133 Christian Priests Call For A Strong And Action Oriented Resolution On Sri Lanka At The UNHRC
By Colombo Telegraph -
One hundred and thirty three Christian priests from Sri Lanka have written to the UN Human Rights Council urging much tougher action on war crimes and human rights. The priests call for a strong and action oriented resolution on Sri Lanka at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.
We publish below the statement in full;
As a group of concerned Christian clergy living and serving in North and East of Sri Lanka, we are writing to appeal for a strong and action oriented resolution in relation to accountability, reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka, which will go beyond the resolution adopted at the 19th session of the Council.
As noted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in her report to the Council, what we have seen since the rather weak resolution adopted at the 19thsession of the Council is a total lack of political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations therein, such as the call for investigations into allegations of international law during the final stages of the conflict and cooperation with the UN Special Procedures, as evident by the lack of response to requests for country visits by 8 thematic UN Special Procedures for a number of years.
We had also witnessed continuing ignorance and violations of the key LLRC recommendations, related to political solution to the ethnic conflict, release of political prisoners, appointment of a Commissioner to look into disappearances, reparations, release of land occupied illegally by the military, restrictions on media, commemorating those dead and disappeared, use of both national languages etc. In the last year, those criticising and challenging the government in peaceful ways including by engagement with the UN, have been assaulted, questioned, arrested, threatened, discredited and intimidated by government ministers, officials, military and police. Victims include some of us and fellow clergy who are not signing this letter due to fear of reprisals.
We feel that the killing and disappearance of tens of thousands of Tamil people and actions that are supressing the Tamil people and community, our culture, religions, language, land in a systematic way before, during and after the war, appears to be done with an intent to destroy us in whole or part, and thus, it is imperative that the international community addresses this seriously even at this late stage. We fear that at the pace these oppressive methods are carried out after the war, our identity as a people will be destroyed in the near future. Hence there is an exigency to arrive at a political solution which acknowledges the internal self-determination of the Tamil People.
While we have focussed on issues confronting the Tamil people, particularly in the North and East, we also remain deeply concerned about increasing authoritarianism all over Sri Lanka, such as the recent attacks against Muslims, killing of 27 Sinhalese prisoners in November last year, lack of investigation into discovery of skeletal remains in Matale of those suspected to have been tortured and killed, threats, attacks and intimidations of journalists, human rights defenders, student leaders, trade unionists and religious clergy who criticize the government. We remain in solidarity with victims, their families and those who struggle for justice. The most recent impeachment of the Chief Justice bypassing Court decisions and due process, attacks and threats on judges and lawyers, as well as inaction of statutory bodies such as the Police, National Human Rights Commission and Attorney General’s Department reinforces our long held view that justice for Tamils through domestic processes is not realistic, despite our own engagement with several such bodies in good faith.
We are attaching a letter written by the Catholic Bishop of Mannar to the President in August 2012 and a letter to the Catholic Bishops Conference by the Justice and Peace Commission of Jaffna Diocese in January 2013, giving details of our concerns and also serve as examples of the numerous unsuccessful domestic efforts we have undertaken.
We are convinced that the root cause of these problems is a lack of political will, than the capacity. Hence, it is our firm conviction that technical assistance from the UN in the form of training, advice, financial and material support will not suffice, and may even serve as red herring if not accompanied by more substantive investigative, monitoring and reporting role.
Thus, we appeal for a strong and action oriented resolution, which will:
- 1. Note the lack of progress on human rights and reconciliation since the last year’s resolution, the continuing repression of minorities and those with dissenting views and unwillingness of the Sri Lankan government to address allegations of past violations
- 2. Establish an international and independent commission of inquiry to look into allegations of violations of international law by all sides during the war, with a proper witness protection mechanism and including with specific reference to findings and recommendations of the UN Secretary General’s Panel of Experts report
- 3. Appoint a Special Representative / Rapporteur on Sri Lanka with a broad mandate to address the past and on-going violations and assist and advice the government on future reconciliation initiatives
- 4. Identify a team of thematic UN Special Procedures to visit Sri Lanka considering pending requests for visits
- 5. Set up an accountability mechanism for UN officials implicated in the failure of the UN’s protection mandate in relation to last stages of war in Sri Lanka as identified in the UN’s own Internal Review
- 6. Welcome the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to the 22ndsession of the Council and request her to report back to the Council’s 25thsession her observations on progress of the above and recommendations.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Signatures
Read the full text of the statement and annexes here.
When the NGOs were working hand in hand with the LTTE, these Reverends were busy looking after their spiritual as well as logistical needs.
Now they are desperately working to get at least UN teams to protect the Diaspora agents who are operating in the North trying to help the separatists to homelands.
The Church should not get involved in Politics.
Specially when it is blatantly communal politics.
