Wednesday, July 23, 2008

For the sake of future operations

The Indian Navy is in Sri Lanka with a strong force that includes the elite Black Cat Commandos for the SAARC Summit. Indian PM Manmohan Singh is to arrive in the island in two days. Indian spy satellites hover over the Vanni, observing the progresses made by the Army for unknown reasons.

As speculated by some sources, the Sri Lankan Army is under no pressure to stop the war abruptly. This is false information. India will certainly not pressure the government of Sri Lanka to end the war because Sri Lanka can continue, with or without India, with help from China and Pakistan. China is currently the largest supplier of weapons and armaments and has replaced Japan as the largest single donor to Sri Lanka.

The Tigers, through the political offices of Norway had officially requested the government to enter into a temporary cease-fire, which the government has now rejected. This is while intelligence sources have warned of a Tiger plan to launch a make-or-break grand attack against advancing troops. It is not so much a case of if, but when they would launch such an attack.

If the Tigers fail to do this within the next month or two, the Army will definitely capture Kilinochchi. From there, they will surround Mullaithivu and Pooneryn. As always, the Tigers will use deception and wait for an opportune moment to cause maximum damage. But they must do this before the Army reaches Kilinochchi. Any time after that would be too late for the guerrillas.

An opportunity may arise, if one is given. Otherwise, tigers would have to create their own (opportunity). This might very well happen in the East if the STF and the police do not step up to the task. Tigers have started avoiding direct confrontations and are trying to preserve their remaining cadres, especially those with experience.

Meanwhile troops in the Vanni front have begun to thin out, having advanced 40-50 kilometers in places. Elite units have been deployed early. Some have died, others have received injuries. But the morale is high. The addition of the 62 Division, in a semi-offensive role, is crucial for this advance to continue further.

The other potential debacle is the political deadline issue by the government for the military operations. The focus is again shifting from the battlefield to the North Central Provincial Council Elections. This is an all too familiar road, one that has led us to more bad things than good things in the past.

dA and DW

65 comments:

perein said...

DA /DW-
Thank you.

As you have said, cannot see why India would object to finishing the LTTE while some big Indian investors will be soon busy in Mannar / Katunayake area.

Gringo said...

[...the Army will definitely capture Kilinochchi. From there, they will surround Mullaithivu and Pooneryn.]

From all the signs I see, that seems to be to the way the LTTE cookie will crumble.

There's also a good chance that someone would empty a weapon into Velu's head sooner.

What turnaround of events, within three years of a new president.

hemantha said...

DA and DW,
"Indian spy satellites hover over the Vanni,.."

Satellites can't hover, my friends.

perein said...

Hemantha-
Possibly Indian Spy has bug some of our units. Therefore should be able to find where new locations etc.
(My comments are based on GPS systems works in normal Cars.)

Defencewire said...

hemantha,
It is a figure of speech.

CodeRed said...

Thanks for the Updates DW/DA

All n all what Gen SF said is correct. Month of August would be the decisive "Turning Point" of this battle. Because LTTE have to turn the tide back some how before September if they still want to live in this Ezam war IV. As soon as SLDF captured Kil'nochchi and Poonarien this war would be "Virtually" over. After that there would be only hunting down of sabotaging insurgency units.

Many Pro-LTTE ppl are praying for the Monsoon rainy season. They think that rainy season can protect LTTE and their strong points as 1942-43 Winter Protects Russia from invading Germans. But SLDF have proved twice that rain is not gonna effect much on their advancing.

LTTE have to do some major thing ! . Sooner the better for them.

Unknown said...

Are We able to get Satelite images of ltte Control areas from Indian Gov?
I mean as an Exchange of Inteligence data?
If GOSL insists,Cant these same satelites be used to identify that the Tamilnadu fishermans cross the maritime borders?
bythe way Indians got that project to 100Km/h Colombo~Mathara Rail Road also.
(Dont know when will it materiallize though...)

Gringo said...

[After that there would be only hunting down of sabotaging insurgency units.
]

That's when the brand new white van fleet goes into action... Finding each and every LTTE coolie hiding among civilians.

Then a free city tour + quick trip to see beautiful seabed (Eelam) off Mannar / Jaffna.

Guerilla war? Forget it, boys!

It'll be total peace and prosperity... after last LTTE pig is found and pot-roasted.

Unknown said...

