The Tamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF) says the characterization of the last phase of the war by the President of the country as a “humanitarian operation” does not bode well with his Government’s promise of a credible inquiry.
TCSF Convener – Bishop of Mannar, Dr. Rayappu Joseph
TCSL Co-Spokesman, Elil Rajan in a letter UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth has said; “We also would like to remind you that the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka in his speech to the UNHRC on the 2nd of March said that only UN assistance will be sought and not involvement. Hence in the absence of significant international involvement in the design and delivery of an accountability mechanism and given the attitude of the present Government towards the credible allegations against the armed forces we have no reason to believe in the Sirisena Government’s promise of a credible internal inquiry.”
We publish below the letter in full;
Kilinochchi
01 April 2015
Mr. Pablo de Greiff
UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth,
Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence
Dear Mr. de Greiff,
Transitional Justice and Domestic Mechanisms for its realization in Sri Lanka.
We are thankful for your visit to Kilinochchi today and take this opportunity to place on record in writing, certain issues of importance that we hope to raise with you in your brief meeting with us today.
- Lack of progress to date in initiating a process of consultation with victims in designing an internal mechanism in pursuit of truth and justice.
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) sought and was granted a deferral of the report of the OHCHR Inquiry on Sri Lanka (OISL) on the promise of putting in place a credible internal mechanism in the pursuit of truth and justice in Sri Lanka.
(Please see attached marked as ‘A1’ our letter to the High Commissioner on the deferral of the report and marked as ‘A2’ our statement on the decision to defer the report).
There was no credible proposal in the public domain that the Government had put out when it sought the deferral. The UN Human Rights Commissioner in his address to the Council on the 5th of March 2015 insisted that GoSL should consult the victims in designing this internal mechanism. To date no such process has been initiated[1].
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka during a recent visit to Jaffna[2] has mentioned that discussions are underway with the assistance of the South African Government to set up a Truth Commission. He further elaborated that the advice of Sir Desmond de Silva, one of the experts appointed by the previous Government to advice the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons, has been tasked with identifying the legal framework necessary to provide for such an internal mechanism. The current Government has also decided to let the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons continue its investigations despite its flawed mandate and modus operandi.
(Please see attached, marked as ‘A3’ the statement by the Tamil Civil Society Forum and the Welfare Organisation of the relatives of those forcibly disappeared communicating our decision to not to attend any further hearings of the Commission)
We submit that it is more than clear from the above that the current Government has done very little or nothing to consult the victims in the design of its internal mechanism. The entirety of the process is being designed in secrecy. From what has been made public GoSL is attempting to show progress by rehashing the previous regime’s strategy of talking to the South Africans and using the services of a person whose credibility and standing are highly suspect.
- Lack of political will in the pursuit of truth and justice.
In a speech delivered in Parliament recently the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka stated as follows:
“As you are aware, in the spirit of working in harmony with the international community, the Government has extended invitations to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances. Some sections of the former regime call this a betrayal of the armed forces. However, this is furthest from the truth. Our objective, Hon. Speaker, is to clear the name of our armed forces who have received wide international recognition as professional and disciplined forces”[3].
The Foreign Minister’s assertion that the objective of his Government’s engagement with the UN (and concomitantly the promise to establish a domestic mechanism) is to ‘clear the name of the armed forces’ is deeply problematic.
The Government’s partiality towards the armed forces was made even clearer by President Sirisena in the order that he issues granting General Sarath Fonseka with the title of Field Marshal. In that order the President asserted that Sarath Fonseka is bestowed with the honourary rank of Field Marshal for ‘outstanding gallantry, meritorious performance and distinguished service to the nation during the humanitarian operation and the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka in May 2009’[4]. The characterization of the last phase of the war by the President of the country as a humanitarian operation does not bode well with his Government’s promise of a credible inquiry. These statements by the President and the Foreign Minister we are afraid show no departure from the policy adopted by the former Government on accountability.
We also would like to remind you that the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka in his speech to the UNHRC on the 2nd of March said that only UN assistance will be sought and not involvement[5]. Hence in the absence of significant international involvement in the design and delivery of an accountability mechanism and given the attitude of the present Government towards the credible allegations against the armed forces we have no reason to believe in the Sirisena Government’s promise of a credible internal inquiry.