Catholic Church as it is is facing un precedented challenges
If the Tamil clergy is going to involve themselves in communal politics to help the Diaspora and its agents. it is going to alienate the majority,
Perhaps these Reverends want to establish a separate entity in a separate homeland.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 19, 2013
1:38 am
This is exactly what one should expect when Bodu Bala Sena, with impunity and possibly blessings from the high-ups, declares that this is Sinhala Buddhist Country and all others should live according to what they dictate: how and what to eat, how to behave, what to wear and what to do in leisure hours etc.
Don’t lament that they are separatists.
A Lover of Justice - February 19, 2013
3:38 am
I’m glad you admit they (the Christian Crusaders)are the counterparts of the Saffron-Mafia. They thrive on each other. So do the Saiva-Vellala-Jaffna-Fascists and the Mullahs.
It is symbiosis, stupid!
Ajay - February 25, 2013
4:15 pm
K.A. Tsunamisekera:
I used to miss the howling of jackals in my neighbourhood. Now, all I have to do is read your comments in CT to feel whole again. Except that jackals were never vicious racists!
Aney Apochchi! - February 19, 2013
11:00 am
One should also not forget that the LTTE is not a Tamil liberation front but a Christian terrorist force assisted by the west (London, Paris, Newyork). These bunch of comunal priests were on blind eye to VP s barberic acts on innocent people of the country for 30 years and their main target wass to destroy the place owned to Buddhism and Hinduism in the country. Now they are sad because they have being continuing to fail for the last 500 years since 1505 and now praying their western masters for an invasion.
WK Costa - February 20, 2013
3:57 am
WHAT RUBBISH !
BIG PRABHA WAS HINDU !!
IF TRUE & SO CONCERNED, THEN GIVE RIGHTS TO AT LEAST THE HINDUS !!!
THAMBI - February 23, 2013
9:49 pm
GEN. DENZIL KOBBEKADUWA; A CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN !!
Malini - February 24, 2013
10:28 pm
Cant you get Mervin to tie them to trees. You only need some ropes.
Lanka Liar - February 21, 2013
1:21 pm
Tsunamisekera:
You obviously find it perfectly acceptable for the Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Bodu Balu Sena et al to engage in politics and violent racist politics(in the case of the BBS). How do you explain this discrepancy in your judgement? Is it because those three support your Lord, Rajapaksa?
Strange logic to say the least, but then violence and corruption are what you and your mentors are best at, right? Not anything resembling decency or reason!
Aney Apochchi! - February 26, 2013
6:51 am
At least someone is speaking up agaisnt crimes and human rights.
D - February 19, 2013
1:51 am
Did you check the names? Almost they are [Edited out]
Watcher - February 19, 2013
2:03 am
@K.A. Sumanasekera
These priests are only speaking out against the “Human Wrongs” that were perpetrated against unarmed civilians during the war and even today almost 4 years after the war has ended. Non of these priests have crept into parliament like some of the Buddhist monks in this country, and neither have they formed racist organizations like ‘Bodu Bala Sena’ or ‘Sinhala Rawaya.’
PresiDunce Bean - February 19, 2013
2:21 am
This is the same K A Sumanasekera who wrote that as long as Gotabhaya Rajapakshe is the Secretary of Defence,that honest police officer DIG Lateef, who arrested the brother of a politician for beating up two police officers on duty, would not be transfered from Moneragala, and that nothing will happen.
Well DIG Lateef is transfered. So Mr Kiss Ass please bend down and bite your two peanuts, that is if you could find them!
lawyer - February 19, 2013
2:27 am
Lawyer:
Tsunamisekera will have committed suicide if he bites his two peanuts as you have suggested because I’m sure they’re full of hemlock!
Aney Apochchi! - February 26, 2013
6:53 am
Remember! the guns that were used to kill civilians in the name of so called humanitarian operation during the war in the north and east will be used to kill the Sinhalese in the event of a threat from the South to the rulers.Killing civilians is easier than eating a biscuit to the trigger happy soldiers.Recall the days during the 88-89 terror period in Sri Lanka. Almost everybody was terrorized by the JVP and the government forces and nobody was sure whether he or she would be alive on the following day.I am a Buddhist but I appreciate the church as they are fearless in condemning the human rights violations of Sri Lankans irrespective of ethnicity, religion,creed and caste.
premalal - February 19, 2013
2:31 am
K A Sumanasekera have you no shame?
In another post you declared that as long as Gotabhaya is there he would not care for politicians and that the honest police officer DIG Lateef would not be transfered from Moneragala on the demand of corrupt politicians.
Well DIG Lateef is transfered. Now go back to that cave where you hide
lawyer - February 19, 2013
4:07 am
These reverends are not interested in the diaspora, they want reconciliation from hurt and masaccre, equality, dignity and human rights to all citizens living in the north and east which is not evident, one cannot have one law for one category of people whilst the others lands and houses have been taken over and they are being governed by goons and with no normalcy to their lives, just think about this is it not the right of every human being no matter who, what you are, colour and creed to enjoy these basic tennents of human rights which is enshrined in our constituion, do not look at this injustice with blinkers, but with an open mind and heart and provide equality and justice to all mankind.
