By Colombo Telegraph –
” No person resident anywhere in Sri Lanka helped us with this film. No-one was paid for any evidence or interviews.” says Callum Macrae, the producer of the Channel 4, ‘No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka‘.
Macrae issued a statement this evening responding to a report published in today Sinhala language Divaina newspaper.
We publish below the statement in full;
In relation to the statement apparently issued today from within the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence, I would like to make it clear that not one person living anywhere in Sri Lanka helped us make this film. Furthermore we have not paid anything to anyone for any evidential material or interviews. That is simply a fact.
What is even more astonishing and disturbing is that these threats come from government sources.
The eyes of the world are on Sri Lanka just now, as the UN Human Rights Council considers how justice and accountability can best be ensured in Sri Lanka. Thereafter Commonwealth countries will also be considering their position in relation to Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting scheduled to be held in November in Sri Lanka.
In a country which is under criticism for the high levels of disappearances of government critics, its attacks on the judiciary and attempts to silence journalists, these apparently government-sponsored threats are beyond belief. They can only further the determination of everyone who cares about truth and accountability to ensure that justice is done.
When our first film came out – and provoked angry denials from the government – Sri Lanka’s own former president, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said: “continued denial of proven facts and abuse of our honest critics will not resolve the problem for anyone.”
Open threats will resolve the problem even less.
I repeat again. No person resident anywhere in Sri Lanka helped us with this film. No-one was paid for any evidence or interviews.
If Sri Lanka uses our film to justify a witch-hunt, or worse, against anyone it perceives as a critic it will condemn itself in the eyes of the world.
Translation of the Divaina newspaper story;
Sri Lanka on the watch for Sri Lankans helping Channel – 4
By Noman Palihawadana
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is requesting the public to inform the government if they know any Sri Lankans who are secretly helping the Channel 4.
There is a growing suspicion whether some have deliberately turned their back to the motherland in exchange for various favors. A spokesman from the MoD told ‘Divaina’, that they are requesting the public to inform the government on any such individuals without any delay.
The MoD says that regardless of Tamilnadu’s dreams, they will not be able to realize any of their dreams about the Kachchathivu island.
URL: http://www.divaina.com/
kris / March 5, 2013
They are not resident of SL currenly but they used to live in SL now they live in UK under your supervision with your dollar payments, if you are that honnest then discole the source of information,other wise whole world will make judgement of your photoshop capabilities.
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PresiDunce Bean / March 6, 2013
@kris
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
~ The Buddha
“Every truth passes through three stages before it is recognized: In the first it is ridiculed, in the second it is opposed, in the third it is regarded as self-evident.”
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
…what’s really hilarious is that most Sinhalese who deny any kind of murder or rape of Tamils by the armed forces, will not deny that such things were also done to Sinhala youth by the armed forces in 1970 and during the 89/90 period. Only problem is that at that time there were no camera phones or digital cameras for the soldiers to take trophy pictures. Recently a mass grave was discovered in Matale. Now did those 100 plus victims kill themselves so that 23 or 24 years later after the grave was discovered the reputation of the armed forces could be sullied?
…just like the Buddha said, the truth will come out one day because nothing can be hidden for long.
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Ben Hurling / March 6, 2013
Mr. Bean
We are looking forward to the trth about blood thirsty LTTE. Sooner or later.
Specially info on who funded LTTE for 30 years. To conduct henious crimes on Sri Lankan soil. While they lived in the West.
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Periyar E. V. Ramasamy / March 9, 2013
DIASPORA LTTE ACTIVISTS POSING AS HUMAN RIGHTS CHAMPIONS
dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/17912
there will never be justice to all, when the other side is unaccounted for.
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Ben Hurling / March 6, 2013
Callum Macrae & C4, so concerned about justice and accountability in Sri Lanka. All of a sudden.
All this begs one question.
Where were all these people for 30 years? When Sri Lankans could not walk the streets of their own country without getting blown up. When child soldiers were a thrving enterprise in the Vanni. 30 long years. Where were you Callum and C4?