The "SIRASA News" has a SPecial Segment About these white Van abductions.
The Strange thing Is that in the background a RECYCLE MARK is Visible !!!
I Cant think What is Sirasa Guys Expecting From That...
May be Hoping Recyclable personnal...

hemantha said...

DW and Perein,
With all due respect, I like to stress one point. We should not speculate about sensitive things.

One of such sensitive issues is the indian involvement. They can make or break us. Going by the past if we want to solve this terrorist problem we have to deal India with baby hands. Claims with no evidence would guide us towards the opposite direction.

The same goes with this "political interference" issue. This is a very sensitive issue for us Sri Lankans. The claim if wide spread would demoralize the Troops as well as the general population. If you have any evidence regarding this DW you ought to divulge them. Then there would be an outcry to stop such things. Personally I don't think the government needs to interfere with military matters in order to win these two PC's. It is going to win the both easily.

This is just my opinion regarding this matter. If yours is different I respect that.

kuttu said...

"Indian spy satellites hover over the Vanni, observing the progresses made by the Army for unknown reasons."

we all know what is going on

india does not want the war to end

sinhala keyboard heroes think the other way.....hehe

kuttu said...

"This is while intelligence sources have warned of a Tiger plan to launch a make-or-break grand attack against advancing troops. It is not so much a case of if, but when they would launch such an attack."

____________________________

from what i hear its already underway

sinhala people here makes fun of my posts but we will see what will happen in future

as i said before operation "red bird" is well underway

kuttu said...

"East"

Liberated East...hehe

more action will come in "Liberated East"

kuttu said...

"Meanwhile troops in the Vanni front have begun to thin out, having advanced 40-50 kilometers in places. Elite units have been deployed early. Some have died, others have received injuries. But the morale is high."

morale can run out very soon...

kuttu said...

"The focus is again shifting from the battlefield to the North Central Provincial Council Elections"

hehe..

kuttu said...

hemantha said...
DA and DW,
"Indian spy satellites hover over the Vanni,.."

Satellites can't hover, my friends.

___________________

hehe....DW is just using figure of speech

hemantha can't undestand that...hehe

kuttu said...

Gringo said...
[...the Army will definitely capture Kilinochchi. From there, they will surround Mullaithivu and Pooneryn.]

From all the signs I see, that seems to be to the way the LTTE cookie will crumble.

There's also a good chance that someone would empty a weapon into Velu's head sooner.

What turnaround of events, within three years of a new president.
___________________

Gringo

you are getting ahead of yourself

lets see what happens in tunukkai & malavvi

LKDOOD said...

DW, DA

thanks for the post

very crucial days ahead

tikira said...

Dei kuttu, dont cheer for what DW posted,its just juice for stupid sinhalease.........

if you want juice try me......
mmmmmmmm
hehehe

Peter said...

If India wants to end the war on the island, it can do so at any time; that is my view. Neither the Tamils nor the Sinhalese are too much of a task for India.

What both sides need to understand is: it is in India's best interest to see the war drag on.

For example, most major cities on the island, whether it be Jaffna or Colombo, would be the Silicon Valley of South Asia, had it not been for the war.

Many multi-nationals were reluctant to outsource call-centre jobs to Bangalore, also known as the Silicon Valley of Asia, because of the 'strong' accent with which Indians speak English. Neither the Eelam Tamils nor the Sri Lankans have this problem.

The above is just one of several ways in which international investment would have overlooked Indian cities for better alternatives on the island.

Both LTTE and the Sri Lankan military can rely on the Indians for 'rescue', should either side face 'defeat'. Hence, neither side can ever 'decisively' defeat the other for as long as India is in existence.

My bet is that the Sri Lankan military is attempting to 'corner' or 'weaken' the LTTE to an extent at which the LTTE will agree to accept Sinhala hegemony.

Anyone who has ever known Pirapakaran or Pottu Amman --ask Karuna-- would testify otherwise.

IntelAttack said...

Kuttu... Who's this Joker?

LKDOOD said...

Army Commander:

Not stopping operations during SAARC


LINK

hemantha said...

Madhu church renovations...

click here

Gringo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gringo said...

Hemantha, Thanks.

[Madhu church renovations...
]

Great pictures proving action indeed speaks louder than words.

Sri Lankans were never a divided nation... but enemies will ALWAYS... repeat ALWAYS want us divided on petty ethnic, religious lines.