Helena Waidiyasekerta - February 19, 2013
4:32 am
It is ok only for Buddhist priests to be involved in militant Taleban style politics as in the case of Bodu Bala Sena?
No more Proud to be Sri Lankan - February 19, 2013
5:10 am
Dear Mr. K.A. Samarasinghe, are your buddhist monks who spread, instigate and lead racial and religious hatred (recently against the Muslims) are exempted from your advise to the catholic priests? Hy;ocrit.
kaputakukula - February 19, 2013
5:58 am
Sorry, the above is addressed to the conscience of the guy K.A.Sumanasekera. Apologise for the mixup of the name.
kaputakukula - February 19, 2013
8:22 am
Reverends, I can understand your sentiments. I think you were eye-witness to revolting horrendous bloodbath in the North and East. Some donkeys in the South, self-styled patriots are in the way of reconciliation, peace and national unity.Don’t mind their braying.It is a pity we don’t have a political party or a political leader capable of uniting all communities to prevent a de facto separation of the country!
Saman Wijesiri - February 19, 2013
6:50 am
The Catholic Church is familiar with Salvation and Liberation and in the North and the East the Catholic Church thought that the LTTE would liberate the Tamils from Sinhalese. However, in 2009 the Sinhalese soldiers liberated nearly 300,000 Tamils from the Liberation Tigers.
The Catholic Church does not want to acknowledge that. They continue to preach their flock that the Liberation Tigers will be coming very soon and therefore be prepared for the next battle of liberation.
The Professional - February 19, 2013
6:59 am
“The Church should not get involved in Politics. Specially when it is blatantly communal politics.”
Why? Is it an exclusive right to the members of the Sangha?
Rohan - February 19, 2013
7:11 am
If the Sinhala-Buddhist clergy is involved in Racist/communal politics to help the Sinhala Buddhists and its corrupt and anti-minority government there is nothing wrong what so ever in the Tamil clergy or the Muslim clergy involving in politics. Who cares even it it is going to alienate the majority.
Kumar - February 19, 2013
7:52 am
At last some one speaks out. Speaking up for Human rights is politics??
Maha - February 19, 2013
10:50 am
This is a telling indictment against the govt that as many as 133 catholic priests have voiced their disapproval of govt policy towards the people in the north.
The catholic clergy is well known for their down to earth living and caring for their flock. Christianity is also known to be a religon of love and neighbourliness. That they have voiced their displeasure means that something is really wrong at grass roots level.
Safa - February 19, 2013
11:51 am
Speaking for justice and human rights is no political gain, just plain speaking the right to live, employment, with a roof above your head, with security, right to eduction for all citizens, not only for the majority to live in dignity so that all must live in harmony and justice. If this equality and justice is not afforded to the minority does it mean that they all have to take poison and commit sucide in the land of their birth which the farmers are doing right now. It is in this backdrop if the polticians are biased and corrupted to the hilt, that the Reverends have to come out openly and seek justice if not from its governors who are rabid, but from international human rights. What has the buddhist priests been doing to bring about equality and justice, nothing expect for a few few handful of genuine buddhists priests who are shouting hoarse in the wilderness, majority of buddhists priests and uneducated, arrogant, rogues who hide behind the saffron cloth to bring division and mayhem, which is being condoned by the governors. It is in this light we uphold these reverends who are seeking justice and fairplay for the downtrodden minority who are suffering in silence. The truth must prevail and justice, dignity and fairness given to all citizens of this land, otherwise natural calamities as seen will increase and bring burdens on this government.
Helena Waidiyasekerta - February 19, 2013
12:15 pm
A few posters here say these Reverends want to correct Human Wrongs and restore Human Rights.
That is excellent.
Did these same Reverends ask the UN or the UNHCR or its Boss to come hard and come strong to to do the same when uncle Praba karan was denying the Sinhala Catholics the right to pray at their Holy Madhu Shrine?.
When uncle Prabakaran was not only denying Sinhala Buddhists to worship Buddha’s foot steps at Nagadeepa, but also killing them wholesale at other holy places such as Srimahabodiya, and the Temple of Tooth in Kandy?.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 19, 2013
1:15 pm
The loot keepers of the LTTE are emerging once again.
With Pope Benedicts gone and only GOD knows what next, wonder whther his batchmate S.J.Emmanuel attempting to amalgamate the Vatican with that of the Temple of Sun Goat and him to become the new Pope.
Clergy gone wild with the worldwide NGOs.
Hail Mary pray for us & protect us from thhese Cassoack wearing Satans calling for tougher resolutions !!!!!!
