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Sri Lanka: End Of Separate Tamil Homeland Dream
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) – once the most feared terrorists in the world – seem to have finally lost their battle against the Sri Lanka government forces after the reported killing of its top leader Velupillai Prabhakaran (file photo above). Thus bringing to an end 26 years of brutal war for a separate Tamil homeland.
For the chronology of Tamil separatist violent movement please see here…
“The (Sri Lanka) government claimed that the last civilians being held in the war zone – the UN had estimated on Saturday there were anywhere up to 80,000 – had escaped by lunchtime. What seems certain is that a considerable number have fled the war zone,” reports The Independent.
“What also remains unclear is the civilian toll of the operation. The UN has estimated that 7,000 have been killed and a further 16,700 wounded since the beginning of the year. If and when independent observers are allowed into the war zone, such figures could rise or fall.
“Observers said that even with the military victory apparently secured, a major challenge for the government now would be dealing with the 250,000 to 300,000 refugees who have been driven from their homes. The government is putting the civilians into internment camps surrounded by razor wire.”
“News of the Tigers’ surrender was met with celebrations in Colombo. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, returning from a trip to the Middle East, kissed the ground in gratitude. But, with a humanitarian emergency looming in the north, such triumphalism is misplaced.
“Between 50,000 and 100,000 Tamil civilians who have been trapped in the war zone are expected to surge into refugee camps as the Sri Lankan army moves in to secure the conflict area.” More here…
Nalaka Gunawardene, Sri Lanka’s wellknown journalist, writes: “As we stand on the threshold of change – with the promise of peace – I am overwhelmed with memories of a tragic past. And I hope we can once again start dreaming of a better future – and make it happen.” More here…
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