- On the exhaustion of domestic remedies:
The point is repeatedly made that domestic remedies will have to be exhausted for an international process to be entrusted with the burden of discharging accountability. Under the former Government the UN system concluded that the domestic remedies had been exhausted and that there was no political will for accountability[6]. With the removal of the former Government by the Sirisena Government the argument is made afresh that domestic remedies will have to be again demonstrated to have been exhausted. The UN system took 5 years to conclude that domestic remedies had been exhausted with the previous regime. We worry that any efforts at finding truth and justice will be completely washed away as the argument is being made again that domestic remedies will have to be proven to be inadequate again under the new regime.
We believe that the domestic remedies exhaustion criterion should be viewed more holistically by carefully looking at the contextual and structural factors that historically explain the lack of accountability and the pervasive nature of impunity in Sri Lanka. A closer analysis of these factors will help better explain as to why impunity reigned not just under the previous regime but also under all successive governments in the past 40-50 years.
Our understanding is that a vast majority of the Sinhala Buddhist population in the South condones the war and impunity for violations committed in its name as a necessary and unavoidable cost in the attempt to retain the united and unitary character of the state. Hence even very minimal action taken against the Sri Lankan Armed Forces has been interpreted as a betrayal of the Sinhala Buddhist Nation and an act that amounts to siding with foreign, alien powers that seek to contain and destroy the Sinhala Buddhist nation-state of Sri Lanka. In this imagination Tamils, Western Governments, the UN and all those who demand accountability are considered to be participants of the foreign conspiracy that is seeking to break the unity and territorial integrity of the state.
It is most unfortunate not even the Sirisena Government is willing to tackle this fear by addressing it directly. No Government in post-independent Ceylon/Sri Lanka has made an attempt to address these issues honestly and hence unsurprisingly Sinhala Buddhist ideology has received democratic endorsement repeatedly at Sri Lankan elections. This is why even President Sirisena was unwilling to make any substantive promise with regard to accountability in his election manifesto and in fact repeatedly claimed that it is his victory alone that will be able to safeguard the former President from international attempts at holding him to account. Post-elections, we are witnessing a continuation of this dormant and idle political strategy of wooing the Sinhala Buddhist vote base. The best example of this is how the deferral of the OISL report is being trumpeted as a major victory for the Sirisena Government with an eye on the upcoming General elections. Unless the Sirisena Government is willing to accept and explain to its electorate that the violations committed by the Sri Lankan Army were morally wrong there is no real hope for accountability and non-recurrence. As someone who believes that transitional justice should be viewed from a contextual and holistic picture we believe that you will understand the complex set of factors that best helps us understand historically the lack of accountability for the violations committed in the troubled history of post war-Ceylon/ Sri Lanka.
- The need for criminal prosecutions as part of a holistic transitional justice programme in Sri Lanka.
We are given to understand that criminal prosecutions will not feature in the internal mechanism design that the current Government is drawing up. To tackle impunity and to ensure non-recurrence we believe that criminal prosecutions are an essential part of any transitional justice programme in Sri Lanka.
- Institutional Reforms should encompass reform of the state structure.
A holistic transitional justice programme should include institutional reforms that will ensure non-recurrence of mass atrocities. This is traditionally defined as institutional reforms of the security sector and the law enforcement authorities including the court system. We believe that in the Sri Lankan context that this has to go even deeper. Unless the unitary character of the Sri Lankan State imagined and constructed around a Sinhala Buddhist Nation-State is abandoned Tamils will not feel secure in this island. This necessarily means an internationally mediated process towards finding a sustainable and just political solution. Such reforms should also include the repeal of draconian legislations such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
We conclude expressing hope that you will engage in fruitful discussions that lend towards a nuanced and honest assessment of the possibility of Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka.