These hypocrites didn’t give a damn. They woke up all of a sudden. Once VP was knocked out, so decisively against all odds.
Please note, I do not support the way Rajapassa clan rules Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has 2 battles right now. One against corrupt Rajapassa family. Another against international hypocrites and the cunning LTTE rump overseas.
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Lakshman / March 11, 2013
Quite a stupid question. Everyone knows that LTTE was a brutal force but the same is not expected of a country’s army and an elected government. Do not compare. What the LTTE did was unfair in all respects. But a government cannot get away with these acts.
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Lakshman / March 11, 2013
Yes. You can say it is photo shop and they were funded by eelam etc but truth will come out one day. The moment the regime in Sri Lanka changes, all those responsible will be tried for war crimes.
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Dav / March 5, 2013
Have you even watched it Kris? I think not.
Photoshop couldn’t put together something like that.
Honesty is not the question to be asked if C4, but those in power in our land. Whats there to hide by his blanket dismissal of it?
They may use the opportunity to wipe out people saying that they were behind C4, but in reality, if anyone did come forward as a witness, will their lives be spared? Will their families be spared. I think not.
As soon as one is a witness anonymously, their story is rejected at lies.
So… any bright ideas from you as to how the truth might be uncovered?
PS. If I were you, I’d watch the C4 doc (proferably the original unadulterated version) before making naive judgements.
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Godsun / March 5, 2013
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
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justice / March 6, 2013
The government can begin by identifying military personnel in the many videos made by troops using their cellphones.
The faces are clear in many cases. The supervising personnel of the lower ranks in contact with the troops can do this easily.
Those identified should be interrogated as a first step.
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Dav / March 6, 2013
And you think the buck stops there???
The reason all this is being denied seems to suggest without doubt that accountability will not simply need to be made at lower ranks but rise right through it to the ‘very top’. A lot to hide & too much to lose.
Power is a dangerous thing in the wrong hands…
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Safa / March 6, 2013
Since these videos and pics must have been taken by its own soldiers and reporters embedded with the forces during the war it seems the term war without witnesses was a misconception. Witnesses, there were many, and now they are speaking out. Govt is in denial but this witch hunt indicates its concerns and gives credence to the reports.
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gamini / March 6, 2013
Safa, who made it possible for MR to conduct the War without witnesses? even the UN being pulled out as if MR was all powerful defying the whole world? Who is trying to fool whom? Looks as if what goes around, comes around?
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Mimi / March 6, 2013
Of course, the threats had to come from the Sri Lankan government. It is strange for a regime that has denied the killing of every civilian, whether the terrorist leader’s son, to helpless Tamil civilians, how much of denials, threats, and attacking the messengers they have been resorting to. The movie can be easily authenticated, or discredited, but the Rajapaksa’s inability to be honest and admit to a single crime, is ridiculous, and it seems their intent is to fool the world. We are supposed to believe that the Sri Lankan army fought a war with no blood spilt, and that every single death was caused by the LTTE. Funny ha ha.
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Kumudini / March 6, 2013
this idea of saying that there were zero casualties were well timed . What the SL aithorities said is that they were aiming for zero ciilian casualities . The journalists mischievously reported this as SL authorities to having said there were zero casualities . This being their standard of ethical journalism. !how can any person with a brain think that there would be no casualities in a raging war?
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gamini / March 6, 2013
Kumudini for your information there was zero casualty in this war on both sides from January 2007 to about March 2009. By this time the entire Tamil civilian population of around three hundred and eighty thousand and a further forty thousand LTTE cadre had vacated their strong hold Kilinochchi without battle to Puthukudiirippu beyond the Nandikadal lagoon. It is here that the Tamils started to get massacred around the end of April 2009 and the LTTE did not have any heavy artillery to defend themselves as they had buried the lot, other than a few small fire arms. This is the famous massacre of unarmed LTTE numbering around forty thousand that is on record of mobile cameras where the Forces rounded up the lot for the period May 2009 to finish the lot by the 19th of May 2009 to boast of a War Victory. Really the final stage of the War was a One Horse Race. Some in the Forces relished the killing of the LTTE and the civilians including VP’s son. Now the Defense Sec. Gota must be regretting having allowed the Forces personnel to have filmed the gory events that has got in to the hands of the International Hands. Apart from these photos, the US through their satellite cameras must be having better proof which they are holding back at the momment and every one knows why?