This is classic proof that our strength and pride are drawn from our diversity.

No one should be allowed to undermine it.

Peter said...

Rightly said. The Tamils' struggle would not be where it is today, had it not been for India.

Indian intervention within a week of the Black July, and Op Poomalai were essential for the survival of Tamils as a viable community on the island.

Having said that, I am not under the illusion that India did what it did out of kind heartedness or any sympathy for the Tamils.

It was in India's interest to 'develop' Tamil militancy to the extent to which a civil war could be made self-sustainable.

Tamils had no choice but to turn to India, because of the actions of the Sinhalese.

The relationship between Eelam Tamils and India was one of mutual benefit and not a meeting of minds. Hence is why both sides didn't hesitate to wage battle against each other during IPKF.

On that note, the Indian notched 13th amendment was as much about installing an Indian proxy at the helm of the island's politics as it was about protecting the 'territorial integrity' of Sri Lanka or giving 'sufficient' autonomy to the Tamils.

Peter said...

What is it with occupiers of the Tamil Homeland and building churches?

If we are going to choose our occupiers by the number of churches built, then surely the Brits should be invited back.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Churches_of_Jaffna

hemantha said...

You are welcome, Gringo.
--------

Why the liberation Tigers are Not liberation fighters

click here

hemantha said...

Area of Madhu belonged to Kandyan kingdom.

"The Bishop of Jaffna supplied the following information to E. B. Denham, the Superintendent of Census Operations in 1911:

"Tradition says that the original home of the statue at Madhu was Mantai, once an important town with a large Catholic church built by the Portuguese, who had, during their rule converted the whole of Mannar island and Mantote to the Faith. When the Dutch took possession of Mantai and converted it to their meeting-house (in 1670), some Catholics emigrated into the Kandyan territory." (Note the reference to "1670" and "Kandyan territory.")

"They numbered, says the tradition, twenty families, and settled themselves in Marutha-Madu, which was then a small village on the Royal Ramessaram-Kandy route and a custom house for the Kandyan King.""

click here

hemantha said...

So, In Madhu, we are taking care of our people and renovating our church. As evidence suggested that land was governed by our kings historically and cruel LTTE invaders are defeated

Moshe Dyan said...

thanks DW & DA for the post.

IF this is happening it is total nonsense and confirms my fears mentioned in a previous post.

"The other potential debacle is the political deadline issue by the government for the military operations. The focus is again shifting from the battlefield to the North Central Provincial Council Elections. This is an all too familiar road, one that has led us to more bad things than good things in the past."

politics and military op.s don't mix up at the party politix level!! if we mix we are in shitt.

Jambudipa said...

/*
This is while intelligence sources have warned of a Tiger plan to launch a make-or-break grand attack against advancing troops.
*/

This is an almost certainty. They will make a grand attack but probably wait until all offensive prongs converge. Their grand attack will attempt to create confusion and loss of morale among soldiers first. This will probably entail attack on target with significant military, social, economic or religious value to the Sinhala masses. We need to think outside the box here. No one predicted attacks on the Thangalla Naval base or Anuradapura Air bases. There are many such installations which will need consideration.

They may also attempt to target divisional commanders leading the offensives. They may send multiple suicide bombers to converge on the target from different directions. They may sneak from the back as they did in Jayasikurui and surprise. Possibilities are endless. Vigilance, intelligence gathering, security drills will be the key to avoiding any nasty surprises.

LKDOOD said...

Security for SAARC meet strengthened

LINK

LKDOOD said...

Blogger Panhinda said...

Vigilance, intelligence gathering, security drills will be the key to avoiding any nasty surprises.

-----------------------

SAARC is also a target

tense days ahead

Unknown said...

I see people from both sides of the spectrum try to say historically this and that. How sure are you that such events are facts. Secondly how sure that you are a Tamil, Sinhalese ect. The people from all parts of Sri Lanka have different hertages. They may have come from India, China, Indonesia ect. However by living in a particular area, they have assimilated into a grouping which they identify themselves by.

Today whats important is that everyone is Sri Lankan, that how you are identified in the world and thats the most important.

People only use history when its suits their convience.

hemantha said...

Navindran,
Very good.

NOLTTE=Peace said...

My hats off to you Navindran!

Exactly, we all are Sri Lankans and we need to be like that to move forward as a nation.

wijayapala said...

