The Hindu Editorial
Siddharth Varadarajan - Editor of the Hindu
The passage of the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka is proof that the international community disapproves of the manner in which the Rajapaksa government is addressing the fallout of its Armageddon moment of mid-May 2009. The resolution, backed by India, asks Sri Lanka credibly to investigate allegations of rights violations in the course of its war against the LTTE. The wording of the resolution was tweaked by India to say the implementation assistance the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights will provide must be with Sri Lanka’s “concurrence”. Yet, Colombo must not misread this concession. Thursday’s resolution is the first real sign that the world will no more let itself be guided solely by Sri Lankan claims that it has the will to carry out its own probe. It also means that gentle prodding and quiet diplomacy will not be the main means the world will adopt towards the island nation. Few would dispute that Sri Lanka took too long to acknowledge the allegations of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances and delayed moves towards a political settlement indefinitely. Ultimately, its own ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’ came out with some constructive recommendations, but these have not been followed up. President Rajapaksa may not like the Geneva resolution but he has brought it upon himself.
India’s vote has already aroused consternation in some sections in Colombo but it is crucial that its intentions not be misread. There is no change in the Indian defence of the unity and integrity of its southern neighbour, only a realisation that the tardy progress towards reconciliation could undermine the prospects for peace and stability there. For the first time in decades, New Delhi is in concord with popular sentiments in Tamil Nadu but it would be wrong to look at its Geneva vote as merely the product of domestic political pressure. Over time, the false assurances on devolution and implementation of “the 13th amendment and beyond” it received from Colombo have frustrated South Block and forced it to reconsider its diplomatic options. What is welcome in India’s latest stand is that it has outgrown its misplaced fear of the growing regional presence of China. Having voted for the resolution, the onus is now on India to remain engaged with the Lankan authorities, as its interests lie in promoting reconciliation and supporting the quest of Tamil Sri Lankans for justice, equality and dignity. The solution has to be Lankan-led. Persistent emphasis on accountability from outside may jeopardise the larger goal of reconciliation by giving a fresh thrust to Sinhala nationalism. India needs to brace for extraordinary diplomatic challenges ahead.
Max Silva / March 23, 2012
India,your slip is showing!Last time it was Rajiv Ghandi who paid the supreme prize.This time who?
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mervin / March 23, 2012
Mr Max, warning !!The wording of the resolution was tweaked by India to say the implementation assistance the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights will provide must be with Sri Lanka’s “concurrence”. Yet, Colombo must not misread this concession.
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Max Silva / March 23, 2012
Dear Mervin,
There’s nothing to misread.But let me make one thing very clear.Resolution or no resolution,there will be no office space for Navaneetham Pillai in Colombo!May be she could open up office in Kashmere.By the way we will present our report in 2013 Geneva,Till then have patience my dear.
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SVJ Chelvanayakam / March 23, 2012
@MERVIN.. NO INDIA INITIALLY SAID ITS IS GOING TO INCLUDE CONDEMNATION OF THE LTTE.. JUST GO THROUGH THEIR NEWS AND SEE THE PROOF.. BUT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED.. WHY THE USA DID NOT WNAT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.. AND INDIA LOST FACE.. BUT AS WE ALL KNOW THE LTTE IN ITS COMBAT FORM DOES NOT EXIST.. BUTS ITS NETORK DOES.. IN TN, EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND OTHER PARTS… THESE NETWORKS SHUOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED… SO PLS DONT GIVE US FALSE STATEMENTS.. INDIA LOSS FACE EVEN WITH USA WHEN IT TURNED DOWN THE REQUEST TO INCLUDE THE LTTE…. NOW THEY HAVE GIVEN US A BOGUS STATEMENT.. THATS LIKE..honey wrapped around a poison tablet made to taste sweet.
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suzi selva / March 23, 2012
yes max we tamil daispora abused the indian government to do political prostitution with usa we does the great olden pimp job.any way do you like to practic political group sex with obama,bankimoon nawaneethan ,you &me.
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Max Silva / March 23, 2012
Suzi Selva,
Your piece really got me exited.After all i don’t think it is such a bad idea!Sometime back very innocently i used the words “sex” and “chick”.But our esteemed moderator at CT thought otherwise and took it off.May be CT assumed that it will spoil you decent guys.Nevertheless you got me interested.Thanks.
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Don / March 23, 2012
Good analysis
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Kamalika Rathnayaka / March 23, 2012
excellent editorial. you cannot fool every one all the time. uneducated and uncultured rascals . carnival of fools , at least now try to understand we are living in a world and not a “linda”
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Max Silva / March 24, 2012
Dear Kamalika,
“Uneducated rascals”.That’s very unbecoming of an educated lady!Hope that you are not following on the foot steps of Nimalka and Sunila!