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 7, 2013
Gamini,
You are cooking a tale, from random pieces of unconnected and non sequential information. This may be good script for film, but is not fact.
Further, it is when the LTTE was pushed out of Puthukudiyiruppu – VPs headquarters, residence and hide out- that they reached Nanthikadal and were trapped.
Further, all the weapons, both light and heavy, were not buried for future retrieval by the LTTE . They also took substantial numbers of both into the safety zones.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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gamini / March 8, 2013
Narendran, Did you see the Govt. News soon after announcing the War Victory? Did you visit the ‘Dayeta Kirula” Exhibitions where the captured arms of the LTTE that were buried were displayed? Why bury any or even a single and lose the war? It appears that you are also one of the KP crowd who had an understanding with MR to share the spoils getting rid of VP and the LTTE cadre.
If what I state is not true, get the list of the Forces dead for the period Jan 2007 to May 2009. Not the dead of the Forces prior. The govt. is on record in the Hanzard stating 451 dead in the Forces for July, Aug and Sept 2008. Get the list with details of name, rank, division and their private addresses for a counter check with the families. Then you will understand the truth of this Propaganda War.
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Ben / March 8, 2013
I also thought at the beginning that you have been stammering a fairy tale, but no doubt there are loads of hidden facts remaining…
Alone the fact their denial to go for a proper investigation, as promised once or several times by Kehelmal to calm the nation – immediately after the channel 4 storied revealed then – authorities from the govt side have not even made any efforts, nor have they tried to inform why yet. This is the one of the crucial questions that UNHCR asks today.
Kehelmal as always has been very irresponsible with his remarks just rejecting by his cunning smiles to the press, would further say that they just decided to rather concentrated on the development projects of the govt, rather than going to do such investigations.
There should be a justice minister who has a real backbone to address all these issues again and again, if the opposition is totally paralized.. tat is what I feel.
Ranil could raise the question again anda gain, I dont see any good intiative on his side, since all these surface…
Gamini will not agree with any views against RW, but he can be more powerful even today.. tomorrow will be late.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 8, 2013
Gamini,
Do not classify people to suit you purposes. I saw Mullaitivu and the war zone long before ‘ Dayeta Kirula’. I have spoken to the people who were in the safety zone till almost the very end. The weapons buried by the LTTE are yet being recovered , even in Jaffna.
I have no access to figures of the soldiers dead. I remember a figure of 7000 being cited. However, I have no published reference in hand. There are many soldiers who died in the battle for Elephant-pass, who are yet listed as missing – in- action. There is no question many soldiers died and were maimed during the last war. The soldier casualties were less, because the LTTE was on the retreat, while yet fighting.
The LTTE was planning to recover and return to lay hands on the weapons they buried. They also burned large amounts of cash in the last few days of the war.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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gamini / March 9, 2013
Ben one simple question? why did the LTTE and the Tamil civilians move out of Kilinochchi for tha final battle? Had the govt. Forces done what they did to VP and the LTTE in the strong hold of Kilinochchi, the govt. Forces were not in a position to wipe them out as Kilinochchi had enough bunkers and a large stock of buried heavy artilery and the LTTE would have used them. Here at Puthukudirippu they were helpless and had no place to hide or access to their buried weapons. VP and the rest were lured out with a promise assured by the very forces who helped LTTE and nurtured them for the last thirty years. So VP had no option but to place his trust on the Americans and the Indians. Holding the Tamil civilians as a Human Shield was just to hype the South and the world community, because the LTTE let every civilian who wanted to cross the lagoon to leave in the boats and dinghies provided with their knowledge. If the LTTE was to hold them as a Human Shield and were killing any leaving, then how come almost the entire three hundred thousand civilians came under Forces control?
