First shot which set in motion the disintegration of the LTTE was fired by Ranil Wickremesinghe says UNP Central Province Minister S. B. Dissanayake

Tracking the Norwegian
Conflict Resolution Initiative

First shot which set in motion the disintegration of the LTTE
was fired by Ranil Wickremesinghe
says UNP Central Province Minister S. B. Dissanayake

Sinhala Owned Sri Lanka Daily Mirror 18 July 2009

"... the Cease Fire Agreement entered into by former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe with the LTTE in February 2002 ... marked the beginning of the end of the LTTE. The extensive and exclusive security network excellently co- ordinated internationally baulked LTTE�s smuggling activities and clandestine operations whereby its international chain was effectively disrupted. The strategic planning and diplomacy of the UNP led to the division within the LTTE resulting in two opposing factions � the Wanni faction and the Batticaloa faction which eventually led the LTTE to the present state of despair... at the Presidential election since Prabhakaran visualized that Ranil�s manoeuvers would cost disaster for him. He therefore enforced a ban on voting at the elections in the North.."

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Central Provincial Council Opposition Leader S. B. Dissanayake said that the first shot which set in motion the disintegration of the LTTE was fired by Ranil Wickremesinghe when he was Prime Minister.

Addressing a meeting of the United Professionals Group in Colombo recently he said it was the Cease Fire Agreement entered into by former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe with the LTTE in February 2002 that marked the beginning of the end of the LTTE.

�The extensive and exclusive security network excellently co- ordinated internationally baulked LTTE�s smuggling activities and clandestine operations whereby its international chain was effectively disrupted. The strategic planning and diplomacy of the UNP led to the division within the LTTE resulting in two opposing factions � the Wanni faction and the Batticaloa faction which eventually led the LTTE to the present state of despair."

Mr. Dissanayake, further stated that Mr. Wickremasinghe continued the Peace Process and the Cease Fire Agreement initiated by the then President Chandrika Kumaranatunga with suitable modifications to achieve stability and peace in the Country, which was in a very pathetic state while the Economy too was recording a minus growth. In addition, the Aviation and Shipping Industries too were declining with many Airlines and shipping vessels avoiding Colombo after the devastating attack on the Katunayake International Airport.

�Ranil went ahead with the peace process with genuine intentions to achieve peace and stability through a devolution package that envisaged power sharing at the periphery. This cost him victory at the Presidential election since Prabhakaran visualized that Ranil�s manoeuvers would cost disaster for him. He therefore enforced a ban on voting at the elections in the North,� S.B. Dissanayake said.

Answering question posed by the audience, he stated that due to the International safety net arrangement and the pressure brought on it, the LTTE was desperately confined to the Wanni and their activities were virtually paralyzed, so much so that they could only provide services to the civilians. �Dissension amongst cadres and between Wanni and Batticaloa wings started surfacing during this period which finally culminated in the total breakaway of the Karuna faction.

This was a most salutary outcome of the CFA though such divisions were not intended or planned. This crippled the LTTE , and the present war success truly stems from the past maneuvers and efforts based on the CFA.

The Country�s Economy was in ruin with the incumbent government at that time trying to borrow from agencies all over the world. This environment did not permit even the basic maintenance needs of the Armed Forces. The respite gained in Armed confrontation during the initial stages of the CFA allowed the Government led by Ranil Wickremesinghe to replenish and re -train the Armed Forces. The Armed forces were strengthened with manpower and equipment. The vast improvements to the commercial sector and stability achieved in the economy paved the way for large scale influx of Foreign Funds and Investments. The regained economic strength, in effect paved the way for subsequent Regimes to resume the War effort and sustain to this day after the LTTE opted to resort to a war agenda.

When Mahinda Rajapaksa took office, the Country was relatively stable economically as a result of the UNP policies implemented in 2002 � 2004 and the LTTE was in two factions and had sufficient foreign exchange reserves to manage the affairs comfortably. Country was relatively peaceful unlike in late 2001. But, military victories alone will not bring peace to the country. There should be genuine efforts to address the grievances of the minorities, which the UNP is committed to. The country is virtually in ruins, economically as many Businesses are closing down adding to unemployment. There is no Law and Order and the underworld rules the Political arena. There is virtually no democracy and the press is muzzled.

When asked about the statement attributed to him that UNP was on the decline, he vehemently denied and said, that one journalist wanted to talk to him whilst he was busy at a meeting and later fabricated this story. When confronted, the journalist had said it was picked from a website which he failed to name,� he said.