LTTE

ALTHOUGH the Sri Lankan states quarter-century-old war with the LTTE has come to an end, it is a matter of concern that the core issue of the conflict the legitimate grievances of the ethnic Tamil community remain unresolved (Cover Story, The war is over, June 19). Since the military intervention is complete, it is the governments responsibility to find a political solution and maintain peace in the island country.

With the fall of the LTTE, Sri Lanka will now be facing one of the worst civilian catastrophes in its Tamil-dominated areas. Rehabilitation of thousands of displaced people should be a mammoth task, which requires the active involvement of aid organisations from across the globe with the backing of the United Nations. India can play a vital role in this.

Ramachandran Nair Oman* * *

THE Cover Story was insightful. The government of Sri Lanka cannot delude itself that everything has ended with the end of Prabakaran. If the government persists with a hawkish approach, the chances of the LTTE rising from its ashes under a new leader cannot be ruled out.

In fact, the LTTE was born because of the denial of rights to Tamils for decades by Sinhala chauvinists. Hence President Rajapaksa needs to address their concerns and aspirations without delay. Even the Sinhalese have realised that they have paid a high price for their earlier obduracy and discriminatory politics.

K.R. Srinivasan Secunderabad* * *

WITH the death of Prabakaran, his son Charles Anthony and other top LTTE leaders, curtains have finally come down on the 33-month-long Eelam War IV. Prabakaran lived by the sword and died by it. His only mistake was his fight for a separate Tamil homeland, an unrealistic demand in todays situation. Had he asked for anything short of Eelam within a unified Sri Lanka, he would have, perhaps, got it.

India should now play a major role in Sri Lanka by assisting its government in demining activities and provide medical and other humanitarian aid to the lakhs of Tamils living in horrible conditions in refugee camps. Moreover, it should help Colombo find a political solution to the Tamil problem. Kudos to Frontline for covering the subject so extensively.

S. Balakrishnan JamshedpurClarification

This has reference to the article Final hours (June 19). I have been misquoted. I did speak to KP twice. But I never spoke to him while inside Sri Lanka. Once when I was in India, prior to my arrival in Sri Lanka. Incidentally, I was never in Amman on my way to Sri Lanka. The other earlier occasion I spoke to him was from New York itself. The message I received while in Sri Lanka was from Marie Colvin, not from KP.

Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, U.N. Headquarters, N.Y.

Binayak Sen

THOUGH there was no solid evidence to file a case against civil rights activist Binayak Sen, he was sent to prison and denied timely medical help for his heart ailment (Bail and justice, June 19). The verdict of the court granting him bail is a case of delayed justice.

Wasif Riza Kozhikode, KeralaKasab

IT is really sad that terrorists like Kasab are being treated like chief guests (Law at its own pace, June 19). Kasab, who killed many innocents during the 26/11 mayhem in Mumbai, is being provided nutritious food and hygienic facilities round the clock. If the government still hesitates to act tough, people will lose faith in the Indian judicial system.

Ippili Santhosh Kumar Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

Sex education

THE article Shades of saffron gives the pros and cons of implementing the controversial Adolescent Education Programme in the curriculum of the Central Board of Secondary Education (June 5).

The Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions headed by M. Venkaiah Naidu has given a report replete with saffron ideology. It has rejected the idea of introducing sex education in schools, fearing that it may corrupt the minds of adolescents. This is totally wrong. The AEP should be a part of the school syllabus in a form which is acceptable to all sections of society. This is all the more necessary at a time when youngsters have access to pornographic sites on the Internet.

K. Nehru Patnaik Visakhapatnam