Substantial Victory for Obama

A substantial victory for Barack Obama is now predicted by most pollsters with less than a week to go in the US election campaign. Obama coat-tails would also ensure that the Democratic Party would increase its majorities in both Houses of Congress, possibly obtaining the 60-40 margin in the Senate required to end filibusters and force a floor vote on legislative proposals. A double digit lead is assured in the House of Representatives. John McCain is pinning his hopes trying to win Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Hampshire. Such an upset is considered a remote possibility.

The McCain camp seemed a little disoriented judging by some of the contradictory statements made by campaign people. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders are already trying to down play any contingencies of a less than great victory, if that were to occur.

Analysts have pointed out that the implications of a sizeable Democratic victory meant that popular expectations of immediate action on health care, home foreclosures, jobs and other social issues “could be difficult to meet even with enhanced numbers in the Senate as well as the House.” That is a hint that Obama presidency would be saddled with a huge expectations bubble which entails delivering a host of goodies like Healthcare, economic prosperity and educational reform within a short time.

Some warned against overreaching and urged a cautious legislative agenda. According to one Democratic legislator, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, “We are going to get new members with a clear understanding that the reason they won is appealing to independents and disaffected Republicans, and they are going to want to continue to do that.” Because the entire the entire campaign had been overtaken by an economic crisis, the outcome may have dwarfed all other issues.

How could the multi-trillion-dollar bailout of the banks be carried out with unemployment at its highest in years, was one major concern. Could Obama’s message of “hope” and “change” and the “fierce urgency of now” be the guiding lights of the new administration? Americans confront an administration that promised relentlessly to pursue a course of revival unprecedented in American history. It will be crystal clear that what remains to be seen as the chief difference between Obama and Bush is not the character of their policies, but the skill with which these policies are carried out by the Obama administration

LTTE planes dropped bombs in Mannar and Kelaniya

LTTE terrorists have launched an air attack at the Kelani-Tissa power plant a short while ago (Oct 29).

According to available information, the blasts have caused minor damages to the premises.
The fire brigade said that a fire has broken out at the Kelanitissa power station. The fire is believed to have been caused by the LTTE air raid.

Earlier, at around 10.20p.m., on Tuesday (28) three bombs were reported dropped from LTTE air craft at the Thallady military camp in Mannar. No major damages were caused due to the explosions, security sources further said.

War to end terrorism must continue

Since Vinayagmoorthi Muralidaran (Karuna) and Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan had joined civil society as normal citizens through the UNP, there was no war situation in the Eastern Province, Galle District UNP member Vajira Abeywardena said yesterday (27).

Similarly, Prabhakaran too could be brought into normal civilian society. Neither of the two sides to the armed conflict in the North could win the war and it was necessary to start peace talks with Prabhakaran now, Abeywardena said.

Asked for his comment Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said it was necessary to continue the war against terrorism in the North. Even India wanted terrorism eradicated. There was no question of stopping the war against the LTTE.

India was only concerned about the welfare and problems of civilians of the North who were displaced or affected by the war especially with regard to food supplies. The government continued to send adequate food supplies to the north, he said.

The Defence Secretary also said that arrests of LTTE activists and supporters in Tamil Nadu were being conducted by the State government and surveillance in the seas between India and Sri Lanka government had been increased by the Indian authorities.

Navy rescues six families escaping terror clutches in Wanni

Sri Lanka Navy has rescued 19 civilians including 3 children fleeing from LTTE tyranny in Wanni last morning (Oct 27). According to the Navy sources, Navy inshore patrol craft (IPCs), have rescued the civilians while they were battling against rough seas onboard a locally built fishing vessel (Vallam) in the South of Mandativu islet. There were 11 females and 8 males belonging to 6 families, the sources said.

The refugees have told the Navy personnel that they had got onboard the Vallam from Murukkandi in Poonaryn. They have further revealed that they had left their homes due to the inhumane harassments committed by the LTTE terrorists. According to the refugees , a large number of civilians in Wanni are desperately expecting that the security forces would soon liberate them from the terror clutches.

The Navy would provide food, medical facilities and other basic needs of the refugees until they are being handed over to the civilian welfare authorities, the sources added.

India - U.S. alliance threaten South Asia?

