Former LTTE Eastern Commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman is the latest actor to weigh in on the threat to national security in the wake of the discovery of high powered explosives in Chavakachcheri. Speaking to a Sinhala daily, he said the discovery of the weapons haul posed a real threat to national security and has called on the authorities not to allow the country to slip back into those dark days of bombs and suicide attacks. He has also warned that the LTTE diaspora has become active again.
This gratuitous advise to the government on the threat to national security, coming as it does from ex LTTEer Karuna Amman, is rich indeed. True, as told the newspaper by Karuna he also has a stake in national security since he too played a not inconsiderable part in the eradication of the LTTE. But therein lies another tale. What made the transformation of this former Tiger Eastern Commander from a cold blooded killer to a fun loving party going individual in his new avatar as Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister under the Rajapaksa regime?
Karuna was a key member of the LTTE delegation to the "peace talks", that took a band of terrorists living in mosquito infested bunkers and harsh inhospitable jungles to the glare of the dazzling lights of the world capitals. The "peace talks" also involved wining and dining in star class hotels in Tokyo, Bangkok, Berlin and Oslo on the best cuisine. Hence this sudden transformation did not come by accident or some sudden inspiration on the value of peace, at the negotiating table.
It is to the credit of the then UNP Government that such a hard core terrorist suddenly mellowed and realized the futility of risking life and limb in combat when there was a rich and exciting life to savour. It is indeed a masterstroke on the part of Ranil Wickremesinghe who saw the wisdom of showing these hardened terrorists that there was after all a life outside the bunkers - a life of glamour and bright lights. Karuna Amman no doubt would have juxtaposed the business class air travel, the stay in luxury star class hotels and gourmet food and other entertainment with the drab and dangerous existence as a terrorists in inhospitable surrounds.
The LTTE's Eastern army commandeered by Karuna was considered the most deadly and daring over that of their Northern counterparts. Kuruna himself oversaw the massacre of 600 surrendered policemen, a bus load of passengers in Kithuluotuwa and the butchering of novice monks in Arantalawa, not to mention the attack on the Sri Dalada Maligawa.
Mahinda Rajapaksa who always claims full credit for the elimination of terrorism fails to mention of this signal contribution by Ranil Wickremesinghe of severing the head of the LTTE's Eastern army by craftily inveigling its commander to witness and savour a different kind of life to that of a terrorist. With the exit of Karuna, the LTTE's Eastern army simply fell apart, leaving it that much easier for the security forces to push ahead in their victory against the terrorists.
There is no knowing if the war would have ended as it did on May 17, 2009 had the battle hardened Eastern army of the LTTE still been intact. This massive contribution of the UNP towards the ending of the Eelam war has gone unsung and unheralded today in the din of victory claims. Hence it will be up to the party to set the record straight.
A commendable move
The Health Ministry is to take decisive action against private hospitals and medical institutions for a host of infringements including arbitrary pricing of drugs and exorbitant charges by doctors. Towards this end the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC) Act is to be amended to given more teeth to the PHSRC enabling the Director General of Health Services to entertain public complaints against private hospitals, doctors, specialists and take legal action against them. The amendments are also intended to bring the prices of drugs, medical equipment, tests etc. to affordable levels.
The new measures are to be commended since private hospitals, some of which today resemble five star hotels in appearance, have been having their own way for too long. Today not just the rich but even ordinary folk seek the service of these private hospitals due to the hassle and inconvenience encountered at government hospitals and don't mind even spending their meagre financial resources for better care and attention. In terms of the latest move a sort of flying squad of the PHSRC too will go into action on public complaints against acts of commission and omission at private hospitals.
Today, it is well known that in some of these private hospitals unwanted tests are been ordered by doctors merely to rake in the extra shekels while patients are also asked to make additional visits, for the same purpose. Hope this matter too will receive the attention of the PHSRC.
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