Narendran, you state that many soldiers died at Elephant Pass. That was long before Jan 2007 during CBK’s time. What I asked was for the period Jan 2007 to May 2009? Infact a list is under preperation to establish the exact number of the dead in this haox of a War.
Narendran, I do not have to classify you or DBSJ with KP working with MR to woo the Tamil diaspora because your slips are showing. For that matter today’s Daily Mirror, March 9th page 9 carries an article by DBSJ to confirm what I say. For you lot, any Tamil who demands to know as to how so many Tamils got killed in the end, they are LTTE Activists for you. It is not only the massacre in the end that has to be brought to light, but how MR was allowed to use VP to get elected and discard them in preference to another lot of Tamils who are waiting to share the spoils with MR, leaving an equal amount of Tamils in the diaspora completely unaware as to what really happened.
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True / March 6, 2013
Bullshit…
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karikala cholan / March 6, 2013
kris is absolute mad.. let the sl army rape her mom.then he will know what is the truth.
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Rakshaka / March 6, 2013
Poor Macrae. He did not get the effect he was expecting.
Jayalalitha’s orgasm subsided and Karunanidhi went back to sleep after the first hour. Filming at the UN in Geneva received a cold reception.
Now he is trying another stunt, this time to protect his sources!
Keep trying, conspirator.
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Ajay / March 6, 2013
Callum
“I would like to make it clear that not one person living anywhere in Sri Lanka helped us make this film. Furthermore we have not paid anything to anyone for any evidential material or interviews.”
By saying this you have admitted what everybody already know: you were assisted by Sri Lankans in the diaspora.
What you don’t say is what matters:
You don’t say NO Sri Lankans helped us make this film.
Also you don’t say NOBODY has paid anything to anyone for any evidential material or interviews.
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len / March 6, 2013
Even now some still deny death camps and Holocaust as well.
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Kumudini / March 6, 2013
if you examine the photo, there is no evidence of any blood from the gun shot wounds on this boy. I do think that is so weird . Also he could have been in a LTTE bunker sitting very comfortably with no sign of fear in his little face . The photo after his death shows a person wearing rubber slippers , No army personnel wears rubber slippers. That is so weird as well.
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ANN / March 6, 2013
Alone the fact that no blood stains are found there – cant be an argument to rule out that the pictures are doctored. Anyway, there are also deadbodys in patho halls without blood stains.
I personally believe if genuine investigators want to trace the truth of all these, they should better listen to top officials that were then surrounded by dead bodies being on the battle fields. Hearsay of anyone can only make further speculations leading to uncertainties. If the govt is genuine with investigations, they could have started them at the beginning of the last 3 years. Latter is the accusation made by UNHRC – even if rulers can share them that they need more time – can not always be the response. As Dayasiiri jayasekara pointed out, at the time, Channel 4 brought its first films about the tortures and wild actitivies of the lanken army soldiers, govt had promised to go for a genuine investigation, but as everyone one is clear – they have failed to do so… crucial question is why ?
As one of the commentators made it clear:
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”
~ The Buddha
“Every truth passes through three stages before it is recognized: In the first it is ridiculed, in the second it is opposed, in the third it is regarded as self-evident.”
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
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gamini / March 6, 2013
Kumudini, all the LTTE bunkers including VP’s in Killinochchi, was in the hands of the MR Govt. Forces by April 2009. These bunkers were shown after capture on TV through the Govt. media. So what makes you think the Govt. Forces did not use them? What Logic?
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Ben Hurling / March 6, 2013
“Holocaust”..ha? What happened to all that “Genocide” talk?
Funny. GOSL is busy removing landmines and building houses for the people who were in the death camp.
LTTE monkeys have been lying for so long. About everything. To everyone. Now they truly believe that it is infact the truth.
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Native Vedda / March 6, 2013
Ajay
What is your point if there is any?
Callum Macrae had made his position clear.
If Tamil or Sinhala Diaspora financed to obtain the evidence by themselves does it matter as long as the evidence help to unearth truth from the spin.
Isn’t there a possibility that India, USA, Russia, China and all other countries which supported the war could have supplied the evidence to the film makers to suit their ever changing (from Geopolitics to) Geo-cookery interests?
