Peace signals or red herrings?

The release of nine persons captured by the LTTE has given rise to speculation about a possible change of heart of this terrorist organisation and their desire to negotiate for peace.If the LTTE is genuine about peace talks it is indeed very good news. But its record leaves room for much scepticism. All Sri Lankans are tired of this conflict which has gone on for 15 years and accounted for thousands of lives.

There are very good reasons for scepticism about LTTE’s desire for peace talks because if they are sending smoke signals for peace, they come soon after their successful attack on Kilinochchi. Magnanimity as well as sense and sanity, particularly in moments of triumph, is not a trait of LTTE terrorism.

On the other hand the LTTE is having a not too cosy time, as they did in the developed countries, from which they have been drawing their financial sustenance. Terrorism of any form, even under the guise of liberation movements, are now not looked upon favourably by the west. Ethnic wars in the Balkans, some republics of the former Soviet Union and terrorist bombings in the United States have woken up western powers to the horrors and dangers of international terrorism. Today, some countries such as Canada have come to realise that they have within their communities terrorists, well experienced in armed combat. Evidence for this have come from shoot-outs in streets such as Ottawa. The United States and Canada have proscribed the LTTE and now Britain too appears to be moving against fellow travellers of the Sri Lankan terrorist movement. Western conscience which is hurt by children being used as workers to sew up footballs in countries like Pakistan have been rudely shaken by the discovery of child soldiers being conscripted for battle by the LTTE.

All these indications however should not lull the government into a state of complacency. Today, it is apparent that the situation in Jaffna is indeed precarious. After having been driven out of the Jaffna Peninsula about two years ago, it is evident that the LTTE has returned and is crippling the civilian administration. The courts have ceased to function and civilian administrators are under the gun. Two mayors and two military commanders have been assassinated.

It is likely that the LTTE will strike again and this time it will not be in the jungles of the Wanni but in the Jaffna peninsula itself. Pooneryn, Mullaitivu and Killinochchi have demonstrated that the terrorists can take on large military fortifications.

Despite the apparent peace signals, the military must be on the full alert for an offensive in which the terrorists will make a bid to gain control of the Jaffna peninsula.

Playing the Game
The cold monsoon winds that blew into Dacca would have surely cooled down and convinced the hot headed fanatical bandwagon of sycophantic cricket writers, pundits of the Idiot Box as well as sponsored idiots and clowns performing on the boundaries of international playing fields, of the fact that the Sri Lankan cricket team, like cricket teams of all other nations, is not invincible.

Any criticism of their demi-gods on or off the fields, was considered sacrilege by this lickspittle band who attempted to confer the attribute of invincibility on our cricketers and pour scorn on any dissenters .

Losing a one day match by a margin of 92 runs is indeed a stinging defeat. But much older cricketing nations have suffered such ignominious defeats on innumerable occasions. Thus, Arjuna Ranatunga and his ‘boys’ – some well into their middle age with pot bellies, bald heads and graying temples – need not lose heart. They are still a great team and they lost to the extremely capable South Africans. Besides, winning or losing a game does not really matter but what matters is the spirit in which the game is played.

Sri Lankan cricket is rich with such sporting traditions. The oldest – 119th cricketing encounter – the Royal -Thomian has the story of Thomian cricket Captain, Artie Lankatilleke, saving the match by playing out time but on the request of the Royalist Captain giving an extra over, losing the match and being carried shoulder high to the pavilion by Royalists.

At a time when the World Champions are licking their wounds its good to recall the often quoted lines of Sir Henry Newbolt:

There’s a breathless hush in the Close tonight
Ten to make and the match to win
A bumping pitch and a blinding light
An hour to play and the last man in
And it’s not for the sake of the ribboned coat

Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame
But his Captain’s hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!