Prabhakaran – the Zorro

Click HereTruthDive » Prabhakaran – the Zorro
Prabhakaran – the ZorroYou either hate him or love him. That is his personality. Whatever the world thinks about Prabakaran – the people who he represented have no qualms and are not willing to submit to the opinions of the rest of the world. Why should they? It’s been one year since the war was declared over, and [...]

By Kandhan
Gill asks players to make optimum use of available facilities to deliver the best» Fertilizer chemicals harm reproductive functions of water organismsBrowse in Opinion Sri Lanka
« Glenn Beck rally draws a line between Black and White» Barack Obama – neither a Muslim nor a Christian?You either hate him or love him. That is his personality. Whatever the world thinks about Prabakaran – the people who he represented have no qualms and are not willing to submit to the opinions of the rest of the world. Why should they? It’s been one year since the war was declared over, and do any of you feel better at what is happening in Sri Lanka? So many big names from across the world are silent on the ongoing atrocities and land grabbing in the Tamil areas of this nation. A large population still behind bars. There has been not a single word about political rights to the minorities.

The worse part is countries like Canada and Australia still traumatizing those who arrive as refugees with no shame and concern for human dignity and equality. While these nations fail to call out the war crimes of the Sri Lankan regime they continue to shamelessly play the “terrorist” card on innocent refugees. I feel like living in Hitlers era when the atrocities on Jews were all justified and considered “just” by most part of the world due to Hitlers preachings about how Jews deserved the ill treatment.

The more you realize the reality- the more you understand that things can only get worse and the going cannot get any better.

However, the reality is that the world does continue to be perplexed with its obsession of a confused phenomenon called ”war on terror” while more than a million civilians have been brutally murdered across the world by men who are on the payrolls of not terrorist organizations but that of elected governments. The “war on terror” has been high jacked for very many reasons and have filled either bank accounts or vote banks that guaranteed the political future of a handful. I am really confused as to who the real terrorists are now.

The world is still chasing the bunch of mad men who throw bombs on the shops of the rich streets but is watching silently the brutal murders of civilians in the streets of poor neighborhoods. What a shame when we see that along with Rwanda, Sudan and Sri Lanka the big so called democracies such as USA, UK and India are standing accused of Human Rights violations and war crimes. The recent classified documents by Wikileaks show us how the soldiers of democracies elected by people can act meaner than those terrorists and the armies of third world rouge nations.

Sri Lanka with its adaptation (or rather manipulation I should say) of George W Bush’s famous “war of terror” strategy has created, what I would like to call the perfect “Genocide for Dummies” handbook – that is being seriously considered by several oppressive genocide seeking regimes. The only problem is a bunch of Human Rights activists and some members of the UN who are trying to get Sri Lanka punished for its war crimes.

Taking a stroll back in the lanes of not so distant past, I recollect that those were the days, when the name “Prabhakaran” sent chilling jitters to the Sri Lankan armed forces and politicians. Whatever this man had understood and mentioned about the psyche of the Sri Lankan rulers is being realized as true by the world today. Prabakaran said that the system of majority rule in Sri Lanka leaves no room for change through political means and that any Sri Lankan regime would not be interested in providing a meaningful solution to the Tamil people of the island. Today, the Tamil people with no meaningful leverage on the Sri Lankan regime are being asked not to talk about political rights. Prabakaran’s wisdon could not have been any more accurate.

Prabakaran not only had a good understanding of the Sri Lankan phsyche, but he believed that “force” is the only means by which Tamils can realize their freedom. He mastered the art of modern guerrilla warfare and applied his plans skilfully to win several battles with minimal resources, combatants and casualties. He routed many times the conventional armies of Sri Lanka in 90’s and India in late 80’s. He built a formidable fighting formation comprising of Military, Navy, Air force and Special forces and controlled two thirds of the Sri Lankan shore lines and one third of the Sri Lankan (Eelam) land.

