Sri Lanka’s President Rajapaksa ‘feared coup’ after defeat of Tamil Tigers

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President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka was so afraid of a military coup after the defeat of the Tamil Tigers that he warned India to place its troops on high alert as recently as last month, according to the former head of the Sri Lankan Army. General Sarath Fonseka, who led the victorious campaign against the Tigers only to be sidelined two months later, made the allegation in a bitter resignation letter, seen by The Times yesterday.
General Fonseka, who was switched to the largely ceremonial role of Chief of Defence Staff in July, said the Government alerted India on October 15 that a coup was imminent, “unnecessarily placing Indian troops on high alert”.
“This action tarnished the image and reputation gained by the Sri Lankan Army as a competent and professional organisation capable of defeating a terrorist group,” he said.
After resigning, General Fonseka is now expected to challenge Mr Rajapaksa in a presidential election due by April.
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His letter drew no immediate response from Indian officials, while a Sri Lankan minister said only that the Government would study its contents. “The President has ordered a study of [Fonseka’s] letter and we will make a suitable response,” Mahinda Samarasinghe, the Human Rights Minister, told reporters.
Although the letter does not specify what action Mr Rajapaksa wanted India to take, the implication was that its troops should intervene in case of a coup.
India sent peacekeeping troops to Sri Lanka in 1987, but they were soon drawn into the fight with the Tigers, and withdrew in 1990. The Tigers then assassinated Rajiv Gandhi, the former Indian Prime Minister, in 1991.
The General’s letter reveals for the first time the rift that developed between the Army and Government after the end of the 26-year civil war in May.
It also adds to the charged political atmosphere in Sri Lanka since General Fonseka emerged as a potential challenger to Mr Rajapaksa, who has been riding a wave of popularity since the war ended.
General Fonseka is considered a national hero by most of the ethnic Sinhalese majority community and is therefore likely to split the ruling alliance’s support base in the elections.
Although he has a reputation as an outspoken Sinhalese nationalist, he criticised Mr Rajapaksa for failing to make peace with the ethnic Tamil minority since the Tigers’ defeat.
“Your excellency’s Government has yet to win the peace, in spite of the fact the Army under my leadership won the war,” he said.

Tamil protest in Ireland

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Tamil Expatriate Community In Ireland: Tamils in Ireland speak out

Tamil Expatriate Community In Ireland: Tamils in Ireland speak out

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Tamils in Ireland speak out

What is the situation like now for Tamils with the Sri Lankan army closing in?
Disaster. 1200 civilian bodies counted, hundreds seriously injured, aerial bombing continues. Sun, 10 May 2009
How do you think the present crisis will end?
Several thousand Tamils killed and injured; almost all the homes in vanni destroyed; continuing oppression of the Tamils or Tamils achieving freedom with the support of the Tamil Diaspora & the people around the world.
Has the revelation of the UN photos of the bomb craters had any effect on the international community or on the sri lankan army?
There is no effect and the Sri Lankan Government is continuing the war more vigorously than before with the direct and the indirect support of the few countries who are consolidating their economic and strategic interest.
What will life be like for the Tamil people when this present war ends?
Life will be better than war. But without freedom the suffering of the Tamils will continue and the Tamils will fight in a different way till they achieve their freedom.
Have Tamils here in Ireland and in Europe generally made any contact > with relatives and family still trapped by the Sri lankan army?
Yes. There are Tamils who managed to contact them and only got very bad news of death of their loved once and injured. With shattered life with separated children they are unable to continue their daily life.
Is there anything else you want people to know about the conflict?
Could you consider requesting all the people to write to the UN security council and the Micheal Martin the Irish Foreign Minister to stop the war immediately. The Ministers e-mail address is: michealmartintd@eircom.net
Tamils in London continue their protests against Sri Lanka’s war
(Pic: » Guy Smallman)" src="http://www.swp.ie/images/Tamillondon.jpg" width=400>
Protesters block the road outside parliament (Pic: » Guy Smallman)
More than 1,000 Tamil protesters occupied the streets outside parliament in central London last Monday.
The demonstration was sparked by news that the Sri Lankan government had bombarded a “safe zone” over the weekend, killing at least 378 Tamil civilians and injuring over 1,200.
The relentless barrage lasted from 5pm on Saturday until 9am on Sunday.
A Channel 4 news team was expelled for reporting on conditions in a government resettlement camp for Tamils.
There has been a constant protest in Parliament Square since 6 April over the Sri Lankan government’s continuing war against the Tamils.

Tamil Expatriate Community In Ireland: Interview - Kandeepan, a Sri Lankan Tamil

Tamil Expatriate Community In Ireland: Interview - Kandeepan, a Sri Lankan Tamil

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Interview - Kandeepan, a Sri Lankan Tamil

Interview - Kandeepan, a Sri Lankan Tamil living in Ireland, who has assisted the Stop the Slaughter of Tamils (SST) campaign, spoke to the Socialist.
TS - Why did you get involved with the Stop the Slaughter of Tamils protest?
K - I love my people and my country the Tamil Eelam. The Tamils have been terrorised since 1948 by the brutal Sinhalese government. A quarter of a million Tamil people have been slaughtered and I cannot remain silent and watch the remaining Tamils be killed in the name of eliminating the LTTE the armed forces of the state of Eelam. I would like to make my contribution to save the Tamils.

TS - Do you, or your friends from the Tamil community in Ireland have any friends or family trapped in the war zone?
K - Yes, some of my Tamil friends in Ireland have family who fled the war zone and were arrested by the Sri Lankan army on 1 May. They have not heard from them since. Another friend had family trapped in the war zone. He has made no contact with them and does not know if they are alive or not.

TS - What do you think of the SST campaign?
K - I feel that I have friends who are both Irish and of other nationalities who are standing with us during this difficult time. They are trying to save the Tamils and help get their rights. This is an example of great solidarity and participation when the lives of our fellow human beings are taken away by those elected leaders who have been committing crimes by abusing their power.
We Tamils would like to thank the Socialist Party for its continuous support for the Tamils to live as free people.