Rajiva Wijesinha

“ If I could extend indulgence to the elite, there is no reason not to do so to someone like Pillaiyan who was victimized from his childhood by deprivation and terror. Unlike those who, having failed to make similar assertive noises when the name of the game was appeasing the Tigers from 2002 to 2005, now jump on the child soldier bandwagon, I have actually studied the issue. I am aware that, when Karuna split from the LTTE in 2004, 1800 cadres were disbanded, but no one did anything for them. ”

“ There is obviously much further to go, but so long as the elected representatives of the people lead the way in promoting pluralistic democratic ideals, so long as they promote development of infrastructure and skills and investment, that Province, and the country as a whole, will soon be rid of the scourges of terrorism and selective development from which we have suffered for too long. I hope Shanie will support this process, and look for evidence of improvement, not only material with which to attack all those whose perspectives seem – but are not necessarily – different from her own. ”

“ To look at nothing else, she must be aware that the murders that have taken place with regard to elections or the elected have had only TMVP members as victims.
A thirst for revenge is understandable in this context, as it was in 2006 when the LTTE which had decimated other Tamil groups in the North during the so-called Ceasefire was finally vulnerable. But such a thirst is not acceptable, and both the government and the Chief Minister of the East are determined not to allow it, and the manner in which escalation of conflict has been avoided in the East must be admired. ”