Holy Mother, does the Heavenly Father too have any tough resolutions being prepared for these Cassoack wearing pretenders of servants of God?
dicky Bird - February 19, 2013
5:28 pm
Catholic Church and Their past……….. tainted with the blood of the innocent.
Church forces committed the first genocide at Languedoc in the Pyrenees in the 10th century when they massacered 30,000 Catharis adults & children who were followers of jesus Christ but did not follow Roman Catholic principles.
These cassoack wearing rogues are not serving their Master but pursuing self interest.
Church is a business today.
dicky Bird - February 19, 2013
5:37 pm
One clear message that comes out of this petition is that the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is divided along racial lines. This was coming anyway as Catholic-Christian priests showed signs of being infected by the communal virus post-1983. If the Rajapakses continue to run the country in the aimless way they have so far done shying away from the main problems, the international community will be left with no other alternative than place the “2 Nations in one undivided country” reality in the international Agenda. If that is to follow through in its predictable end the Tamil Nation may see the first Tamil Catholic Cardinal in the world.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 19, 2013
6:03 pm
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
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Rama - February 19, 2013
9:24 pm
I had seen this article in Colombo Telegraph yesterday and was struck how uncomfortable I was with it. I did not comment yesterday but decided to do so today.
One, I looked elsewhere for the list of religious clergy who had signed this. Two were Anglican and one was Methodist. The 130 others were Roman Catholic. So this is not a Christian inter-denominational effort – it was just Roman Catholic for the most part.
Two, if we were to argue that Buddhist clergy not be involved in politics, the same rule should apply for Christian clerics.
Three, I note that the chief signatory is the Bishop for Mannar whom some Muslims accuse of having looked the otherside when the LTTE evicted the Muslims from Mannar district making that district the first Christian majority district in Sri Lanka as a result. Many Muslims had to hurriedly sell their land at give away prices to the church. Now, this is an allegation, not a fact but it remains disturbing.
Four, 85% of the ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka are Hindu. Its a bit odd when a exclusively Christian list of signatories starts arrogating the right to speak on Tamil human rights. A more inter-religious forum would have been appropriate instead.
In short, I think Rayappu Joseph needs to stay clear of politics and perhaps first return the lands that his people (religion and ethnicity wise) appropriated from the Muslims of Mannar.
Iqbal - February 20, 2013
4:53 am
I wish to respond to reader Mr. Iqbal – and indeed of others of similar thoughts. It is common knowledge there is for sometime now a well-organised and carefully engineered project to – initially reduce the demographic reality of the Tamil Nation (in the North-East) that has been in effect from the late 1940s. The next stage is to entirely remove all vestiges of a Tamil presence in the island notwithstanding the fact this been home for Tamils from ancient times. That this cleansing project of 6+ decades has been in the drawing boards of successive Sinhala governments is significant.
Resistance to this diabolic plot comes from every Tamil – Hindu and Catholic-Christian. Despite belonging to two religious identities Hindus and Christian-Catholics in the Province of the Tamil dominated areas treasured their common heritage. They have lived in amity and peace for over five centuries from the time some Tamils converted from Hinduism. Inter-religious marriages between the two sides are common. Fr. Xavier Thaninayagam’s devotion and contribution to Tamil culture is remembered with great reverence even today. His name is remembered with much respect and reverence wherever Lankan Tamils live around the world today. The Tamil Nation is grateful to the signatories for bringing the plight of the Tamils to the notice of the world. It may be remembered, till recently, the appeals from the Tamil Christian-Catholic clergy was only made to the Sinhala-dominated political leadership in the South. They were, unfortunately, ignored and put aside for six decades making the alternate need to seek sympathy and justice elsewhere inevitable. This is the only reason, one presumes, these civic-minded priests appeal to the outside world at a time when the Lankan Tamil Nation, in different but subtle ways, is marked for rapid decimation. The manner in which ordinary soldiers of the army, now swarming the Tamil NEP – callously treat Tamil civilians is clear they are made to believe the Tamils are a subject people and need to be treated with disdain. Encouraged by the success of rendering Tamils in the Eastern Province to gradual insignificance, these sinister sources now pursue their dubious Agenda in the North with that multi-pronged State and army-sponsored grand design to realise this object – by fair or foul means. The current public cry of the JHU/BBS has escaped its poorly structured mask – “this is a Buddhisdt Sinhala country and there is no place for others here” This audacious canard cannot apply to the Lankan Tamil Nation. This is one warning that has to be taken seriously – particularly in the light of the Rajapakse Govt, enjoying ill-gained, unprecedented numerical strength in Parliament, chooses the path of least resistance. They choose to remain silent – except for occasional tepid squeaks calling for amity -more for external consumption (Donors and world opinion)
This reader argues if the Buddhist priests are called upon not to engage in politics, the same should also apply to the Christians-Catholics. This line of thought is buried in ignorance. Acivist Buddhist priests have been in the fringe of politics from the mid-1950s is something even Mr Iqbal cannot be ignorant of. That many in the Buddhist public are appalled at the open but shocking entry of the Buddhist clergy to the snake-pit of Parlimentary politics in recent times, is something even an 8th grader in the country knows. Even Mr Iqbal will admit Christian-Catholic priest are not engaged in naked politics.
