians want the LTTE to perish, the Congress led Government has no sympathy with the LTTE.

To satifsy the Sri Lankan voter base, the MOD has revealed the capture of Valayarmadam and thrwating of a Sea Tiger attack, SLAF operations are getting zero publicity. There is a lot more going on! Just be patient.

EFT

Pictured is the LTTE sports leader Velalagan alias "Papa" who was shot dead by his own cadres whilst attempting to run away.