Peter,

“If that is what you have been taught in the name of ‘history’ then carry on believing so. As a Tamil, I can say that we relate in no way whatsoever to the Mahavamsa.”

Somehow I had the feeling you would give a dumbass answer like this. As it turns out, I was not “taught” that the Tamils revered the Sinhala historical chronicles, because the Sinhalese generally are unfamiliar with Tamil literature and are ignorant of the pre-colonial Tamils’ notion of history. I had to read the Tamil literature myself and be surprised by the correlation between the Sinhala and Tamil versions.

I wrote the following last year, with key excerpts:

http://www.unarvukal.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t4333.html (hmm.. how did my article wind up in a Tamil forum????? I didn’t put it there!)

Vijaya in the Tamil Historical Tradition

Perhaps the most well-known Tamil literature dealing with the origin of the Jaffna Kingdom is the Yalpanavaipavamalai (YVM), written in the 18th century CE by Mayilvakana Pulavar for the Dutch Governor. The text itself was derived from four preexisting texts: Pararajasekeran-ula, Rasamurai, Kailayamalai, and Vaiyapatal, although only the latter two texts have survived to modern times.

The YVM opens with a brief account of the Ramayana, and then proceeds to give its own account of the Vijaya legend which is very similar to that in the Mahavamsa.

The Tamil chronicler appears to have gone to lengths to associate Vijaya’s faith with that of the majority of Jaffna Tamils and to illustrate the first Sinhala king as an exemplar devotee of Shiva. If some of us in modern times do not see how the Vijaya legend, even if taken literally serves the cause of Sinhala supremacy, it is quite clear that the Tamil chronicler Mayilvakanapular did not either!

Vijaya’s legacy in the YVM does not end here. The story continues to King Ukkirasingan, who may have been the same as Kalinga Magha of the Culavamsa in the 13th century CE and is credited for establishing the forerunner of the Jaffna kingdom. The chronicler appears to have noted that Magha had originated from the same part of India as Vijaya, and thus he describes Ukkirasingan as a descendant of Vijaya’s brother who had remained in India. Ukkirasingan’s ancestral link with Sinhabahu is further demonstrated in his leonine face, which he cures at Keerimalai, and the chronicler establishes Ukkirasingan’s identity with the Tamils by describing his marriage to a Chola princess.

At this point we must again stop and ask why the Tamil chronicler would want to identify the progenitor of the Jaffna kingdom with the descendant of a lion and a human being—which the Tamil chronicler appears to have genuinely interpreted as a lion-human miscegenation ? For what reason did the lineage of the Jaffna kings have to be traced back to Vijaya? Is it possible that the chronicler acknowledged Vijaya as the original ruler of Lanka, and thus any legitimate claimant to that title had to establish some connection with Vijaya?

The Jaffna chronicle is not the only medieval Sri Lankan Tamil literature where Vijaya appeared. The Mattakalappu: Purva Carittiram, a collection of ola leaf texts from Batticaloa recently edited and published by Mr. and Mrs. S. Kamalanathan contains several sections on “Vicayan” and his origins. The narrative begins with his mother Sirimathi of Vanga and her half-lion children Singavaku and Singavalli, and continues to his exile in Lanka, meeting Kuveni, and becoming the ruler of the island. Like the YVM, the Batticaloa chronicle also describes “Kalinga Makon” and his conquest of the island, although the account more resembles that of the Culavamsa.


My article goes on to describe the Sinhala chronicler’s familiarity with Tamil, particularly Chola literature, as well as the Mahavamsa’s confirmation of key events and locations in Tamil history.

Now my dear Peter, if you dispute anything in the article I invite you to write a rebuttal, complete with appropriate references to the Tamil literature. If you lack the basic familiarity with medieval Sri Lankan Tamil literature to provide a response, you will have to live with the fact that you had to learn about your own written history from a Sinhalese.

“WWII was initiated by German attempt to occupy other people’s homeland. This included the actual occupation of France’s landmass from May 1940 and an air superiority campaign over Britain, with intent to invade.”

Fine. Eelam War I began when the LTTE detonated a landmine in Jaffna, which the Sinhalese include as part of the entire island as the Sinhala homeland.

Going by Peter logic, the Allies should have stopped fighting when they reached the German border. Instead, they pushed on until the Fuehrer killed himself in his bunker. Similarly, the SLA will push on until Thalaivar kills himself in his bunker.