If Muslims in Mannar, as claimed by Mr Iqbal, were forced to sell their properties in circumstances unfair during the War, he will be aware, with the return of many Muslims in the North, they have successfully laid claim to their assets and immovables. I am sure there is in place State process to reclaim properties so lost.
Incidentally, what the country learned when that Minister Bathiudeen made a fool of himself in the Courts in Mannar, it was more the Tamils who had been chased away from their ancestral lands by the now numerically-higher Muslims – lead by common gun-toting criminals going by as political leaders.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 20, 2013
2:26 pm
Why is Mr Sengutuan so agitated by Mr Iqubal’s comment?.
Isn’t it a fact that over 100000 of our Muslim brothers and Sisters were given only 24 hours notice by Mr Prabakaran to piss off?.
Did any of these Catholics and Metodists cry foul and demand Ms Pillay to come hard on Mr Prabakaran?.
Now Mr Sengutuan is kindly advising these innocent uproots to seek consolation through State Instruments.
Isn’t the crux of the anti Sinhala , anti Buddhist and anti Lankan campaign of the Emmanuels and Rudrakumarans and their proxies led by Mr Sambandan is that there are no State Instruments for Tamils to occupy their land after Prabakaran?.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 20, 2013
7:16 pm
Sumane, my friend:
The eviction of Muslims from the North is one of the most unfortunate aspects of that interrupted struggle. The Tamil political leadership has openly apologised for this aberration. In a bitter war such as that was fought there some ugly features become inevitable – according to the version of the militants. If you recall, the slaughter of over a dozen local volunteers – working with the French Aid body (ACF?)- later was quoted by these same sources for their fear. One such as you reasonably well informed of the dispute, claiming not to know this, is beyond me.
I am afraid you deliberately misquote those you name in the last para. TNA, speaking for the Tamil Nation, has not failed to express their appreciation for the limited progress made by GoSL in infra-structure development and even reconciliation. The truth is this has so far been more cosmetic than serious or adequate. That is the same language of the findings of visiting US/UK political representatives and
Mrs Navi Pillai – the alleged nemesis of the JHU/BBS “patriots” on the streets.
If you think I could be easily “agitated” you should take a little time off, relax on a glass or two of Dudleyge Sudiya.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 20, 2013
10:24 pm
Mr Sambandan telling the Press ” Just leave the Muslims to me” when he was on the same platform with Fonseka to roll Rajapaksa doesn’t mean an apology.
Does it?.
Alan Keenan a keen anti Srilankan front man in his latest piece has acknowledged that Muslims need their own turf too.
And it is somewhat of a consolation for our Muslim brethren .in case the new Elara , Navai Pillay will force your often predicted 2 in 1 on us.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 20, 2013
11:44 pm
where is the future pope malcolm ranjith. what’s his stand on this matter.
Rama - February 20, 2013
10:41 pm
As a Tamil Hindu, I would respectively differ from Senguttavan and agree with Iqbal. Here’s why.
The Tamil identity in Sri Lanka is defined by Hinduism. The Kingdom of Jaffna in the 1300s, 1400s and 1500s was a case in point. Tamil Christians in the Negombo and Puttalam declared themselves as Sinhalese in the 1930s. The Colombo Chetties declared themselves non-Tamil in the 1980s as did the Bharatas. The Tamil speaking Muslims do not categorize themselves as ethnic Tamils. Much earlier in Sri Lanka’s history, Tamil Buddhists assimilated in the Sinhalese mainstream. All this is recorded fact. Tamil Hindus alone nurtured the classics in the Portuguese and Dutch era, not to mention later.
The Tamil Christian leadership – Naganathan, Chelvanayakam etc prodded the Tamil community into a destructive political path that has brought upon us displacement, death, exile and alienation from the national mainstream. Many Tamil Christians tend to have a hatred of Buddhist ethno nationalism. Contrast that with the enlightened and far sighted politics of Tamil Hinduism in an earlier era – of Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan who defended Buddhist interests, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam who defended Sri Lankan interests, of Sir Kandiah Vaithyanathan, of Arunachalam Mahadeva etc.
Iqbal is right – 85% of the Tamil population is Hindu. An exclusively Roman Catholic petition of this sort sidesteps the demographic of our land and is an attempt to usurp the leadership in the current political vacuum. It is inappropriate.
Further, Christian missionary activity which ultimately failed was heightened during the war years. This was intended at a decimation of Hindu society – to convert all of us to Christendom.
