Situation Report

Twisting the truth to tame the Tigers

A pithy Sinhala folk tale speaks of how a village thief climbed a Kithul palm tree being tapped for toddy. It was to steal the inebriating stuff. The owner who caught him in the act asked what he was doing up there. "I climbed to reap some grass," was the reply. "You don't get grass atop a Kithul tree, you idiot," exhorted the angry owner only to draw another quick retort. "Well, I found that out. That is why I am climbing down," he said.

Neither the owner of the Kithul palm nor the thief believed there was grass growing up there. Nor did the villagers when the story spread. There are distinct parallels to this old folk tale and a statement the Ministry of Defence released last Sunday. Military Spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne had to be recalled from his household chores to have this statement put out in the form of a news release. This is what it said:

"Attention of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been drawn to some media reports regarding visit of Minister of Defence Hon. Mr. Tilak Marapana and Commander of the Navy Daya Sandagiri to Israel. "Ministry of Defence clearly states that the visit was not scheduled hastily but that the invitation was offered to the Hon. Minister of Defence by Government of Israel more than six months back.

"The Commander of the Navy received his invitation last year. "Due to many logistical and middle east politico-military environmental reasons the visits had to be postponed several times. "Subsequently arrangements for both visits were finalized between the two Governments.

"The Hon. Minister and the Commander of the Navy visited Israel and at the first available opportunity in view of their duties and it was by co-incidence that these two visits took place at the same time, and not to respond to the developments that have taken place in Sri Lanka, as insinuated in some media reports."

For reasons better known to the bureaucrats in the Defence Ministry or their superiors, the statement does not identify which newspaper made the references. It goes on to make some important points:

(1) the visit was not scheduled hastily (2) the invitation was offered to Defence Minister Marapana by the Government of Israel more than six months back (3) the Commander of the Navy received this invitation last year (4) subsequently arrangements for both visits were finalized between the two Governments (5) it was by co-incidence that these two visits took place at the same time, and (6) the visits were not to respond to developments that have taken place in Sri Lanka, as insinuated in some media reports.

Almost the entirety of these columns last week was devoted to the visit to Israel by Mr. Marapana, Vice Admiral Sandagiri and others. Even though the MoD statement does not make any reference to The Sunday Times it cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.

To say the least, it seeks to mislead the public. It seems to be on the assumption that most Sri Lankans are so deaf, so dumb and so blind. They would only believe what is contained in an official MoD statement.

It claims that the visits were "not scheduled hastily." Mr Marapana had received his invitation more than six months back and Vice Admiral Sandagiri a year ago. The dates they received the invitations is not an issue. No newspaper claimed that the visit was "scheduled hastily" or state the dates when invitations were received by the two.
Though the visits "had to be postponed several times," the MoD statement admits "subsequently arrangements for both visits were finalized between the two Governments." That contradicts the

claim that "it was by co-incidence that these two visits took place at the same time."
If in fact the "arrangements for both visits were finalized between the two Governments," how come it became a co-incidence? The two Governments were aware of the arrangements made. Both Mr. Marapana and Vice Admiral Sandagiri flew together from Colombo to Bangkok and thereafter to Jerusalem. Moreover the permissin of the Ministry of Defence is required for a service commander to travel abroad.

Now to the most ridiculous part of the statement - "…..these two visits took place at the same time, and not to respond to the developments that have taken place in Sri Lanka, as insinuated in some media reports."

If Mr. Marapana's visit was held up for six months and Vice Admiral Sandagiri's for one whole year, "arrangements for both visits," as the MoD statement confirms were "finalised between the two Governments." It was these arrangements that prompted the delegation to leave for Israel on July 10 - the same day UNF Chief Negotiator, Prof. G.L. Peiris, declared that the Government's latest proposals to woo Tiger guerrillas to return to the negotiating table would be made within the "next few days."

The question that arises is why a visit that has been held up for six months and another for a year was suddenly lined up by "co-incidence" for July 10. Though stupid, one is inclined to ask whether the purpose of the visit was to respond to developments that have taken place in another planet if not in Sri Lanka? Why is this haste to cover up efforts by a sovereign Government to provide its Security Forces with new military hardware? After all, that should have cleared public apprehensions and boosted morale. All the more when their one time adversary, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is openly smuggling in military hardware through the north eastern deep seas?