“When was the first LTTE attack in south? When did Sri Lankan soldiers enter Jaffna?”

The first LTTE attack in the south was the murder of parliamentarian M. Canagaratnam in January 1978 in Colombo, followed by the bombing of a passenger aircraft at Ratmalana. Up until then, the task of fighting Tamil militancy solely fell on the Jaffna police. It was only in the following year that the govt. authorized the SLA to crack down against the LTTE.

“When did Sri Lanka Army establish a base in Elephant Pass? When did the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) establish a base in Karainagar?”

Every country has military installations in various regions. You will not have a credible argument unless you can show either that 1) the military had a stronger presence in Tamil areas than Sinhala areas OR 2) that the SLA/SLN garrisons somehow imposed themselves on the Tamils or obstructed Tamils’ livelihoods.

The fact is that the SL military was so small that it could hardly have imposed anything on the Tamils at that time; the combined number of Tamil militants by 1985 outnumbered the total Sri Lankan armed forces.

“Hmm, so you tell them that their voluntary adult men just didn’t have what it takes to fight against abducted children and grannies?”

The Granny Brigade is a relatively new formation within the LTTE and demonstrates the organization’s increasing problems with manpower. The civilian auxiliaries lack the training and willpower to face the SLA, and they are getting slaughtered in the battlefield.

Child soldiers on the other hand have been the mainstay for the LTTE since 1990s. It is a fact acknowledged by Western militaries and scholars that child soldiers are a dangerous combat force- they are cheap, easily indoctrinated, and are hard to demobilize/reform. P.W. Singer has written an excellent (though depressing) primer on the topic called Children At War. Charles Taylor, a convict who escaped from a Massachusetts prison took over the entire country of Liberia with just child soldiers. The RUC in Sierra Leone was annihilated twice by a private military contractor (Executive Outcomes) and a coalition of African states (ECOMOG) and bounced back each time through child soldiers. A group of child soldiers called the West Side Boys severely thrashed an elite British peacekeeping unit in western Africa.

“By your argument no country would have gained ‘independence’ form an occupying force; the occupier could have always claimed that the ‘resistance’ force would need to maintain ‘perpetual state of war to justify its existence.’”

You failed to take *proximity* into account. The European powers were able to separate from their colonies because they were separated by thousands of miles of ocean; India leaving the British Empire thus did not sour relations between the two countries. However, Pakistan splitting from India has produced a 50+ year cold (and sometimes hot) war in the Subcontinent involving both nuclear weapons and terrorism. The conflict in Sri Lanka is a separatist war involving adjoining areas, NOT an anti-colonial war.

“LTTE is a product of 30 years of Sinhala rule. The Thimpu principles, which the LTTE wants recognised, are for the protection of the Tamil people.”

Funny that you mention the Thimphu principles which were constructed by a coalition of Tamil groups including the TULF. The LTTE was not the only group which benefited from the 1983 violence; there were other groups which also arose only to be decimated by the LTTE.

“nearly all of those 72,000 Tamils would be alive today if the LTTE had vanished at the beginning of 1984.”

“I think you are in Lala land with that opinion. The Sinhalese who had made a habit of slaughtering Tamils en mass since 1958 would have had a sudden strike of enlightenment?”

You are surely in “Lala land” stating that the Sinhalese had made a habit of slaughtering Tamils en masse since 1958 (I don’t even need to think about that…). If there had been a systematic campaign of violence against the Tamils before 1983, there wouldn’t have been any Tamils left by 1983.

“The fact that there were no riots between 1958 and 1977 debunks your "momentum" theory.”

“The fact is, more Tamils were killed in each successive round of 'ethnic riots'; this I call gaining of momentum.”

You don’t gain momentum if there are breaks in the process (more or less wide gaps). The number and frequency of this violence indicates that they were tied around political events and personalities, as opposed to being part of a large trend. And more people were killed in the 1958 violence than in 1977.

“Perhaps you should make an effort to read the Vaddukoddai Resolution. In fact, the resolution was used as the TULF's election manifesto. TULF won 18 of the seats up for taking in the NE, based on the resolution that read: “This convention resolves that restoration and reconstitution of the Free, Sovereign, Secular, Socialist State of TAMIL EELAM, based on the right of self determination inherent to every nation, has become inevitable in order to safeguard the very existence of the Tamil Nation in this Country.””

