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But, you said nothing new
My Dear Velu,
I thought of writing to you after seeing the 'show' you put up last Wednesday for the local and international scribes who came in their hundreds to see you in person and hear what you had to say. But I daresay, Velu, after travelling that far and being frisked by your cadres they would have been disappointed about what you had to offer because you never said anything new really, did you?

Of course you did say that you 'liked' peace and that your were 'hopeful' which were all the right things to say to an audience like that, but you did stop short of saying that you will give up your bid for a separate state, didn't you? The "conditions were not right" you reportedly said about that. So, how many more suicide bombings and innocent lives -on both sides- do we need to lose before you say enough is enough, Velu? I agree that you said that now the time has come to 'forgive and forget' but I still feel that is not enough.

Don't you think, Velu that the South has done enough for you to become confident of their sincerity? Why, they even offered you a live telecast on Ruapvahini-that would have really been a first wouldn't it- the head of a banned terrorist organisation and a man wanted for mass murder and the killing of two heads of state being given the chance to address the nation on TV? Or is it that you were reminded of what happened to Comrade Rohana shortly after he addressed the nation?

Anyway, Velu, it does appear that someone, perhaps Uncle Sam, is twisting your arm even though you denied that at the 'show'. Everyone seems to think that, that is the reason why you are being so charming and changing from battle fatigues to safari kit and even shaving your moustache to look more likeable. But of course, we do know that a leopard doesn't change its spots, so we must assume that a tiger doesn't change its stripes either!

But Velu, even you must agree that the Green Man has stuck his neck out on this peace gamble in a most remarkable manner. If it fails everyone is waiting to say 'I told you so' -especially Satellite- and therefore the Green Man is likely to strike back with a vengeance but then we have had that happening so many times before this and we don't want it to happen again, because it takes both camps nowhere.

So, Velu, you should seriously reflect on all the spotlight that fell on you last week. We have heard many people saying recently that this is the last chance for peace. Well, I hate to say this but I have a feeling that this may well be the last chance for you and Bala too. So, think about it, will you?

Yours truly,
Punchi Putha
PS- You must understand our being so skeptical of all these recent events, Velu but nevertheless, we must be grateful to you for allowing a situation which permits us to truly say 'suba aluth avuruddak weva'! after a long, long time- thank you for that!

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