The Sri Lankan Army releases the first images of the body of Prabhakaran

New Delhi, 19 may 2009. - The Sri Lankan Army today released the first images of the body of the head of the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), Vellupillai Prabhakaran, hours after the president of Sri Lanka announced officially ended 26 years of war.
"The body of V. Prabhakaran, leader of the most barbaric psychopath terrorist organization in the world, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been found recently, "the defense ministry said in a statement.
The video released by Defense showed a group of soldiers around the body of the guerrilla leader, rebel uniform provisions on a stretcher and attacked by flies, his face swollen and apparent gunshot wounds to the head.
The discovery was made ​​by the Army in the vicinity of Lake Nanthikadal, where troops on Monday rejected a last attempt by guerrillas to escape the suffering siege, which caused, according to the official, 352 dead in rebel ranks.
"The victory we have achieved by defeating the LTTE is the victory of our country, our homeland. Protect the Tamil people is my responsibility and my duty, "Rajapaksa said in his testimony before Parliament, received continuous applause.
Rajapaksa appealed to the international community to rebuild the north, ravaged by war, but refused to "import" a political solution to give autonomy to minority Tamils, the main victims of the conflict.
"We have no time to experiment with the solutions suggested by other countries," said Rajapaksa, after providing for national reconciliation and advocate for the integration of all.
The fighting guerrillas and the army in recent months have killed at least 6,500 civilians, according to UN figures, 265,000 while others are confined in camps set up by the Government not get out of them.
"Our goal was to protect the Tamils ​​from the clutches of the LTTE. To protect innocent Tamil civilians our soldiers sacrificed their lives, "said Rajapaksa, who declared tomorrow a public holiday in commemoration of the" defeat of terrorism. "
During his speech, Rajapaksa was silent on Prabhakaran, fueling speculation for a few hours of his death, further reinforced because a senior guerrilla in exile denied the death of their leader.
"The Government of Sri Lanka makes unverified claims. I can only say that our national leader is alive and safe, "he said in an interview for the website Tamilnet, akin to the guerrillas, the head of international relations of the LTTE, S. Pathmanathan.
Official sources confirmed on Monday the death of Prabhakaran, who allegedly tried to flee the area aboard an armored vehicle and an ambulance with his number two, Pottu Amman, the head of the naval division, Soosai.
The guerrillas was surrounded for weeks by the army in a small strip in the northeast where it is also crammed tens of thousands of civilians, victims of shelling by the troops and rebel repression when attempting to escape.
After the final match on Monday, the Army published a list of 18 names of dead guerrilla leaders in which Prabhakaran was not, although his closest associates and his eldest son, Charles Anthony, head of technology.
Today, Pathmanathan troops accused of committing a "crime against humanity" by the "murder" of the political leader of the LTTE, B. Nadesan, the head of the secretariat of peace (LTTEPS), S. Puleedevan, who tried to negotiate with the troops unarmed and carrying white flags.
"What happened on Monday was a well-planned slaughter of several officers unarmed civilians by the LTTE in order to annihilate its political structure," the Tamilnet website, which pointed to a "tall figure of Defense" is responsible.
The LTTE launched an armed uprising against Sri Lanka in 1983 to claim an independent state in the north and east of the island controlled by the Sinhalese majority, and since then has killed more than 80,000 victims of violence.
The international community already focused attention on the fate of civilians confined in the fields of government, awaiting the visit Friday to the island of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Sri Lankan army claims Tamil Tigers defeat after 26 years at war

New Delhi, 18 may 2009. - The Sri Lanka Army today gave terminating the nearly 26 years of war in the country after finishing with the top and the last fighters of the "tigers" Tamils, in an offensive for several months that has killed thousands of civilians.
"All leaders of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) have died," he told Efe by telephone the director of government information, Anusha Palpita.
Soon after, the Sri Lankan Chief of Staff, Sarath Fonseka said in a statement released by the Ministry of Defense that troops have "defeated militarily," the LTTE and "liberated the nation from three decades of terror."
The guerrillas was surrounded for weeks in a small coastal strip in northeastern Sri Lanka, which also crammed tens of thousands of civilians who have suffered heavy bombing military and rebels shot if they tried to flee.
This weekend, the Army managed to isolate the guerrillas last less than one square kilometer, until this morning, the LTTE carried out a desperate operation to achieve the flight of the ruling clique.
"Trying to escape was their only chance. Now everyone is dead and there is no survivor in the area, "Efe said military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara, who announced that the military control and" all over ".
During that final battle, the troops ended the lives of some 250 guerrillas, according to the spokesman, who was assumed that among the dead are both the supreme guerrilla leader, Vellupillai Prabhakaran, as his number two, Pottu Amman.
The guerrilla leader, 54, tried to leave the combat zone near Amman and the head of the guerrilla navy, Soosai, in a convoy of an ambulance and a van were shot by the army.
The news of his death came hours after the Army announced the firstborn of Prabhakaran, Charles Anthony, and six other prominent leaders of the longest-running and bloody guerrilla group fighting for Tamil independence in the island.
Among them were the maximum charge of political affairs, B. Nadesan, the head of the Peace Secretariat (LTTEPS), S. Puleedevan, and the police chief rebel, Ilango.
"This is the first time that a terrorist group has been completely annihilated by a democratic government," he told Efe by telephone on Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona, who dismissed the credibility of allegations of civilian deaths.
In a statement posted on a website Tamilnet, the LTTE-related, the guerrillas claimed today that the Army has conducted a "slaughter committed" against the last redoubt Tamil, which were only "1,000 wounded guerrillas, officials and civilians."
"Colombo has decided not to allow any opportunity for the LTTE to negotiate and destroy its leadership," continued the guerrillas with connections outside the country.
This Sunday, the Tamil Tigers have already declared that the battle had reached its "bitter end" and announced a unilateral cessation of fighting to prevent more bloodshed among civilians.
It was the government response to the announcement about the "rescue" of the 50,000 civilians who remained in the latest guerrilla areas and have been transferred to camps set up by the authorities to house the displaced.
"We believe that the Army has taken between 50,000 and 80,000 civilians in recent days and is moving to camps. He has won the war, but an obvious question arises: what now, "he told Efe UN spokesman in the country, Gordon Weiss.
Heavy fighting has caused since the beginning of the year killed more than 6,500 civilians, according to UN estimates, failing to add the data of recent weeks, and with the guerrillas surrounded with thousands of people who used to wear.
And in the camps, according to Kohona, there are currently 250,000 people waiting for the Government to rehabilitate their areas of origin, though aid agencies report that the Tamils ​​are not allowed to leave them.
The death of the guerrilla leaders fighting for Tamil independence obtain marks the end of a stage in this ancient conflict Asian Asia today and was greeted with celebrations in Colombo by the Sinhalese majority.

