Student leader decries Colombo's military buildup

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 December 2004, 21:00 GMT]
"The Government of Sri Lanka is strengthening its military in preparation for renewed hostilities. The Liberation Tigers are ready to confront war if it is thrust on us and are prepared to liberate the occupied lands and people," said Mr Subash, Vavuniya district president of Consortium of Tamileelam students, addressing the audience in a book release ceremony held at the Muthaiah Hall in Vavuniya Friday afternoon, sources from Vavuniya said.

The book, White Conc Shell (Ven Sangu), published by the NorthEast Universities Development Union's Vavuniya branch, was released during the event presided by publisher's representative S.Sanjeepan.

"It is natural, during times of uncertainty as it prevails now, for people to be concerned if the Liberation Tigers will trigger resumption of hostilities. We, as our position was during the signing of the Ceasefire Agreeement (CFA), are still committed to finding a negotiated solution to the conflict.

"Now the military defeats the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) suffered during Eelam War III and the horrific consequences of war recede into memory, the Sinhala ruling class appears to be strengthening its military machine in several fronts in preparation for war.

"Although we stand steadfast for peace and to safeguard the rights of our people, if war is thrust on us, we have a historic duty to protect our people even if it entails abandoning our pursuit for peace," said Mr Subash.

Subash said that Sri Lanka Government only at its own peril, can misinterpret LTTE's patience shown towards the peace process as LTTE's lack of military strength to face another war.

Vanni district parliamentarian Sivanathan Kishor released the first copy of the book to the Principal of Vavuniya Vipulananda College, Mr A. Jeyatharan, according to organizers of the event.