Welikande attack raises questions on Colombo's bona fides- paper

[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 June 2005, 05:36 GMT]
Pointing out the Welikanda attack on the LTTE convoy in the presence of SLMM members as a qualitative change for the worse in the shadow war in the East, Eelanaatham, the popular daily published in Vanni, said in its editorial Wednesday that the attack has shattered hopes of peace after the signing of the aid deal and has further endangered the survival of the fragile Cease Fire Agreement.

Excerpts from the editorial follow:

"Amidst rising expectations after the signing of aid deal by the Govenrment of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers, the attack in Welikanda on the LTTE convoy escorted by Sri Lanka Security forces Sunday has shattered hopes of peace in the minds of Tamil people.

"It is clear that Sri Lanka Security forces have been engaged in a shadow war against the Liberation Tigers in the East. Sri Lanka Army Intelligence has used Tamil paramilitaries in conducting this war.The shadow war has endangered the climate of peace and further strained the fragile CFA. Sri Lanka Government's lack of committment to the CFA and the limited powers of the SLMM are the major impediments to expose the perpetrators behind the war and to end this war.

"Attack in Welikande has changed the qualitative character of the shadow war. Whereas in the past the shadow war was conducted by the Security Forces in secluded areas away from the presence of the members of SLMM, the Welikande attack was audaciously carried out in front of members of SLMM. With this attack Sri Lanka Government has sent a clear signal that it does not take the work of the Monitors seriously and it does not care for the lives of the members of the SLMM.

"Head of LTTE Political Wing, SP Thamilchelvan pointed out in his letter to the SLMM that this attack could not have happened without the collaboration of the security forces. The attack raises questions on the future safety of LTTE cadres while they travel with SLMM escort to fulfill urgent operational needs to maintain the ceasefire and peace.

"CFA is increasingly facing formidable challenges . Only those who do not understand the mindset of the Sinhala ruling class will refuse to believe that this potentially dangerous situation was created by a well planned strategy by the Government of Sri Lanka."