The views expressed by the LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingaham in an interview with an Indian Telivision News Agency regarding the killing of Rajiv Gandhi fifteen years ago has been given a great importance not only in Sri Lanka but also in the international media.

Referring to the killings of Rajiv at Perumputhur near Chennai on May 21, 1991, Balasingam remarked that “it was a monumental tragedy for which LTTE expresses its deep regret” and appealed to India and its people to approach the Lankan issue in a new light forgetting the past.

He further pointed out that in recent times India has remained detached in the Lankan Tamil issue but stressed that India should play a much important role in the peace moves while assuring that the LTTE had already indicated to India that it will not engage in any activities that can go against the interests of India.

We have not had the benefit of either listening to or reading his interview in full since we understand that it has not been telecast fully.

What is important here is why the interviewer had shown concern about Rajiv killing at this juncture, why the Indian Minister reacted so quickly, and why the Indian and Sri Lanka media gave such a great publicity for these views. In fact this is not the first time that the LTTE has expressed its regret. When the LTTE Leader Prabakaran addressed a media briefing immediately after the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement, in response to a question posed to him regarding Rajiv killing, he remarked ,”it is a tragedy”

Balasingam has expressed this view at a time, when it is felt India’s role is essential in the peace process.

We have an apprehension that certain forces give undue publicity to his views with the ulterior motive of diverting the waves of concern that have emerged in India in recent times against the interests of Lankan Tamils!

An English translation of the Editorial in Sunday Thinakkural, a Tamil National daily, based in Colombo

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed