Mind over muscle: Why change now?

Though the entire country supporting a quick resolution of the hostage crisis is paranoid, particularly around a 'delay in finishing this war', the Sri Lanka Army and Military Planners has maintained remarkable cool. No Army in the history of warfare has been subject to this much pressure and maintained such cool against all odds.

What can be characterized as a remarkable success is the Army's choice to use its brains in this final phase of operations rather than muscle or brute force. This is complemented by a clear political strategy under the elected leadership. The Military and political leadership has demonstrated, against all odds, that military action is only a means of achieving the end, which as always, is political.

The Sri Lankan Military has responded constructively to criticism and demonstrated a sensitivity to the political environment in the region and elsewhere. Its respect for civilian life, and accountability has been very high for an Army from the 'global south' and goes above and beyond armies from powerful western countries whose mistakes are often untouchable to the UN, media, diaspora or anti-war propaganda.

No Army would endure such painstaking maneuvers as the Sri Lanka Army has when all it needs is to overrun the 4km2 stretch of land to finish in a few hours what it has endured for 30 years. Even the smaller Malvidian Army could overrun this area in hours but the Sri Lankans are not willing to risk civilian lives.

This is the fundamental value of a military-- to protect those who cannot protect themselves and to act ONLY on the orders of those elected by the people. These are the enduring signs of a professional military functioning within a democracy.

The Sri Lanka military has sacrificed the easier option, not because of international pressure, since such pressure is being exerted regardless, but because of these fundamental values. Until this hostage taking by the LTTE, which increased by 100% the chances of civilian casualties, the Sri Lankan Military had avoided any serious incidents of collateral damage.

Any responsible state issuing edicts against the Sri Lankan state on alleged misconduct by its military should think very clearly the message it sends out to other armies around the world. The message is that you can be penalized for whatever effort you may take to preserve human life in times of war, so why try it in the first place?

Not even the famous 'carrot and sticks' approach of the West was afforded to the Sri Lankan military. No carrots have ever been given by those states that lead this criticism though there have been a fair share of sticks.

Such criticism sets a very bad precedence to other, not so professional armies around the world who are learning from this example/experience that modern wars can indeed be won without 80% civilian casualties. In fact, the past three years of the humanitarian operation have recorded the lowest casualties to civilians though heavy fighting had ensued in 6 Districts.

The Sri Lanka Army, unlike its more powerful counterparts, do not fire at passing civilian vehicles on the road when they venture near a convoy or (despite its technological advancements) are unable to prevent avoidable incidents of collateral damage.

A Paranoid LTTE is worse than any off-target artillery

Having reached the outskirts of a newly declared safe zone within the remaining No Fire Zone, the only threat to the trapped civilians and the Sri Lanka Army is the paranoia that's crept into the LTTE, which is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Unfortunately, nothing has been done by the Internationals to mitigate this very serious threat.

LTTE's cowardice reached a new level after its latest attack on civilians attempting to move to a newly demarcated No Fire Zone. There are conflicting reports as to how many civilians have been killed in this LTTE attack, but the numbers could be over 400.

With the latest possibility of losing their human shield, the LTTE seems to have lost its cool completely. The objective of the Army was to get civilians out of harms way from the LTTE by moving them away from the Nanthikadal lagoon and towards the Mulaitivu coast by splitting the remaining portion of land inside the NFZ. But the Tigers had cold feet.

The Tigers want the civilians to remain at Nanthikadal lagoon where a series of bunkers and strong points provide protection to the LTTE leadership. This area is well fortified, whereas the coastal area is not.

Knowing that the fortifications are no match for the Army, the only possibility of guaranteeing survival for the Tiger leadership is to have the civilians on the side of the Nanthikadal lagoon. This should demonstrate to any observer beyond reasonable doubt that the Sri Lankan Military is not willing to risk civilian lives no matter what.

The 4mk2 land area, part of the NFZ declared by the government for the safety of the civilians is also where the LTTE leadership, unable to face the Sri Lankan military, is also hiding. Although this fact needs no mentioning, certain sections of the 'International Community' seem to have forgotten this reality.

Either way, the week starting 10th May will be crucial for both sides. Anything is possible with the Army reaching the outskirts of the newly declared NFZ.

dA & DW