Please don’t sit on your brain.
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Ajay / March 6, 2013
Nai Veda,
SHUSH.
GROWN UPS ARE TALKING.
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Native Vedda / March 6, 2013
Ajay
“SHUSH. GROWN UPS ARE TALKING.”
Small talk, perhaps.
“As great minds have the faculty of saying a great deal in a few words, so lesser minds have a talent of talking much, and saying nothing.” – Francois de La Rochefoucauld
I am sorry the above quote is meant for the other grown ups with whom you are talking and not for you. Please keep talking until the cows home.
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Ajay / March 7, 2013
Okay Vedi boy, that’s enough.
Brush your teeth with Bombu kotu and go to bed.
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Native Vedda / March 7, 2013
Ajay
“Brush your teeth with Bombu kotu and go to bed.”
How can I go to bed while the stupid Sinhalese and stupid Tamils are occupying my ancestral land?
I will go bed only these two stupid people have left this island.
Now the Tamils and Sinhalese want to tell me when I go to ease myself as well. Dictatorship of the Kallathonies knows no bound.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 8, 2013
Native Veddah,
You sound like Dutugemunu . Remember his lament about being caught between the Demalu’s and the deep blue sea and hence being unable to sleep!
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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Candidly / March 6, 2013
Sri Lanka should be careful. There is a concerted attempt to incite Sri Lanka to act harshly towards Tamils and Sri Lankan dissidents. This would then prove their point that Sri Lanka must be split in two and the West must take action against the present government.
Personnally, what I would like to hear Callum Macrae say is that next he is going to make a film about the Tamil Tiger Slaughterhouse where during 3 decades thousands of Sri Lankan people from all communities were killed to satisfy the Tigers’ dreams of a Tamil-only homeland. But I doubt that he will.
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PresiDunce Bean / March 6, 2013
@Candidly
This is what the GOSL continues to do to the Tamils.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/u-s-alarmed-by-peaceful-protestors-detention/
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Darlin de Silva / March 6, 2013
Callum Macrae’s statement ” that not one person living anywhere in Sri Lanka helped us make this film” is clear evidence that the film in question is one deoctored skillfully by Callum Macrae’s channel 4. It is only someone living Stri Lanka who could have made a film of the nature of “killing field in Sri Lanka”. At last the truth has come to light.
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Dav / March 6, 2013
Get a life!
Have you watched it? I think not.
The truth is already alight – if only our people stopped being blind to it.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / March 6, 2013
Wait wait, hold on just a second – you mean to say the LTTE diaspora isn’t resident in Sri Lanka?? Another of Callum’s bombshells :) And as for who’s paying who, I think you might be looking at it the wrong way around, unintentionally of course ;)
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gamini / March 6, 2013
Sarma, your sarong is out and all can see what you are trying to cover up.
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Native Vedda / March 7, 2013
gamini
Siva Sankaran Sarma Menon recently has undergone sex reassignment surgery,(male to female). He himself confessed this a few weeks ago.
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Gramps / March 7, 2013
I append part of a discussion gleaned from an email sent by a friend…. it says a lot.
Your naivety astounds me. While I wholly agree about the biblical adage of ‘truth’, the reality on the ground is much more complex.
As I had written earlier, no country victorious in war has ever subjected itself to a so called impartial inquiry by the United Nations. The founders of the United Nations in their wisdom had set the imperative that such inquiries can only be held with the full consent of the country in question. In the history of the United Nations no country has ever given consent to any such inquiry. There are many examples from the United States, Britain, Israel, Russia, China, Algeria and France to name just a few.
Why then must Sri Lanka subject itself and be in the forefront of any such investigation. Is it because Sri Lanka is a small developing country without any political, economic or military clout in the world? If that is so it diminishes the very essence of the United Nations and its charter to be equal in its dealings with all countries despite their political, economic and military power. Or is it because that you both support the widely held Diaspora view that now that MR has won the Eleam war and the LTTE lost it hook, line and sinker, let us now get him on the technicalities of the conduct of the war.
