Demands reappraisal of military deployment in N&E

Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, yesterday (12) called for a reappraisal of military deployment in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.The former National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages Minister emphasised that successive governments continued to maintain, what he called, excessive military presence in the former war zones. National List MP Ganeshan, who is also the leader of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF), said the TPA backed the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) call for a hartal in the Northern and Eastern regions on Friday (15) to protest the recent killing of 32-year-old Ethirmanasingham Kapilraj, allegedly by troops deployed at Muththaiyankaddu, Mullaitivu.

The other constituents of TPA are the Workers’ National Front and the Upcountry People’s Front.

Referring to ongoing reportage of the incident, the first of its kind since the change of government in September last year, lawmaker Ganeshan said that Kapilraj’s body was recovered from the Muththaiyankaddu tank.

Responding to The Island queries, the former Yahapalana Minister (Sept. 2015 to Nov. 2019) said that the wanton killing of Kapilraj should influence the National People’s Power (NPP) to review the overall military deployment.

Both DPF and TPA are constituents of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)

The TPA leader said that the government couldn’t justify heavy military presence in the former war zones, over 17 years after the conclusion of fighting.

When The Island pointed out the declaration made by the military that 91 percent of land, that had been occupied during the war, upto 2009, were released by July this year, MP Ganeshan said that though releasing of land happened over the years, he was not sure of the exact percentage. “I doubt it is as high as 91%. During the war, the military occupied land, surrounding their camps, to protect themselves from LTTE artillery pieces and long range mortars, which was understandable, given the circumstances. However, over 17 years after the conclusion of the conflict, the government cannot justify military holding onto public and private land.”

MP Ganeshan said: “Today, the issue is not just about returning land but also about the excessive military presence in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Stationing the Army in large numbers, in alien villages, can be counterproductive, especially when there’s no war.

The military is needed to protect national interests, such as safeguarding our fishermen from Indian aggression in areas like Karainagar, where there is a Navy camp. But the presence needs to be balanced.

The current imbalance is not just about numbers but also about representation. The Army’s composition, being predominantly Sinhalese, raises concerns about its ability to represent the diverse perspectives of the Sri Lankan population.”

We need to reassess the military’s role and presence from a Sri Lankan perspective, prioritising balance and inclusivity. This approach would help build trust and ensure that the military serves the entire nation, not just one community.”

Kapilraj’s funeral was held at Muththaiyankaddu, Mullaitivu, with the participation of several hundred villagers. Among those present were MPs Sivagnanam Siritharan, Thurairasa Ravikaran, Kadher Masthan, and former parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran, PC.

By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️

Putin reaffirms ‘friendship’ with North Korea ahead of Trump talks

3 hours ago Share Save Stuart Lau BBC News Share Save

SPUTNIK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed his “friendship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, ahead of his talks with Donald Trump on Friday. It also comes as the BBC reported the “slave-like” condition facing thousands of North Korean workers sent to Russia to take part in construction projects. Putin and Kim spoke on Tuesday, with the Russian leader praising Pyongyang’s military support for his country’s war against Ukraine. This week, Russia has been making fresh military advances in Ukraine, leading to a sudden thrust near the eastern town of Dobropillia and advancing 10km (six miles) in a short period of time.

Kim and Putin “reaffirmed their commitment to the further development of friendship relations, good-neighbourliness and cooperation,” the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin gave the North Korean leader an update on the Alaska summit’s preparation, sharing with him “information in the context of the upcoming talks with US President Donald Trump,” the Kremlin said. The official North Korean statement did not mention this. Repeating his earlier statement, Putin “praised the assistance provided by [North Korea’s] support during the liberation of the territory of the Kursk region”, according to his office. The Ukrainian army briefly invaded Russia’s Kursk region last year in an unexpected offensive that showed Western allies its capability to fight back against Russia, which currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s territories.

‘Like slaves’: North Koreans sent to work in Russia

Zelensky admitted the advance had taken place in “several spots” but said Kyiv would soon destroy the units involved in the attack.

While downplaying Russia’s advance, he added it was “clear to us” that Moscow’s objective was to create a “certain information space” before Putin meets Trump that “Russia is moving forward, advancing, while Ukraine is losing”.