The "tiger" Tamil Prabhakaran, leader of a bloody guerrilla-resistant

New Delhi, 18 may 2009. - The elusive leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran, died today at the hands of the Sri Lanka Army after 26 years of struggle, has been the face of the Tamil Tigers, a bloody body that once had an aviation own patented suicide bombing as a weapon.
The uncompromising founder of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and other guerrilla leaders "are all dead," said Efe a military spokesman, who said that only need to confirm officially the identification of the body.
Hero to his followers and the Sri Lankan government's terrorist, Prabhakaran led with an iron hand well trained and disciplined guerrilla who put in check for decades in the Army today claimed to have wiped out what remained of the LTTE, a few hundred men who resisted cornered in less than one square kilometer.
Far is the time that Prabhakaran came to control two thirds of the costs and one-third of the total territory of Sri Lanka.
For two and a half decades of struggle, the "tiger" Prabhakaran has not hesitated to remove by any means any hint of dissent among the Tamil community, and to finish his men fired on the people who wanted to flee the fighting.
Born in November 1954 in the Jaffna peninsula (north) as the youngest of four brothers, your life can be summed up in a vicious race to achieve independence for the island Tamils ​​after decades of discrimination by the Sinhalese majority.
Although during his command has granted very few interviews, it is said that Prabhakaran was a shy student who, angered by the abuse suffered by the Tamils, signed up for martial arts and began his militancy in independence movements.
In 1975, he was bluntly accused of murdering the then mayor of Jaffna, Alfred Duraiappah, shortly after founding an organization called New Tigers (TNT), the germ of what would become the LTTE.
Now renamed, the LTTE guerrillas began a campaign of low-level violence that had a substantial popular support in 1983 and resulted in open warfare against the Government of Sri Lanka has caused over 70,000 deaths (nearly 6,500 of them this year , according to UN estimates).
Prabhakaran built a totalitarian organization prepared to carry out terrorist attacks and bold dramatic effects, but also to manage a state of fact, hospitals, police and even a customs service itself.
Undisputed leader of the LTTE, Prabhakaran was adamant against dissent in the armed movement, which has led from their bunkers and tunnels networks in forested areas now conquered by the army.
"Prabhakaran is not the kind of man who lives on the surface. I'm sure you're living underground, "he told reporters a few days ago, Brigadier Shavendra Desilva, who gave for granted that the" tiger "would fight" until the last moment. "
Each year, the LTTE leader gave a speech to mark the Day of the Heroes of Tamil Eelam.
"There are three foundations: the Tamil homeland, Tamil nationality and the right to self determination of Tamils. Those are the fundamental demands of the Tamils, "he told a crowded press conference and outstanding in 2002 when the LTTE reached a ceasefire with the government.
Subject of constant rumor and speculation, it is said that the historic guerrilla leader, who suffered from diabetes, survived several assassination attempts and capture, and he wore around his neck a cyanide capsule to avoid getting caught alive.
Prabhakaran Erambu Mathivathani was married with three children, two boys and a girl.
According to the Sri Lankan Army, his wife, daughter and her younger son out of the country, but the largest of 23 years and followed his father in the front, also died today shortly before his father.
Prabhakaran was wanted by Interpol for terrorism, murder, organized crime and terrorist conspiracy.

