Sri Lanka President Formally Declares End to War

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE Lose Fight for Homeland

May 21, 2009

Jubilation on the streets of Colombo. President Mahinda Rajapaksa talks of a "home grown solution," encourages the Tamil diaspora to come back and help in nation-building

According to a report from the Press Trust of India, writing for Business Standard, with the heavy onslaught of Sri Lankan troops, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conceded defeat in their fight for a homeland for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. The act brought the bloody Sri Lanka war to a full stop and the demise of what Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa called as "the world's most ruthless terrorist organization."

President Mahinda Rajapaksa Officially Declares End of the Sinhala-Tamil Conflict

The official declaration of liberation, "Sri Lanka is free of murderous terrorism," pronounced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, set off mass celebrations across the nation. The deafening sounds of firecrackers and tooting vehicle horns have been reverberating throughout the capital city Colombo, as flag-waving Sri Lankans celebrate the end of nearly three decades of ethnic conflict between the Sinhala and the Tamil. Homes proudly display the Sri Lankan National Flag. On High Level Street, residents had a kiribath or milk rice cookout, which they shared with the military, police and everyone who participated in the merrymaking.

President Rajapaksa, the fifth President of Sri Lanka, addressing the Sri Lanka Parliament in Tamil and Sinhala, spoke about a "home grown solution" to the situation at hand, which left tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are now in need of urgent assistance.The Sri Lankan President urged Tamils residing abroad to return and become part of the rebuilding process. He also asked all the political parties in the country to rally behind him, for the formidable task ahead.

The President also acknowledged the hard work and extended his gratitude to Defense Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defense Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Admiral Vasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke, Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickremeratne, and Director General of the Civil Defense Force Sarath Weerasekera. He also thanked his wife First Lady Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa and sons Namal, Yositha, and Rohitha, for their unwavering support.

Protests Held against David Miliband and the British High Commission in Sri Lanka

A different picture, though, emerged in Bauddhaloka Mawatha, where the British High Commission is located. A couple of violent protests were held against Britain and its Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, who called for a Sri Lankan government ceasefire, which ran against the tide and wishes of the Sri Lankan people, who fervently hoped for lasting peace. According to Robert Bosleigh, reporting for Times Online, "More than 1,000 people pelted the compound with rotten eggs, stones and sprayed graffiti."

A huge war victory rally will be staged Friday, to honor the Heroes of War. More than a hundred thousand participants are expected to converge at the War Memorial located on Parliament grounds. The victory parade will commence from Borella, moving towards Parliament Road.

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