Sri Lanka is on the verge of destroying the most ruthless terrorist organisation in the world. Even the most extreme elements in the South of Sri Lanka accept that upon completion of this task certain genuine grievances of the Tamil people and a certain degree of devolution envisaged in the current constitution should be implemented in the Northern Province as it is now being done successfully done in the Island’s East. India knows all this too well. Nevertheless New Delhi and explicitly its South Indian clique is again attempting to repeat their attempts of 1987 save LTTE which is on the verge of defeat.

Sri Lankans have a right to decide their own future free any more foreign interference. They have suffered enough for the past 25 years because of Indian meddling the island’s internal affairs. The time has some to say enough is enough categorically and firmly.

Much has been written about India’s gross interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and violation of her sovereignty and territorial integrity in the recent past supposedly due to political pressure from Tamil-Nadu. However it is important for all Sri Lankans to comprehend and appreciate the behaviour of Indian politicians in a more holistic context, India has a very loose and fragile regional federal structure (unlike the strong federal systems of government in their new found western allies like USA).

Furthermore the fundamental psychology of India’s foreign service and intelligence services operating in the region must be clearly understood.

The contemporary developments in the region merit a complete re-evaluation of regional bilateral and multilateral policies that all SAARC countries follow vis-à-vis their giant superpower and neighbour India.

In Sri Lanka’s case, India’s strategic objectives has been satisfied with most Sri Lankan’s being absolutely ignorant and unaware of the real status quo – Sri Lanka’s Governments “flying to brief” New Delhi and Sri Lanka Government’s readiness to meet India’s wishes.

Even world powers with the exception of China of course, never dare interfere on India’s decisions on Sri Lanka. The trade between Sri Lanka & India places the latter at a greater advantage even where the Free Trade Agreements are concerned. Under the Free Trade Agreement between the two. (24-25 % of Sri Lanka’s imports come from India. And this excludes contraband like sarees, gold, drugs etc. If these added they would change the percentage significantly).

As a matter of fact some Sri Lankans naively talk about a nuclear free zone in the region. Hence the Tamil Nadu politicians singing their Katchatvu ‘song.’ If ever India goes to war with any of her enemies I hope Sri Lankans know that stray missiles will all rain on them. Therefore Sri Lanka should not get tied down to any agreement with India on Kachchativu at this juncture. There should be no repeat of what happened with Trincomalee under the Indo-Lanka Accord. Perhaps Sri Lanka having listening post on Katchativu with China’s collaboration might not at all be bad idea considering India current interference in Sri Lankan affairs.

If India is not interested in creating a separate state in Sri Lanka, then Sri Lanka needs a categorical assurance that it will not use thae LTTE as a destabilisation force in the country.

If India takes the position that her neighbours take "Belligerent anti-Indian positions" in their dealing with her due to "bellicose patriotism" peace and prosperity would no doubt would be the furthest thing for all the people of South Asia. India needs to lead the way in cultivating TRUST, understanding, benevolence, harmony and peaceful coexistence with all its neighbours. It must display its maturity as a world power in dealing with all its smaller neighbours

Troops stick to the mission

he Army Task Force 1 , operating on the western half of the Kilinochchi battle frontage continued their offensive march towards Nachchikuda and to the North of Manniyakulam areas yesterday (Oct 26).

Troops of 581 brigade attacked LTTE bunkers located in the Nachchikuda area around 10.30 AM and claimed heavy damages to the terrorists. Separately, troops attacked terror bunkers in the same area around 6.30 PM with the support of artillery fire. LTTE casualties were not known in this incident.

In the general area Kalmadu, troops attacked an LTTE bunker around 6.30 A.M. Damages caused to the terrorists are not known.

Meanwhile , 582 brigade troops launched an offensive since last morning in the Nochchimoddai area . Troops successfully beat off the terrorists in the North of Kunchikkulam by the evening and claimed heavy damages to the terrorists.

Snipers deployed in the forward area of 583 brigade claimed acquiring two targets in Paninkanmadu in the morning hours.

The mission is kept on.

The Editorial Board of defence.lk has decided to temporary suspend the reporting of all casualty figures in relation to the ongoing counter terrorist operation in Wanni. This is in consideration of the continuing advance of the security forces there and the need for operational security, whereby such reportage may impede the successful accomplishment of the mission.