I know quite a bit more about the unsavory world of Tamil politics to recognize Vaddukkoddai for what it was- a political gimmick intended to sucker the Thamil Manavar Peravai generation of Tamil youth. TULF won the seats primarily because the Tamil vote had traditionally supported its predecessor, the ITAK. If the Tamils really supported separatism, they would’ve backed Tamil parties with an older and more sincere commitment to a separate Tamil Eelam.

The best example is the case of the Suyatchi Kazhagam led by V. Navaratnam as a breakaway from ITAK in the late 1960s on the platform of a separate Tamil state. SK did not win any seats in the 1970 election, and in 1977 it competed against TULF claiming that unlike TULF, the SK would take immediate steps towards Tamil Eelam. TULF activists countered that voting for SK would be “treason” against the Tamil cause (!!) and that anyone supporting SK would be a thurogi (a term faithfully picked up by the LTTE and its acolytes).

“You failed to mention that it was the LTTE which had triggered the 1983 riots. The fact that the LTTE encourages and supports anti-Tamil violence is sufficient to argue that the LTTE is destroying the Tamil people.”

“Only a Sinhalese would be able to justify the mass slaughter of 3,000 unarmed men, women and children; the displacement of quarter of a million people; and the destruction of billions of dollars worth of property, as a 'normal' reaction to the killing of 13 soldiers.”

I don’t see anything in my post that justified the killing of Tamils (and I also don’t see anything in your posts condemning the violence which the LTTE committed against thousands of unarmed people of all ethnic groups). I simply pointed out what had triggered the violence. The LTTE had only 30 members by July 1983 but mushroomed to 1,500 by the end of 1984. Given this outcome, the LTTE unsuccessfully attempted another anti-Tamil backlash by massacring 200 Sinhalese Buddhist pilgrims at Anuradhapura in 1985.

It is an undeniable fact that the LTTE would never be what it is today if it hadn’t been for this violence (a fact which you’ve tacitly agreed with). That is why I argue that there will never be peace in Sri Lanka as long as there is an LTTE.

“The fact that the president of the time and his ministers fuelled Black July means that Tamils can not trust the leadership of a centralised system of governance to represent their welfare.”

I would have no argument against a well-designed system of devolution intended to improve governance at the local level. However, that is not what the LTTE is fighting for.

“And if it wasn't for the Indians, there would not be any Tamils left on the island.”

You must be thrilled that the LTTE repaid the Indians not only by attacking the IPKF without provocation but by murdering the Indian PM. That sure puts current Indian military assistance to SL in perspective!

“I am a Tamil, and while I may be residing outside the Tamil Homeland, I still have siblings in the homeland. Are you attempting to tell me that you know the aspirations of my siblings and my community more than I do?”

Let me put it this way: a mentally-handicapped paramecium probably knows more about the aspirations of the people living in the N-E than the average diaspora Tamil. That has been my experience after living and working in the N-E and then having the misfortune of meeting certain Tamils in the diaspora.

“Point taken; there was an anti-Tamil riot in Trincomalee on April 2006.”

I am glad you acknowledge that the LTTE has not prevented anti-Tamil violence from taking place and has ruined the Tamils through 25+ years of war.

“The reality is that Tamils who live in Sri Lanka are not pro-LTTE and for the most part do not want to waste their lives to achieve a "Tiger Eelam" for the entertainment of diaspora Tamils. For the most part they live peacefully in government areas, whether Colombo or Eastern Province.”

“What do you call the results of the 1977 elections?”

See above. The results of the 2008 local and provincial council elections in the East speak for themselves, where the Tamils achieved a turnout comparable with the rest of the island. Ditto for the 2005 presidential election where Tamils in the east and in Vavuniya and Mannar defied the LTTE “boycott” to vote.

TigerKiller said...

very Well said Navindran .I think that is the best post I have seen from you . Keep it up

Unknown said...

Thanks for a good post DA & DW,

keep it up.

Jambudipa said...

"that the seat of the first Sangam was a historical city"

Can we use non-Sanskrit names please! Its not "Sangam", but "Chankam". Apparently the Tamil name boards of Sri Lanka are full of such mistakes.

Unknown said...

Peter says,
.....Neither the Eelam Tamils nor the Sri Lankans...

So What kind Are you then?
For a Start, What is typed on your Passport?
Now dont tell me that you hold Canadian Passport etc...
There is only Sri Lankan type & it will always be that way.Just enjoy the beauty of a Rainbow with different shades & colours...
:)

Unknown said...