(Signed)
Elil Rajendram
Co-Spokesperson
Tamil Civil Society Forum
[1] UN Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Opening Statement, 28th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Available at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=15642#sthash.XXYsHubz.dpuf : “I urge the authorities to consult deeply with the people, particularly victims, in order to design mechanisms that will work and not repeat the failures of the past”
[2] Video Footage of Public Meeting of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in Jaffna, 27 March 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UquXJjUkQjI&feature=youtu.be&t=10m7s
[3] Hansard, 18 March 2015, Column 216, available at http://parliament.lk/uploads/documents/hansard/1426856082005040.pdf
[4] Extra Ordinary Gazette Notification No. 1906/51, (March 22, 2015) available at http://documents.gov.lk/Extgzt/2015/PDF/Mar/1906_51/1906_51%20E.pdf
[5] Full text of the Statement delivered by Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and Leader of the Sri Lanka Delegation, at the High Level Segment of the 28th Session of Human Rights Council, 02 March 2015 available at https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/foreign-affairs-minister-mangala-samaraweeras-unhrc-speech-today-full-text/
[6] Oral Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on on the promotion of accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka (24 February 2014) available at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session27/Documents/A.HRC.27.CRP.2_AV.doc.
Sensible Citizen / April 1, 2015
Rev Joseph Rayappu is jumping into premature conclusion. It is a known fact that “What” does not matter “How” is what matters. Let me show three examples of facts and possibilities to make this comment short;
a) The south african delegate involved with the the previous regime refused to be manipulated and headed back home. Credibility mattered for South african government and why we should not use them. If you think further deep into it, it is in the interest of long term stability of the peace process that we get them involved
b)Foreign Minister stated the objective is to clear the name of the armed forces this is the what part. What he left open was the how part. Could it be that if within the armed forces some elements exceeded their call of duty and acted beyond their call of duty diving the country into a never healing wound. It is those who need to be punished for the better health of the nation and the name of the law abiding, objective oriented, smarter part of the armed forces. This restores the credibility. There could be many other possibilities
c) It is important for any government to involve everyone involved in the past to gather facts and start the process from point where speedy solution can be achieved without reinventing the wheel. This will help a harmonious solution. This step also will help showing the Srilankan society the present government can do smarter, better with the same people. Lets have an open mind.
It is important for Rev Rayappu to know that everyone including him can speak more openly without fear of repercussion under this government with the same rules that existed before. All religions promote peace and prosperity and we need to decide which path gives us a better solution than otherwise.
As Srilankans we should realize that NO ONE LIKES SOME FOREIGN BODY OR COUNTRY IMPOSING THEIR DECISION ON US> WE SHOULD MOBILIZE THE LIKE MINDED LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO AGREE AND MOVE FORWARD AS ONE SOCIETY. Fortunately majority of Srilankans want peace and true reconciliation but they are silent. Lets mobilize those silent majority showing that there is willingness for right actions
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dcn / April 1, 2015
The Tamil community has to act patiently and tactfully. President Maithreepala Sirisena together with PM Ranil W, are the best hope for resolving issues where Tamils are hurt.
but we have to understand that about 70 percent of the population are Sinhalese with whose cooperation and acceptance only lasting solutions could be reached. We also have to be aware that there are enough journalists & politicians to stir up Sinhalese sentiments and create communal hatred.
They have already taken action to release lands,expedite investigations on Tamil suspects in prison etc and step by step, and little by little issues would get solved. All
these may take a little time but we Tamils also must extend our support and cooperation without showing our hostilities for ever.
The whole problem must get solved and a north south dialogue must continue always which would good for both communities and their generations to come
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Amarasiri / April 2, 2015
TCSF Convener – Bishop of Mannar, Dr. Rayappu Joseph
“The Tamil Civil Society Forum (TCSF) says the characterization of the last phase of the war by the President of the country as a “humanitarian operation” does not bode well with his Government’s promise of a credible inquiry.”
Still, many Mootals left in the Tamil Community.
This does not bode well with the Government’s promise of a credible inquiry.
The Mootals are living in the past. Yes, thee is water under the bridge.
Haven’t the Mootals heard about Realpolitik?
What about the Muslims who were abused from 1991 to 2009? The Last Phase of the War? What about the Innocent Tamils? Innocent Sinhala? They do not count for the Tamil Mootals?