I am afraid that will not wash with me, as it is apparent to me and others who support and love Sri Lanka that these measures are intended to malign the sovereignty of Sri Lanka by any means. It is obvious as night follows day that if Sri Lanka compromises on this principle, Sri Lanka may as well kiss goodbye to its integrity as a nation and its hard fought sovereignty of centuries. For the past 2600 years Sri Lanka has fought invaders from India and in the last 400 years invaders from Europe and while absorbing many of these invader cultures it has maintained its sovereignty as a nation. It was in this context in my opinion the last Eleam war was fought and won to maintain the integrity and unitary nature of the country of Sri Lanka and its sovereignty. No leader of the country of Sri Lanka worth his/her salt will abandon such hard won principle of sovereignty that was cemented by the blood, sweat and toil of our ancestors. To give in to the demands of countries and the Diaspora parties inimical to Sri Lanka is analogous to Esau selling his birthright for the meagre pottage of currying favour with the Western powers.
The Eleam war was brutal in its conduct by both opposing sides. War is no picnic and the brutality of war leaves in its wake a myriad of woes that have befallen the losers as well as the victors. As Krishna alludes to in the Mahabharatha that war is the last resort, when all else to achieve peace has failed. Once the war has commenced there is no looking back as the full impact of the brutality of war is unleashed and the victor takes the spoils. All throughout history war is littered with atrocities as there is no such example of a sanitised war. Innocents get killed, maimed and famine and pestilence follow in the aftermath. Sri Lanka has avoided famine and pestilence so common to wars in African countries in the past (the Biafran war for example) and has rehabilitated and resettled over ninety five percent of the civilians and former combatants.
As for the killing of VP’s teenage son heinous as it may seem, it must be taken in the context of the whole aspect of the brutal war. Innocent children much younger than Balachandran perished directly sanctioned by VP and his commanders. Also in strategic terms does the ‘end justify the means’ as it has been intimated Balachandran would have been a rallying point for any future conflict. While I can see the logic in this argument, I would have taken him into protective custody and provided him with the needs to turn him against the Diaspora. A historical analogy that comes to mind is how the Portuguese successfully exploited the young Sri Lankan prince who later became king as Don Juan Dharmapala having been educated in Portugal and being married to a Portuguese noble woman. It seems that Gotabaya missed this trick as it is believed by many that Karuna had advised him of the dangers of a future conflict that would have been seeded by VP’s son as a figurehead – all this is innuendo and speculation as in war one never knows and different versions come to light depending on the political persuasion of the narrator. History is littered with many such anomalies where the offspring of politicians and leaders never lived to lead the losers. We can even equate this to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki where many innocent individuals and children perished. Despite this set back the Japanese would have fought to the last man standing unless the Americans left their Emperor unscathed. Wisely the Americans agreed to this demand.
War crimes and the like as it has been shown in the modern context is only applicable to the losers as seen by the execution of Saddam Hussein and the prosecution of the former Yugoslav politicians and military personnel, and also some African leaders like Charles Taylor of Sierra Leone. The former British Prime Minister has not been prosecuted for the illegal war in Iraq on the false premise of WMDs. President George W Bush cannot be prosecuted as the USA is not a signatory to the Rome statue of the International Criminal Court (ICC). For your information Sri Lanka too is not a signatory to the Rome statue of the ICC. The only way current Sri Lankan leaders can be brought to court is by a vote in the United Nations General assembly – here too the LTTE supporting Diaspora will be ‘whistling in the wind’ as China and Russia will exercise their power of veto. The UNHRC can embarrass Sri Lanka, but it too will have no power without the Security council support. The UNHRC is a vehicle utilised by the USA and their allies to control, exploit and further their political, economic and military influence and the current hounding of Sri Lanka must be seen in this context.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 7, 2013
I agree with you. I wish however that the government had fought for a united Sri Lanka, instead of a unitary Sri Lanka. The government has done very little to unite all the people’s of this country and is even encouraging the divisive forces once again through its acts of omission and commision. Divided we fall, united we stand. This wisdom has not been learned. We should be Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Veddas, Buddhists, Hindus and Chritians as communities, but should be Sri Lankans as a nation. One grouping should not be superior to any other or try to dictate terms to the others. The majority community will dictate the overall character of Sri Lanka, but should also define itself in terms of its accommodation of the minorities, their needs, their rights and their place in this country. Imagined and manufactured issues should not be permitted to wreck this country again. If there are problems, they should be studied in depth and solutions found. this the function of the government. communal entities should not be permitted to hold the nation to ransom. The government particularly should be above the fray and do what is right by all the people in this country. The majority can be Sinhala- Buddhist, but the government should be Sri Lankan and represent all the people.
