Well managed

Sri Lanka not only defeated the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world but also did not allow any spill over from the war to spread beyond its shores. The immediate aftermath was no doubt painful with the country having to contend with a massive number of displaced. But there was no refugee outflow of any sorts which is remarkable given the long duration of the conflict.

By decapitating the entire LTTE hierarchy it also did not leave for the possibility of any fleeing members using the soil of other countries to cause de-stability. Nobody can accuse Sri Lanka of exporting terrorism with the end to its own conflict as has been the case with so many countries who stand accused in this connection.

We managed to contain any post war fallout within our shores. No country was adversely affected by our post war developments. The issues that cropped up such as the problem with regard to the displaced are now being resolved successfully. The ex-LTTE combatants are being gradually released and united with their relatives and loved ones. All former female Tiger cadres have been released. There had been no refugee exodus as witnessed in other countries in such situations.

The aftermath of any war leaves behind a wide range of consequences locally and also spreading far across national borders. More often than not it is a messy situation with the most notable being fleeing refugees, the proliferation of arms and the general air of de-stability. The end of World War II saw such upheavals with the break up of nations and countries divided into ideological camps not to mention a flourishing underground arms industry and a massive refugee traffic. In recent times we saw the example of countries such as Cambodia with the infamous boat people as the human problem caused by war and conflict grew out of control.

In this regard Sri Lanka could hold her head high among countries which had experienced war situations in recent times in that there had not been any adverse fallout as could be expected in the immediate aftermath of a 30 year long conflict. There has not been any exodus of refugees nor were there shortages, hunger and disease one that often associate with countries gone into wrack and ruin after prolonged conflict.

Normally when war ends abruptly as it did on our case its spill over affects not only its immediate neighbours but also others far away from its orbit. The human problem that results as a byproduct of war more often than not causes a heavy burden on others to cloth and feed the war victims. The mass fleeing of refugees across boarders and the economic burden they cause to other countries is today a world phenomenon.

But Sri Lanka has succeeded in managing her post war developments in a commendable way not causing any burden or problem to others.

This is why External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris lamented the poor appreciation of Sri Lanka's post war management by other countries who were spared the spill over of a 30 year conflict. Delivering a keynote address at a workshop in Colombo on Tuesday Prof Peiris said "Sri Lanka's achievement in constraining the negative consequences that arise in the aftermath of the internal conflict has been inadequately recognized by the world."

Continuing he said "though ending such protracted internal conflicts cause a series of consequences over a wide geographical area, Sri Lanka has handled an extremely complex situation in a way that gave rise to minimum consequences. There has not been any proliferation of arms in the neighbouring countries or an influx of refugees to them".

One would think that Sri Lanka which defeated the world's most ruthless terrorist organization would be well equipped to manage its post war baggage. It is no secret that this signal success has drawn envious eyes on the country. This may be one of the reasons for the country's success in reining in any negative fallout being slow to be appreciated in certain quarters. The Government for its part has not been active in giving this aspect its due prominence. It is therefore opportune that an effective campaign is carried out internationally to underscore this point.

This is because by managing the spill over of the war successfully Sri Lanka has spared others from not only an economic burden in the form of refugee care but also their soil being used as an outpost for terrorism.