ER and PTA

The LTTE has been vanquished for certain but as is often the case one cannot rule out a residue of terrorism that may still lurk in our midst. Hence it is only to be expected that the military will not drop its guard at this point of time. Troops are still continuing mopping up operations and media reports of surrenders by more LTTE cadres coming out of their jungle hideouts only shows the existence of remnants even though at a subterranean level.

Beside the country has only just come out of the three decade long war and one cannot be complacent just yet that the threat is no more. For there is always the unknown and the possibility of a surprise element which has to be factored into the equation.

Therefore, while rejoicing and celebrations are in order in the aftermath of the elimination of Velupillai Prabhakaran it would be advisable if things are not taken for granted just yet. Although the LTTE's ability to make a comeback is nil with the elimination of all its top leaders there is still the possibility of fleeing cadres who have escaped the military onslaught being manipulated, if not to revive the organisation, but to settle a score with the Government for inflicting such a humiliating and irreversible defeat on the outfit.

For one there is the shadowy figure K. Pathmanathan or KP who it is alleged is billed to assume the leadership of an emasculated LTTE. The man wanted by Interpol for his arms procurement activities for the LTTE and sought by India in connection with the Rajiv Gandhi killing is said to be the choice of the Diaspora. The President no less had sought the assistance of visiting UN Secretary General Ban-Ki- Moon for the arrest and deportation of KP.

True, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has vowed to finish off all residue of the LTTE and nip any nascent terrorism in the bud. But a terrorist organisation that had been honed as a killing machine for over three decades of fighting may well have some residue which could pose a threat to the hard won peace. Besides even though the LTTE has been annihilated its agents may still be around posing an equal danger.

The Government is aware of this threat, hence its decision not to do away with the Anti-terrorism laws just yet until the creation of a conducive climate that warrants the dismantling of this apparatus.

Therefore, the demand made by the main Opposition UNP for the relaxation of the Emergency and the Prevention of terrorism Act (PTA) is premature and uncalled for at this stage. As Leader of the House Nimal Siripala de Silva responding to this request told Parliament; "Does he (Opposition Leader) want to see the revival of terrorism?".

The Minister further went on to state "the Government is answerable to the people. We have to ensure that there will be no chance for terrorism again. For that purpose we need to conduct mopping up operations and we'll have to arrest more persons who aided and abetted LTTE terrorists".

This statement shows that the Government is not in the mood to take any chances and it would go even deeper to apprehend those who are even remotely connected to the LTTE. The President has said he would leave no room for terrorism to raise its ugly head again on Lankan soil. Hence the determination of the Government to probe all possibilities and avenues that might see a resurgence of this evil.

It is determined to go all out to ensure no vestige of terrorism grows once again in this country. For this, the Government will have to make use of the existing Anti-terrorism laws further in order to ferret out any lurking agents of terror, bent on destabilising the country once again and undermining the hard won victory by the military.

The UNP which calls for the removal of anti-terrorism laws abused them during their tenure to silence political opponents. On the contrary President Rajapaksa has ensured that these laws are used for the sole purpose of dealing with terrorism. One recalls how Vijaya Kumaratunga was incarcerated on an unfounded naxalite plot using these very laws. Had these laws been used for the purpose they were intended at the time, the LTTE problem would not have assumed such proportion over the years.

On the contrary it went on to release terrorist suspects such as the woman accused of being behind the Maradana bomb which killed scores of innocent people.

The Opposition need not harbour any fears or misgivings that they will receive their comeuppance. Emergency regulations have never been abused by this Government to stifle political dissent.