Oh, Mootal, Mootals, The Paras, in the Land of Native Veddah Aethho exchanging who is the Bigger Modaya-Mootal, in a Para Competition.
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Park / April 1, 2015
This group is a thankless group. How can President Sirisena give everything this group wants over night? If he does that what would happen to UNP at the next elections? The members of this group call themselves as leaders of the society and political activists, if so are they so stupid not to understand the ground realities. President Sirisena has done more to the minorities in this short period of time than Ex-President Rajapakse did during his whole time. Why are they so thankless and above all stupid? Do we need such political leaders and activists who will in the long term ruin the gains that the minorities could get?
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justice / April 1, 2015
The prime minister’s remarks regarding the army occupation and erection of army camps in the north, seem to indicate that the army is more powerful than the state.
He indicates that the army can take over lands and even state vehicles
and refer to these as ‘their’ lands and vehicles.
This shows that the military regime installed by the MR regime is alive and well.
The PM also refers to the “security aspect” which he says, governs the actions of the army.
Strangely, this ‘security problem’ appears to persist only in the north, and there is no elaboration with regard to it.
Is the dead/exterminated LTTE still a “security problem”?
If so, the war is not yet over !!!
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Ukku Baba / April 1, 2015
One day soon you must learn to trust someone in the Sri Lankan government, that will be the only solution to heal wounds and bring reconciliation between communities. The suggested committee under Chandrika Bandaranayake would be ideal, She has the charisma and good intention to be a impartial head. Seeking international intervention during previous regime is understandable, but now we have a honest President and a aptly able Prime Minister, give them a chance. We must learn to solve our problems among ourselves.
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Dr,Rajasingham Narenndran / April 1, 2015
The word ‘ HOPE’ you use in your last sentence is what motivates most of us in life. To hope, one should have faith. Faith requires an engagement of sorts and not confrontation, despite the undeniable and well known facts of history. If we lose hope and do not repose faith, we as a people will become suicidal.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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n.ethirveerasingam / April 1, 2015
Thank your Tamil Civil Society Forum. You have advanced the essence of the charade the current administration is perpetuating that the previous administration did so flagrantly.
“Unless the unitary character of the Sri Lankan State imagined and constructed around a Sinhala Buddhist Nation-State is abandoned Tamils will not feel secure in this island. This necessarily means an internationally mediated process towards finding a sustainable and just political solution. Such reforms should also include the repeal of draconian legislations such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act.”
Your statement quoted above sums up the problem and a just process for a remedy. If the International Community does not listen seriously they will have to deal with the previous regime and its atrocities of those who removed them from power with the Tamil votes and the Tamil voters who supported them. I hope the present administration live up to the expectations of the Tamil people and the IC that gave them the support so far.
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Raja / April 1, 2015
This statement clearly espouses the feelings of the Tamils and reinforces the genocide resolution of the Northern provincial council and all Tamils agree except few Colombo based power lust lawyers and leaders.
Actions of the Srisena government also justifies secessionist demands of the LTTE. whatever the international community says in the interest of geo politics, LTTE represented the justifiable aspirations of Tamils
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justice / April 1, 2015
Though the Prime Minister talked of resettling people in Sampoor, the governor speaks of settling them elsewhere.
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=37713
The governor, like his predecessor, appears to take orders from the army.
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Long live Eelam / April 1, 2015
Dear Elil Rajendram Anna.
You are trying to show off as an Elam Tamil patriot though you in fact is an imbecile. [Edited out]. Where is your cynide capsule. Tamil warriors of eelam fought for their lives and limb and heroically swallowed up poison to avoid their capture. I doubt you will ever do that you [Edited out]
Second, we the Elam Tamil patriots do not need your ‘civil forums’ There is nothing civil in the Eelam struggle . it is military. We need suicide bombers. You [Edited out], go to villages recruit boys for the next phase of war
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Lankan / April 2, 2015
Do not repeat the same mistake twice…I’m referring to the violence.
Solutions aren’t found through wars, that would be suicidal alright.