Besides this, a top level Israeli team was in Sri Lanka as exclusively revealed in these columns. This team also spoke about Mr Marapana's impending visit to Israel.
Giving lie to the UNF Government claim is a news report by one of Israel's distinguished journalists and author, Yossi Melman in Haaretz, the prestigious and most influential newspaper. Eighty years in publication, it is regarded as one of the top twenty newspapers in the world. See box story for the English version of the report. The newspaper also published the same report in its widely read Hebrew edition. (See facsimile of both reports and the full English text on this page).

As Haaretz (Hebrew for The Earth) confirms the visits of Mr. Marapana and Vice Admiral Sandagiri were for matters military - mainly procurements. It is no secret that no procurements were made for 14 long months after the ceasefire. It was only in April, this year, the Security Forces were allowed to stock up requirements for three months.

Besides the Haaretz report The Sunday Times has learnt that deals with Israel can be anything between US $ 40 to $ 60 million. Mr. Marapana met his Israeli counterpart Shaul Mofaz but a call on Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, could not be scheduled since the latter was away on a trip to United Kingdom.

He visited Israel Aircraft Industries which manufactures, among other things, patrol boats and helicopters with long endurance for maritime flights, IMI which manufactures ammunition, light weapons, artillery, El-Op, manufacturers of night vision equipment, Elbit, manufacturers of fire control systems, Rafael who have made a bid to upgrade weapons systems in Dvora Fast Attack Craft and who manufacture Pyton Sea to Sea missiles. Mr Marapana had made a specific request to his hosts not to give publicity to his visit or make available photographs to the media.

Hence, the question arises whether the visit is not after recent developments in Sri Lanka? Why then is the claim that the visit was "not to respond to the developments that have taken place in Sri Lanka?" Surely who will believe the military procurements from Israel are for use somewhere else in the world?

During the seven year long People's Alliance rule, truth was suppressed with a censorship. News releases then put out by the MoD on various incidents spoke of very heavy "LTTE terrorist" casualties. If that was true, Mr. Prabhakaran and his men would not have been living today to negotiate with the UNF Government. But UNF leaders seem to believe any statement put out by the MoD or for that matter by its own propaganda arms or propagandists will justify the hidden truth.

It was the very day Inspector Sunil Thabrew of the Dehiwela Police was shot dead by a Tiger guerrilla intelligence cadre, that a team of guerrillas stormed the Batticaloa jail and tried to rescue one of their colleagues awaiting trial for murder. No sooner the report appeared in the Army website, they were ordered to pull it out. Defence Minister Marapana appeared on TV to deny it. Chief Government Spokesman's office issued a statement quoting Interior Minister, John Ameratunga, as saying no such attack had taken place.

The claims were proved wrong. The incident did take place. (Situation Report - June 29) Commenting on these developments, a Western diplomat, from a country fully supporting the ongoing peace process could not help but remark that "your government should stop economising far too much on the truth."

The Sunday Times learnt that the MoD statement was prompted by many reasons. UNF leaders feared that would offend the LTTE. They would feel that the Government was preparing for war whilst offering them a fresh set of proposals. They also feared that Muslims, particularly in the East, would be unhappy the Government was seeking Israeli help. Hence, Government's "experts" thought through a MoD denial they could simply undo al the embarrassment. Evidently they felt everything would be rosy thereafter.

Last Thursday Norway's Special Envoy, Jon Westborg, carried the Government's latest proposals - a Discussion Document - to set up a provincial administrative structure. The full text of this document appears on this page. Hence the UNF's peace efforts are moving forward.

Similarly, though belated, the UNF Government has also embarked on efforts to ensure Security Forces remain in a higher level of preparedness and readiness. Though some may be reluctant to admit, as I said last week, it is now a case of continuing to talk peace whilst preparing for war.

Sri Lankan officials in Israel for $20 million arms deal
By Yossi Melman
Top Sri Lankan officials are in Israel to further a major arms purchase by Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Defense Minister Thilak Marapana and naval commander Daya Sandagiri are in Jerusalam to buy new weapons control systems for the Dabur naval patrol boats it bought several years ago from Israel. The deal is said to be worth at least $20 million.

During the visit, which began last week, the high-level guests, accompanied by an entourage of Sri Lankan military and civilian officials, are touring Israel Aircraft Industries and Israel Military Industries installations, the Rafael Armament Development Authority, as well as Elbit and El-Op, manufacturers specializing in electronic and electro-optic defence systems.