UN denounces a "bloodbath" civil fighting in northeastern Sri Lanka

New Delhi, 11 may 2009. - The recent fighting in the stronghold of the Tamil Tigers in northeastern Sri Lanka have caused this weekend a "bloodbath" as the UN reported today, which stood at 380 civilians killed One hundred of them children.
"We give good data by government doctors in the area, which reported the death of 380 people. Over 100 children are among the dead, "he told Efe by telephone UN spokesman in Sri Lanka, Gordon Weiss.
Weiss said the UN "does not confer" responsibility for the killing of the government and guerrillas accuse each other, but recalled that the organization and "had warned that there would be a bloodbath" for civilians are among the fighting.
The Sri Lankan army launched a few weeks ago its final offensive against the last redoubt of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a northern coastal strip on which are crowded between 50,000 and 100,000 civilians, according to UN although the government says are between 15,000 and 20,000.
An aid worker in Sri Lanka told Efe that is "impossible" to know what is happening in the combat zone because there are no observers in it, but recalled that the only side "with the military capacity to bomb from the air is the Government ".
On 27 April the Sri Lankan government ordered the army to limit their operations and end the use of heavy weapons and aerial bombing, although he had previously repeatedly denied the use of such weapons.
Despite the order, the fighting continued and escalated this weekend in Mullivaaykaal areas and Vadduvaakal, the last under guerrilla control, surrounded by troops in an area of about four square kilometers.
The head of the Organization for the Tamils ​​Rehabilitation (TRO)-also linked to the guerrilla, Lawrence Christy, said today that more than 3,200 civilians have been killed since Sunday afternoon and called for international intervention to stop the "genocide ".
A portal related to the guerrillas, Tamilnet, allegedly published photographs taken this weekend with victims of bombing and burning buildings.
The allegations of the guerrillas have been denied by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence, which said today that it is the LTTE which is attacking the Tamil population in the area under their control to promote international intervention.
"They are bombarding their own civilians with heavy weapons to lay the blame on the Sri Lankan forces. In their calculation, they believe that this will lead other countries to throw a lifeline to redeem their souls, "Defence said in a statement.
The "Tigers" Tamils ​​"are powerless to resist the forces of Sri Lanka. They need their international friends and will resort to anything to attract them. So again civilians are targeted, "he added.
In recent weeks there has been growing concern about the status of civilians trapped, who, according to Efe said Red Cross spokesman in Sri Lanka, Sarasi Wijeratne, face an acute shortage of water, medicine or medical personnel to attend .
"Since last February we brought into the Area 2,350 tons of food. That amount is insufficient to meet even basic needs of people trapped, "said the source.
According to the spokesman, the Red Cross has pulled out of the area from February to 13,769 civilians injured or sick in 31 naval evacuation operations, which sometimes have been hampered by the constant fighting.
The Government of Sri Lanka has so far rejected all international calls to halt its offensive against the Tamil Tigers, fighting for more than 25 years for an independent state in the east and north of the island.
Both the LTTE and the government maintained an active propaganda to gain support in the conflict, but most of the claims lack independent verification because it is forbidden access to the front lines.
The organization Human Rights Watch has asked the Security Council and an investigation into whether they are producing "war crimes" in Sri Lanka, end on which the UN spokesman refused to comment.

Sri Lanka says it will stop bombing the stronghold of the Tamil Tigers

New Delhi, April 27, 2009. - The Government of Sri Lanka said today that his troops will stop bombing or using heavy weapons against Tamil guerrilla stronghold last, after a week of international pressure over the death of 2,000 civilians in its offensive against the guerrillas.
"The Government of Sri Lanka has decided that combat operations have reached their conclusion," said Executive Ceylon in a statement.
"Our security forces have been ordered to stop the use of heavy caliber guns, combat aircraft and aerial weapons which could cause civilian casualties," said the executive, admitted for the first time that has been used in the offense.
The Sri Lankan military launched an attack last week end against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a coastal strip of the northern district of Mullaitivu, the last outbreak of guerrilla resistance after 25 years of war.
In this small strip, about 17 square kilometers and previously declared "safe zone" by the government were concentrated up to 190,000 civilians (UN estimates), many fled to other areas of combat.
The Sri Lankan army says that 110,000 civilians have been "rescued" from the territory in the last week and left between 15,000 and 20,000 with a few hundred members of the LTTE, now surrounded by about six square kilometers.
According to today's announcement, troops henceforth limit its activities to rescue those civilians "held hostage" by the "Tigers" Tamils, although a military spokesman said by telephone Efe that this will not pose an obstacle to their operations in the area.
"The LTTE is confined to a small area. What the government wants to say is that the fighting was confined to the rescue of those people, "said spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara, referring to the Tamil people.
In the same vein, a defense source denied that the government announced a cease-fire means by international pressure and said that is part of a policy of "zero civilian casualties" when combat missions "are reaching an end."
The UN estimates that 50,000 people remain inside the coastal strip, although the LTTE puts the figure at 165,000 and warns that they are "imminent" deaths from starvation because the government blocked food supplies since the beginning of the month.
A representative of the "Tigers", S. Puleedevan, accused the Sri Lankan government of trying to "fool" the international community, as the bombing continued in the area after the government announcement, said the website sympathetic to the guerrillas, Tamilnet.
The guerrillas also accused of causing the troops ceilanesas further deaths of civilians in an attack this morning, Nanayakkara qualified as "rescue operations" - and then said that there were two more bombings against civilian targets after the announcement that they would cease.
Hounded by the army, the LTTE said yesterday, Sunday, a "unilateral ceasefire" with immediate effect citing the poor humanitarian situation in the area, but the government considered it a mere attempt by the guerrillas to buy time and regroup.
The "ceasefire" guerrilla and the government's announcement coincided with the presence on the island of UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who yesterday urged both sides to "pause" humanitarian.
Holmes, who is scheduled to leave tonight, met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and visited Vavuniya (north) to check the condition of Tamil civilians held by the Government in camps, where for lack of any meet their basic needs.
Also plans to meet this afternoon with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, told Efe a Foreign Ministry spokesman contacted by telephone.
Rajapaksa now allowed to send a message to the international community taking advantage of the massive victory this weekend was his party in regional elections.
"The Western Province has sent a strong message to the international community. He has stated categorically that no power has the right or moral justification to bail the brutal terrorism when writing the last lines of his final chapter, "Rajapaksa said.