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Margosa / April 2, 2015
Lol. We know the eelam greed. How the innocent n brilliant young ones were brainwashed n used for their own needs. The tigers fleeced the public, killed the public, chased the public having used them fully. We also know how they signed pacts with the different governments selfishly. Also we know know their kith n kin were abroad enjoying life.
Ultimately, we, the ppl lost our dearest, brainy youth, lost our wealth, lost more lives n got chased from our own lands for their whims.
What did they gain in the end?
Stop trying to create trouble again, in the name of ‘eelam’ n claim more precious lives please.
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Sensible Citizen / April 1, 2015
This letter is to the Editor,
The comment by “Long live Ealam” in my should have been deleted as there is profanity and personal attack which is not constructive. You can respectfully correct a person but not outright assassinate a charactor. This bring down the quality of readership of Colombo Telegraph. This is my opinion and I’ll leave it to Colombo Telegrapgh to decide.
I am not biased against anyone but like to see a quality in what I read
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bo / April 2, 2015
Fair enough, you deal with MR then.
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Anpu / April 2, 2015
“you deal with MR then” We did with MR have you forgotten.
What happened to LLRC????
We did with past PMs and then presidents from 1948.
I am not trying to justify what LTTE did.
“…The LTTE did not come into being or grow into a world-class terror outfit in a vacuum. Without the Sinhala Only, the Tiger may have remained unborn. Without the Black July, the Tiger may not have grown exponentially. If the B-C Pact and the D-C Pact did not miscarry (thanks to the midwifery of Sinhala extremism), the LTTE, even if it was born, would have remained a fringe group. ” Tisaranee Gunasekara
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bo / April 2, 2015
That is the point I made. You filled the details. Are you satisfied with your detail?
Rayappu thinks he knows everything, and wants everything in 5-min. We don’t even have a stable government, but only a hope for the better. Let something decent develop, and give it time.
Everything in nature has to evolve and people cannot be forced into accepting what they do not want. The best chance of true integration is intermarriage for love, and not politcially forced marriages of convenience, or fighting to carving up the slim cake.
Well, Rayappu is a christian preacher, no? So how about loving thy neighbour!
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Aia / April 2, 2015
The president, or Prime Minister or the Government elected to govern the country through a democratic setup, where a person has only single vote can have all the good intentions, and in our case, intention to sort the national issue which is acceptable for all, but to do that all the three should be in power up to the full implementation of measures they put. Unlike in the history of SL’s ruling where either of the main party reign in power, this time there was an effort to form a national government, and one right thinking voter should think why do they try this. To sort out all the unresolved issues hitherto festering this Nation requires bilateral support, that is what they are working on trying to form a national government and to find an opposition leader and etc. If mature person like Elil wants the all above three to molly cuddle minority in unison all along until the end of finding a solution, they would loose the popularity overnight from the majority and they wont be in, to sort out the issue. There are a good section of the people in the majority also see the need to sort out the issues once and for all, otherwise people like MR came back to power and try to make a living out these issues for them, which is not acceptable for them nor for Tamils. So there exists a mutual and common interest to sort out this issue, and it has been recognized, and we all support it, we may fail but when some sincere efforts being made, we have to give it a chance.
The people in power may play some hard balls, but Tamils should, at least the matured ones, understand and take them in the right sprit. Just like Sampanthan Sir did before the election ie. we didn’t want any written agreement or treaty to support for MS in the president election…that was a master stroke, only comes with maturity, as what is the point if the government of the day fails to honor what is in the written agreement after all, 13th amendment is clear example …not even agreement but something which is in the country’s constitution but the State has been bluffed out of its way since its inclusion. Therefore picking fight going by all the silly things which they say to keep the other side calm, wont be helpful for either those who strive to bring an end to all these issue and see a future for this county or innocents ordinary people who called only this country as theirs. Yes, the characterization of last phase of the war as humanitarian operation has flaws but then what is the alternative that would satisfy the Tamils in general, is it liberation of North from terrorists?. And, how do we expect a commander-in-chief to call it when he discharge the top role of the forces? Transitional justice is very vital to move forward, but we Tamils should not trying to find fault on mediators and the process etc. which would only antagonize such personalities and the IC, which doesn’t want the matter to end where it is at now as it sets a wrong precedence and to stop the recurrence. Accusing everyone except them was what exactly MR’s Government did.
