As the Sri Lankan flags flutter all over the captured territories in the north-eastern province of the country, the dream of a separate Tamil Eelam (Tamil land) for Tamils lies shattered and the specter of the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) looms large over this “breathing space”. The Sri Lankan army seized control last month of the northern town of Kilinochchi, an LTTE stronghold. President Mahinda Rajapakse hailed it as a victory and a psychological boost for the government forces. The question now is whether it is the end of the day for the LTTE, or is it only a lull before the ‘Tigers' begin roaring again, as it happened in the late 1980s when under LTTE chief Prabakaran's military direction, the group quickly established itself as one of the most brutally efficient guerrilla groups in the world. Sri Lankan expatriates living here are apparently concerned about their country, particularly about the plight of the tens of thousands of Tamils still trapped in the northern zone. Saudi Gazette met with some expats from Sri Lanka, all of whom said that in spite of the war having ended, the conflict situation still exists. Azam Pakeer, a sales executive, said he is happy with the way the war has been conducted. “But I strongly appeal to my government in Colombo that it must ensure respect, justice and prosperity of all communities, otherwise, it will take little time for the separatists to revive,” he said. Pakeer said that the government has an opportunity now to bring things back on track by not ignoring the large ethnic minority in the northeast region. “Prabhakaran and his men were not alone in their mission. There are extremist elements in the Sinhala government which considers Tamils and Muslims as outsiders. They are no less than the LTTE, and can sabotage the peace process in the country,” he said. In 1983, a civil war brought the Sinhalese-dominated government and the rebels into direct confrontation. Rebels led by LTTE sought to create a separate nation for the Tamil minority in the northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. The LTTE then became notorious for introducing suicide bombers. Sreekumaran, a shopkeeper, said he is doubtful if the government would take the opportunity to heal the wounds of the Tamil community. “Being a Sri Lankan Tamil, I hope to see the government settle our problems, which include discrimination at every level by the Sinhalas. They are killing Tamil civilians, who are also Sri Lankan nationals. And if this continues, the birth of another separatist movement may be inevitable. Besides, Prabhakaran is still alive and he can once again resurrect,” Sreekumaran added. M. Rashaad, a teacher, is less hopeful. “The Sri Lankan President Rajapakse's iron hand approach may bring about a temporary respite, but not a permanent solution. Just like the military power of America could not do justice to the Iraqis, it will be a mistake if the government thinks that it has solved the problem. If the problem of the Tamils is not tackled head on, the LTTE's ghost is bound to make a comeback,” he said. C. L. Manoj, a salesman, who has a mixed lineage with a Sinhala father and a Tamil mother, said a separate land for the Tamils may not solve their economic and social hardships. “But the aggrieved party (Tamils) must be given due justice to solve their issues. Any military accomplishments will not bring any respite to them,” he said, adding that like in India, Sri Lankans too are fighting among themselves in the name of caste and religion. The need of the hour, Haleem, a salesman, believes is to instill a sense of confidence in the communities that are being discriminated against, namely, the Tamils and the Muslims. “Instead of basking in the so-called victory in the recent offensives, the government should seek a lasting peace in the region. The threat of the suicide bombers is always lurking in every Sri Lankan's mind. It is a wait and watch situation. Sadly, the war has ended, but not the conflict,” he said.
