This refers to Jyoti Malhotra’s column “In Sri Lanka reversal, India goes with us” (Mappings, March 23). It must not be forgotten that the war on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its supremo Prabhakaran – who was responsible for killing many moderate Tamils leaders – was called on to establish peace in the island country and rehabilitate millions of innocent Tamils. Could this have been possible with Prabhakaran around? Certainly not. Post-war, it is important to take cognisance of the massive task at hand for the Sri Lankan government before passing judgements on it. It is no easy job to provide shelter to millions of war-ravaged Tamilians and it cannot be accomplished in a day or two. The Sri Lankan government rightfully needs time to accommodate all sections of people in housing units. Countries across the globe, instead of wringing their hands and accusing Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government, must look at ways in which they can best help the ailing nation.
We are yet to see a civil war like the one in Sri Lanka in the US or Austria to know how these “doves” would react. Given the war crimes US committed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and its handling of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the US would do better to mind its business and take a look at its own poor human rights record.
Raghu Seshadri Chennai
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