Government rejects ceasefire offer unilateral Tamil Tigers

New Delhi, April 26, 2009. - The Government of Sri Lanka did not take half an hour today or reject a cease-fire announcement of the Tamil Tigers, which is produced in full visit by a UN envoy and hours after the Sri Lankan Army to snatch his junior guerrilla stronghold.
"The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) is not in a position to ask or demand anything. Intend to declare a cease-fire as long ago have sunk the knee, "Efe said by telephone from Colombo Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona.
The guerrillas had announced in a statement minutes before a unilateral ceasefire and an end to offensive operations in northeastern Sri Lanka, where he is surrounded by the army in a small coastal strip along with tens of thousands of civilians.
"Given the unprecedented humanitarian crisis and in response to calls by the UN, European Union, the Governments of the United States, India and others, the LTTE announced a unilateral ceasefire. All offensive operations will cease with immediate effect, "said the guerrillas in the note.
On Saturday, the LTTE had denounced a situation of "starvation" to "165,000" people in the areas under their control, but the UN estimates that there are actually some 50,000 Sri Lankan Government and the estimates are between 15,000 and 20,000.
And today, the guerrillas warned that "starvation" imminent, accusing the government of deliberately blocking food supplies and medicines and continually attacking civilians trapped in rebel territory.
Complaints, however, that were described by Kohona as a "cynical effort" aimed at UN Undersecretary for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who arrived last night to the island to check the situation of civilians affected by conflict.
Holmes today called "urgent" the LTTE to abandon their weapons and enable the output of civilians, and urged the Government to limit the use of heavy weaponry in its offensive against the guerrillas.
"We need a new humanitarian pause to get aid and aid workers in the combat zone," the official was quoted by the Ada Derana TV channel.
The army launched on Monday a bloody offensive that resulted in the move to government areas of around 110,000 civilians housed in camps by the Government for that purpose in the north of the country under very precarious conditions.
"They have been arrested and are in concentration camps where they are subjected to torture in violation of all international conventions. Not allowed to return home this population. Some are used as human shields, "the LTTE.
Holmes, who has defended a "pause" in the conflict and access to the areas of humanitarian personnel, is scheduled to travel to Vavuniya (north) to verify "in situ" the situation of civilians, Efe said UN spokesman in the country, Gordon Weiss.
In recent days have increased diplomatic pressure and international concern about the fate of those trapped in the combat zone, but the Sri Lankan government seems determined to finish the LTTE militarily, fighting for more than 25 years to get a independent state for the Tamil minority.
A few hours before the announcement of the guerrillas, the army said in fact the penultimate making people in rebel hands, Valayarmadam, and the capture of 23 suspected guerrillas, the "rescue" of about 700 civilians and killed 12 rebels in a naval battle.
"They have about 500 guerrillas, who also dressed as civilians so as not to distinguish. They are just 6 square kilometers, "said Efe by telephone military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara.
Convinced of his victory, the Government today also rejected a request from U.S., EU, ​​Japan and Norway, the so-called "Tokyo Quartet" - to offer an amnesty to the guerrillas, who asked to surrender to a third party.
"There will be no amnesty for the LTTE. They will have to surrender or face removal by the Sri Lankan forces, "he was quoted by different means the Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
In a very different side, the combat strategy is seen by analysts as one of the keys to the overwhelming victory today was the ruling Alliance People United for Freedom (UPFA) in regional elections in the West-including the capital, Colombo.