So yes, Iqbal – thank you for what you said. You spoke for many of us. This is not to defend SWRD Bandaranaike, Sirimavo, JR. Jayewardene or Rajapakse – but we really do not need Rayappu Joseph who is quite extreme in his political views.
And let us build bridges with Muslims and Buddhists. Surely, there should be a better path for Tamil politics.
Tamil woman - February 21, 2013
1:22 am
When the shepherd is busy with Vatican and heavenly life, it is good news that these 133 protectors who take care of the flock and talk on behalf of speechless, helpless, dumb and weak.
Keep it up you 133 Mother Theressas….take care of your weak and helpless flock and voice on behalf of them.
Jayantha - February 21, 2013
2:31 am
To the learned Lady who prefers to call herself Tamil Woman,
There is little dispute the Tamil Kingdom from the 13th to about the 16th – you refer to – was defined by the Hindu identity. Much water has flowed down the rivers since then.
That the Colombo Chetties preferred to be identified with the Sinahala, Burgher communities – as well the Tamils in the littoral areas from Negombo beyond Puttalam to Mannar – too is not in dispute. This is in line with the empirical reality very small communities living under a large one change over – for reasons of economy, safety and other. This was seen in Eastern Europe where Jews and others preferred to be identified with the Prussians and other Slavic people for the same reason since WW1. But the world has gone through a sea change since then. The Ages of Enlightenment and of Reason in Western Europe starting from around the 17th century has given liberalism and tolerance a more humane face.
Today’s Lankan Tamil is far too liberal to be pinned down by prejudices of religion, race – or even caste. Being a Christian is no longer a minus factor to Tamil political leadership. Thanthai Chelva was/is equally held in esteem and veneration across the religious barrier. Youg Sumanthiran shows all the features of turning out to be an acceptable and popular Tamil leader. In case you had doubts, almost the entire Tamil Nation, I venture to suggest, will agree with the sentiments and apprehensions expressed by the 133 priests.
But I might add, for your benefit, those Colombo Chetties who changed after 1958/77 found some of them were attacked in 7/83 resulting in some of them changing their names. One cannot blame them for that.
The entire Tamil Nation is out there to “build bridges with Muslims and Buddhists” has been a message that went out long ago from the Tamil political leadership – and re-affirmed by Mr. Sampanthan and others in the very precincts of Parliament – if you care to refer to Hansard. It is proposals from the Tamil side that conform to the “better path for Tamil politics” that is at the door of the Rajapakse Family. You may have read the UN, USA/UK, the EU, India are all unanimous it is the Rajapakses who seem to have been held by sinister forces unseen to usher in the unity and reconciliation most people yearn for – both priests and the lay public.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 21, 2013
2:15 pm
What is the reason behind demolishing about 2000 temples by rajapakse,,,,if he wanted to eliminate ltte or prabharan,,do like osama bin laden,,not by eliminating a race
p.b singh - February 21, 2013
7:08 pm
So how nicely osama was send away,,,u should hv senf pirabharan in tt way,but rajapakse did race eradication,,now rajapakse deserves punishment like sadam or gadafi,abdul kasam
p.b singh - February 21, 2013
7:12 pm
Dear Senguttuvan
I do not disagree with your reply to me except with reference to two points. Let me respectfully say why.
Sumantiran was never elected. He was a nominated MP, a nominee of Sampanthan who has only raised issues in a destructive confrontational manner. I would rather that we have those MPs who actually reside in the North and in the East to defend our interests, not those who live in the relative comfort of Colombo practising law there, earning well, hobnobbing with the Sinhalese elite but then proceeding to systematically attack anything Buddhist nationalist which only serves to alienate the Sinhalese establishment further.
Chelvanayakam was a similar story whose only claim to fame was to contest the rabid racism and opportunism of SWRD Bandaranaike, an Anglican turned Buddhist turncoat who changed religion for mere electoral reasons.
Chelvanayakam too lived in Colombo, practiced law there and never had land in Jaffna until the end. This is what makes the LTTE different from the Federal Party. Terrorist or no terrorist, they walked the talk and were not professional politicians whose only goal was to be returned to parliament at the next polls and what better way to ensure that than to raise the Tamil communal cry.
Do not get me wrong – I dislike Bandaranaike immensely. I detest Rajapakse. This said, we do need to be strategic. In 1965, the UNP had barely won the Sri Lankan polls. It was dependent on the Federal Party to retain power. Remember that the UNP was not in power since 1955. Chelvanayakam could have easily demanded that the UNP enforce the District Councils Act within six months or that he would otherwise withdraw support. The UNP would have had to concede or it would have otherwise lost its place in Government. It would have conceded the District Councils Act at that point rather than cede power to the SLPF once again. Its position was precarious.
