The only entity that rates Devananda accurately is the LTTE which has made several attempts on his life and several hostile mentions in recent statements. Because it is in everyone's perceived interests to regard the LTTE as the principal agency of Tamil aspirations, the pre-eminent representative of the Tamil people. Sri Lankan, Indian, Western. These illusions are purveyed and reinforced by LTTE sympathisers, agents, or paid lobbyists within and around the decision-making processes of those Govts. The assumptions fly in the face of the accumulated experience of the world's most populous democracy, India, with the LTTE - but this is ignored, as are the lessons of Western history itself and the examples provided by its resolute democratic heroes from Lincoln to Churchill.
Double standards abound.
The Butcher of Sabra and Shattila, Sharon, refuses to talk peace until violence ends and there are verifiable Palestinian pledges and guarantees that it will not resume - and that goes unchallenged by Washington. The Opposition leadership prefers the Tigers because they can deliver. They may remove the incumbent, paving the way for a change of Government on the cheap. They may deliver votes in the North-East and Colombo. They may provide money for campaign coffers.