I think both the government and the LTTE should be blamed. The LTTE has been named as a terrorist organization for their violations of human rights. They have also been banned in other countries. However, the government of Sri Lanka also continues to do similar things like the LTTE and yet the international community has taken a soft stance.
One of the reasons there has been food shortage in Jaffna is because A–9 road that connects Jaffna to rest of the country is closed. The LTTE wants it to be opened but the government has refused to open it. With the A–9 closed, there is no way to send food to Jaffna except by ship. But huge shipments of food cannot be sent that way. Transporting supplies by air is not an option because of the prohibitive cost. And even if someone wanted to take supplies by air, one have to wait for months to get clearance from the defence ministry, civil affairs ministry, etc. Even organizations like the International Committee of the Rd Cross (ICRC) and others are permitted to take limited amount of supplies. There is almost a siege in Jaffna crippling normal life. Life has come to a standstill. People are trapped in there...confined. People can neither come out nor go in. There is no freedom of movement there. It is like a virtual prison.
Q. The Government has accused Christians of supporting the LTTE. Is it true?
While not supporting the LTTE, many Christian organizations and churches and many moderate and like–minded Sinhalese groups are supporting the legitimate aspirations and cause of the minority Tamils. They have all renounced seperatism and want a federal solution. However, it has to be negotiated what is 'federal' and how much of power can be devolved. Though they all support devolution of power yet they do not support the means the LTTE is using to obtain it. The LTTE is using violence and we are all opposed to violence whether it is used by the LTTE or the government. We condemn violence of any sort. While not supporting or agreeing to the means the LTTE is using, we are supporting the legitimate aspirations of the minority Tamil community – that power should be devolved to them. We are saying that the legitimate aspirations of the people should be respected.
Q. How did the LTTE come into being? What does it want?
For decades, the Tamil minorities in Sri Lanka have been discriminated against. Their rights have not been recognized and their demands snubbed. In matters of employment, in the education sector, in nearly every field they have been overlooked and ignored. For years, they have been persecutedand harassed – chased and hounded. While many were killed in riots, thousands were rendered without shelter as their houses were destroyed.
Society
Interview with Rev. Godfrey Yogarajah, general secretary, EFA
By: Jacob Chaterjee
Tuesday, 30 January 2007, 12:02 (IST)
Copyright © 2007 Christian Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior permission.
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