The Conflict in Sri Lanka: Ground Realities - Ilankai Tamil Sangam

the LTTE-led Tamil National Movement to exercise its right of
national self-determination within the context of the ethnoreligious
unitary State.
Can the President then avoid war?
A military solution?
President Rajapakse has been in his Sri Lanka Freedom Party
(SLFP) government or sat in the Opposition for more than three
decades when successive governments waged disastrous military
campaigns. He must surely know that the morale of large sections
within the Sinhala armed forces is low. The extremely high
levels of desertion clearly demonstrate this. During “Operation
Jayasikuru” in the late 1990s, for example, about 45 thousand
Sinhala soldiers – about 30% of the army – deserted carrying
with them arms and ammunition.
While trying to mollify recalcitrant Sinhala soldiers, a former
United National Party (UNP) Deputy Minister in effect confirmed
their poor morale. At an election campaign meeting in support of
the UNP presidential candidate held in Hatton on 3 rd of November,
he explained that Sinhala soldiers need not fear. “American
and Indian forces will fight the LTTE if Liberation Tigers’ leader
Pirapakaran opts to wage a war,” he explained with a flourish;
and added reassuringly, “there will be no need for Sri Lankan
forces to do the fighting.”
But President Rajapakse has informed his coalition partners
that it would take him about three months to modernise and
strengthen his armed forces. Is the President preparing for war
while talking peace?
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