6th February 2000

By Alia

Novel idea to end war

Aman who thinks of himself as someone cast in the mould of military greats like Generals Montgomery, Eisenhower or the modern day's Norman Schwarzkopf, came up with a novel idea last week to end the ongoing separatist war.

Tighten the censorship further and prevent the media from reporting. Anyone sane would say that would keep Sri Lankans totally in the dark.

But this hero, with very little or no success to speak of, pontificated otherwise. He believes placing tougher restrictions on the media, hey presto!, would make all things hunky dory.

He appeared irked with The Sunday Times Situation Report last week reported how, none other than President and Commander-in-Chief, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, learnt of the military's plans to take on Tigers in the coming weeks and months.

The report in question scrupulously refrained from divulging any sensitive military matters but made the point that President Chandrika Kumaratunga had asserted she would give peace every chance. But she emphasised it would not be at the expense of the security forces.

Conscious of the fact that Sri Lankans should know what their President had declared and the troops what the Commander-in-Chief had assured, a high Government source gave The Sunday Times the details. Quite naturally, the censor approved it. There appeared no doubt the matter was of national interest and did NOT contravene censorship regulations.

But the uninformed chief did not think that way. He accused the censor of being jaunty and incompetent. That is not all !! He also felt The Sunday Times writers should not show off that they know everything. "Let them keep to themselves what they know," our allknowing hero intoned.

The very first round of his latest crusade to convert others to his line of thinking flopped. None of those who heard him joined the bandwagon. Some even spoke in whispers later, about the attempt being a big joke.

As one knowledgeable source said, "Why preach to the media and the censor on how to do their jobs? All will be well if he gets on with his own job where a lot remains to be done."

Blaming it on the media, particularly when the truth is told or the much-prayed for showers of praise are not forthcoming, is nothing new. Many of those, grossly incompetent, who failed to deliver, have resorted to this popular sport. They knew little when they were expected to know more and ended up in the dustbin of history.

The war has to be with the real enemy. Not the perceived one.

Giving the show away

Talking of media and the ongoing censorship, who said the LTTE had bunkers in Thanankilappu, the south western flank of the security forces controlled Jaffna peninsula?

The answer: The Operational Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence. Its news release on Friday declared "On 03 February 2000 at midnight in the general area Thanankilappu, troops launched an attack to (sic) a terrorist bunker line with......" It added "Ground troops confirmed that the bunker line was completely destroyed."

Rajpal Abeynayake's Column

Editorial/ Opinion Contents