Sri Lanka: a forgotten conflict

The conflict in Sri Lanka between the government and the " the Tigers", or Rebels, is very old, but for a long period of time it was forgotten. The biggest reason for it disappearing from everybody's minds is journalism. The journalists are not allowed to personally see the war, so there is little information on what is happening. The government is trying to eradicate all the Rebel bases, recently they found one, but it was empty. The War goes on, and the government is winning. We can't understand the details of the conflict, because the information that come from the government are "a little" biased.

The conflict was forgotten for many years, and it was only recently rediscovered. The main reason for this is that the government does not allow journalists to personally see the conflict, but it gives all the information itself. As a consequence the public is more interested in other conflicts were they see the actual fighting and the condition of the people, like the conflict in the middle east. This covers the conflict in Sri Lanka with a blanket, a blanket from which little is filtered out.

A recent fact is the discovery of a rebel base, but when it was discovered, it had already been abandoned. The rebels continue moving in the small piece of land they still control, making the task of finding them almost impossible. The "tigers" used the guerrilla warfare. This warfare consists of small and mobile units who attack the enemy with ambushes and raids. This warfare was very efficient, so the government army also started using it and it proved a good decision, bringing a fast victory over the rebels.

Although the conflict is mysterious the winner is evident. The government controls the majority of the country, it has better weapons, and more troops; while the rebels are a disorganized group of normal people, who fight with what they can find. One day the government will take control, it can be now or later, but it will happen. This conflict does not affect me personaly, but I found it interesting for two reasons, firstly because the government only gives information about it, and secondly because the conflict is going on from thirty years and my parents have lived most of their lives with the war, without knowing it.

The Sri Lanka conflict is a mysterious and old war; mysterious because the government doesn't leave journalists personally see the war, but it gives the information itself. The rebels move continuously, making the eradication of their bases difficult, also if they find a base it is empty. Both the government and the Rebels use the Guerrilla warfare, which consists of raids, and ambushes. The winner is certain; the government, it is better armed, more organized, and numerically superior, so the war gives little surprises.

finally rest

Almost every student desires only one thing, rest. After weeks of exhausting school a student is not only physically tired, but also mentally tired. The only pause in this continuous torture is vacation. The tired student would like to completely relax and sleep day after day, but this is impossible.

There are two places were I would like to pass a wonderful time; one is the mountains, a holiday in the bitter cold, while having fun skiing and sledging, or a holiday in the great rain forest. The watchful steps of a small teenager compared to the immensity of the dangerous nature. This is how I want my vacations, read and imagine.

For my vacations I would really like to sleep, read, play, study, ski, and other relaxing things. A holiday should be a time were all the family is united and happy.

I would like to go to the mountains like every year, ski in the bitter cold and feel the speed of you sliding down the mountain. The wonderful feeling of victory when you win a race and you receive your cup, the clapping of the people when you raise it, higher and higher. Then you go back home, tired from the ski day. You try to warm your cold hands, and you feel a terrible pain when the blood starts flowing again through your hands. Another day you can go sledging. You try to control your sledge while your speed increases. You go faster, faster, faster, and then you slam into the wood wall erected for protection. You stand, a bit dizzy, and you jump on the sledge, and you push until you regain the speed.

Another thing I desire is to go to the Amazonian Rain forest. Walking through the trees looking fearfully at every shade, turning in the direction of every noise, thinking a jaguar will attack you every second. You do not feel the tiredness in your feet, after you have walked for miles, but only the strong feeling of curiosity for the wonderful world which surrounds you. The pacific animals are mixed with the hostile and dangerous creatures, what you imagine is only a little ant turns out to be bigger, and less patient, and suddently it bites the finger with which it was being squashed. Wherever you turn you see the green of the plants, also the sky is blocked by the enormous trees. If you come out alive and you don't get lost in the enormous forest, then you will have a wonderful story to tell to your children.

These two voyages are very different, one is cold and full of light, the other is hot and full of shade and dangers. Nothing in them is similar but one thing, they have been both desired by me.

Blitzkrieg

Blitzkrieg is a word of which the meaning is ignored by most of humanity, but its provinience is obvious, it is German. In fact the Germans invented this tactic. Translated in English it means lightning war. The Blitzkrieg is a plan in which a strong but fast army sweeps in the enemy lines. It is light, but efficient, and the enemies are surprised, not ready to fight. It is important to understand what it is, and what was its function in the Second World War.

The German storm troopers used this tactic, they were small groups of well trained soldiers, and this was their problem. They were efficient against a small number of enemies, or in closed places, but they couldn't harm an enormous army of soldiers. Also the bravest unit can't fight alone against an army. Their primary weapon was the light machine gun, this was a portable weapon, but it had a higher rate of fire than the normal guns. With this weapon and the flame thrower these groups had enough strength, and mobility to conquer entire bases. In many cases they were supported by tanks, with their high speed, defense, and strong missile mountings could have a strong and destructive power

This tactic was developed by Germans in the end of World War one, but it was developed too late to save Germany from loosing the war. Hitler used it in World War two, and this brought a fast victory on many countries. The storm troopers used Blitzkrieg to sweep into France, and they arrived in Paris within a couple of weeks. The French were impotent against this tactic. They could only witness Germanies strength without having the possibility of defending themeselves. Soldiers didn't have the time to snatch their weapons and they were dead. This brought a sudden victory of Hitler on all western Europe.

I think it was an intelligent tactic, but it should not have been invented, as with all the military tactics, it brings only death, wars should not exist, and people continue to invent methods to kill more efficiently. If we ignore the moral part of the tactic it is a good plan. It combines speed with strength, and most armies don't have either of them.