There should be a common sense approach towards resolving this issue, if any criticism, that should be constructive not destructive. Should look at the final solution being worked out, not to be duped by intermediate dummies, that there will be many, like bites on the way for you to be bitten and stuck by. We saw in the past, went to find a solution but returned empty handed saying we wont return to the table until A9 is open or interim arrangement is worked out and so on. No pint gloating we are the best breed and blaming only one side for all the fault and, to being on mercy of others.
After all we knew LTTE were also not white lilies or fault free, they almost forcefully get the folks to evacuate their homes and follow them, but after a while only they realized that LTTE didn’t care about people who came behind them but only themselves first sending the weaker ones to build bunkers and others to guard sentries etc. Father Rajappu knows well what happened to Virgin Mary at the hands of LTTE how he got it back. On those days, it was always the case of which was the better devil, that was the fate the ones caught were found themselves in. State terrorism is not doubt is the worst devil as far as Tamils are concern but LTTE were not far from it on those when they were riding high- they never tried to alleviate their pains but inflicted more like as if rubbing salt on the wound. So we should have to have a balance perspective about this and shouldn’t assume with the demise of LTTE, their sins and of those who blindly supported them have been washed off.
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Rajash / April 2, 2015
The news and the rumour is that apparently CBK asked Sampanyhan, when the TNA supported the common candidate, “for 60 years we Sinhala poloiticians of all colours were fooloing you Tamils and why do you still trust us?”
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Senthil / April 2, 2015
Every one agree that 70% of Singhalese can go against Tamils if media and bad politicians like JR etc. agitate Singhalese. Can Tamils live with that fear for ever. No, Tamils need a solid political solution at this point after loosing lot of lives. As mentioned above, the army went over their limits are not handful, only the reasonable good army was handful. How come hand full of bad army can direct multi barrel bombs towards no fire zone and how come jets bomb hospitals, how come Tamil people were denied food and medicine. Zero causality will not work all the time.
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Goraka / April 2, 2015
Unless Tamils accept they are Sri Lankan Tamils it will be a rough ride to eternity. Same logic goes to other minorities group too.
That is the only way to gain respect and move forward.
There will be extremist among the majority, but most of Sri Lankans are pretty decent, level headed people.
Trust humanity, and not behave like the Jews who want more and more.
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Candidly / April 3, 2015
Sadly, the Bishop of Mannar is continuing with his endless campaign of stirring up hatred between Sri Lanka’s ethnic communities. Time this malevolant, twisted man was pensioned off and made to study the true peaceful teachings of Jesus if he is to continue to remain in the Catholic communion.
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Senthil / April 3, 2015
The enemies for Tamils are not lining in South but they are living among us. There is a saying before rectifying out side defects, first correct indoor problems. Beggar Duglus is responsible for many killings with the help of Gotha army and now he is the main opponent for selecting TNA as the opposition leader. My question is why the Tamils behind him still supporting this idiot. Please some educated Tamils, advise these brainless Tamils supporters to desert this idiot and Tamils future. We know that still Duglus is dancing to the tune of Gotha army. Please do not become a race shaking tail for meatless bones thrown from the south. Like Selva told, only God can save us. Even people like Duglus, Karuna killed God.
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Senthil / April 3, 2015
Goraka, The attitude of minority have to listen to majority is not acceptable. The minority of rich are ruling the world. Jews are minority among Arab countries and not listening to the majority. The majority and minority is not the problem here, right and wrong is the problem here. Majority is trying to supress the minority and the minority is trying to come up, might come up or drown, but with dignity. Even in India Tamils are more respected now than before war and a well known race in the world now.
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Taraki / April 3, 2015
You are quite right Rev. Did you think that stateless Rudra and the terrorists among the diaspora would have their way? Even the UN will alter their stance. Politics is the art of the possible. Eelam is impossible, India will never allow it. A small minority owning 2/3 of the coast line and 1/3 of the land mass is impossible. Tamils having their own ‘traditional homeland’ as well as occupying Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and the up-country is impossible. How much more do you want? Each time you and the TNA and the diaspora and Wiggy make such statements you reinforce the idea that the Tamils are not to be trusted. When will you fools learn to accept reality?
http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/eu-lanka-agree-form-new-working-group
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2015
Taraki
“Eelam is impossible, India will never allow it.”
