Crep, as I understand, works closely with Des who runs his own news network in Sri Lanka independently of Groundviews. In fact, the reason I approached Des is because I wanted reports from the field (and particularly from the North and East) that at the time I launched Groundviews I did not have access to otherwise.

I am not in a position to verify what Crep writes, but rely and trust Des to do so to the extent that is possible.

Perhaps both Des and Crep may feel more comfortable answering your question via email? I already have yours and with your permission can forward it to Des to in turn forward to Crep – though obviously I can’t make any promises on their behalf that they will respond to you. Given the times we live in, though certainly desirable, journalists often fear to give out their sources in public.

Best,

Sanjana

Im not saying that the above article is true/false/baised/unbaised, all I am asking is CRep’s sources for the above info or if he himself gathered the facts (and I’m still waiting for the answer).

Sanjana, does groundviews independently verify the accuracy of articles placed on this site? Or is any other control mechanism in place?

ps: Remember in 1995 during the ‘Rivirasa’ operation to capture Jaffna, the then military spokesman Brigadiar Sarath Munasinghe when Jaffna was srounded said that the LTTE had only 3 options:
1. Commit suicide
2. Surrender to the army
3. Jump into the sea

…none of the above happened as we know today. The LTTE just relocated to the Wanni. Military spokesman make grandoise statements…thats their prerogative. In time we will know the truth. The truth cannot be hidden forever. Until then people can believe what they want to believe!

Military operations are part of overall strategy, just as diplomacy is. Neither can foil or change strategy. Only a strategic action can foil the enemy’s strategy. This strategic action can be executed in many forms, military, diplomatic, economic, etc.

So to say what you have is incorrect. You need to actually understand Sun Tzu’s applications in the real world, not just parrot his writings, or you end up with inane statements such as “Where stands the general there flies his banner”, which sounds nice but is meaningless as a tactic.

“Complete victory is when the army does not fight, the city is not besieged, the destruction does not go on long, but in each case the enemy is overcome by strategy.”

The enemy is always overcome by strategy, regardless of whether the cities are besieged and all that bollocks. If you don’t want to besiege his cities, you besiege his stock market, or his oil fields. But those are all strategic moves too.

“In Sri Lanka’s case…Colombo and other cities are besieged…destruction has gone on for nearly 25 years and what have you gained?”

I assume yoou’re referring to the LTTE here. They have attempted to besiege Colombo and largely failed in their objectives of the last 25 years. They set out in the early ’80s to gain a separate state, while the GoSL set out to prevent it. Who do you think has failed?

“A few victories here and there. You may win a few battles…LETS SEE IF YOU CAN WIN THE WAR!”

Contrary to Hollywood myth, waars ARE won by winning the battles. There’s no short cut.

Complete victory is when the army does not fight, the city is not besieged, the destruction does not go on long, but in each case the enemy is overcome by strategy. This is called strategic siege. In this way you do not dull your army, and your profit is naturally complete.

In Sri Lanka’s case…Colombo and other cities are besieged…destruction has gone on for nearly 25 years and what have you gained? A few victories here and there.
You may win a few battles…LETS SEE IF YOU CAN WIN THE WAR!

[Editors note: Suntzu, I've deleted the last para since it only detracted from the rest of your comment. Please try to be less personal and attempt to engage with the issues. Thank you.]

What’s left of them will, if they can. One then goes after what’s left wherever it is. Until there’s too little left to be potent. And your point was?

“One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful. Seizing the enemy without fighting is the most skillful.”

Yes, but once you start fighting, a hundred victories in a hundred battles is a pretty good result.

One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful. Seizing the enemy without fighting is the most skillful.

sun tzu (The Art of War)

Shehal, the 6-barrel “muli-guns” mentioned are MBRLs not miniguns.

CRep, would you mind telling us how you got this info? If you don’t mind that is..

Lets see ….
* 520 LTTE carders have been standing in the front line of Taravai and two 6 barrel multi guns are based there.
* The senior military leaders Nagesh, Ramesh and Banu are also there.
* 400-500 UHF channel
Wealth of secret military info on loose!! If LTTE is ready to leek this much information to our “citizen journalists”, they already lost this game long time back.
I would use some grain of salt with this kind of reporting.

Namal

SF… go kick some tiger ass!!!