Intl community; Time for action not words

Even at the time of publication there are reports from the North of a massive exodus of civilians from the ‘Safe Zone’ into government-controlled areas. It seems from all indications that the much hyped and talked about ‘final phase’ of major military operations is actually at hand. Since Monday when the Army broke through an LTTE defence line, an estimated 50,000 people have moved to safer areas. The government called it the world’s biggest hostage rescue mission. No doubt the military should be given all due praise for their efforts to free these civilians who have been callously used by the LTTE as a human shield for many months. In an ironic twist of fate an organisation which was established and sustained in the name of Tamil liberation portrayed in its final days as a potent military entity has been reduced to be the nemesis of the Tamils. It today fires upon its own people and have reportedly used suicide bombers to target the civilians trying to flee.
The final military operation to rescue the trapped civilians is most definitely relief to many in the government who have been feeling the increasing world pressure as of lately. Global criticism against Sri Lanka has been mounting during the last few weeks with many nations and the UN expressing grave concerns for the civilians trapped within the small pocket of land that is still held by the LTTE. There were even moves underway in many an influential capital to take the Sri Lankan issue to the UN Security Council, a move that would have severely affected the functioning of the government and exerted enormous pressure on the handling of the crisis. More troubling for the government were the signals emanating from New Delhi, a crucial player in the equation that has till now given a green light to the Sri Lankan Government to pursue a military option against the LTTE while remaining silent over the numerous allegations of civilian casualties. Maybe due to domestic compulsions, particularly with a general election in progress, India reprimanded its southern neighbour with a rather harshly worded statement which called for an extension of the 48-hour ‘pause’ declared during the Avurudu period.
With the international community getting impatient with the anticipated end to the major hostilities that were taking a considerable toll on human life the military operation to rescue the entrapped civilians could not have come at a better time. It is hoped that the rest of the civilian population still trapped within the LTTE held territory could find their freedom soon. The onus is also on the international community now, to do their bit for the civilian population whose release it has been clamouring for all these months. Mere statements expressing their relief and satisfaction will not do.
Though this would most definitely not be the end of the suffering of these people who now await an uncertain future in IDP camps for at least another few more months, the nation would be able to breathe a sigh of relief for the time being since they are physically safe.
The collective nation also owes an enormous debt of gratitude for the men in uniform who have sacrificed in life and limb to win the freedom for these people. It is now up to the elected representatives to win their hearts and minds and to finally deliver a better tomorrow for their children, so that never again in the future would the people in this country need to undergo such a harrowing nightmare.