No official details have emerged on what demands Vladimir Putin could make when he meets Donald Trump in Anchorage on Friday.

The Donbas – made up of the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk – has been partly occupied by Russia since 2014.

Moscow now holds almost all of Luhansk and about 70% of Donetsk but speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine would reject any proposal to leave the Donbas.

“If we withdraw from the Donbas today – our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control – we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive,” he said.

Zelensky has previously insisted that Ukrainians would not “gift their land to the occupier”, and pointed to the country’s constitution, which requires a referendum before a change in its territory.

In his nightly address on Tuesday, Zelensky also said Moscow was preparing new offensives on three parts of the front – Zaporizhzhia, Pokrovsk and Novopavlov areas.

Last week Trump said there would be “some swapping of territories to the betterment of both” Russia and Ukraine – sparking concerns in Kyiv and across Europe that Moscow could be allowed to redraw Ukraine’s borders by force.

Russia currently controls just under 20% of Ukrainian territory.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected any deal to give up the Donbas region for a ceasefire, warning it would invite further Russian attacks. His statement came before a planned Alaska meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, BBC reported.

Trump hinted a peace deal might involve territorial swaps, including Russia’s demand for parts of Donbas. Russia holds much of the region and is advancing militarily.

Zelensky stressed Ukraine’s constitution requires a referendum before any land is ceded and voiced frustration at being excluded from the talks, calling the summit a win for Putin. He will join a virtual meeting with Western leaders urging Trump not to concede to Russian pressure, according to BBC.

Demands reappraisal of military deployment in N&E

Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, yesterday (12) called for a reappraisal of military deployment in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.The former National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages Minister emphasised that successive governments continued to maintain, what he called, excessive military presence in the former war zones. National List MP Ganeshan, who is also the leader of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF), said the TPA backed the Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) call for a hartal in the Northern and Eastern regions on Friday (15) to protest the recent killing of 32-year-old Ethirmanasingham Kapilraj, allegedly by troops deployed at Muththaiyankaddu, Mullaitivu.

The other constituents of TPA are the Workers’ National Front and the Upcountry People’s Front.

Referring to ongoing reportage of the incident, the first of its kind since the change of government in September last year, lawmaker Ganeshan said that Kapilraj’s body was recovered from the Muththaiyankaddu tank.

Responding to The Island queries, the former Yahapalana Minister (Sept. 2015 to Nov. 2019) said that the wanton killing of Kapilraj should influence the National People’s Power (NPP) to review the overall military deployment.

Both DPF and TPA are constituents of the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)

The TPA leader said that the government couldn’t justify heavy military presence in the former war zones, over 17 years after the conclusion of fighting.

When The Island pointed out the declaration made by the military that 91 percent of land, that had been occupied during the war, upto 2009, were released by July this year, MP Ganeshan said that though releasing of land happened over the years, he was not sure of the exact percentage. “I doubt it is as high as 91%. During the war, the military occupied land, surrounding their camps, to protect themselves from LTTE artillery pieces and long range mortars, which was understandable, given the circumstances. However, over 17 years after the conclusion of the conflict, the government cannot justify military holding onto public and private land.”

MP Ganeshan said: “Today, the issue is not just about returning land but also about the excessive military presence in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Stationing the Army in large numbers, in alien villages, can be counterproductive, especially when there’s no war.

The military is needed to protect national interests, such as safeguarding our fishermen from Indian aggression in areas like Karainagar, where there is a Navy camp. But the presence needs to be balanced.

The current imbalance is not just about numbers but also about representation. The Army’s composition, being predominantly Sinhalese, raises concerns about its ability to represent the diverse perspectives of the Sri Lankan population.”

We need to reassess the military’s role and presence from a Sri Lankan perspective, prioritising balance and inclusivity. This approach would help build trust and ensure that the military serves the entire nation, not just one community.”

Kapilraj’s funeral was held at Muththaiyankaddu, Mullaitivu, with the participation of several hundred villagers. Among those present were MPs Sivagnanam Siritharan, Thurairasa Ravikaran, Kadher Masthan, and former parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran, PC.

By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️