Sri Lanka celebrates independence with 52 civilians killed in fighting in north

New Delhi, February 4, 2009. - The United Nations denounced the killing of 52 civilians in the fierce battles that occur in northern Sri Lanka, a country that celebrates its independence today embarked on a violent military offensive against Tamil guerrillas weakened.
"At least 52 civilians have died in attacks recorded last night at the Suranthapuram sector. We are awaiting more details, "he told Efe by telephone UN spokesman in Sri Lanka, Gordon Weiss.
Weiss also reported a cluster bomb attack against Puthukudiyirippu hospital, which has been bombing since last Sunday and is close to several areas of combat between the army and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam).
At the moment it is unknown whether there have been casualties in this latest attack, while in the registered until Monday, according to the Red Cross, at least twelve civilians have been killed and 30 others were injured and the bombs have damaged kitchens, church, the flag of women and children and the operating room.
"We believe that civilians have started to leave the center in search of a safe place. We are waiting to know if there are more dead in this last attack, "he told Efe by telephone the Red Cross spokeswoman, Sarasi Wijeratne.
While all eyes point to the responsible Army, a military spokesman declined to Efe that the attacks against the hospital have been the work of the Ceylonese aviation, in line with the official government version, which says not to act against civilian targets.
"We have never used or have cluster bombs. We know that violates international Efe said spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara. Regarding Suranthapuram there fighting against the guerrillas. In any case, the dead would guerrillas dressed as civilians. "
This Sunday expired within 48 hours set by the Government to the civilians who remain in LTTE areas entering a security zone as the "only way" to be safe during the fighting with the army facing guerrillas.
Since late 2007, the Army has embarked on a powerful offense that has allowed him to major guerrilla strongholds and the bulk of its territory to go around in a forest area of 200 square kilometers in the northeast.
De ese logro se congratuló el presidente ceilanés, Mahinda Rajapaksa, quien asistió hoy al desfile militar celebrado en Colombo con motivo del aniversario de la independencia del país, obtenida en el año 1948 de manos del Imperio Británico.
“Confío en que en unos pocos días derrotaremos decisivamente a la fuerza terrorista que muchos decían que era invencible”, aseveró Rajapaksa en su discurso ante los asistentes al desfile, entre ellos los principales dirigentes castrenses.
“Hemos logrado derrotar casi por completo a las cobardes fuerzas del terror que mantenían atemorizada nuestra nación.(…) Nuestras heroicas Fuerzas Armadas nos han dado la oportunidad de celebrar el aniversario de la Independencia libres de la sombra del terrorismo”, añadió.
Su Ejecutivo se enfrenta, sin embargo, a una creciente presión internacional para respetar a la población civil atrapada en zona de guerra, que Sri Lanka estima en 120.000 personas frente a las 250.000 calculadas por las organizaciones internacionales.
Desde el inicio en 1983 de la guerra abierta de la guerrilla tamil contra el Estado, han muerto en la isla del Índico casi 100.000 personas víctimas del conflicto étnico, y cientos de miles se encuentran desplazadas.
Ante la precaria situación de la guerrilla tamil, Estados Unidos, la Unión Europea, Japón y Noruega instaron ayer a los rebeldes a abandonar las armas y negociar con el Gobierno el fin de la guerra civil, para evitar así más derramamiento de sangre.
El LTTE mantiene bajo su control los pequeños núcleos urbanos de Visuamadu y Puthukudiyirippu, tras perder en enero el estratégico paso del Elefante, la ciudad de Kilinochchi -su capital de facto-, y la ciudad de Mullaitivu, que era su último gran bastión.
Los “tigres” tamiles luchan por proclamar un estado independiente en el norte y el este de la isla, donde su etnia tiene mayor presencia, frente a la cingalesa, mayoritaria en el país.

MIA - Paper planes

Vídeo: MIA – “Paper Planes” (Slumdog Millionaire, banda sonora)

MIA (acrónimo de Missing In Action) es una combativa artista de 31 años hija de padre tamil. Por eso en sus conciertos no para de denunciar los atropellos del Ejército de Sri Lanka contra esa minoría étnica en el norte del país. Es polifacética: canta, diseña moda, hace fotografía, hasta ha dirigido un documental y, por último pero no por ello menos importante, acaba de ser mamá. Para esta notable canción, MIA toma un riff de guitarra de The Clash. Las imágenes pertenecen a la película “Slumdog Millionaire”. El artículo sobre la película está aquí.

Two kings in Lanka

El poema histórico “Mahavamsa”, un recuento de ocho siglos sobre los reyes de Sri Lanka, recoge el combate legendario que el rey cingalés Dutugamunu sostuvo contra un rey tamil usurpador, Elara, que se había apoderado del norte tras invadir la isla desde la India con sus tropas. En plena batalla, Dutugamunu se plantó ante su enemigo y los dos se enfrentaron a lomos de sus elefantes, hasta que el cingalés hirió mortalmente con un dardo a Elara, más viejo y menos ágil.

“El agua del tanque se tintó de rojo con la sangre de los muertos”, clama el poema sobre la batalla. De aquella historia han pasado más de 2.100 años, pero Dutugamunu es hoy uno de los personajes más queridos por los elementos nacionalistas de la mayoría cingalesa, que domina el estado en la isla del Índico. En Sri Lanka sigue corriendo sangre. Y no es un secreto que su presidente, Mahinda Rajapaksa, sueña con emular al mítico Dutugamunu, en vista de la ofensiva militar que ha puesto de rodillas en el norte a la guerrilla tamil.

“Si no hubiera civiles ahí dentro, no tardaríamos ni un día en destruirla”, responde al otro lado del hilo telefónico el portavoz del Ejército de Sri Lanka, Udaya Nanayakkara. En el último año y medio, las tropas han conquistado un territorio mayor que la provincia de Sevilla –unos 14.800 kilómetros cuadrados- y han arrinconado a los Tigres tamiles (LTTE) en una esquina selvática en el noreste de Sri Lanka.