I saw the Madhu statue, But it seems the Bullet proof Casing is missing....
May be left behind as now Army is there to Protect it.
:)

LKDOOD said...

Sinhalese with LTTE identity card arrested in Anuradhapura

tamilnet

LKDOOD said...

Sinhalese with LTTE identity card arrested in Anuradhapura

tamilnet

TT said...

probably pointless now, but actually a satellite can "hover" if its geostationary cant it?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary_orbit

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NOLTTE=Peace said...

wijayapala,

I enjoy your post very much. Please keep it up. Your kind of people are rare breed now.

You have factually evaporated LTTE brain-washing liquid into thin air.

Great post!

hemantha said...

Tt,
"probably pointless now, but actually a satellite can "hover" if its geostationary cant it?"

Nope! Geostationary means it stays fixed relative to a point on (and above) the equator.

Amma Gahai/Gahawi said...

wijayapala,

U r post is simply astonishing! My hats off to u ! Not because of any other thing but only because of ur knowledge!

Brother, if u r in Melb/Aus in any chance, may I have the honour of having a beer (or anything else u like) with u?

Must be the best ever post by miles by the knowledge, facts, analysed and presentation and …. I lost for words.

Pardon me of my arrogance and my stupidity of not reading Tamil literature and my lack of knowledge on that. I recently read the book (it is a shame to say but I have to admit that it is the first time I read any Tamil literature) "Gorilla" by Shobasakthi and I felt absolutely amazed how things are so same and different on two ends of SL! I felt wonderful and miserable on the same time!

I sent ur post to few of my friends and fingers crossed they will read it!

Again, thank you very much!

Jambudipa said...

Is Praba preparing to flee?


A vertical dam is being constructed around what is thought to be Prabhakaran’s bunker in the Wanni in order to construct a deep underground railway tunnel, as an escape plan in the event the security forces capture Killinochchi, intelligence sources told The Daily Mirror yesterday.

According to intelligence sources, tension now exists in Wanni as several escape routes are being constructed around LTTE bunkers in the event the security forces make their entrance into the area.
- DN


Looks like the fat oily fuck is looking to escape on choo choo train.

Observer said...

I think the one of the most important parts od this DW article is the following

"If the Tigers fail to do this within the next month or two, the Army will definitely capture Kilinochchi. From there, they will surround Mullaithivu and Pooneryn"

Although some might think Killinochchi is gonna be the last to capture, there is a good chance that it will be the next major town that Army is going to capture.

Capturing Killinochchi using the same thrust that we have now, will make life easy for SLA to take whatever the avenue to Pooneryn or Mullativ.

The moment we capture Killinochchi, terorrists can not hold onto Mullativ and Pooneryn as all the links between the areas are occupied by the army.

This seems very promising to me. My two cents ..

Well done and good luck SLA..!

Unknown said...

THE COUNTRY MUST BE PUT ON A WAR FOOTING SOON.

NOLTTE=Peace said...

This National Post Editor has been bombarded by the LTTE coolies!

Any patriots to counter their false propaganda?

NOLTTE=Peace said...

Sorry the National Post link:

http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/07/23/national-post-editorial-board-sri-lanka-s-black-july-riots-25-years-later-and-the-rise-of-the-tamil-tigers.aspx

Unknown said...

this may be a little out of the subject though..

"with help from China and Pakistan. China is currently the largest supplier of weapons and armaments and has replaced Japan as the largest single donor to Sri Lanka."
DW

i thought that Iran was the largest donor to SL replacing Japan this year. that is mainly due to the Uma Oya funds given to the SL. but all of those funds were non military funds i guess.

Unknown said...

what is described as ....100 x mortar rounds....
in the defence.lk?
Is it mean 100s of Mortars or what?
Any guess?

Defencewire said...

wijayapala,

Excellent post. Well done!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Great post Wijayapala!

Unknown said...

DW/ DA/ noltte=peace/ tropical storm/GE etc,

just want your views on an a few ideas I had on the navy in the future, specially since we are a vital maritime link and the Indian Navy expanding her surface fleet and amphibious warfare capability and Naval air capability not to mention china’s desire to move in to the Indian ocean. And our new found/to be found oil in the mannar basin will attract some unwanted attention to us.

