Civil war turns pearl into a soldier state

NEW DELHI - Sri Lanka, often described as "paradise on earth" and "pearl of the Indian Ocean", has emerged as the most militarised nation in south Asia, says a leading Indian think-tank.

In its analysis Conflict in Sri Lanka, the Mumbai-based Strategic Foresight Group has warned that the island republic's situation could worsen unless swift action is not taken to end the nearly 25-year long civil war between the Army and the Tamil Tigers fighting for an independent homeland in the north and east of the island.

The fighting has claimed more than 65,000 lives and displaced millions.

Tamils constitute about 12 per cent of Sri Lanka's population of 19 million and claim discrimination at the hands of the majority Sinhalese community.

An upsurge in fighting has seen more than 2500 combatants and civilians killed in recent months and comes despite a four-year ceasefire.

This week a suicide Tamil Tiger bomber rammed an explosive-loaded truck into a Sri Lankan naval convoy, killing at least 92 sailors and wounding over 150 others.

Officials said it was one the worst such attacks on the island republic and one likely to affect the imminent peace talks in Switzerland between the warring Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE ) and the Government.

According to the think-tank's analysis, the island republic has 8000 military personnel for every one million citizens, making it among the highest such ratio in the region.

Even Pakistan, ruled by military administrations for most of its 57-years since independence, has only half that number - 4000 military personnel per one million population.

The statistics for other South Asian countries are: Nepal 2700; India 1300 and Bangladesh 1000.

In military expenditure, as a percentage of gross domestic product, again Sri Lanka spends the highest of all its neighbours - 4.1 per cent. Pakistan allocates 3.5 per cent of its GDP to defence, India and Nepal 2.5 per cent and Bangladesh 1.5 per cent.

"Sri Lanka's defence expenditure as a percentage of its GDP is the largest not only in south Asia but is also higher than other conflict-ridden countries such as Colombia, Myanmar [Burma], Sierra Leone, Sudan, the Philippines, and Uganda to name a few," the study says.

The military had grown from 15,000 members in the early 1970s before the outbreak of the civil war in 1983, to 150,000 today.

Its weaponry includes multi-barrel rocket launchers, long-range artillery, main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers.

The Sri Lankan Navy is smaller, with 20,000 personnel and operates fast attack craft with 23mm guns, inshore and offshore patrol vessels and landing craft.

Its Air Force uses Israel-built Kfir supersonic fighter-bombers, Russian MiG-23s and Mi 24 helicopters and, like the navy, has been engaged in attacking territories controlled by the Tigers in the islands north and east.

Sri Lanka plans to boost its defence budget by 45 per cent next year.

REGIONAL FORCE

Number of military personnel for every million citizens:

Sri Lanka 8000
Pakistan 4000
Nepal 2700
India 1300
Bangladesh 1000