Pero su ofensiva exitosa –apoyada en una abrumadora superioridad armamentística y un Ejército 15 veces más numeroso que la guerrilla- se enfrenta ahora a la barrera humanitaria que las organizaciones de ayuda y varias potencias recuerdan al Gobierno: dice la ONU que en los últimos bastiones guerrilleros hay unos 250.000 civiles atrapados e indefensos ante los bombardeos de la aviación gubernamental, los combates incesantes y las supuestas presiones –y disparos- de la guerrilla para que no huyan de las últimas áreas bajo su control.

“No nos podemos dar un plazo, porque tenemos que minimizar el daño causado a los civiles”, comenta Nanayakkara. Esa es también la versión oficial del Gobierno ceilanés, aunque hasta ahora el factor civil no ha detenido anteriores avances. Y las versiones independientes son muy poco amables: el portavoz de la ONU en el país, Gordon Weiss, acusó la semana pasada al Ejército de una masacre con 52 muertos civiles. Razón por la que los halcones del Gobierno piden la evacuación de los cooperantes extranjeros: los testigos corren riesgos porque suponen un riesgo.

“Tenemos unos 20 trabajadores en el terreno, pero no puedo precisar dónde se encuentran. Algunos están con los pacientes, otros han sido desplazados. Estamos preocupados por la higiene, los refugios, las medicinas. Desde finales de enero no ha sido posible llevar ayuda humanitaria a las áreas de guerra”, cuenta la portavoz de la Cruz Roja, Sarasi Wijeratne. Su organización es la única autorizada por los contendientes para operar.

La antipatía de ambos bandos por las versiones independientes cristaliza en las difíciles condiciones de trabajo que afronta la Cruz Roja en sus tareas de asistencia a los civiles o la prohibición de que los reporteros accedan a los campos de batalla. En el ambiente pesan también las amenazas y asesinatos contra periodistas, como el sonado caso del editor Lasantha Wickramatunga. Crítico con el Gobierno y sabedor del peligro que corría, Wickramatunga, tiroteado de camino al trabajo el 8 de enero, dejó preparado un demoledor artículo para que fuera publicado a su muerte:

Otros caminaron –dejó escrito en referencia al presidente, Mahinda Rajapakasa- en la sombra de la muerte que tu presidencia ha supuesto para la libertad por la que una vez luchaste duramente. Nunca podrás olvidar que mi muerte sucedió ante tus ojos. Tan angustiado como sé que estarás, también sé que no tendrás más elección que la de perdonar a mis asesinos”.

“No es más que otro asesinato”, dijo luego a la BBC el secretario de Defensa, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (hermano de sangre del presidente). Él mismo, considerado uno de los más duros defensores de la solución final contra la guerrilla, fue objeto de un intento de asesinato por parte del LTTE. Como también lo fue el actual jefe del Estado mayor ceilanés, Sarath Fonseka, que dirige las operaciones del Ejército.

La ofensiva de Fonseka y el clan Rajapaksa ha tenido hasta ahora un éxito indiscutible: el LTTE ha pasado de controlar amplias franjas costeras del este y el norte –donde los tamiles tienen mayor presencia- a quedar arrinconado en un espacio de 140 kilómetros cuadrados en las áreas selváticas de Mullaitivu, el feudo histórico al que siempre se ha replegado cuando las cosas contra el Ejército se ponían feas.

Pero la situación pinta mal para la guerrilla, peor que otras veces: según el Ejército, el LTTE apenas cuenta con 600 guerrilleros “en disposición de lucha directa”, que se encuentran rodeados por unos 50.000 soldados que cubren todos los flancos. Hasta se especula con la posible huida vía marítima de su líder supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, mientras sus antiguos escondites caen uno tras otro en manos de las tropas.

Los Tigres tamiles son conscientes de su obvia inferioridad militar, así que su estrategia hasta el momento se ha basado en resistirse lo más posible al avance de las tropas y replegarse llevándose consigo a los civiles cuando sus posiciones eran insostenibles. Siguiendo esta técnica –limitando sus bajas, dicen-, han perdido hasta ahora sus feudos principales: su capital de facto, Kilinochchi, el estratégico Paso del Elefante y la ciudad de Mullaitivu.

La estrategia cuenta con el apoyo de una de sus alas más experimentadas: la división de propaganda, experta en comunicación y contra-información desde portales como Tamilnet, en inglés, o Puthinam, en tamil, con los que intenta atraer la atención de la diáspora y de la comunidad internacional para lograr un alto el fuego o una mediación. Estos días, los medios tamiles se recrean en ataques contra hospitales, disparos contra civiles y, en resumen, la palabra “genocidio”.

En esta hermosa isla que cuelga de la India en los mapas y en los despachos, la acusación levanta viejos fantasmas en la memoria de la comunidad tamil. Componen el 18 por ciento de la población, es decir, unos dos millones de personas (no hay censos fiables) pero han visto cómo desde la independencia el estado era levantado por la mayoría cingalesa siguiendo criterios exclusivistas y hasta discriminatorios. Un ejemplo muy citado es la declaración del cingalés como única lengua oficial.