There is still an element of mystery that surrounds the claims of his death. Though several of his enemies’ claims that Prabhakaran was killed in the last phases of the Eelam war IV in May 2009, the Tamil people believe that he is still alive. In the last three decades of Eelam wars the Sri Lankan government had earlier indeed claimed few times that Prabhakaran was dead or injured, but they turned to be false information. In May 2009, even though the Sri Lankan military showed visuals of Prabhakaran’s corpse, several independent investigators have commented that it cannot be confirmed to be that of Prabhakaran. Some YouTube videos and photos have been released to substantiate this claim:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKKEWafT1o0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cISd6gPSC1M

Those who follow the Sri Lankan stories closely know too well that Sri Lanka engaged in active public relation activities during and also after the war. During the war, their PR activities were focused on demoralising the Tamil peoples confidence on the rebels. So their story of Prabhakaran’s death was viewed as a part of an effort to convince the Tamil population to give up their struggle for independence and accept the Sinhalese leadership. After the war, the PR efforts are now focused on projecting a positive image for the government to fight the “War crime allegations” charged against them by the diaspora Tamils. The Sri Lankan government delegates have been working very hard since the end of Eelam war to hoodwink the world with a wide range of propaganda programs. Part of Sri Lankan governments scheme both in the past and now has been to project the Tamil rebels as Terrorists. Since the Western world did not have a fair and just understanding of what real terrorism is, it was easier for Sri Lanka to have the rebels proscribed and cut their supply lines – including humanitarian assistance’s.

I had watched the movie “Independence Day” several years back when it was a huge hit. I happened to watch it again recently and one scene drew my attention this time. During the climax, when the Humans have an opportunity to destroy the alien mother ship, they realize that they had run out of missiles, including the President’s own missiles. Then suddenly one of the fighter pilot decides to ram his flight on to the mother ship and destroys it. His action is depicted as a brave act and honoured by everyone. In essence this pilot acted as a suicide bomber and destroyed the enemy mother ship in his desire to protect Human race. This film was screened at several cities and towns across the world. I am confused as to why this film was not banned by any governments across the world, because obviously it is sending a message that it is indeed “noble” to sacrifice your life to protect others. Does this mean that suicide bombing is acceptable when promoted by corporations?

Personally I would never be able to accept the concept that some of us have to fight dirty wars and even loose our life to protect the freedom of others. I think Humans have to grow up to resolve differences in a meaningful way. But until that day dawns, it does indeed make sense to say that in order to protect the innocent people in thousands it is wise to lose fighters in hundreds.
Indeed Rajapakse said these same thing to his soldiers, but the difference is that Rajapakse was playing offence, while the Tamil rebels were trying to defend their tradition homeland.

I am recollecting Prabhakaran’s major press conference held in Killinochchi on April 10, 2002. Answering a question from one of the reporters Prabhakaran said that he has instructed his cadres to kill him if he compromised on the goal of an independent state. During the interview he stated that “There are three fundamentals - Tamil homeland, Tamil nationality and Tamils right to self-determination. These are the fundamental demands of the Tamil people. Once these demands are accepted or a political solution is put forward by recognising these three fundamentals and our people are satisfied with the solutions we will consider giving up the demand for Eelam.”

He further added that Tamil Eelam was not only the demand of the LTTE but also the demand of the Tamil people. Prabhakaran also answered a number of questions in which he reaffirmed their commitment towards peace process, and quoted “We are sincerely committed to the peace process. It is because we are sincerely committed to peace that we continued a four month cessation of hostilities” was also firm in de-proscription of the LTTE by Sri Lanka and India, “We want the government of India to lift the ban on the LTTE. We will raise the issue at the appropriate time.”

Like a Zorro, will Prabhakaran ever comeback? And even if he comes back, will he be able to rise up to the same power? - These may be the questions in the minds of Tamil people who wish for his return. I am convinced that there is evidence for his return. The evidence exists in the continuing oppression of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and in the human quest for freedom.

Share @ Facebook | Google Bookmarks | Twitter