The visit, originally classified as top secret, was made public by the Sri Lanka Sunday Times. The paper also reported that the Israel visit was preceded by a top-level Israeli delegation to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo about two weeks ago, led by Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Ben-Hanan, head of the Defense Ministry's Foreign Defence and Assistance and Defence Export Division. Among the Israelis in Colombo were arms dealers Zvi Yosef and Moshe Stav, who have been deeply involved in recent years in weapons deals between Sri Lanka and Israel.

The Sunday Times said that the latest move toward an arms purchase by the Sri Lankan Defense Ministry points to a new government policy toward the Sri Lanka separatist movement, the Tamil Tigers. After a 17-month cease-fire with the rebels, the government has uncovered several attempts to smuggle arms by sea from neighboring India, and has decided to prepare for a renewal of fighting.

Responding to the charge that the visit of the Sri Lankan brass was to have been kept secret, delegation head Maj. Gen. Ben-Hanan said "the visit was not a secret. Its purpose was to strengthen security ties between the two countries, and to expand Israel's military export in all areas." Security sources stressed that no agreements have been signed and that negotiations would continue.

Israel and Sri Lanka have maintained security ties for some two decades. In addition to the Dabur patrol boats, Israel also sold Sri Lanka a number of Kfir fighter jets, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries, most of which were blown up in a raid on a Colombo airport by Tamil separatists about two years ago. - Haaretz

Govt’s new proposals to LTTE
Here is the full text of the Government's latest proposals to the LTTE to set up a provincial administrative structure.
Discussion Document
Introduction
Based on a request from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has developed the below framework for establishing a provisional administrative arrangement which will enable the LTTE to participate significantly in decision making and delivery related to administration, and rebuilding of the war damage infrastructure and economy, in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The objective of establishing such an arrangement is to ensure rapid improvement in the life of the population in the eight districts in the north and east, while LTTE and GOSL at the same time are actively engaged in a dialog to arrive at a negotiated settlement based on the agreement reached during the third session of the negotiations in Oslo in December 2002.

Therefore - being an integral part of the process towards a negotiated settlement of the ethnic conflict - the establishment and continued operation of this interim administrative arrangement will depend on a continued dialogue between the parties both in the context of this administrative structure as well in the negotiations towards a final solution of the conflict.

Given the importance attached to a continued dialogue at all levels the proposal for an administrative arrangement is presented as framework - not a final document - which in it self must be subject for dialogue between the parties.

Given the understanding between the Parties during plenary sessions of negotiations that a Muslim delegation should be accommodated when issues of concern to the Muslim population is being deliberated, it is the view of GOSL that:

- A Muslim delegation must participate in the discussions relating to establishment of a provisional administrative structure for the Northern and Eastern Provinces; and
- That it should be open to the SLMC to submit separate proposal pertaining to the establishment of the above mentioned structure.

Provisional Administrative Structure for the Northern and Eastern Province - Proposal for Discussion
Provisional Administrative Council
It is proposed that a body called the Provisional Administrative Council for the Northern and Eastern Provinces (Council) will be set up for the administration of this region.

1) The Council shall consist of such number of members as many be determined by the parties.
2) The composition of the Council shall consist of the following:
a. Members nominated by GOSL, which will include the nominees of
the Peoples Alliance.
b. Members nominated by the LTTE.
c. Members nominated by Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC)
3) The number of members will be determined to ensure:
a A majority of the LTTE in the Council
b. Subject to (a) above, the Muslim and Sinhala Communities will have weighted representation.

4) Chairperson
Two alternatives are presented concerning chairpersons for the Council:
Alt. 1 There shall be two chairpersons, one representing the LTTE and the other the GOSL elected by, and from amongst the members of the Council. Each chairperson shall have the right to veto any proposal brought before the Council.
Alt. 2 There shall be one Chairperson elected from amongst the members of the Council. If alternative 2 is selected the following para shall be included concerning decisions of the Council.

Any decision of the Council, which affects either the Muslim, or the Sinhala Community, can only be made valid if the decision is supported by:

a. A majority of the Members of the Council, and
b. A majority of the representatives of the Muslim or the Sinhala communities as the case may be.