Chelvanayakam intentionally gave the UNP the space to hoodwink the Tamils only because he feared the Buddhist nationalist in Sirimavo more. He was no Thantai but a cynical manipulator. We as a people have effectively demolished the pretentions of GG Ponnambalam. Its now time to deconstruct the Federal Party and its so-called opportunistic Thanthai.
Rayappu Joseph is a similar case. Iqbal is right. Bishop Joseph conveniently turned the otherside when the Muslims were evicted making Mannar the first Christian majority district in Sri Lanka in the process. For what ever reason, Evangelical Protestant Christianity has made major inroads into the Catholic constituency in Mannar (look at the 2012 census to note that the Catholic church has ceded ground to Protestants in several districts – the vast majority of Evangelist Protestants are ex-Catholic, not Buddhist or Hindu) and in the process begun to undermine his authority in Mannar.
Vanakkam
Tamil Woman - February 22, 2013
2:36 am
tamil hindu woman, i must admit that i am fanatical about my religion and language. i hate conversions whether its voluntary or otherwise. i can’t imagine myself converting to an alien faith. in my opinion there is no useful purpose is being served by talking about tamil leaders of the past.i believe there were hindu politicians during the period that you mentioned. i wonder why they didn’t prevail over christian leaders of that time. were they so timid to permit the christians to take over the destiny of tamil people. my argument is that a convert is no less tamil than a believer of original faith. in some cases the reverse is true. when prabhakaran was alive and kicking for 30 years , sinhala scum were like pussy cats. there were no protests , no marches and no shouting of slogans. sinhala scum were too scared to come out because of prabhakaran’s bomb. look at now 13 amendment protests, unitary status marches, territorial integrity slogans,sovereignty marches and lately halal protests. you can also see condemnation of tamil catholic clergy not only in this forum but also in every sinhala forum under the sun. don’t you think now sinhala scum is worried about the tamil catholic clergy. whatever said and done their voice is more powerful than that of yours and mine even though we form the majority of the tamil population. can’t you see the point i am making. in international forums the voice of a catholic priest will be heard more sympathetically than that of an “iyer”. i would urge you to face the reality. as i mentioned elsewhere , i believe the catholic clergy know their place in a predominantly hindu society. please understand that converts are also tamils and they have feelings like you and me.
Rama - February 24, 2013
3:59 pm
Rama
You are a Tamil Hindu. You allege that the voice of the catholic clergy carries more weight. That is simply not correct.
China, India and Brazil will be increasingly influential in world affairs. India, currently under Sonia Gandhi, is impotent but once there is a change in the power configuration in New Delhi next year, that would change. The current administration in India has been hostile to Tamil interests regardless of its rhetoric. Its geopolitics that matters, not Christian clergy.
The Catholic church is in crisis as witnessed by several scandals rocking the church, a disillusioned laity, empty pews, declining membership in the West, not to mention the sudden unprecedented resignation of the Pope which appears to indicate far more than what we are made to believe. The second largest religious group in both Canada and the United States are what is called ‘ex-Catholics’.
Tamil woman has already answered your point on converts being allegedly just as Tamils. Why did the Tamil Catholics in Negombo and Puttalam redefine themselves as Sinhalese in the 1930s and 1940s long before the ethnic crisis??
In fact, the voice of the Tamil Catholic clergy can backfire – it generates a hell of a lot of hostility where it matters most i.e. Asia.
Raja - February 25, 2013
3:54 am
Amma,
Pardon me, I have a feeling that you are no Tamil and are an impostor. It would be nice if you picked a nom de plume more appropriate coz Goebbelian style disinformation has outlived its use-by date and most readers can see through you.
I must apologize profusely if you are genuine
M Y Foote - March 2, 2013
6:37 pm
Dear Madam (who goes as Tamil Woman)
I think much of the difference between us is more in the realm of opinion. I will respect yours and stay with mine. Events later will
prove us right or wrong.
To the speculation if a lawyer practising in Colombo can be a good MP
in his electorate far away from the metropolis my humble answer will be in the affirmative. Colvin R. De Silva was a good lawyer and MP for
Agalawatta; Felix Dias Bandaranaike for Dompe; T. Sivasithamparam from the Jaffna District. Some Nominated MPs did excellent work – like Lakshman Kadirgamar PC and Jayampathy Wickremaratne PC (LSSP) These are a few names that come to my mind. There can be many more. Sumanthiran, within a short time, has established himself in both sides of the House and indeed the country as a very useful and productive member. My take is he will peak with the passage of time to the benefit of us all and the parliamentary culture.
I notice in the matter of SJVC and Bishop Rayappu Joseph we also differ. So be it.
Vanakkam, Amma.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 23, 2013
5:29 am
Mr Sengutuan in his reply to Tamil Woman says the whole Tamil Nation is reaching to the Buddhists and Muslims.
Is Tamil a Religion?.
Mannar Bishop has gathered 132 fellow Reverends to plead Navai Pillai to fix Rajapaksa and allow the country to drift into the same old Terrorism that wrecked the lives of the inhabitants for thirty years.