Por eso la guerrilla apuntala sus mensajes con referencias a la discriminación, al genocidio. Y sin embargo, aparte de que no existe comprobación independiente de sus reivindicaciones, una posible mediación de la comunidad internacional o un alto el fuego se antojan difíciles. Principalmente porque el Gobierno de Sri Lanka siente demasiado cercana la victoria militar como para aceptar una zanahoria diferente, pero también porque la India, la principal potencia regional, se frota las manos con la posibilidad de obtener la cabeza de Prabhakaran, el responsable del asesinato del ex primer ministro Rajiv Gandhi.

Pero la presión sobre el Gobierno aumenta. La India, que proporciona un callado suministro armamentístico a la isla, no puede permitirse apoyar demasiado abiertamente a Rajapaksa porque con ello se ganaría la furia de su propia población tamil, 66 millones de personas que comparten cultura y costumbres con sus “hermanos” del norte de Sri Lanka. Y Estados Unidos, la Unión Europea Japón y Noruega han pedido una tregua momentánea para permitir la huida de los civiles atrapados. Rajapaksa recibió incluso una llamada del secretario general de la ONU, Ban Ki Moon, quien le pidió parar los combates unas horas. “Gracias por su interés, señor, pero no es posible”, respondió Rajapaksa.

En el cálculo gubernamental, los ataúdes de soldados que llegan cada mes a Colombo, la crisis humanitaria o la posible regañina internacional son un precio que vale la pena pagar: por primera vez en varias décadas, Rajapaksa ha conseguido convencer a la población de que es posible barrer militarmente a la guerrilla, que a sus 25 años de existencia es una de las organizaciones más sangrientas del mundo y ha mantenido al país partido en dos con su violento desafío.

Desde el inicio de la guerra en 1983 han muerto casi 100.000 personas, según contaba por teléfono el ministro de Minorías, Dev Gunasekara, entre brotes esporádicos de violencia étnica, en acciones militares o en atentados de la división de suicidas de la guerrilla, los Tigres Negros, que se fotografían con su líder supremo antes de acudir a la muerte cierta y arrastrar con ellos a quien se ponga por delante.

Los guerrilleros tamiles gustan de cultivar la mística de la revolución: su símbolo es un tigre rugiente y van uniformados como si ellos mismos lo fueran. Con el uniforme, reciben una pastilla de cianuro que deben ingerir en caso de ser capturados.Cuentan -o contaban- con una fuerza aérea (un par de avionetas de fabricación checa) y una Armada.Hasta esta ofensiva del Ejército, habían montado un mini estado de facto con hospitales, policía, tribunales y aduanas propias.

Y a la vez, mantenían la disciplina entre sus filas con mano de hierro y alimentaban la fidelidad con una llamativa atención por la mercadotecnia (hasta venden canciones patrióticas por internet), gracias en parte a los fondos reunidos con aportaciones de la poderosa diáspora tamil en el extranjero, donde desarrollaron una poderosa red clientelar con conexiones que van desde París a Toronto y que fue golpeada con fuerza a partir del 11-S en Nueva York.

El propio Prabhakaran ha mostrado desde siempre un desprecio ofensivo contra los derechos humanos. Militante desde el origen de la guerrilla, ha cometido él mismo varios asesinatos, ha ordenado otros, como el mencionado de Rajiv Gandhi- y es buscado por la Interpol por múltiples cargos. De su sequedad da idea la orden de expulsión de 80.000 musulmanes residentes en las áreas tamiles, a quienes dio un plazo (cumplido) de 24 horas. Se marcharon con lo puesto.

En su despiadada carrera para obtener la independencia de la minoría tamil y erigirse en voz única de la etnia en Sri Lanka, Prabhakaran no ha dudado en eliminar a sus adversarios políticos –cercanos o lejanos-, usar niños soldado, y en recurrir a los atentados suicidas o los tiros en la nuca para terminar con cualquier disidencia o amenaza.

Así que Capturar al líder tamil traería el mejor titular para coronar la ofensiva militar de Rajapaksa. Sería un golpe definitivo, la derrota total y simbólica que un violento Dutugamunu asesta a un Elara despojado de su antigua justicia. Pero cuando el rey cingalés le clave el dardo final a la guerrilla, llegará el verdadero desafío: hacer que los tamiles se sientan cómodos en Sri Lanka.

Y no es fácil. Para el día después, el Gobierno prepara ya varios campos de detención para acoger a los refugiados tamiles, similares a otros en los que languidecen los musulmanes. En el ámbito tamil, el LTTE ha dominado la vida política hasta tal punto que su desarticulación militar dejará probablemente un vacío peligroso para la comunidad, que quedará desorganizada. Para los tamiles, el desafío estribará en construir un movimiento político alejado de la violencia.

Dicho de otro modo: dependerán de su propia capacidad para adaptarse al día después, pero también de las hasta ahora inexistentes compasión y la magnanimidad de Rajapaksa, cuando deje de correr la sangre.

