LTTE BAN DEFIED (99 Jun 09)
The public servants of Yapanaya have reported for work on Friday the 5th defying the ban imposed by the LTTE. TheLTTE had ordered the people in Yapanaya to refrain from working and opening shops on Tuesdays and Fridays. The army subsequently told the people to defy the LTTE ban and theEPDP also organised a hartal in protest of the LTTE activities.
This incident reveals that if the army is determined the people will take its side against the LTTE. Even though the army did not order the people to go back to work at gun point they were prepared to defy the LTTE. The people finally want protection and they have to be convinced that the army is prepared to look after them in case of a LTTE attack.
It is somewhat hilarious to see the EPDP trying to take political advantage of the situation by calling for a hartal. The EPDP has no power base and without the army they are not in a position to exert any pressure.