Its only now it has dawn on you that Hindia has the final say on Thamil Eelam or Sinhala Eelam. Why don’t you chuck MR’s lies to the bin?
“A small minority owning 2/3 of the coast line and 1/3 of the land mass is impossible.”
Would you now settle it for less than 1/3 and 2/3?
If so let me know the ratio, percentage, size, length, breath, area …. you are prepared to concede.
“How much more do you want?”
How much less you are prepared to give?
“Each time you and the TNA and the diaspora and Wiggy make such statements you reinforce the idea that the Tamils are not to be trusted.”
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer and statesman.
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Taraki / April 3, 2015
Native,
‘Its only now it has dawn on you that Hindia has the final say on Thamil Eelam or Sinhala Eelam. Why don’t you chuck MR’s lies to the bin?’
We have always known it.
‘Would you now settle it for less than 1/3 and 2/3? If so let me know the ratio, percentage, size, length, breath, area …. you are prepared to concede.’
Zero. Become Sri Lankans or remain marginalized.
‘How much less you are prepared to give?’
See above.
‘As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live’
Physician, heal thyself
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Native Vedda / April 3, 2015
Taraki
“Zero. Become Sri Lankans or remain marginalized.”
Good.
Why the hell stupid people like you boringly quote 1/3 & 2/3 when Hindian foreign policy goals have made abandonedly clear that the island would remain a single state until the strategic environment is compelled to change?
It should be clear to any Tom, Dick and Harry by now that Hindian foreign policy goals will remain unchanged for considerable period of time. Therefore the question of 1/3 and 2/3 do not arise. It appear that you are willing to concede anything less than 1/3 and 2/3.
For a change why don’t you stop being a stupid and irrational person?
Are you by any chance a secret admirer/supporter of Thamil Eelam lobby?
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Taraki / April 3, 2015
Native, you are a fool and don’t know what you are talking about. Wake up and embrace a Sri Lankan identity. It is the only hope for all of us.
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Native Vedda / April 4, 2015
Taraki
“Native, you are a fool and don’t know what you are talking about.”
I can see your desperation in your typing.
I may be a fool. I am my own fool, not yours. Does it bother you? If it does a spell in the jungle would do you good.
” Wake up and embrace a Sri Lankan identity.”
I am wake all the time. I don sleep, How can I sleep when Tamils are occupying the North and Sinhalese are in the South? I do not even have enough space to stretch my legs.
There is no such thing as Sri Lankan identity. Even if you imagine there is one you hardly understand what it is. Don’t fool yourself by your perceived non existent Sri Lankan identity.
“It is the only hope for all of us.”
There is no hope with such identity.
Go “Kill the Vedda, Rob the Buddha and Blame the Sudda”, that is the only identity you have got now or you could say ” Sunday Sil Monday Kill”.
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Taraki / April 6, 2015
Nonsense Vedda! A Sri Lankan identity is certainly the only hope for all. Even your fellow Tamils would agree. It is the lack of this commonality, the divisions of race and religion that have brought the country to its present sorry state.
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Native Vedda / April 7, 2015
Taraki
“Nonsense Vedda!”
No, I am Native Vedda.
“A Sri Lankan identity is certainly the only hope for all.”
What is this Sri Lankan identity? Could you define it for us.
“Even your fellow Tamils would agree.”
Tamil aren’t my fellows. However you share common gene with Tamils hence you should call yourself fellow Tamil.
“It is the lack of this commonality, the divisions of race and religion that have brought the country to its present sorry state. “
What is the commonality you find lacking? As far as I know the commonalities I find among Tamils and Sinhalese are their stupidity, their rage 24/7/52 and their tendency to self destruct.
Since there is no commonality why not ethnically cleanse the island and continue building the Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto? Wouldn’t that keep the island neat and tidy?
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