Por si al presidente le faltara voluntad, la historia ofrece pistas: pese a su derrota, el invasor rey Elara pasó a la historia como un rey justo y respetado, que logró garantizar la convivencia entre sus súbditos con independencia de su etnia. Tras vencerlo en el campo de batalla, el propio Dutugamunu se arrepintió de su acción y ordenó cremar al rey caído con honores. La pena fue tanta que ordenó construir un túmulo. “Nunca conoció la alegría, recordando la destrucción tanto de sus enemigos como de sus propios soldados”, dice el “Mahavamsa”. Let's see.

Se cumplen 25 años del “Julio negro”, la peor matanza étnica de Sri Lanka

Nueva Delhi, 25 jul 2008.- Los tamiles de todo el mundo conmemoran estos días con obras de teatro, exposiciones y vigilias los 25 años desde las peores matanzas étnicas registradas en Sri Lanka, semilla de la actual guerra que sufre la isla del Índico.
“Los 25 años merecían un repaso de las historias de lo que ocurrió luego. Hay fotografías de desplazados, de mujeres que lo perdieron todo”, cuenta a Efe por teléfono la fotógrafa Anoma Rajakaruna, que presentó en Colombo la muestra “Vida tras 25 años”.
La poderosa diáspora tamil del mundo puede asistir estos días a obras de teatro en Toronto (Canadá), presentaciones de libros en Australia y la India o vigilias y manifestaciones en los Estados Unidos, con el objetivo común de conmemorar las matanzas de 1983.
“Algunos se preguntan por qué estos eventos son recordados ritualmente año tras año cada julio. Yo creo que la única razón es asegurarnos de que algo así no vuelva a suceder”, dice a Efe por teléfono el ministro de Integración Nacional, Dew Gunasekara.
Cingaleses (mayoritarios) y tamiles se habían enzarzado en choques étnicos esporádicos desde la década de 1970, pero la violencia estalló definitivamente en julio de 1983, el “Julio Negro”, con la llegada a Colombo de los cadáveres de 15 soldados emboscados por la guerrilla tamil (LTTE).
“Los soldados fueron traídos a la vez y la gente reaccionó con ira en el entierro. Además, el Gobierno tardó seis días en pedir calma; ese silencio animó a los violentos”, comenta desde Colombo Gunasekara.
La noche del 24 de julio de 1983, poco después del sepelio, hordas de cingaleses enfurecidos asaltaron, violaron y asesinaron a cuantos tamiles encontraron a su paso en la capital ceilanesa.
“Todavía recuerdo cómo pararon el automóvil. Dentro había cuatro: una niña, un niño y sus padres. Unas preguntas con alegría, para no cometer errores. Y entonces pasaron a la acción. Rociar con gasolina y todo eso”, escribe el poeta cingalés Basil Fernando.
Según los cronistas, las turbas preguntaban a los motoristas por su etnia, y los mataban si estos resultaban ser tamiles; ardieron autobuses cargados de pasajeros y una muchedumbre entró en un penal capitalino y acuchilló a 53 presos políticos de esa etnia.
“Amaneció un día de 1983 que cambió el paisaje y la rutina familiar. Ardió cada edificio tamil de la ciudad, incluida la farmacia del tío Joe. Pasaron días, semanas, meses: él desapareció sin dejar rastro”, recuerda la fotógrafa Rajakaruna.
Los pogromos de Colombo se extendieron más tarde por todo el país con un balance escalofriante: murieron más de 1.000 tamiles y se calcula que se quedaron sin vivienda 700.000 personas, de las cuales 400.000 dejaron Sri Lanka y se repartieron por todo el mundo.
Pese al silencio gubernamental, el “Julio Negro” también dio pie a frecuentes actos de hermandad entre miembros de ambas comunidades, y está documentada la ayuda que muchos cingaleses prestaron durante los pogromos a los tamiles.
Pero la violencia ahogó la cooperación entre los dos grupos étnicos y dio preeminencia al grupo extremista Tigres para la Liberación de la Patria Tamil (LTTE), que se financió con dinero de la diáspora y se hizo con el poder en el tercio norte de la isla.
La guerra, según Gunasekara, marcó la división de facto de Sri Lanka y ha causado desde entonces la muerte de casi 100.000 personas, con daños “incalculables” para la confianza mutua entre los budistas cingaleses y los tamiles, de religión hindú.
El LTTE lucha todavía por la independencia del “Tamil Eelam”, las áreas con más presencia tamil -el norte y el este- y donde se concentran los frentes de batalla, aunque en los últimos meses el Ejército ha logrado avances significativos.
“¿Qué significó el 'Julio negro'? El comienzo de la era de las pistolas, las desapariciones, los niños soldado, la destrucción de la democracia. Y el conflicto todavía continúa”, concluye el ministro.
Pese a la dramática situación bélica del país y el sufrimiento de cientos de miles de habitantes, durante la exposición de Rajakaruna ha habido un pequeño motivo de alegría: la vuelta del tío Joe, veinticinco años después de su desaparición.
El tío Joe de la farmacia, ya con 77 años, contó a Rajakaruna que alguien le habló de la exposición y entonces pidió que le llevaran a verla; que lo perdió todo pero salió adelante; que su hijo tamil se casó, felizmente, con una chica cingalesa.

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