Behind the muzzled: voices from a troubed Sri Lanka
[ Telegraph ]
I want to return to Sri Lanka today where, while the world focuses on the fallout from Mumbai, SL government forces are reportedly closing in on the key rebel strongholds of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. It now seems that, in the name of ‘national interest’ and ‘war spirit’ Sri Lanka’s government has effectively crushed all opposition, even from those who would ordinarily be considered patriots of the Sinhala cause.No dissent or counter-argument to the war strategy is tolerated by President Mahinda Rajpakse, his brother Gotabhaya (the defence secretary) and chief of the army staff Gen Sarath Fonseka.