Readers divided over battle at home

As the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fight to survive possibly their last encounter with the Sri Lankan government, Gulf News readers offer mixed reaction about their country's future.

A pessimistic Halim said: "I have seen conflicts begin and end between the Sri Lankan army and the Tamil Tigers over and over again for more than 20 years now. It is a story that repeats itself and every time it happens, civilians pay the price. Innocent women and children are killed and huge amounts of money and resources are wasted on such battles."

While the past continued to haunt Sri Lankan nationals, some believed the future could be saved. Several readers vouched for the government and said they felt the state was doing the right thing.

Sharmila Halim Al Deen, 43, Sri Lankan and Abu Dhabi resident, said: "The Tamil Tigers are trouble. They are responsible for the violence and killings that are currently going on. The government is doing the right thing by trying to get rid of them. That is the only way for peace."

On the other hand, some believed in the cause of the Tamil Tigers and thought the only way to achieve peace was for the government to acknowledge the group.