On account of the rapidly unfolding situation, we could see major confrontation come to a close towards the first or second quarter on the next year depending on the current thrust (my estimates. I could be well wrong) and we could probably see guerrilla /urban terrorist and classic tiger terror and espionage operation for some time to come.

But as an island state, we have to gain a strong naval capability, while reviewing our littoral warfare capability and tactics (ensurering that the next generations of sailors don’t forget the painful lessons learned by the navy in FAC/ small boat operations and costal dominance) we should collectively move to build a base line class of OPV's , which has room for future upgrades or war time refit. Plus a fast auxiliary ship for RAS/supply/ ro-ro type work.

I would think at least 4-6 of them(OPVs); 80m+ in length, 1800~2000dtw and twin screws, with a top speed of around 26~29kt, but a range of around 2200 Kt miles at 15kt, with a endurance of around 18~22 days, with a heli-deck/hanger for a.. lets say 6~8 ton heli, and full spectrum armament and C4I package), A small fleet air arm would also be useful, if cost is a problem, we could ask uncle sam for Sea Eagle UAVs (around $100k a package) which could be launched from ships/boats and recovered by the ships them selves.

We should try to acquire or build a small fleet of costal/sea Minesweepers or MCV because protecting our harbors and the shipping lanes is vital for SL.

And upgrade our FACs and start a river operations unit (so that we can take advantage of all our lagoons and inter connecting water ways)

I think underwater warfare will have to wait till the economy really pics up some time later. But we can start with a sub school, and a submersible or two. But a strong ASW capacity in a must! This is where the Fleet air arm would play a vital part.

In support of the Navy, the AF could get a few dedicated long range MPA, with ASW capability. A good coastal maritime surveillance radar system would be a vital part of SL’s defense in the future.

wijayapala said...

Dear amma gahai/gahawi,

"Pardon me of my arrogance and my stupidity of not reading Tamil literature and my lack of knowledge on that. I recently read the book (it is a shame to say but I have to admit that it is the first time I read any Tamil literature) "Gorilla" by Shobasakthi and I felt absolutely amazed how things are so same and different on two ends of SL! I felt wonderful and miserable on the same time!"

I did not see any arrogance in your post. As for not being familiar with Tamil literature, that is clearly not true as you mentioned that you have read "Gorilla." I have not yet read it and am very much looking forward to it. I have heard great things about it.

You probably know a million times more about Tamil literature than the average diaspora Tamil (although there are some who are really cool and taught me a lot about Tamil culture). I am looking forward to peter's response.

Unfortunately I am not in the Melbourne area, but if I come your way I will definitely give you a heads up.

Amma Gahai/Gahawi said...

Dear Wijayapala, Thanks for the comments and if u can pls recommend few books ect for a good read on my way to work on the train! And if possible where to buy them too. I got Gorilla from "Random House India" and it is damm cheap too. Bought the book online and DHL to Melb: Total cost was about A$5 something. If ur heading up Melb way then pls let me know.

Suranimala said...

Wijayapala .Great post .

wijayapala said...

Dear Amma Gahai/Gahawi,

"pls recommend few books ect for a good read on my way to work on the train! And if possible where to buy them too."

All books below are either in English or English translations:

War

1. Read anything by UTHR (www.uthr.org). You can print out the various reports from their website. They're the most unbiased (although still has some bias...) and informative source about the conflict that I've come across.

2. Sri Lanka: Voices from a War Zone by Nirupama Subramaniam. A good overview of various people events from Eelam War III. I did not like one chapter on the Buddhist Sangha, but there were a number of very good chapters on Razeek, the Central Bank bombing, and the situation at a refugee camp in the north. It should be available on amazon.com for a non-expensive price.

Tamil culture

1. Manimekalai by Sithalai Sattanar. Tamil Buddhist epic from about 2nd-4th century CE. This is a story about a daughter of a court dancer who wants to leave the dancing life and learn about Buddhism. I think this is the 1st book Sinhalese should read to get a glimpse of Tamil literature due to the Buddhist link. Type "Manimekhalai" on amazon.com and you can find an ok (not terrific) translation for a cheap price.

2. Evolution of an Ethnic Identity by K. Indrapala. ***Highly recommended*** book on the history of Sri Lankan Tamils up to 1215 CE. I don't agree with all of Indrapala's conclusions (particularly on linguistics), but he is the greatest and most credible scholar of SL Tamil history.

Let me know when you read these, and I'll tell you about some other books.

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