PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING/HAVE LIVED THROUGH THE
ETHNIC CONFLICT IN SRI LANKA
NAME : COL. W.M.J. FERNANDO WWV,RWP,RSP,USP (Rtd)
AGE
: 53 YEARS
PROFESSION : COMMISSIONED OFFICER OF THE SRI
LANKA ARMY (Retd)
COMPANY DIRECTOR (Present)
COUNTRY OF CURRENT RESIDENCE (IF NOT SRI LANKA,
WAS THE CONFLICT A FACTOR IN YOUR RELOCATION?)
SRI LANKA
ETHNICITY IN RELATION TO THE CONFLICT
MAJORITY RACE SINHALA
YOUR DIRECT INTERACTION WITH THE WAR (IF ANY)
SERVED IN THE AFFECTED AREAS
IN OPERATIONS FOR 20 YEARS
Q - 1. Having had firsthand experience of living through the war in Sri Lanka, describe
what it was like for YOU personally?
A - Throughout it was adventurous. Most people who were involved in the war both, political
and military were not aware of the background of the conflict. The situation kept on
deteriorating till it developed to a major war affecting the entire society as well as the
economy. Backing from the International community and, millions of Tamils living abroad
was the main life line of the separatists. All successive governments failed in their efforts in
solving the problems due to political miscalculations. Yet, the ethnic problem remains as
same as it was few decades back.
Q - 2. How has it affected day to day life within Sri Lankan society?
A - The net result of the war has been destructive in all aspects. The Sri Lankan society
presently is in ruins and people have been living with blood and tears for nearly 30 years.
Refugees, orphans, war widows, disabled youth, devastated economy and the corrupted
political leadership are the main consequences of the prolonged conflict. The 20 million
population of the country have been denied of their basic amenities such as health,
education and housing.
Q - 3. Realistically, what are the prospects for peace and an end to the war in Sri Lanka?
A-
No hopes in the near future. Both LTTE and the Government have selected the war as their
solution to the problems. The Government believes that the problem could be solved by
defeating the LTTE militarily. The LTTE which doesn’t have the capability of defeating
the government militarily, believes that the nation will collapse when it is economically
exhausted. Both parties are arrogant and do not believe in a compromised settlement.
Therefore, there is no hope of peace and an end to the war in the near future.
Q - 4. What do you think are the political mistakes that the Sri Lankan government had made in
their efforts to achieve a resolution to the conflict?
A-
a. Not understanding the cause of the problem.
b. Not formulating a national plan to defeat separatism.
c. Inconsistency in handling the affairs related to the problem. Changing of policies with
the change of governments and individuals.
d. Failing to get the support of the International community including, neighbouring
India to isolate the LTTE and the Tamils supporting the LTTE in other parts of the
world.
Q - 5. What in your opinion are the worse consequences of the war?
A -
The socio-economic problems faced by the country and its people today are the
consequences of the war. The economy was the worst affected. Billions of Rupees spent
on the war and destroyed by the LTTE has put the country back by about 25 years.
900,000 children directly affected out of which, 300,000 orphaned will have a negative
effect on the progress of the country for the next 25 years. How other Asian countries
that were economically backward have progressed than Sri Lanka is the best example for
the result of the war.
Q – 6. In 2002, with the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), a feeling of hope arose
among the Sri Lankans? What do you believe to be the cause of the ceasefire falling
apart?
A-
Sri Lankan government signed the agreement at a time when the country was not ready
for it. LTTE was in a strong position with series of military victories behind them. The
government which was in power mishandled the war and, by year 2001, the military as
well as the government was not geared to continue the war anymore. Series of military
debacles and the attack on the International Airport had demoralized the entire country.
Therefore, the new government that came to power went for peace talks as underdogs.
The LTTE taking the advantage of the situation were making unrealistic demands at the
peace talks and finally, they unilaterally withdrew from the talks. It was the fault of the
LTTE, not the government.
Q -7. Your thoughts on the LTTE
A-
A typical separatist revolutionary movement which has developed to the present level
over a period of time. Its political and military wings function parallel to each other
under their ruthless and dedicated leadership. Though not the sole representative of the
Sri Lankan Tamil community, it is the only separatist movement which has continued the
struggle for separatism on behalf of the 60 million strong Tamil community scattered
throughout the world.
Q - 8. With ethnic conflicts occurring around the world and people fighting for a place to call
their own native soil, do you believe the LTTE are justified in their fight for a separate
homeland?
A-
It is not the LTTE that is fighting for a separate homeland. LTTE is carrying out militarily
what their predecessors failed to achieve by non violent or less violent means. LTTE is
just an apparatus operated by a stronger organization elsewhere.
Q - 9. Your personal feelings (anger, sadness, etc) comments and opinions on the
war/terrorism/human rights’ violations/government and LTTE military tactics.
A-
It is very sad that Sri Lanka is going through the problem for almost three decades. This is
the result of short sighted political manoeuvres by unscrupulous politicians of the past.
We have seen the other neighbouring countries progressing economically whilst we still
lag behind. Billions of dollars spent on the war would have placed Sri Lanka much ahead
of Malaysia and Singapore. The tragedy is that neither party has learnt from their
mistakes. There is no hope of ending the war in the near future. Both sides want the war to
decide the future of the country. Terrorism, human rights’ violations and all other unlawful
activities are part of and parcel of the war. The Sri Lankan society has lived through all
these problems and doesn’t grumble much because, the long duration of the war have
made them immune to them.