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Donald Gnanakone / March 23, 2012
Not only it is a wake up call for Colombo, but it is a wake up call for Delhi. However, the Delhi Wallas, got some huge benefit under the pretext of helping the Tamils. They got Jayalalitha to sell out the Tamils from the South in TN who have been protesting for half a year against the dangerous KKNP. JJ and her cabinet gave the green light to resume the construction which has made the whole of Southern TN mad. Stupid Sri Lanka looks clueless about the radioactive dangers to Sri Lanka, despite the Japanese nuclear disaster and our very own Tsunami.. In Koodankulam it could get damaged by domestic/international terrorist or future wars. Sri Lanka will get hammered in Jaffna, by the Ahakey Yanne Missile” as I wrote 8 years ago.. That radiation will spread all over Sri Lanka, via the land, sea, and air whether missiles explode or not.
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Max Silva / March 23, 2012
Occasionally i can’t help but agree with you guys.I agree with Donald’s views on this particular post.But it doesn’t mean that i agree with his other views.Resolutions,devaluation,human rights and so called war crimes issues,reconciliation,13+ etc will come to nothing if and when there happens to be a nuclear accident in TN.Those who are shedding crocodile tears in India and elsewhere on behalf of Srilankan Tamils didn’t give a damn about Jaffna being at the door step of a nuclear accident.Nobody cares a damn because a nuclear accident is not a threat to Israel.How about the TN fisherman poaching on waters around Jaffna?Is it the Sinhalese who gets hit?No it;s the innocent Tamils whose livelihood is threatened by TN fisherman.Both Karunanidi and Jayalalitha are playing the Srilanka Tamil card for their political survival.If TN politicians are honestly concerned about Srilankan Tamils,no need of US resolutions,they must stop robbing the innocent Jaffna fishermen.All these international gimmicks does not make much difference to Srilankan Tamils.It’s big business for those shedding crocodile tears.India promised to build 50000 houses for displaced innocent Tamils.But only 1000 had been built to date.Did Karunanidi,Jayalalitha or as a matter of fact the Tamil diaspora build a single house?Instead of globe trotting with phony resolutions those concerned should help better the lives of the innocent Tamils.In such a situation the GOSL will not be in a position to object.
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PD / March 23, 2012
I believe the resolution being passed doesn’t mean action is mandatory? It was our own report and recommendations anyway. I guess we will now request UN participation, i.e. someone like Jayantha Dhanapala to be appointed by the UN to coordinate with the SLGov for implementation. But yes it is a moral victory for the Tamil Diaspora and it’s PR machine.
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seruvila senarath / March 23, 2012
IT SAYS ”Having voted for the resolution, the onus is now on India to remain engaged with the Lankan authorities, as its interests lie in promoting reconciliation and supporting the quest of Tamil Sri Lankans for justice, equality and dignity.”
IT SHOULD BE TO ALL SRI LAKANS. NOT ONLY TO TAMILS OR OTHER MINORITIES.
NOT ONLY TO INDIAN BOOTLIKERS LIKE RULING FAMILY OR BEGGARS TO WEST LIKE RANIL, JAYALAYTH JAWARDHNA.
THERE ARE SO CALLED GRATE ANALYSTS IN THIS COMMENTING BLOG,
FOR THEM TO ANALYSE.SEE THE PARAGRAPH,
[the onus is now on India to remain engaged with the Lankan authorities]
[STILL THEY WANT TO KEEP US LIKE BANGLADESH, NEPAL, BHUTAN, MALDIVES].
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DAS / March 23, 2012
“The solution ha to be lankan led”………for tamils to achieve justice,equality and dignity.
I agree.
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Max Silva / March 24, 2012
World’s #1 killer state(will somebody say no)the USA comes up with a phony human rights resolution regarding a small country in Asia.It is a stillborn baby.An idiot would fall for it.As far as Srilanka is concerned it’s best flushed down the toilet.
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Appapillai Amirthalingam / March 23, 2012
Thank u India.. now finally we can shake the grip of india around out throats forever.. we should shut the Indian Missions in the North and South and only have One in CMB… Restrict all Indian Business in Lanka with Heavy Taxes(Un profitable Ones) and Close India MEdia which violates our Media laws.. Espically Jaya tv, sun tv etc etc…
Now we must invite the Chinese our Natural Allies and Sign a special pact a union with china. and start a special Relationship.. Ask china to step in the North and help Construction of houses and start the economy of the North.. Chinese construction will be better than the slow indian VT houses.. which normally collapses within 1 month.. This is why the progress of construction is slow in the north.. It takes the Indian coolies 5 months to build 2 room one storey house..which last normally for 1 month.. during the rain its like a shower.. Get the Indians out on susstandard work thus breaking THE GRIP OF TN in THE NORTH>.. Let chinese and the Japs in to help..
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Appapillai Amirthalingam / March 23, 2012
Just look at the clowns who voted for the resolution.. All great examples of Human rights.. While they spill oceans of Blood.. I mean Libya(ha ha ha).. Now India.. DO they even know what is happening in J&K, Manipur, and other North eastern states??? Where the ARMY SPECIAL POWERS ACT58.. still exist.. This is where the Brave Jawan have killed thousands of civilians, Raped, and killed civilians in fake encounters, robbed people.. and Guess what.. Non of them can be prosecuted, even the commanders who have turned this places into High military zones.. Still ongoing… Yes we maut aslo ask what happend to Neru’s promise at the UN (in front of the world) in the 50’s which promised J&K a vote to decide thier future.. Unlike our 13th which was done to us at the gunpoint by the Indians..
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