Powers and Functions of the Provisional Administrative Council
1) It is proposed that the powers and functions of the Council will extend to:
Adequate arrangements to enable the Council to participate effectivelyin the exercise and performance of such powers and functions as are at present being exercised and performed by the Government in respect of regional administration - except the area of police and security; land; and revenue - but including rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement.

2 The participation mentioned above shall include policy making, implementation and monitoring.

3) The detailed modalities required to give effect to the above 1) and 2) shall be subject for discussion between the parties.
The Special Commissioner
It is further proposed that:

1) A "Special Commissioner" is appointed with the authority to to utilize the State machinery for the implementation of the decisions of the Council;
2) The Special Commissioner will be appointed by the GOSL with the consent of the majority of the Council;
3) The Special commissioner will be a non-voting member of the Council, and accountable to this body;
4) The Council may designate another person or an organization to co-ordinate rehabilitation or development work implemented by non-State agencies and organisations.

Finances
1) The Council will - giving due consideration to an equitable distribution - determine the use of funds placed at its disposal. The Council will further identify such utilization by State agencies, NGOs, international agencies, private sector agencies for administration, rehabilitation reconstruction and development in the North-East region. The funds made available to the work of the Council will include - but not necessarily be limited to - such funds as:

a received from Donors to the North East Reconstruction Fund (NERF)
b. allocated by GOSL to NERF; and
c. such resources as are received for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Northern and Eastern Provinces other than through NERF.

2) North East Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund (NERRF)
It is recognised that NERF was established to cater for meeting the immediate needs of the population in the north and east. In order to enlarge the scope of this fund it is suggested that the funds should be modified to deal with both rehabilitation and reconstruction as well as cover medium term requirements. It is therefore suggested that the NERF is renamed NERRF.

It is further proposed that the GOSL and the LTTE shall actively encourage contributions to NERRF. The Government will provide funding through NERRF wherever practical. Utilization of resources from NERRF will as mentioned above be directly determined and supervised by the Council.

3) The Special Fund
A "Special Fund" is proposed instituted as an information, accounting and monitoring devise for resources from donors or the Government that is not channelled through NERRF. The purpose of this mechanism is to enable the Council to be aware, and become responsible for effective utilization or resources to the north and east including loans and other finances that cannot be channelled through NERRF.

The District Committees
It is also proposed to institute a District Committee for each of the eight Districts in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

1) Chairperson, Composition and Relationship to the Council
a. The Chairperson of the District Committee will be appointed by and from amongst the members of the Council in order to serve as a link between the Council and the District Committee.
b. The other members will also be appointed by the Council. In appointing such members, due consideration will be given to ensure adequate representation of the ethnic composition of the District in question.
c. The District Committee will function directly under the Council and will be charged with carrying out the decisions of the Council.
d. The District Secretary will be the Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the District Committee.
e. All activities within the District relating to the powers and functions of the Council will be co-ordinated through the Secretary to the District Committee.
2) Functions of the District Committee It is proposed that the functions of the District Committee will consist of:
a. Implementation of the decisions of the Council;
b. Co-ordination of all development activities within the district; and
c. Formulation of proposal for consideration by the Council.
3) Powers of the District Committee
a. Each District Committee will function as a delegate of the Council and ensure the effective implementation of the decisions of Council.

b. For all purposes a district Committee will be responsible for the district for which it is established and will function as an administrative mechanism at district level.
c. A District Committee may - with the concurrence of the Council, obtain the assistance of individual or body of persons for the effective discharge of its functions.

District Sub-Committee
It is proposed that each District Committee may establish such number of District Sub-Committees as may be necessary for such sub-divisions in the district in order to ensure effective implementation of the decisions of the Council and the District Committees at local level. The members of the District Sub-Committee will be nominated by the District Committee with the concurrence of the Council.

Committees of the Provisional Administrative Council
1) It is further viewed as advantageous for the Council to establish the following special committees to strengthen its work:

a. An Economic Affairs Committee
b. An Infrastructure Committee
c. An Essential Services Committee

2) Each Committee should consist of not more than four members of the Council, and such persons - including experts and officers - as may be determined by the parties.
3) The Chairman of the Committee should be a member of the Council.
4) Each committee will function under the direction of the council.

Period of Operation
It is proposed that the contemplated arrangement will be in operation for a limited period as agreed upon by the parties, however, subject to the arrangement being reviewed by the parties every six months.ri Lankan officials in Israel for $20 million arms deal

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