Is it difficult to do this? Gramps wise reply is awaited.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran.
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Ajay / March 8, 2013
Sir
I haven’t seen the predicament of Sri Lanka and the way out put more aptly or succinctly than this – ever.
You have hit the mark especially when you say “one grouping should not be superior to any other or try to dictate terms to the others. The majority community will dictate the overall character of Sri Lanka, but should also define itself in terms of its accommodation of the minorities, their needs, their rights and their place in this country. Imagined and manufactured issues should not be permitted to wreck this country again.”
I cannot agree with you more.
I wish there are more Sri Lankans like you: sober, decent, fair-minded, balanced, intelligent, witty, and articulate with a subtle sense of humour but without any trace of animosity.
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Native Vedda / March 9, 2013
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
Ajay writes: “I wish there are more Sri Lankans like you: sober, decent, fair-minded, balanced, intelligent, witty, and articulate with a subtle sense of humour but without any trace of animosity”
Beware strangers bearing gifts.
Is he after your properties in this island?
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gamini / March 9, 2013
Gramps, if the World body is genuine in their desire to uphold Human Rights and safeguard Democracy, although no country can be probed without their consent as you say, there are many ways and means to bring down such corrupt Regimes and certainly the UN or the Power blocks can dictate. Unfortunately when the corrupt Political Leadership was elected and sustained by the very forces, deceiving the LTTE, there is very little that the citizens can do. However if the Tamil diaspora plays it’s cards well holding the Indian govt and the Americans responsible with a probe, many home truths will come out. Therefore the Tamil diaspora should press more strongly for an Independent Probe, with the solid backing of the Tamils in Tamil Nadu, not the Politicians who are in the pay off, of these very forces as Dr. Subramaniam Swamy.
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ruan / March 7, 2013
Who was in charge of security forces in Matale in ’89?
See Chandraprema’s – Gota’s War page 137, the cat gets out of the bag!!!!
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / March 7, 2013
Ryan,
In 1970- 71, suspect JvP’ers including Buddhist monks were lined up along a pit with burning tyres and shot. They toppled into the pit, yet alive. Violence and counter violence and the accompanying inhumanity have been experienced throughout the time man has been on this earth. Wars and violence have to be avoided at all cost. If inevitable, the price has to paid.
Dr. Rajasingham Narendran
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kris / March 7, 2013
karikala cholan
Get the facts correct , if no one in SL took those pictures then do you belive C4 took those pictures, it is hilarious these LTTE idiots can’t understand simple staement.
Karikalan it is too late any one to rape my mum because she is passed away.
Don’t show in public that you are an absolutly idot.
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Senguttuvan / March 7, 2013
Gramps – The Sri Lankan Vs the Tamil militants insurrection does not fall into the category of War in the strict sense – where one formally
declares War on the other. Both the JVP and LTTE fall within the description of non-state actors. What is being resisted by the State side is responsibility for the death and disappearance of a very large number on the Tamil side along the lines of Command responsibility.
I believe in current international law if a State is unable to control (just or tenable) resistance to its governance over a long period of time and if such a conflict results in the death of over a 1,000 people there is room for the international community (UN, UNHRC, ICJ etc) to come into the scene.
Kris – I wonder who Karikala Cholan you refer to is?
Senguttuvan
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kris / March 8, 2013
Senguttuvan
Kris – I wonder who Karikala Cholan you refer to is?
Read his comments on this thread
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