Don’t these 133 Reverends serve only 100000 Catholics, whilst the total Catholic population in Srilanka is well over One Million and three hundred thousand?.
Are these also counted as his Tamil Nation?.
If that is the case where are the signatures of the Reverends who serve the other 1.2 Million Catholics?.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 23, 2013
7:47 pm
K.A. Sumanasekera
“Is Tamil a Religion?”
What do you think? It is unusually a difficult question for you to answer. Let me try and explain to you about Tamil and Tamils.
My elders tell me that there are about 80 to 90 million Tamils still live in this world who speak Tamil as their mother language.
Their old kings Cholas and Pandyas when bored usually came to this island to be entertained by the locals particularly by the Sinhalese. On many occasions they were invited to visit this island by the Sinhala kings. On almost all their visits they kicked the hell out of Sinhalese.
When Sinhala kings fought each other Tamil mercenaries were invited to help support their respective armies. A few returned and many stayed and became Sinhalese. Later they too became Sinhala/Buddhists. Now these converted Tamils kick the hell out of Tamils of Sri Lanka on a regular basis.
The lazy Sinhala/Buddhists descendants of kallathony coolies refused to work in the plantation sectors forcing the colonial masters to bring a large contingent of guest workers (Gastarbeiter) from Tamilnadu.
Now the Sinhala/Buddists are in a twist.
Native Vedda - February 24, 2013
1:46 am
Brilliant Native,
i thought this was old Paranavithana ‘s forte.
Now the Tamils who want to fight Sinhalese ask for “Western mercenaries”?.
History repeats!!!.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 24, 2013
1:46 pm
“Mr Sengutuan in his reply to Tamil Woman says the whole Tamil Nation is reaching to the Buddhists and Muslims” says active reader Mr Sumanasekera, who knows all too well I said no such thing voluntarily. I was only using Tamil Woman’s description, ad verbatim. But I hasten to add I have no objection if there is to be such an effort. To answer him – Tamils, in this case, is an expression of the race – not a religion. Sinhalese Catholics do not come within this grouping although I appreciate many of them feel the Tamil Nation has been consistently wrong for long.
Mr. Sumanasekera must also be aware the Sinhala Catholics feel more isolated because they have few to advocate their helpless cause. In their case, clearly the religious identity comes to the fore because, in addition to the attacks against Christians – many on the Evangelical formations – there have been several against main Christian and Catholics including the most recent high profile case in Avissawella when a newly constructed Statue of Mother Mary was totally vandalised – a pre-meditated act allegedly with Police collusion. The entire Christian/Catholic people in the Sabaramagamuwa and elsewhere are angry, in fear and distraught. Fear, because they are aware the shadow of leading actors of the State provides ready patronage to the mobs – both lay and cleric – behind the provocative sacrilege.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 23, 2013
9:34 pm
“I appreciate many of the Sinhalese Catholics feel the Tamil Nation has been wrong for long.” says our dear friend of the Sinhala Inhabitants Mr Sengutuan.
It is not the Tamil nation as a whole, because there were many many Tamil people then and even more now who are quite happy to live as equals and share what evere there in our beautiful land ,which unfortunately was made a hell hole by a group of terrorists and their supporters who are comfortably located overseas.
Only a few opportunistic Tamil politicians who pandered to the Terrorists and who are still towing the Terrorist line, dictated by the Overseas Terrorist supporters are the ones who have been wrong all along.
K.A. Sumanasekera - February 24, 2013
12:43 am
K.A. Sumanasekera
“in our beautiful land”
Are you sure about the ownership of this island?
“Only a few opportunistic Tamil politicians who pandered to the Terrorists and who are still towing the Terrorist line”
They are just like your big boss MR who pandered to JVP terrorists and took the trouble to visit Geneva to plea on behalf of them crying war crime against the then Sri Lankan regime.
Remember at that time his brother Gota and former commander SF together with other army units were hunting down JVP/DJV terrorists.
I never understood Sinhala/Tamil hypocrisy, may be I am bit thick.
Native Vedda - March 3, 2013
1:11 am
Balu bala scared to talk about this? Mental ranawaka where are you?pimps.
Regis - February 24, 2013
2:22 am
Sumane,
If you don’t mind, I am no Malay-Battavian-Muslim Tuan. Seran
Senguttuvan is one of the most Noble Hindu Warrior Kings that came out
of India millennia ago, which you will see when you find sometime googling – from your busy white-washing schedule.
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - February 24, 2013
11:19 pm
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dicky Bird - March 2, 2013
5:22 pm
My Gosh! MY Foote!
Senguttuvan
Senguttuvan - March 2, 2013
11:29 pm
Sri Lankan Tamil Catholic Church is in total shambles. This is suicide.
Muliyawaikkal - March 3, 2013
12:39 am